"Hardcore gamers" = the people who had enough money and free time to have a console (or two) and buy and play all the big releases. This group is mostly white, male, decently wealthy, and reactionary (in the same way any given white petit bourg is). The people shaping the game industry range from sicko libertarian dipshits (Carmack) to sicko capitalist [redacted] (Bobby Kotick). It hasn't ever been "good" tbh.

Souls fans when you use anything other than level 1 naked wretch with club the way miyazaki intended

Sorry but the ds1 taught me that running away to do a cheese attack that deals half of the boss hp is the way souls is meant to be played (never fight fair)