"Hardcore gaming" is an activity that involves learning every possible maneuver/ability/stage in a videogame not only to win, but to win efficiently, making the fewest mistakes and taking the least amount of time to win. Winning may be collecting items, downing opponents, completing levels etcetera. Winning can be any combination of these goals and may vary depending on the game.

Spending countless hours playing a game may be a result of hardcore gaming, but is not a requirement. Simply playing a game without striving to improve or master the game is not hardcore gaming. That would be casual gaming.

After or near mastery of the game, the player can be called a hardcore gamer for the said game.
(Danny is positioned in front of his television with a controller in his lap.)

Mary: Why is Danny repeatedly playing the same racetrack over and over with different cars? There are many more tracks in that game!

Austin: Well, isn't obvious that he's trying to learn the track and find the car best suited for that track? You don't know much about hardcore gaming, do you Mary?
by MysticNessly November 28, 2011
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The most hardcore game ever! Contestants find a public area which is preferably closing soon. They all take a seat and the last one to stand up loses. Bets are allowed to be placed on such events. You should try and have a minimum of four contestants.
"Dude you wanna play the hardcore game?"
"sure"
by kiekiekie February 19, 2010
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Any game in which successful completion or demonstration of skill requires a significant investment of both time and effort on the part of the player.
"Damn, this hardcore game is hardcore!"
by Pixel-One July 6, 2008
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The time of the year when all the new and relevant video game releases come out.
"Welcome to week eleven and the very last week of the hardcore gaming season giveaway for 2013."
by dicke eier November 7, 2015
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