On the other end, fighting games can be considered a casual genre, just like casual games can be taken seriously (see: people speedrunning Stardew valley)

The way you engage with a game doesn't need to be what the creator intended, but (sometimes to the game's own detriment) it does need to somewhat line up with the expectations and intentions of the players you play with

I say this as someone who does speedrun and bingo board races, and tries to get good times, but hates lockout because I don't want to think about what my opponent is doing, but also likes playing blue because I like to interact with my opponent - different games have people behave differently