Difficulty in video games has been on the minds of many recently with games like Returnal, Elden Ring, Dark Souls, and games of the like being critiqued for a set difficulty that cant be changed to customized. With many differing takes from gamers with accessibility to those without, the problem seems to have few solutions in sight.
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Delta wasn't first
If you don't like a difficult game then you don't like it. Git gud or get out. 😎
I am disabled and I'm of the opinion that making a game more accessible doesn't necessarily have to mean toning down difficulty. Just give me tools that give people like me a fair chance on the standard difficulty. Cuz I really like the worlds of games like the souls games but they're nearly impossible for me to make any progress in. And it would be nice if I could play games like resident evil 2 on standard or harder instead of always having to play on easy just to have aim assist.
I hope that more game devs take note of ways they can add accessibility, but I understand if smaller devs don't have the time or budget to implement these types of changes in their games. It even seems like there's different levels of accessibility that is recommended–it may be easier to implement colorblind filters compared to gameplay difficulty in every level. I want everyone to be able to play games but I also understand it must be the hardest art medium to do it in.
Accessibility should be pushed and standardised by console manufacturers so the Devs can just make their vision. I know that would be incredibly difficult to translate to so many different genres but if it can be done it would change the industry
How do you feel about arachnophobia modes like they have in Grounded? I feel like that steps towards the idea of creating a "less scary" version for people who can't handle it, but since arachnophobia seems like more of a universal fear it feels more reasonable. I also wonder how much the context of the game matters, for instance, I have a friend that hates spiders enough that it stops him from playing something like Path of Exile. Since POE isn't exactly a horror game it also seems like including an arachnophobia mode doesn't really detract from the experience of the game at a core level.