Are Games Getting Easier?

When the gaming phenomenon really got going in the 1980's, it existed virtually exclusively in arcades. Back then, games were built around a couple of key concepts: they were fun, addictive - and nearly impossible to master. Games like Pac-Man have a seemingly infinite number of levels, and even the best of the best can lose while just barely scratching the surface of the game.

But as games have become more complex, game designers have started wanting everyone who plays their games to get to see everything they put into it. This in turn has resulted in a generation of games that are easier to conquer. In spite of the rapid growth in technology and the ability to make games more intricate, game have become fundamentally less challenging than they were 20 years ago.

This is a trend that has been increasing slowly but constantly since the arcade days. The birth of the home consoles of the 1990's saw some very difficult games, but trends like frequent checkpoints and save points gradually became commonplace. And now, as we delve deeper into the 21st Century, the level of skill needed to complete a game seems to continue to decline.

There are a few fundamental concepts that really underscore this trend. The ominous feeling once associated with seeing "game over" has diminished, due to save games and other conveniences. Instead of complex puzzle solving, strategic elements are now more like connect the dots. Final bosses have become weaker. All of these, along with a couple other factors, really define the degradation of difficulty in gaming. I've taken a look at these elements and will discuss some specific examples. However, I also realize that change is sometimes vital, so I've also detailed what could be done to lessen the leniency provided by so many different games, without completely reverting back to "old school".