LogFAQs > #976296268

hockeybub89 posted...

There are basic features we expect all video games to have though. This isn't asking for an RTS to be a Call of Duty clone, or for a plot to be a different plot. It's more like expecting to be able to turn off motion blur and rotate the camera when in a 3D space.

An easy mode does not equate to basic functionality. The games are fully functional, and can generally--barring horrific bugs--be beaten by anyone who wishes to these days.

Contrary to popular belief as well, you do not need to finish a game to feel like you got your monies worth out of it either.

Most narrative driven games these days include a story difficulty that greatly tones down any combat difficulty. Most gameplay oriented games generally rely on a specific balance to give a good experience. They usually start at the easiest possible and increase throughout the game as you grow stronger.

What you are asking for is a universal design choice that simply won't work for some games, or even genres. How would you propose an easy mode for VNs? How would you balance online play in certain games between people playing at different difficulties? What about MMORPGs? Do we segregate communities based on difficulty? Do we use dynamic scaling? How would you balance out progression of you choose to go that route?

A universal easy mode isn't just a choice, it's actually a very large series of choices that impacts MANY aspects of design. It's not a switch you flip.