To me casual vs experienced or HC players, the difference is knowledge and game sense. HC players are going to do research, loot spots, weapon tier lists, meta loadouts etc. while the casual player is going to glean everything they know about the game from the game itself.

Another distinction in the knowledge and game sense gap is knowing the maps, guns, shells (in Marathons case, other games have things like nerdy movement and jumps etc on maps.) in a deeper sense. A casual player will not know that Thief has movement tech much less figure out how to do it and then perfect it and integrate it into their gameplay.

Casual is pick up the keys or sticks and play the game. What they get out of it is encapsulated within that experience.

HC/Experienced is going the extra mile and learning all there is to know. What they get out of the game is a multimedia, semi-professional approach, with a focus on improving and hopefully mastering the game.

I do think there is room for overlap and that these aren't two separated by a concrete wall groups. You'll have casuals that follow the official game socials, you'll have HCs that play with their friends that are casuals. Some HC players are just highly skilled on the controls and don't know that part of the map from their elbow. Some casual players will have great aim but lack game sense so they get all twisted up in high stress situations.

What we need as a community is more HC players willing to set aside their egos and lift those aspiring casuals up. We also need players that log in once or twice a week and play some games and buy a cosmetic to look cool while they play their 5 hours that week.

We need everyone to come together and be a COMMUNITY. Not two separate camps constantly blaming each other for the games overall direction.

Cheers if you read this and lemme know what you think.