Roxolani: What is "try-hard" gaming? And who is a try-hard gamer?
Urban dictionary says " try-hard" (try-hard gamer) refers to
DEFINITION 1
A person who puts a large amount of effort into achieving a certain image, or counter-image, to the point where it is obviously contrived. Rather than achieving an image through genuine personality, the try-hard consciously attempts to fit a certain style through deliberate imitation, forced style, or scripted behavior. That is to say, he/she is trying hard to create an image.
Examples: An affluent, suburban dweller who makes great efforts to cover himself in tattoos and piercings; try-hard.
A person who wears certain items of clothing for the express intention of appearing "non-conformist", and flaunts it; try-hard.
Someone who purchases a motorcycle only to appear as a "bad-boy" and not because they like riding bikes; try-hard.
A person who shuns certain genres or styles of music or art simply because it does not fit his self-image, or the image he wants to portray; try-hard. "
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So I'd guess that a try-hard gamer in this sense would be attempting to create a certain image (perhaps with great effort) rather than being themselves online or playing games purely because they like them ? ------------------------------------
DEFINITION 2 (Gaming ref)
Tryhard
1. A face-saving insult used by someone who is feeling inadequate. Basically accuses anyone who is better than them at anything of putting in effort. Doubles as an excuse for sucking by implying lack of effort on the speaker's part.
2. An insult blatantly misused by 13-year-old kiddies in online gaming who, ironically, try very hard to win themselves and take it too seriously when they lose.
3. Someone who tries too hard to fit in. Easy to spot online because of their constant use of trendy internet slang such as "fail", "cool story bro", and "tryhard".
DEFINITION 6 (Gaming related)
try hard
In online video games, it is that guy who is giving it 110% all the time because winning and/or having a high kill/death ratio is more important than just having fun. Try hards are most common in games like Halo or Call of Duty and are frequently seen yelling at their teammates for dying a lot.
HTH