I'm a very casual gamer and have been very turned off by the recent (?) Hardcore fetish.
By which I mean a combination of games that are increasingly difficult with no meaningfully fun easier mode and the disdain for anyone wanting such a thing.
In particular I miss out on some awesome story and design work by authors and artists because I lack the reflexes and/or hours of dedication needed to be able to truly experience these games. When I ask (or find where someone else asks) about how to deal with difficulty and the NICE responses are "this game is not for you" it is a real letdown.
I've been playing the Baldur's Gate rpg recently which has multiple difficulty levels. One of them is "Story Mode" where, as I understand it, you can't die. Baldur's Gate is famous for its story and this lets people enjoy it without having to worry about picking the right team, using the best strategy, items, etc. I thought it was a cool feature to include. (I think it's only in the Enhanced Edition).
By which I mean a combination of games that are increasingly difficult with no meaningfully fun easier mode and the disdain for anyone wanting such a thing.
In particular I miss out on some awesome story and design work by authors and artists because I lack the reflexes and/or hours of dedication needed to be able to truly experience these games. When I ask (or find where someone else asks) about how to deal with difficulty and the NICE responses are "this game is not for you" it is a real letdown.