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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Mercurius" data-source="post: 4905234" data-attributes="member: 59082">You took the words right out of my mouth, Oni.You're overthinking, imo. We don't need an "independent rubric for measurement," just some basic definitions to work with, based on a few criteria: How much time one spends thinking about RPGs, on forums, reading books, etc; How many books owned/how much one spends regularly; How frequently one plays or wants to play; and I would add, knowledge of the hobby's history and culture.I'll posit three categories:CASUAL: May own rule books, but only a few and only for the purpose of playing. Rarely thinks about gaming outside of their session. Plays no more than once a week, probably less (has a hard time commiting to more than once or twice a month). Almost by definition only plays, never DMs (except maybe trying it once or twice). Doesn't go on internet forums about gaming, at least not more than once or twice to check things out (may run quickly the other way). Definitely doesn't know what "The Forge" is. SERIOUS: Owns many game books, perhaps a few shelves worth. Buys books on a semi-regular basis, but selectively (and not necessarily to play; may be for "idea-mining," entertainment reading, etc). Thinks about RPGs frequently, even daily, but may go days or even weeks without picking up a game book or playing. Plays frequently but probably not more than once a week, and only one campaign at a time. May or may not go on internet forums frequently. May or may not know what "The Forge" is.HARDCORE: RPGs are central to one's hobby/entertainment life. Owns many game books, probably hundreds if not thousands. Buys books on a monthly basis, spending a significant portion of disposable income. Either has a game room or wants a game room. May play in multiple campaigns at once. Basically wants to play as much as possible. Probably goes on internet forums; almost certainly has logins on ENWorld, RPG.Net, etc. Knows what the "Forge" is, has assigned GNS theory to oneself.Or something like that. I would think that 95% of participants on this board are at least Serious gamers, with a good chunk being Hardcore. Actually, if you look at post counts an even larger portion of posts are from Hardcore gamers.Speaking for myself, I'd categorize myself as a "Serious" gamer, with bouts of "Serious Plus." The group I currently DM is comprised of myself and five casual gamers, all 30-40-something males who haven't played since college or even before. Another point is that there is no way to really even answer this question without being anecdotal. How many other gamers do you really come in contact with on a regular basis? Even if you are active in your local community, hang out at the FLGS, we're talking a few dozen maybe? And aren't they by definition other Serious to Hardcore gamers?</blockquote>

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