This topic is tricky to me. Because I definitely believe that options affect all players. In fact, I would say that a big part of game design is choosing which options are available and which ones aren't, for that very reason! (...)
https://twitter.com/Bhaal_Spawn/status/1443697271258980357
For example, I would argue that the option to credit feed arcade games (i.e. use quarters to keep continuing) hurt their reputation with the general public. The best ones really don't shine until you start trying to 1cc them (clear them on a single credit).
If you credit feed, most arcade games are extremely short and the endings are disappointing, because that wasn't the point. You miss out on many of the interesting details, as well as the satisfaction of learning them.
"It's the journey, not the destination", basically.
"It's the journey, not the destination", basically.
As human beings, we're kinda wired to seek out easy and safe strategies, even if they're dull. There's no reason to expect someone (especially new to games) not to take an easy option offered to them, even if it is ultimately less fun and satisfying for them in the long run.
You have to learn to love tough games, the same way you have to learn to love spicy food. Once you do, a whole new world of "flavor" is open to you... but it requires either a lot of self-discipline and exploration... or it requires a guide. Should that guide be the game itself?
That's why the topic of options is tricky to me. Games are all about options... some are hidden behind menus, that's all. I think it depends on the type of game and how much you're assuming that players understand themselves. And how much you want to potentially change a player.
Souls games always enter this conversation and my feeling these days is that the series is famous enough that an easy mode would not mislead too many players. But I'm glad the first Dark Souls didn't have one because it might have remained niche if it did (like arcade games).
TL;DR To me, it's more complicated than:
A: "What's the point? Just git gud or watch a let's play."
B: "Why do you care? Just don't use the option if you want to be hardcore."
A: "What's the point? Just git gud or watch a let's play."
B: "Why do you care? Just don't use the option if you want to be hardcore."
Adjacent to this topic of options is whether it's good that we're so focused on beating games just so we can move on to the next one. But that's a whole 'nother can of worms! :)
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
