Are casual gamers actually good for the progression of gaming?

A topic stirring things up in the industry echelons seems to be the decision to appeal to casuals along with the 'core' gamers.  IMO everyone starts out being a casual and if hooked progresses onto bcoming a core gamer.  However, if game developers, keeping sales in mind, end up creating more software for th bankable casual gaming market, is that really good fo the overall game industry?  I mean if features and complexity is dumbed down in order to cater to the masses then how is that going to effect us 'core' gamers?  

Your thoughts and comments please!! 

However, if game developers, keeping sales in mind, end up creating more software for th bankable casual gaming market, is that really good fo the overall game industry?

zkalra

Well, exactly the same thing happens to the 'core' games, especially this gen - most of the big games are just sequels with very little innovation. I don't really think gaming is progressing much at all either way.

we are all gamers who needs stupid lables like hardcore or casual if you play video games then your a gamer . this stupid ass notion that you are either this or that needs to end. all games are good for the industry.  

All you guys argue about is AAA games.

Well how many AAA games are there in a year? Not many. Thanks to casuals buying other crap EA has enough money to make Dead Space.

So my point is: casuals = revenue. 

All you guys argue about is AAA games.

Well how many AAA games are there in a year? Not many. Thanks to casuals buying other crap EA has enough money to make Dead Space.

So my point is: casuals = revenue. 

Blue-Sky

This guy has a point.

Besides, a lot of games that people call "core" are actually very casual-oriented (Halo 3, Gears 2, GTAIV etc etc). 

Its a double edged sword, on one hand it promotes growth, but on the other originality and complexity usually make way for simplicity and mediocrity.

If you pander to only what sells, you get a saturated market.

Like the one currently happening today.

its good to cater for them. but to make the main focus of your gaming strategy is not good idea.

gaming has always been supported by the majority of hardcore gamers. if companies turn soft on us we will be seeing less of the cool gritty games like god of war or gears or stalker etc.

all types of gamers help the gaming industry, casual gamers included... the first time i got a console i was new to gaming and therefore would fall under the so calledf 'casual gamer' cathegory... years later i consider myself a gamer since i dont really see a difference between casual & hardcore...

Growing up you have more commitments like studying, work, family etc etc therefore your gaming time becomes more limited, but that doesnt make you less of a gamer than someone who spends 5 hours a day gaming...

The question is that if developers start making games to suit the sensibilities of the casual (read - 4 hours a week to 10 hours a week) gamers, then would that lead to more uncomplicated, easy to beat and less innovative games????  I mean there is no way a mom playing wii-fit is going to be able to play Bioshock or Fallout 3 with any level of proficiency so if revenues from games like Rock Star and Guitar Hero apart from the wii blockbusters are going to be huge then is it a logical extrapolation to believe that at some point developers are going to start focusing their energies towards these genres???? 

more people -> more money -> more jobs -> more ideas -> better games

Not really. But the Wii can be an example of how trying to appeal yo casuals can ruin gaming.Tulak_Hord

if gaming was like the SW people here want it would be all shooters

and thats what i really dont like to happen

only shooters and nothing else im glad that the wii brings some variety to the table