How I Got My Nickname "xHardc0re"

Back in the early 2000s, online gaming was still finding its groove, and I was diving headfirst into this digital frontier. It was around 2003-2004 when I got hooked on Lineage 2, a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that became my gateway to the online gaming world. My journey into gaming wasn’t just about grinding levels or epic raids—it was also about discovering my identity in this new virtual world, and that’s how the nickname “xHardc0re” was born.

The Bladedancer Days

In Lineage 2, I played a Bladedancer character. The class was everything I wanted—deadly, fast, and stylish. It felt powerful, like an extension of my own personality. Around the same time, I had a song on repeat: “Scooter - One (Always Hardcore).” If you’ve heard it, you know it’s an anthem of energy, attitude, and, well… hardcore vibes. The song and my Bladedancer felt like the perfect pair. I wanted a nickname that captured that same intensity and rhythm.

That’s when I came up with HarDc0reDanCeR. It combined my love for the game, my class’s graceful-yet-lethal moves, and my obsession with the song. The name felt alive—like it had a pulse that matched the high-energy gaming sessions and my music taste.

The Evolution to “xHardc0re”

As time went on, I started exploring other games and playing different types of characters. HarDc0reDanCeR didn’t always fit the new worlds or roles I was taking on. It felt tied to my Lineage 2 days, and I wanted something more flexible, something that could carry over no matter the game or the character.

That’s when I shortened it to xHardc0re. It was punchy, sleek, and still carried that “hardcore” energy I loved so much. The “x” added a bit of flair, a symbol of crossing into new realms and keeping the spirit of my original nickname alive. It wasn’t tied to a specific game or character anymore—it became me.

A Name That Stuck

Since then, xHardc0re has been my go-to name in almost every game I’ve played. Whether I’m tanking in an MMO, fragging in an FPS, or just exploring new virtual worlds, it’s my calling card. It’s more than just a nickname—it’s a reminder of where I started, the music that shaped me, and the countless hours spent leveling up (both in games and in life).

Sometimes, a nickname is just something random you throw together, but for me, xHardc0re has history, personality, and a story I’ll always look back on fondly.

Thanks to Lineage 2 and Scooter for the inspiration—and to every gamer who’s ever seen “xHardc0re” pop up in their lobby, now you know the story behind the name.