As a supposed "hardcore" pvper from AC's Darktide back in the day anyway, I think people people mistake being hardcore to just prefering a challange, and not caring if you loose your stuff.

The hardcore aspect made guilds fun, because you would own a bindstone and work as a team to use a dungeon for XP, and if you died and had your stuff looted, go buy, find more stuff. It wasn't about being hardcore, it was about a guild and teamwork atmosphere that actually mattered for more than just getting your raid gear. It makes you rely on people.

At least thats how I felt about it.