I've been playing games ever since I had my first 386DX PC. If my memory serves me that was sth around 1990. There was no Gamespot at that time, and internet was sth of a sci-fi movie thingie. Now my 386, in front of which I spent many sleepless nights, is long gone but my fondness for PC games is here to stay... so I guess I'm what some people call a hardcore gamer.