Are Video Games Being Dumbed Down Today?

Are video games being dumbed down today? It's a common question and one that has many veteran gamers screaming "yes!" However, there might be a very good reason for this trend in the video game industry.

Modern technology gives developers more options when it comes to creating video games. Therefore, they can make them simpler and easier to play compared to the first video games veteran gamers started out playing. Another issue is that as the game industry grows in popularity, video game producers now have a wider market of people to cater to. This means some games will be simpler or easier in order to cater to a specific set of gamers. Some may say this is "dumbing down" the games while others may view it as a wonderful breakthrough.

How Are Video Games Being Dumbed Down?

Many gamers express their disappointment in the new game designs that allow you to complete the game in a matter of hours. Some can even be played from start to finish in less than 10 hours. This is very disappointing for hardcore gamers who look forward to hours of challenging play and the reason they say, video games are being dumbed down. Another problem is that you can spend a lot of money on the average game and you feel like the money is wasted when the game is beaten too soon.

Many of the modern video games have different settings, which allow you to play the basic or easy setting or switch to the moderate or hard setting. This has its advantages because more gamers can enjoy the game and reach the end. However, it does take some of the fun out of it for players who enjoy finishing a game that not too many other people can. In a sense, it takes bragging rights away from those who love a challenge.

From a manufacturer's point of view, it's a smart move. If players find a game to be too difficult, they will discard it for one that is easier. Therefore, by providing different levels of play, they target more consumers. More gamers play video games for the storyline it portrays. Having a basic setting with moderate challenges, makes it possible for them to enjoy the story better.

Advantages these Changes Offer

Even though a lot of gamers don't like the easier gameplay and shorter play times, there are just as many who love these changes. Many gamers can appreciate having a causal, friendly game they can sit back and play when they have free time. Many people are on the go so much that it's hard for them to find 10 hours a week to enjoy playing video games and for these people, having a game they can complete during that time means a lot.

Long-term, complicated games restrict and limit gamers. It forces them to spend hours, even months working to complete a game in which (at any point) you can get stuck and never finish. Shorter game times give you a chance to play several games or to play the same one several times instead of spending months trying to complete just one game.

So, has shorter game play, smoother systems, great tutorials, difficulty settings, guides and instructions "dumbed down" our video games today? It all depends on who you talk to but even the veteran gamer who enjoys a challenge has to admit that many of these modern features are nice to have. This is especially true when it comes to the automatic save feature, which can reduce a lot of stress that used to go hand-in-hand with video games.

Instead of video games being dumbed down, you could say, they now give you a choice. If you want to see everything the game has to offer in the shortest period of time, the easy mode is a great feature but if you want a real challenge, go ahead and select the hard setting and struggle to get to the end. For those who don't care about storyline or those you play video games purely for the challenge, there will always be games available that put your gaming skills to the test.