Difficulty levels in games – how they work and what's wrong with them / ITech content

Contents:

• What does it mean to be in the flow
• What difficulties can arise with complexity
• What is the essence of quality complexity
• Why hardcore should be creative
• How challenges help you find your niche

Since childhood, many of us have become accustomed to video games offering at least three difficulty levels to suit the different needs of players. Easy is designed for beginners or those who want to focus solely on the story. Normal is suitable for more experienced gamers who seek a balance between challenge and enjoyment. Hard is for those who seek the ultimate challenge and are ready to truly challenge themselves. These difficulty levels allow each player to find the right option, creating a personalized gaming experience.

On paper, all these options look quite appealing. However, in practice, they don't function properly in all games.

Imagine you're starting Metro Exodus for the first time and, instead of the usual "Normal" mode, you select "Hardcore," believing that your experience with the first two games in the series has prepared you for greater challenges. However, upon starting the game, you encounter a sharp increase in difficulty and die several times in a row in your first firefight in the confined space of the metro. This challenge not only tests your skills but also forces you to rethink your approach to survival in this brutal world. Metro Exodus offers a unique experience where every decision you make matters, and even the slightest mistake can have fatal consequences.

Hardcore seems like it should be a tough challenge. However, when you overcome your ego and return to normal mode, you easily deal with enemies who offer almost no resistance. This victory is unlikely to bring joy; rather, it will leave a feeling of embarrassment for a moment of weakness.

The author of this article encountered a situation familiar to many. According to the results of our social media survey, 45% of participants sometimes have difficulty choosing a difficulty level, and 9.5% of respondents face this problem regularly. This confirms that the issue of choosing the difficulty is relevant for many people.

There are many reviews from players on the Internet that Some games are considered too difficult even at the normal difficulty level or, conversely, too easy at the highest difficulty level. These stories highlight the diversity of perceptions of game difficulty and show how individual skill and experience influence gameplay.

Several years ago, Adam Millard, a YouTube blogger who specializes in game design, released an essay titled "Why Perfect Difficulty Is Impossible." In this essay, he raises the issue that game developers often do not have a clear idea of ​​​​how to properly set the level of difficulty. To understand this problem more deeply, it is necessary to understand the goals behind difficulty settings in games. The correct difficulty setting can significantly impact the gaming experience, but its implementation requires an understanding of many factors, including the target audience and the game mechanics.

What does it mean to be in flow

According to Jesse Schell, author of the book "Game Design. In "How to Create a Game Everyone Will Play," overcoming challenges is not just an important but a necessary element of gameplay. In his tutorial, the developer emphasizes that challenges and obstacles form the basis of player interest and engagement, contributing to the creation of an engaging gaming experience. Overcoming difficulties not only makes the game more exciting but also contributes to the development of skills and strategic thinking in users.

Game is a process of solving problems in a fun and interactive way.

Shell argues that the need to overcome obstacles is a key element of gameplay and the main source of pleasure from the game. Achieving success in the game gives the player a sense of significance, even if it has no practical value in real life. Gameplay is built on challenges that stimulate players to develop skills, make decisions, and find innovative solutions. Thus, overcoming difficulties becomes not only entertainment but also a source of satisfaction and personal growth.

When a problem becomes meaningful to us, we quickly immerse ourselves in solving it. This causes us to lose touch with the real world, focusing entirely on the core of the problem.

This space is a simplified version of the real world, which makes it unique. Overcoming the challenges that arise is important, and elements of this space that contribute to problem solving quickly come to be perceived as valuable. This value does not always have to correspond to reality outside the context of a given problem, but it plays a key role in the process of finding solutions.

In his book, "The Art of Game Design," Jesse Schell offers an in-depth analysis of the process of creating games. He covers key aspects of design, including interaction with players, the formation of game mechanics, and the importance of narrative. The author shares practical tips and methods to help developers create engaging and memorable gaming experiences. The book will be a useful resource for both beginners and experienced game design professionals looking to improve their skills and deepen their understanding of the gaming industry. "The Art of Game Design" A must-read for anyone interested in creating high-quality games and mastering the art of game design.

The game designer emphasizes that even the most engaging challenge will fail to engage the user without the appropriate level of difficulty. If the challenge is too easy, the player will quickly lose interest. Conversely, if it is too difficult, it will cause irritation or anxiety. In both cases, the player is likely to leave the game. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between the challenge and the attractiveness of the tasks to retain the user's attention and ensure a positive gaming experience.

Developers strive to achieve the optimal balance between boredom and frustration, which psychologists define as a state of flow. In this zone, the player is completely focused on solving problems, which brings maximum enjoyment from the gameplay. Achieving a state of flow is a key element in creating engaging games, as it promotes deep player engagement and satisfaction.

Flow is a key concept in game design psychology. It is actively discussed by leading experts in the field, such as Richard Lemarchand, designer of the first three Uncharted games, and Brett Taylor, creator of the acclaimed indie puzzle game Linelight. Understanding flow helps developers create more engaging and immersive games that can hold players' attention and provide them with positive emotions. This state, characterized by complete engagement and concentration, allows players to better perceive the gameplay and achieve high scores.

Game developers use a variety of methods to retain players, including gradual difficulty increases, achievement reward systems, intuitive controls, and a clear interface. Frequent changes in gameplay types are also important. However, all of these mechanisms rely on the player's skill level, which determines how effectively they will work. The success of a game largely depends on how well the developers adapt these elements to different skill levels, creating an engaging and addictive gaming experience.

Even the most valuable prize will lose its meaning if a person does not put in the effort to obtain it. Intuitive controls will not help those who cannot master boss attacks. Success in the game requires skill and effort, and only then will the reward be truly deserved.

Developers often turn to difficulty settings, which leads to new problems. Difficulty management is an important aspect of development, as incorrect settings can negatively impact gameplay and user experience. Optimal difficulty settings help create a more engaging and balanced game, but also require careful design and testing. It's important to consider how difficulty changes affect players to avoid frustration and increase engagement.

What Difficulties Can Occur with Difficulty

Adam Millard argues that the main problems arise from a misunderstanding of the term "difficulty."

The blogger correctly notes that the difficulty level, or casualness, of a game is not a fixed parameter. Instead, it is a complex aspect of game design that is formed from many different elements and can vary significantly depending on a specific project. Each element of gameplay, be it mechanics, controls, or interactions with the environment, contributes to the overall perception of the game. Thus, assessing whether a game is hardcore or casual requires a deep analysis and understanding of the unique features of each title.

Let's compare Dishonored and Deathloop. Both are immersive simulators from Arkane Studios, featuring a first-person perspective and offering players spacious sandbox-style locations. These games emphasize stealth and offer similar superpowers for the protagonist. Despite the differences in story and gameplay, Dishonored and Deathloop display hallmarks of the Arkane style, including a rich world, freedom of choice, and unique gameplay mechanics.

Deathloop is a more complex gaming experience. Thanks to the concept of a time loop, your mistakes have serious consequences: there is no instant save, and after the third death, you return to the beginning of the next day, losing all weapons and upgrades that you failed to save. This mechanic requires a strategic approach and careful planning from players, which makes the game exciting and tense.

Unlike Dishonored, in Deathloop your opponents use firearms, which significantly complicates open battles. Bosses in Deathloop have also become more challenging, as each of them is endowed with unique superpowers. In addition, you can face another powerful enemy controlled by a living player, which adds an element of unpredictability and tension to the gameplay dynamics. This makes each encounter more intriguing and requires the player to approach combat strategically.

As a result, two similar games from the same studio are perceived as completely different, not to mention projects belonging to different genres. This highlights the importance of uniqueness in game design and mechanics, as well as their ability to attract different categories of players. Variety in game projects is a key factor in creating an interesting and memorable experience.

Sid Meier's Civilization is one of the most popular and accessible 4X strategy series for beginners. However, even those accustomed to playing exclusively shooters may find the game's interface and mechanics complex and confusing. Players unfamiliar with the genre will need time to master the rules and control nuances to fully enjoy the possibilities the game offers.

Choosing a difficulty level in games can be confusing. This is because strategy games require a completely different set of skills compared to action games. Strategy games prioritize planning and memorizing vast amounts of information over quick reactions and precision. Strategy games require analyzing situations, anticipating the consequences of your decisions, and making informed tactical moves. Therefore, it's important for players to consider their strengths and weaknesses when choosing a difficulty level to maximize their gaming experience. 4X strategy games typically feature significantly more complex settings than other genres. For example, in Stellaris, players are presented with numerous options to customize before starting a game. This allows for a unique gaming experience tailored to each player's preferences. These detailed settings facilitate deep exploration of strategies and tactics, making 4X games more engaging and varied.

JM8, one of the creators of the YouTube channel The Escapist, suggests classifying video game difficulty into two main types: quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative difficulty is related to the number of enemies, their health, and other measurable parameters, while qualitative difficulty is determined by game mechanics, interactions with the environment, and the required player skill. Understanding these two types of difficulty allows developers to create more balanced and engaging games, and allows players to better adapt to in-game challenges.

Single-player game creators often take a quantitative approach, primarily tuning the game's balance at the difficulty level that most players will choose. Typically, this difficulty level corresponds to Normal mode, which was chosen by almost 67% of our survey participants. This allows developers to create an optimal gaming experience that meets the needs of a wide audience.

Developers sometimes have Help new players by providing recommendations on choosing appropriate difficulty levels for both casual and experienced players. They emphasize that there is a true difficulty level that is carefully balanced and refined during development, as opposed to other levels added based on user requests or for variety. This allows players to better understand which difficulty level will provide the most engaging gaming experience.

Sometimes new game modes are added at the last minute or even after release in response to player feedback. Developers often implement additional options by changing numerical metrics such as the number of enemies in locations, their health, the character's life total, and the strength of attacks. An example of this approach is the game Deathloop, where changes were made based on player feedback.

Developers sometimes joke about players choosing the easiest difficulty level. In the Wolfenstein series, this difficulty is called "Daddy, Can I Play?" and is illustrated with a portrait of the protagonist with a pacifier and a bonnet, which adds a comical element to the gameplay. Findings like these make the game more memorable and create interesting points for discussion in the gaming community.

This attitude towards "fake" modes leads to their testing and balancing being significantly reduced. This results in issues that negatively impact existing systems and reveal previously unnoticed flaws. This underscores the importance of careful analysis and refinement of all modes to avoid devastating consequences for users and the system as a whole.

• Difficulty spikes that stand out from the rest of the game. One of our respondents, for example, recalled the first battle with the Deathclaw from Fallout 4, which on the highest difficulty becomes nearly invulnerable to story-based weapons.
• Too few checkpoints, forcing players to rewatch long cutscenes or replay previously completed sections of a level. The author of this article sends greetings to Titanfall 2.
• Overly durable opponents, like in the battle with the final boss from The Callisto Protocol – during the battle, another respondent had to lower the difficulty because he did not have enough ammo to kill the enemy.
• Overly stupid opponents, like the rival rulers from Civilization 6, who become punching bags even on medium difficulties.

These changes do not contribute to the state of flow mentioned by Schell. Respondents themselves note that the new elements do not make the game either easier or more difficult. Instead, they distract players and lead to the gameplay becoming more monotonous and less engaging. Therefore, the relevance of the changes is questionable, since they do not significantly vary the gameplay.

The limitations of this approach are most clearly demonstrated by JM8. This example illustrates how the shortcomings of the method can affect the overall effectiveness and results. JM8's analysis provides a deeper understanding of what aspects require revision and improvement, which in turn facilitates more optimal strategy execution.

Game difficulty is not determined by the number of character deaths or the length of battles with opponents, but by the level of skill required for the player to master both the primary and secondary gameplay mechanics. To overcome emerging challenges, the player must deeply understand and effectively apply these systems. Thus, difficulty lies in the ability to adapt and apply knowledge to various gameplay situations.

JM8 is the creator of The Escapist, a YouTube channel that focuses on video game reviews and analysis, as well as discussions of current topics in the gaming industry. The channel offers viewers engaging content, including in-depth game reviews, commentary on new releases and retro classics, and analysis of game development trends. JM8 attracts audiences with his unique presentation style and critical perspective on gaming projects, making his channel popular among video game fans. Subscribers can expect high-quality content that will not only entertain but also provide valuable insights into the gaming world.

Some developers seek to address the shortcomings of their games by implementing more detailed settings. Silent Hill 2, for example, offered the ability to select separate difficulties for combat and puzzles, which was groundbreaking for its time. Since then, the gaming industry has advanced significantly, offering players a variety of mechanics and customization options, making the gaming experience more personalized and engaging.

After receiving criticism about the high difficulty of Pathologic, the team at Ice-Pick Lodge implemented 16 new sliders into the project. These settings allow players to tailor various aspects of the gameplay, including damage levels, infection chance, clothing deterioration rate, and hunger and thirst meter increase rates. These changes are intended to improve the gaming experience and make it more accessible to a wider audience, allowing each player to adjust the difficulty to their preferences.

Similar slider mechanics can be seen in Remedy's mystical shooter Control. The developers of God of War: Ragnarok implemented a feature that allows you to set a timer after which Kratos' companions will provide a hint to solve a puzzle. However, it's worth noting that this option isn't the most effective, as there's currently no way to completely disable hints.

The settings really work. The author of this text used them to overcome a difficult boss from the Control DLC, and many players adapt the gameplay to their preferences. However, it's worth noting that experienced players are more likely to understand the nuances of specific titles or genres. Beginners, for whom these options were designed, often don't use them, which can hinder their overall experience. It's important that developers continue to improve the accessibility of settings so that all players can get the most out of the game.

Over the years, game designers have developed alternative difficulty systems that are more intuitive and natural for players. These approaches are often not perceived as artificial mechanics, but are seamlessly integrated into the gameplay, helping to provide a comfortable level of challenge and maintain user interest.

What is Quality Difficulty?

More than ten years ago, Soren Johnson, game director of the third and fourth parts of Sid Meier’s Civilization, as well as the recent strategy game Old World, published an article on his blog dedicated to the concept of quality challenge in video games. In this post, he proposed an alternative to traditional difficulty modes by implementing systems that make difficulty settings a more organic part of the gameplay. This approach allows players to tailor the game to their preferences and skills, creating a unique experience and increasing engagement.

These methods have their own unique characteristics, but they offer a key advantage: players don't have to worry about choosing the right mode and can instead focus on the gameplay. This improves the gaming experience and increases enjoyment.

The game dynamically adapts various gameplay elements to the player's style and preferences, allowing the user to immerse themselves in a state of flow. This adjustment occurs seamlessly, ensuring a comfortable and engaging gaming experience.

An example of such a system is the "Director" algorithm from the Left 4 Dead duology. This algorithm controls the number and frequency of zombie waves, determines the amount of consumables available per level, weather conditions, and, in some cases, changes the geometry of game locations. The "Director" creates a dynamic game space, providing a unique experience for players, which helps increase replayability and maintain interest in the game. Such systems are becoming increasingly popular in modern video games, as they allow gameplay to be tailored to the actions and preferences of players.

The game director controls the pace and difficulty level, adapting them to the player. If players perform well, they will be provided with fewer health packs and grenades. On the other hand, if they are struggling, they will have more resources available. If a player lingers in one place, the artificial intelligence can activate a zombie wave to force them to move. If the player is on the verge of defeat, they are given additional time to recuperate. This approach ensures a dynamic and immersive gaming experience, maintaining a balance between challenge and resource availability.

The Mario Kart series is a prime example of dynamic difficulty in gameplay. Dice with bonuses are placed along the tracks, providing players with various advantages. For example, banana peels can be used to create obstacles for opponents, fly agarics provide a temporary speed boost, and stars make the player invulnerable for a certain period. These elements not only add variety to the game but also require participants to quickly adapt to changing conditions, making each race unique and exciting.

The content of the dice in the game depends on your position in the race: a player who is ahead receives a less powerful bonus, while those lagging behind have the opportunity to receive stronger bonuses, allowing them to get closer to the leaders. This mechanic in Mario Kart ensures a chance to win for everyone, which is a key feature of the series, which is aimed at players of different ages and skill levels, including games with friends.

Soren Johnson cautions that the implementation of such a system must be carefully considered. Otherwise, players may notice game design manipulations that break the illusion and destroy the sense of immersion. Players may perceive that they are being given certain advantages, which negatively impacts their experience.

This can result in two scenarios: either some players will abandon the game, as happened with The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion due to excessive auto-leveling, or they will begin to exploit the system by employing unusual tactics. For example, some speedrunners in Resident Evil 4 intentionally take damage during QTE scenes so that the game will generate fewer enemies during more difficult moments. This highlights the importance of game mechanics in player interaction and strategy.

The player is offered several challenges to choose from, and they can independently decide which ones they want to complete. This approach is based on the risk-reward ratio: the more difficult the challenge, the more attractive the promised reward. Jesse Schell describes this principle as the triangularity. This mechanism creates an engaging gameplay experience, motivating players to achieve higher results and overcome difficulties for valuable rewards.

Adam Millard cites the roguelike Metroidvania Dead Cells as an example of orthogonal options. In this game, difficulty options are integrated into the structure of the game world. Newcomers can follow the main, more balanced route, allowing them to learn the core gameplay mechanics and level up their characters. Experienced players, meanwhile, gain access to additional challenges and secret locations, the successful completion of which yields more valuable loot. This system creates a dynamic and engaging gameplay experience that is suitable for players of varying skill levels, making Dead Cells appealing to a wide audience.

Triangularity in gameplay can be realized not only through action scenes. The RPG Disco Elysium features numerous optional skill tests that add depth and variety to the gameplay experience. For example, your detective has the opportunity to try their hand at karaoke or lift a heavy barbell. These elements are not only entertaining but also highlight the game's uniqueness, allowing players to explore and interact with the world on a deeper level.

If the attempt is successful, the protagonist will receive a boost to morale. However, if you fail, the character will suffer a back injury and lose health. Thus, the game Disco Elysium invites you to take a risk: if successful, it will make further progress easier and add an interesting element to the biography of the protagonist suffering from amnesia.

Normal difficulty options become an important element of gameplay, providing players with meaningful choice and the ability to independently regulate the pace of progression. This helps preserve the developers' intended atmosphere and balance, while satisfying a variety of player preferences.

Triangularity in gameplay requires significant effort from both the developer and the player. Players must learn the nuances of gameplay and recognize the qualitative differences between the proposed tactics. This complexity is also present in normal sliders, making learning the game mechanics an essential aspect of success. Understanding these elements allows players to more effectively interact with the game world and adapt to different strategies.

The display of time and points collected in a level was introduced in the first Super Mario Bros., released in 1985. This principle is still used in many modern games across various genres. A time and score tracking system allows players to evaluate their achievements and compare their results with others, adding a competitive element and motivation to improve their skills. Games using such mechanics continue to attract gamers, creating engaging gameplay and maintaining interest in competition. Indie platformers Super Meat Boy and Neon White offer players medals for completing levels quickly, emphasizing the importance of speed in gameplay. The Crash Bandicoot series evaluates player success based on the number of items collected and lives spent, adding a strategic element to resource gathering. The dance simulator Just Dance analyzes the precision of your moves, matching them with the actions of the on-screen dancer, thereby testing the player's mastery of dance rhythms. The puzzle shooter Hotline Miami takes into account six different factors, including the number and methods of kills, as well as the distance traveled, creating a multifaceted scoring system that facilitates in-depth analysis of gameplay. These different approaches to scoring make each game unique and contribute to a fun gaming experience.

Not all projects are suitable for such systems. For example, story-driven games like The Last of Us emphasize narrative and deep immersion. Conversely, large-scale open-world adventures like Elden Ring cannot be divided into individual episodes where the player is awarded a grade for completing the game. These characteristics make rating systems ineffective for certain game genres.

For projects focused on a few interesting mechanics, ratings represent a significant advantage. Casual players can progress at their own pace, while those who strive for high scores are encouraged to improve their skills. Developers provide clear criteria for assessing progress, which promotes deeper player engagement.

All three difficulty types—dynamic, orthogonal, and ranked—do not simply change numerical values ​​but structure different levels of challenge in gameplay. Depending on which of these levels the player interacts with, the quality of the gameplay experience changes dramatically. For example, in Hotline Miami, players can choose between a strategic approach, in which every move must be carefully considered, or an aggressive style, in which actions focus on the open elimination of opponents using firearms. This diversity in gameplay approaches allows each player to find their own unique playstyle and experience a variety of emotions from the gameplay.

Qualitative difficulty in games like Neon White has a unique advantage: its methods can be combined. Players can not only strive to complete tracks quickly but also explore the world in search of hidden gifts. These discoveries unlock bonus challenges and character backstories, adding an additional layer of complexity and variety to the game. Thus, the rating difficulty is enriched by elements of orthogonal difficulty, offering an exciting and multifaceted gameplay.

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild offers a unique combination of freedom of choice and dynamic gameplay progression. Players can choose and switch between different objectives almost from the very beginning of their adventure. This mechanic makes the gameplay more engaging and varied. In addition, the enemy level gradually increases: the more you fight moblins and bokoblins, the stronger they become, inflicting more damage and staying in the fight longer. This also affects the quality of the weapons they drop, which become increasingly powerful. This approach to gameplay mechanics creates a unique experience, allowing players to adapt to changing conditions and develop their strategies as the game progresses.

The game offers the opportunity to tailor gameplay to the individual style of each player. If you are not interested in combat, the system will minimally burden you with the need to master the combat mechanics. You'll continue to encounter simple opponents, but you won't receive significant rewards in the form of valuable loot. This makes the gameplay more comfortable for those who prefer exploration and interaction with the surrounding world rather than active combat.

Why Hardcore Should Be Creative

Some game mechanics aren't suitable for all genres. For example, strategy games can be challenging for beginners if the artificial intelligence doesn't provide the necessary support. At the same time, experienced players can quickly lose interest if the enemy is inactive and doesn't attack from the very first minutes of the game. Therefore, it's important to consider the balance of difficulty and enemy activity to ensure engaging gameplay for all categories of players.

Standard difficulty levels remain a significant aspect of video games, but this doesn't mean they should be limited to just changing numbers. The gaming industry has repeatedly demonstrated how creatively difficulty settings can be, offering players unique and varied options. This can include adaptive mechanics that adjust to a user's playstyle, as well as alternative modes that make gameplay more engaging and exciting. The right approach to difficulty settings can significantly improve the overall player experience and attract a wider audience.

JM8 highlights the Specialist mode from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, which significantly increases the realism of the combat experience. In this mode, the character doesn't simply fall after a few shots; they lose the ability to use damaged limbs, adding a strategic element to battles. Weapons must be reloaded manually, requiring players to be more attentive and skillful. The interface becomes unstable after a helmet hit, adding tension to the gameplay atmosphere. Additionally, depressurization in space results in immediate asphyxiation, again emphasizing the criticality of the player's actions. This level of detail makes the game more immersive and exciting, attracting the attention of both new and experienced players.

Fallout: New Vegas offers a mod called "Hardcore," which focuses on simulating survival in a post-apocalyptic world. In this mod, food and water become vital resources rather than just ways to restore health. Your Courier will need to sleep regularly, and ammo will have its own weight, adding a strategic element to inventory management. Additionally, broken limbs can only be treated with the help of doctors or special medical devices, enhancing the realism of the gameplay.

Compared to the "Hardcore" mode, the challenging levels familiar from New Vegas seem bland, as they offer nothing new. The developers of Doom 3 took an interesting approach to this issue. On the highest difficulty level, called "Nightmare," the player takes 350% damage, health depletes every five seconds and plateaus at a quarter, and health packs disappear, making healing possible only through medical terminals. This approach to difficulty creates a unique gaming experience that requires strategic thinking and attentiveness from players. Hardcore mode, which seems familiar, actually offers a unique experience. Unlike the usual torment, you almost immediately receive a powerful weapon – the Soul Cube. This artifact can drain the health of enemies and transfer it to you. To recharge the Soul Cube, you need to kill any five living creatures, including even harmless scientists. Thus, the developers created a system that transforms the standard hard mode into a tense race for survival, where every wrong move can cost the character their life. This adds an element of strategy and forces players to constantly be on guard to maintain their health and survive in difficult conditions.

Users often come up with original ways to make gameplay more challenging, and developers, in turn, integrate them into the game. Soren Johnson's blog discusses the One City Challenge mode, which was created thanks to an initiative by fans of the game Civilization. This mode is a unique test in which the player must achieve victory by controlling only one city in their empire.

Hard modes in games really require the user to make maximum use of all mechanics, which contributes to a deeper immersion in the gameplay. Easy difficulty modes, in turn, can become more attractive if you maintain the excitement of gameplay, removing only those elements that the player has not yet mastered. This allows new players to enjoy the game without feeling overly pressured and gradually master all the nuances, making the learning process more organic and engaging. Thus, a smart balance between complexity and accessibility can significantly improve the gaming experience for all types of players.

Game Maker's Toolkit author Mark Brown suggests an approach to the complexity of game mechanics that can significantly improve the experience for new players. Instead of simply nerfing bot behavior on lower difficulty settings, he recommends removing certain mechanics. This allows players to master the basic elements of the game before moving on to more complex systems. Brown experienced the benefits of this approach firsthand when he began his Civilization series journey with the fifth installment. In this version, some mechanics, such as espionage and religion, were simplified or eliminated, making the learning process smoother. Mastering these elements separately proved more effective than learning many complex systems simultaneously. This method can be useful for developers looking to create more accessible and engaging games for new players.

The developers of the classic stealth action game Thief: The Dark Project took an original approach to difficulty settings in the game. Instead of changing the artificial intelligence or the number of enemies, they changed the range of tasks facing the player. On the Easy difficulty level, the player is only required to steal a desired item, while on the Hard difficulty level, they must complete the mission without killing a single guard. This approach not only makes the game more challenging but also more engaging, forcing players to use strategic thinking and tactical skills to achieve their goals.

Toys For Bob introduced a new difficulty option in Crash Bandicoot 4, returning players to the fundamentals of the classic series. In the first three games, the character had a limited number of lives per level, which added an element of challenge and strategy. The updated version of the game also includes a Modern Mode, which removes this limit, allowing players to enjoy the process without unnecessary stress. This decision makes the game more accessible for new players while maintaining a challenge for experienced fans. Crash Bandicoot 4 offers a variety of gameplay styles, making it appealing to a wide audience.

This setting in Crash Bandicoot allows players to focus on the gameplay itself rather than on a limited number of lives. The unique cartoonish visual style with a distorted perspective, complex combinations of enemies and traps, and the need to quickly switch between game mechanics create a real challenge. Modern gameplay eliminates the need to worry about lives while maintaining the risk of losing progress between checkpoints, making the gameplay more engaging and dynamic.

Not all games allow you to simply add or remove infinite lives. For example, Doom 3 on Nightmare difficulty, Fallout: New Vegas on Hardcore, and Thief on Easy require more ingenuity and code modifications. These games offer unique mechanics that make it impossible to simply change difficulty settings without additional effort.

Dark Souls requires a deeper approach to character development than simply adjusting a few parameters. Players can significantly increase their character's stats through leveling and choosing the right equipment. About one-third of our survey participants actively use these methods.

Despite the changes, the game won't become significantly easier, as difficulty is a complex aspect. Dark Souls' challenge isn't shaped solely by damage numbers, but also involves elements such as claustrophobic level design, unpredictable enemy attacks, and intentionally slow character animations. These factors significantly contribute to the overall experience of the game and make it uniquely challenging.

If you don't have the ability to make your game engaging for players of varying skill levels, you might want to reconsider your approach. Instead of trying to please everyone, focus on creating a difficulty that's perfect for your project. This will help improve gameplay and attract a target audience that will appreciate the specific aspects you want to convey. Choosing the right difficulty can be a key factor in the success of your game, contributing to its popularity and player satisfaction.

How Challenges Help You Find Your Niche

The puzzle platformer Gris from Nomada Studio immerses players in the touching story of a girl going through the five stages of loss, from denial to acceptance. The game features unique graphics in the style of watercolor painting, as well as no dialogue and the inability to die. The developers decided to remove loss conditions to make Gris as accessible as possible to a wide audience. This approach allows them to focus on the emotional experience, making each stage of the journey deeply personal and meaningful.

We strive to create a game without the pressure of risking death. Developing a game where players aren't punished for their mistakes is no easy task. Our primary goal is for everyone to enjoy the gameplay and have a positive experience. We are confident this concept will attract a wide audience and make the game accessible to everyone.

Adrian Cuevas is the Technical Director at Nomada Studio. He plays a key role in the development and implementation of the studio's projects, ensuring high-quality technical execution and innovative approaches to video game creation. Thanks to his experience and knowledge, Nomada Studio successfully creates unique and memorable game worlds, making their products highly sought after in the market. Under Adrian's leadership, the team reaches new heights in game development, combining creativity with modern technology.

Gris shares similarities with its inspirations, Journey and Flower, both developed by Jenova Chen. Russian game designer Kirill Zolovkin described these projects as naive games. Games like Gris, Journey, and Flower stand out for their emotional depth and unique approach to storytelling, inviting players to immerse themselves in atmospheres and experiences that are impossible to convey in words.

Projects focused on non-violent gameplay prioritize accessibility. This quality is evident not only in game mechanics but also in technical requirements. Creating games with non-violent elements allows for a wider audience, ensuring a comfortable gaming experience for all types of players. Accessibility, as a key aspect, helps users enjoy the game without unnecessary difficulties, which makes such projects especially attractive.

Reading is an important part of our lives. It develops thinking, broadens horizons, and enriches vocabulary. Books, articles, and other sources of information allow us to gain new knowledge and improve skills. Reading not only promotes personal growth but also helps us better understand the world around us. It is important to choose high-quality and interesting materials to ensure that the reading process is enjoyable and beneficial. The variety of genres and topics allows everyone to find something to their liking. Incorporate reading into your daily practice to develop your mental abilities and deepen your understanding of various aspects of life.

Manifesto for Naive Games: Game Designer Kirill Zolovkin's Position on Non-Violent Gameplay

Game designer Kirill Zolovkin advocates for the creation of games without violence. He believes that gameplay can be engaging and rich without resorting to aggressive elements. In his manifesto, Zolovkin emphasizes the importance of developing naive games that allow players to interact with the world through positive and constructive mechanics.

This approach not only promotes a healthier gaming environment but also appeals to a wide audience, including children and their parents. Non-violent games can develop creativity, logic, and social skills by offering alternative ways to solve problems and interact with other players.

Zolovkin is inspired by the idea that games can be a tool for learning and self-expression. He encourages game designers to rethink their concepts and create projects that emphasize collaboration, exploration, and positive interactions. Ultimately, Kirill Zolovkin's manifesto is a call for kinder and more inspiring gaming worlds, where violence is not central, and players can enjoy engaging adventures and develop through play.

In recent years, naive games, long on the fringes of the gaming industry, have found their audience. This is evidenced by the success of projects like Spiritfarer—a cozy management simulator in which players help the souls of the deceased pass on to the afterlife. Its unique approach to the theme of life and death, coupled with its stylish visuals, has made this game appealing to many. Spiritfarer not only entertains but also challenges the importance of relationships and forgiveness, making it relevant in the context of modern gaming trends.

Since its release, the game has sold over a million copies thanks to Thunder Lotus Games' emphasis on emotional connection and sincerity, as opposed to the complex challenges and pathos typical of major gaming blockbusters. This touched players, which is also what happened with the game Gris, which not only achieved commercial success, but also won numerous awards.

Targeting a niche audience is effective even for games with high difficulty. Examples of games like Hollow Knight and Shovel Knight confirm this: despite the high entry barrier, they became commercially successful and sold millions of copies. Both games have earned the status of indie classics thanks to their unique gameplay experiences and deep development.

Don't underestimate people's ability to learn and improve their skills. According to our survey, 52% of respondents admitted that difficulty doesn't stop them from playing difficult games. Moreover, two-thirds of respondents are willing to increase the difficulty level if they feel a lack of challenge. These answers do not depend on gaming experience, age, or amount of free time, which emphasizes the universality of the desire to develop and improve in gaming practice.

The comparison we conducted in our previously published material confirms these results. Games that are traditionally considered more hardcore and niche often not only match casual projects but also surpass them in sales and playthrough statistics. This underscores players' interest in more complex games and their willingness to invest time and money in a high-quality gaming experience.

People strive to overcome challenges and experience a sense of victory. In hardcore projects, even frequent failures can become part of the engaging gameplay, creating a state of flow. The key is to make obstacles interesting and exciting. Failures should be perceived as the result of player error, not the shortcomings of game designers. This creates an atmosphere of challenge and motivation, where players are willing to learn from their mistakes and strive for success.

A high difficulty threshold in games can discourage some players. For example, one of our respondents decided to leave Hollow Knight and Celeste due to their difficulty. This is quite natural. If a game doesn't suit a player's tastes or skill level, they can easily find something more suitable and engaging. Fortunately, today's market offers a wide selection of games to suit every taste.

This approach is nothing new. Literature, film, and comics have long been classified not only by genre but also by categories targeting different types of readers and viewers. Terms like Young Adult and Peak TV have become firmly established in the vocabulary of literary and television critics, emphasizing the importance of target audiences in modern content. These categories help better understand the preferences of viewers and readers and facilitate the creation of works that meet their interests and expectations.

Both categories have unique laws and rules that may be unclear to outside observers. However, this hasn't stopped them from attracting significant audiences. Why should this be an obstacle for niche games? No one expects to see series like Breaking Bad or The Wire on Disney Plus. Why then target Hollow Knight at Animal Crossing fans?

Hollow Knight and difficulty options can coexist harmoniously. The game features weapon upgrade mechanics, unique attacks, and amulets that help tailor the gameplay to individual player preferences. This also proves that Animal Crossing fans are not limited to just simple and friendly games, showing interest in more complex and deep projects.

The gaming industry needs more original projects that focus on creating an engaging gaming experience for the target audience. This will not only attract players' attention, but also increase their engagement by creating unique and memorable moments in the gameplay. By targeting the interests and preferences of specific user groups, developers can offer innovative mechanics and stories, which in turn will make games more appealing and competitive in the market.

The desire to attract a wide range of players with minimal effort often leads to the creation of multiple difficulty modes, of which only one functions effectively. As a result, this can lead to confusing menus with options that are understandable only to those who have already become experts in the game. Developing intuitive interfaces and difficulty systems is crucial to ensuring a positive user experience. Players value accessibility and simplicity over complex mechanics that can be off-putting for newcomers.

Understanding your audience is a key aspect of successful game design. It's important to consider what difficulty levels will be interesting and relevant to players and design them accordingly. Don't add different difficulty modes just because most games do. Instead, focus on offering a unique and engaging experience that meets the expectations and needs of your target audience. This will not only attract players but also ensure their long-term engagement with your project.

JM8 is a YouTube content creator known for his channel The Escapist. The channel features videos dedicated to analyzing video games, cinema, and pop culture. JM8 offers in-depth reviews, critical analysis, and interesting facts that engage viewers. His style is characterized by an ability to combine entertainment with information. The Escapist has become a popular resource for those interested in new games and cultural trends. The channel actively discusses current topics, which contributes to audience growth and viewer engagement.

Adam Millard is right: there is no ideal game difficulty. What works for one game, like Doomguy, may not work for another, like Crash Bandicoot. Each game requires an individual approach to difficulty to ensure the optimal gaming experience for its audience. Game balance must be tailored to the mechanics and style of each specific game to meet player needs and create engaging gameplay.

The gaming industry offers many interesting and creative approaches to solving various problems. An experienced game designer will inevitably find a suitable solution that perfectly aligns with the concept of their game. This diversity of methods and ideas allows us to create unique game mechanics and interesting scenarios, which makes each game unique and attracts players' attention.