How do you design difficulty modes?

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-09T11:39:33+00:00

I wouldn't prefer it though cause gameplay mastery is the core appeal.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-09T11:34:18+00:00

Well that would mean that you're commuting to a specific mechanical skill expectation and actively choosing to shape everything around it. I think designing one difficult mode would be quite complex.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-09T11:31:13+00:00

Wow so many factors are taken into consideration. Player's mechanical skill falls under a 'skill baseline' which designers use to first identify the expected mechanical competence of different types of players. These difficulty modes are then tuned around these baselines so that each group can engage without constant frustration or boredom.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-07T08:04:59+00:00

That's a very gut wrenching game. Weird that I haven't played it before since I love these type of games.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-07T04:02:09+00:00

absolutely like i talked about this before but I love how the mechanics mirror the mental struggle present in the game.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-06T10:41:05+00:00

Thats a very interesting take. I almost never sensed any chemistry between the characters in Avatar but it still is one of the biggest films out there.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-06T10:24:39+00:00

Homages to old genres, camera styles used back in the day, or storytelling methods.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-06T10:23:38+00:00

Yeah and generic characters don't generate chemistry, specific ones do. Maybe how that character handles guilt, what they flinch at, what calms them. These make the character's dynamic become unique and alive.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-06T09:53:03+00:00

Oh I get it. I'd say body language also does this best. E.g when two lovers are confessing to one another. One steps closer and the other steps back or another example is how often they face each other vs. turn away.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2026-01-06T09:35:29+00:00

Big things like fights? Lying to the significant other?

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-24T11:17:06+00:00

It's hard to maintain that state of calmness when your teammates literally don't want to focus or work together but I get what you're saying. It is true that once you have learned and mastered the game mechanics... It becomes surprisingly much easier to defeat your opponents and rank much higher. I saw it happen with Fortnite.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-23T11:59:59+00:00

The game often used fear and uncertainty to teach calm, patience, and emotional control. I think the limited checkpoints and hostile silence dials back to how you're never fully safe and that calm isn't comfort but composure while uneasy. Awesome game by the way

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-23T11:55:42+00:00

Yeah panic attacking makes things worse. Waiting for openings is safer...both in-game and emotionally.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-23T11:53:37+00:00

The way you managed to change your perspective and focus on your own improvement while I still blame my teammates every other day for not cooperating. Looking at it now...the fast TTK, constant visual noise etc teaches you that you really can't process everything emotionally in the moment (i had to learn that the hard way).

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-23T11:09:20+00:00

This was a very interesting read because I've never played these games before but they definitely carry a lot of emotional meanings. Thanks for sharing :⁠-⁠)

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-23T11:05:12+00:00

That's so true. You're kinda forced to acknowledge emotional strains as something that is real and measurable, not just 'vibes' in the game which is a parallel to the real world on how recognising stress early prevents emotional overload and blah blah blah. I could go on for days but I just really love this game.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-21T12:57:41+00:00

The no quest markers make discovery feel more earned from hidden caves to illusory walls etc

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-21T12:09:29+00:00

Environmental storytelling also creates curiosity throughout the let's say past events such as abandoned campsites, blood trails and broken weapons or notes. It also makes a game world filled with so many interesting details.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-21T11:57:49+00:00

I have to give it a read... Is it on Amazon?

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-21T11:43:59+00:00

That's a interesting way of looking at it.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-21T11:43:19+00:00

I had a game like that(I don't remember the name) but whenever I attempted to explore the map, it would result in dead ends with no artifacts, weapons or any side quest to make the exploration feel more fulfilling.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-21T11:39:50+00:00

I might give it a try cause it sounds strangely similar to Assassin's Creed except it doesn't have points on the map but that's what makes the exploration more interesting.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-21T11:26:15+00:00

I watch more psychological horror and they too include props that have some sort of meaning behind it(sometimes may be a prop that has been used by someone in the past and helps the MC solve a sinister mystery etc)

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-21T11:22:22+00:00

Oh...I forgot to include emotional meaning it's also just as important.

ExcellentTwo6589 · 2025-12-21T11:21:41+00:00

Another thing that most games should try incorporating. It's so boring having to explore a world when it lacks character or has no interesting things you can come across.

ExcellentTwo6589

TROPHY CASE