10-15-2015, 02:08 AM
Like most aspects, difficulty depends on the game. Not only the magnitude, but even its presence; Proteus is a game where you literally just walk around and look. There's no goal, thus no obstacles and no difficulty. It's not easy or hard, because you're not trying to do anything. But I suppose, then we'd start a discussion about what exactly defines a "game", as this might just be a "simulation". And let's not get into that.
Anyway, I don't necessarily think it's as much about video games being easier rather than, there are more games in general and difficulty spread has grown with that. 20 years ago the ratio of "difficult" games was higher, but the amount of games was also smaller. The target market was also much narrower, and most people who played video games actually had the persistence to put up with the difficulty, because that's just how video games were. It's kinda like TV; black and white TV looks terrible now, nobody would sacrifice colour TV for that (unless you want to specifically watch on an antique TV or something), but back in the 50s it was amazing and awesome, because that's just how it was.
It's also got to do with how familiar you are with video games. A modern Zelda or Mario game might be just as difficult for a new gamer as Link's Awakening or SMB was for people who grew up back then.
I'm not making an argument for anything by the way, just putting out some thoughts.
Anyway, I don't necessarily think it's as much about video games being easier rather than, there are more games in general and difficulty spread has grown with that. 20 years ago the ratio of "difficult" games was higher, but the amount of games was also smaller. The target market was also much narrower, and most people who played video games actually had the persistence to put up with the difficulty, because that's just how video games were. It's kinda like TV; black and white TV looks terrible now, nobody would sacrifice colour TV for that (unless you want to specifically watch on an antique TV or something), but back in the 50s it was amazing and awesome, because that's just how it was.
It's also got to do with how familiar you are with video games. A modern Zelda or Mario game might be just as difficult for a new gamer as Link's Awakening or SMB was for people who grew up back then.
I'm not making an argument for anything by the way, just putting out some thoughts.