Assassin’s Creed 3 Lead Designer, Alex Hutchinson, has criticised developers for offering easy modes in their games.
A lot of games have been ruined by easy modes. If you have a cover shooter and you switch it to easy and you don’t have to use cover, you kind of broke your game.
You made a game that is essentially the worst possible version of your game.
An interesting point of view, especially when you consider who it’s coming from. The Assassin’s Creed series is hardly famed for its difficulty, in fact quite the opposite. One of the biggest criticisms leveled against the series is that the combat is too easy.
At the end of the day, we all play games for different reasons. Not everyone who picks up say, Borderlands 2, is looking for a hardcore challenging experience.
This is why difficulties exist, to offer choice.
Do you agree or disagree with Hutchinson’s statement?
Source: Edge
Bodachi
Not at all some people want a real challenge and some just want to experience story. The great thing about gaming is there is something for everyone.
KeRaSh
What’s his point? People play games to have fun. If someone enjoys playing a cover based shooter without ever taking cover it’s his choice.
Youles
Seems like a silly thing to say. If it’s their game, then it’s their game to make the “worst possible version of”. If they decide to put an Easy mode in a cater for all audiences, then that’s their choice. Silly man.
skibadee
is it not better to have a choice.
Bilbo_bobbins
Not all people are fantastic at playing games, choice is good.
The Lone Steven
It depends on the story and if the gamer is playing it for a challenge or to enough the story. Such as Ezio is meant to be a skilled assassain so the gameplay reflects that thus it being considered easy however, you do get games like Dark Souls(i apologise if i’m starting to annoy you with how many times i’ve mentioned it) which tests you. Hell, i thought i would never get past the first few areas due to me mainly playing games for the plot and having it on easy mode. It’s only recently that i’ve forced myself to play on normal mode. However, i can see why he would say that as the easy diffculty may result in your main character being protrayed as an overpowered being that can take down hundreds without any trouble.
At the end of the day, if the gamer enjoys your game be it via diffculty or via the story or both then you have succeeded. If they don’t then you have failed to please them.
LTG Davey
Difficulty options are great. I enjoy a challenge from time to time but sometimes it’s nice to knock the difficulty down and just enjoy the game I’m playing. I hate playing games where they don’t give you a choice.
TSBonyman
So AC3 won’t have an easy mode? Well then, that’s me out..
Porcupine_I
Actually i would argue games have been saved by easy mode. i want my games to be fun to play not a frustrating challenge. And if they want “casuals” to play games they better keep it that way.
philzy85
Finishing God Of War 3 on titan mode nearly cost me a control pad, ok easy mode is far too easy but if you just wanna tear around ripping people apart then easy/normal is for you!! :)
gazzagb
Ironically, its like the Assassins Creed games only have an easy mode. There’s no challenge to it; the combat is simple and the missions aren’t that hard either.