Is it me, or are games getting easier?

[badgersprite]

It's probably you getting older and getting better at games. It just seems like games are easier now than a few years ago. Unless you're talking about those really bullshitty hard games that were more a trademark of the 80s and 90s, but I get the impression that's not really what you're on about. Anyway, I've gone back to games from a couple of years ago that I used to think were really hard and breezed through them. Even games that felt challenging last year are easier having gone back months after last playing them.

 

[thefleeger]

They aren't getting harder, your just getting better! (Now wouldn't THAT be a lie!)

But yes they seem to be getting less of a challenge and less overall quality, its called beta-testing try it!!!

If I could beta-test, that would be a dream come true. Unfortunately, that job is very difficult to get for obvious reasons.

 

[RuralGamer]

Arcade machines had a big impact on gaming for long after they really should have.

I'd recommend some competative multiplayer as you're playing against other players and I find that usually provides with a perfect "difficulty" setting.

If you're looking to get your ass kicked all over the show and havent played counterstrike yet go for it.

Counterstrike's MP has something of a difficulty curve overhang.

Just thinking about it; I think often the problem with difficulty settings is that they always either;
a) affect how much damage you take and give
b) affect how strong the enemies are
c) affect how smart/ quick the AI reacts

Once you realise where the changes come, its a bit too easy to react to them.

Often there is't too much of a difference between the difficulties, but the main issue I have noticed is that AI in games are often far too predictable; in Black Ops Combat Training, difficulty ceases to be when you realise the AI are limited to visual contact and cannot shoot through walls and follow preprogrammed routes;once you find a good camping spot, preferably high up, you can pick them off with no penalty.

To the OP: if you are looking for nasty hard games, I'd try STALKER Call of Pripyat; on harder settings, the enemies can do some weirdly and terrifyingly clever manoeuvres; there's a container yard occupied with bandits and on the hardest difficulty, it is really, really, REALLY hard to storm because they keep flanking and switching to using shotguns and SMGs, which on the hardest difficulty, are instakills at close range.
Alternatively, try playing Call of Duty 4 on Veteran only using pistols as much as you can - I will never try that again.

 

[Catchy Slogan]

Does the difficulty really matter all that much? I mean sure, a bit of a challenge can be fun, but it deosn't have to be uber difficult to be a good/fun game.

 

[Jordi]

...
Also, I would like to point out, in no way do I believe I am superior at gaming, or that I have some ridiculously high level of taste in games. I play many genres, but have come to this conclusion. I also understand I have been playing the games for sometime now and they can become easier depending on franchise and my own favored niche in gaming.
...

Maybe you're not a superior gamer in general, but I'll wager you are a superior gamer to yourself from a couple of years ago. And I think that this goes for almost everybody (especially the people complaining about games getting easier). The thing is: if the difficulty of games is staying the same in absolute terms, they are going to seem progressively easier to people who have been playing games over the measured time span. Especially if you consider games from the same franchise. If you played Halo 1 until you were able to beat Legendary difficulty, I'm not really surprised that you can start out playing Halo 2 on that difficulty, because probably not that much has changed between those games.
Now the question is: should the game developers take into account that while a lot of "gamers" are still total newbies, there are also a lot of gamers who've honed their skills over time and are still looking for a challenge? The ideal answer is obviously "yes", but keep in mind that this can be really hard, given that the skill gap between new/casual gamers and hardcore gamers will probably be widening for a while.

 

[thefleeger]

Does the difficulty really matter all that much? I mean sure, a bit of a challenge can be fun, but it deosn't have to be uber difficult to be a good/fun game.

I understand that, as I have said Portal wasn't all that difficult, but fun and good. The variety of using more than one strategy in a game has a lot to do with the difficulty, and the it's not difficulty setting necessarily. It is the fact it is just overall watered down and has lost it's potential to be more challenging and feel more rewarding.

 

[Ranorak]

You do realize that most of us have been playing games for about 20-30 years.
Of course you get better at it.

 

[Fishyash]

One thing that is for certain is that quite a lot of games have a larger margin for error than older games. Not just taking more hits, but also saving and unlimited continues/lives. If you got game over on super mario bros. you started from the beginning, but if you got game over on super mario galaxy, you only move back to the beginning of the star you were getting.

Also, over time you are going to get better at games. However I disagree that it would be the reason that games seem easier, they are getting easier, but people getting better at games would be part of it. I think games are getting easier, and I still can't beat rayman 1.

Also, as many people said, the 'difficult games' were gone since the arcades (and arcade ports) died, with few exceptions. When people look at games nowdays, it's not about the challenge, it's about graphics, story and good controls.

Also, to do with controls, controls are more consistently getting good. Let's face it, sometimes bad controls is the reason why some games were difficult back then. However, there were plenty of good controlling games that were difficult.

One more thing that I want to add. Many 'nintendo hard' games weren't really that hard after you spent the time to remember all the levels. Honestly, you can only equate difficulty to how much time spent to beat something. Once you can do it without the stroke of luck you had to beat it the first time, you will be able to consistently do it again and again with no problems. It's only really difficult the first few times you do it. Muscle memory is pretty cool I guess.

 

[teh_Canape]

it's not that they're getting easier

it's that you already know how to play most of them

for newcomers, they're still hard

 

[randomsix]

Lol at anyone who says that games are hard nowadays. Go play Star Wars Podracers for the N64 and prepare to have your mind blown by difficulty. Qui Gon said that humans don't have the reflexes to podrace, and he was right. Anyone good at this game is a jedi.

 

[Grouchy Imp_v1legacy]

[link]http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/2454-Easy-Games[/link]
This should explain things. A hell of a lot better than I could, anyway.

 

[DTWolfwood]

They are easier. For that i thank them. With the tech they have today and the story they can craft in these games, its just refreshing to just be about to relax and be immersed without being frustrated by cheap deaths, mind numbing puzzles, or tedious repetition.

FPS have always been easy, at least in my experience, which is y i always go with the highest difficulty available in any that i play. Then again i use a mouse and Keyboard so...

To be fair though i've grown into action RPGs and have returned to RTSs which has never really had a problem with difficulty curve.

 

[willsham45]

Maybe your getting better. There is only so much one can do with run up to someone and shoot them, maybe try a different genera of game, like 2d platform, maybe starting a fresh with something new will give you the challenge you need.
Try super meat boy or the mega man games.

 

[Triscut900]

I think ever since games weren't about stealing children's hard-begged money in arcades, they've been getting easier.
Not that I really care, I'm generally bad at games. If I can't do it after five or so attempts, I lose interest.

Also, go play Super Meat Boy. Haven't played it myself, but it's apparently a monster of a difficult game.

i agree with both statements
i ragequit with smb

 

[thefleeger]

[link]http://www.escapistmagazine.com/videos/view/extra-credits/2454-Easy-Games[/link]
This should explain things. A hell of a lot better than I could, anyway.

Lol at anyone who says that games are hard nowadays. Go play Star Wars Podracers for the N64 and prepare to have your mind blown by difficulty. Qui Gon said that humans don't have the reflexes to podrace, and he was right. Anyone good at this game is a jedi.

I did watch that video about Easy Games and it was a good video. It added into my little search for knowledge. Also, I have played and beaten Podracers. A friend had it long ago and I borrowed from him. I will admit the game was quite difficult...stupid cave formations and rocks...

 

[Mordwyl]

They are getting easier for you. A new player may still find most games challenging.

 

[GiantRaven]

I play games to have fun, not to be infuriated. Making games easier than they used to be is fine by me.

 

[ethaninja]

I played Quake on the hardest difficulty. Then I played Call of Dutys latest games on the hardest difficulty. They are defiantly getting easier.

 

[Clashero]

The problem, as I see it, is this: normal mode is easy enough on most games, yes, but Hard mode is just... lazy on most parts. They usually give you less health, and make your enemies stronger and better at fighting, instead of imposing some other challenge. Good examples of really good Hard modes are Fatal Frame (hardly any supplies, forcing you to hide or run instead of fighting quite often), Sniper: Ghost Warrior (you need to account for bullet travel time and there is nothing to help you), or Fallout New Vegas realism mode.

 

[Crazycat690]

I'm going to say, NO! The thing is the gameplay has become better, more fluent, older games were clumsy and the enemy was badly programed which made them into dangerous killing machines.

And btw there are several difficulty settings, mostly, don't find it hard enough, play it on a higher setting.

However I don't like the whole regen health system, it just makes everything slower, no challange in taking cover.... Bioshock FTW!!!