So what does Shigeru Miyamoto think of the divide between core and casual gamers? Well, maybe there really isn’t one after all. He believes that a casual gamer can become hardcore after a time, as he told Official Nintendo Magazine:
I think it’s a natural transition. said Miyamoto. Everyone starts off as a light user but at some point many of them become hardcore gamers. My wife bought Brain Training about three years ago. In More Brain Training, you know how there is the Dr Mario game? She became absolutely hooked and today she is much better than I am!
[Notes: Brain Training is the Japanese version of Brain Age, and apparently being married to the most famous video game creator in the history of the universe isn't enough to get you free DS games.]
More of Miyamoto’s thoughts on the issue of hardcore gamers vs. casual gamers:
When I hear that kind of discussion, I wonder if there really is such a distinction. There are many hardcore gamers playing with casual games and I believe casual gamers do get into hardcore Nintendo games too. I think one of Nintendo’s missions is to destroy the barrier between the two and I believe Wii Music contributes that.
I’m not entirely convinced that Wii Music is a big hit with core gamers, but try to find one who hasn’t enjoyed Wii Sports at some point over the past two years. The full interview will be published in Official Nintendo Magazine, which hits news stands tomorrow.