Why You Don't "Get" These Games

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares a personal journey of overcoming their initial aversion to Dark Souls 3 and other challenging games. They explore how playing Celeste unlocked their appreciation for difficult games and how this realization led to a deeper understanding of game design. The video introduces methods to overcome barriers to entry in any game genre, emphasizing the importance of mindset, connections to the game, and the design choices of developers. The speaker highlights how these approaches can help unlock any game, transforming the player's experience and enjoyment.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker initially struggled to enjoy challenging games like Dark Souls 3 but later came to love them, especially after playing Celeste.
• 😀 Celeste’s gradual difficulty curve and forgiving design helped the speaker appreciate difficulty in games, contrasting with the more punishing aspects of Dark Souls.
• 😀 Celeste's design emphasizes challenge without punishment, making it easier to overcome obstacles and enjoy the experience.
• 😀 The distinction between 'challenge' (difficulty) and 'punishment' (losses due to death) is essential in understanding how difficulty impacts enjoyment in games.
• 😀 The speaker became addicted to the feeling of overcoming challenges after playing Celeste, prompting them to revisit games like Dark Souls.
• 😀 Pre-existing connections to a game's world or media (like Dragon Ball Z) can help players overcome barriers to entry in unfamiliar genres, such as fighting games.
• 😀 The will to play a game is fundamental and can come from recommendations, personal connections to the game's setting, or the visual and emotional appeal.
• 😀 Exploring games outside your usual genres can be unlocked by understanding what drives your interest, whether it’s through media connections or gradually overcoming difficulty.
• 😀 A shift in mindset can unlock new gaming experiences—understanding that dying in Dark Souls doesn’t always mean failure, but a chance for growth and exploration.
• 😀 Analyzing a developer's choices in game design (like the Souls mechanic in Dark Souls) can reveal key insights that make a game more accessible and enjoyable.
• 😀 The right mindset and tools can help players unlock genres they previously struggled with, enhancing their overall gaming experience and broadening their tastes.

Q & A

Why did the speaker initially struggle with *Dark Souls 3*?

The speaker struggled with *Dark Souls 3* because they couldn't understand the appeal of the game, and the challenge and punishment it offered seemed too overwhelming. They were frustrated as they saw everyone else praising it, but they couldn’t get into it.

How did the speaker’s experience with *Celeste* change their perspective on challenging games?

The speaker’s experience with *Celeste* made them realize that a game could be challenging without being punishing. *Celeste* gradually increased its difficulty, respawned the player quickly after death, and never made the player lose significant progress, which helped the speaker appreciate the struggle and challenge in games.

What is the key distinction the speaker makes between challenge and punishment in video games?

The speaker distinguishes challenge as how difficult it is to avoid failure, whereas punishment refers to the negative consequences of failing. In *Celeste*, for example, death is challenging but not punishing because the player loses very little progress.

How did playing *Celeste* influence the speaker's ability to enjoy *Dark Souls 3*?

By playing *Celeste* and learning to appreciate gradual challenge and non-punitive mechanics, the speaker developed an addiction to overcoming difficult obstacles, which helped them appreciate the similar challenge in *Dark Souls 3*.

What is the 'Gateway game' concept, and how does it relate to unlocking new genres?

The 'Gateway game' is a game that allows a player to discover and appreciate a new genre by providing a modified experience that helps them overcome initial barriers. For example, playing *Celeste* helped the speaker get into challenging games like *Dark Souls*.

What does the speaker mean by 'the will to play' when it comes to starting new games?

The 'will to play' refers to the motivation or desire to engage with a game. This can come from a recommendation, the game’s appearance, or a deeper connection to the content of the game, such as a favorite character or franchise.

How can a pre-established connection to a game’s media help someone enjoy a genre they initially dislike?

A pre-established connection, such as being a fan of a particular franchise, can help a player push through the initial difficulty of a game by giving them a personal stake in the game. For example, liking *Dragon Ball Z* might help someone get into a *Dragon Ball Z* fighting game despite not usually enjoying fighting games.

What is the 'Silver Bullet' method mentioned in the video?

The 'Silver Bullet' method is described as a strategy for unlocking a game genre by utilizing minimal effort, specifically by making a connection to a game through a form of media (e.g., anime, movies). This connection can lower the barrier to entry and make the game more engaging.

What role do the developers' choices play in how to approach difficult games like *Dark Souls*?

Understanding the developers' intent helps players adjust their mindset to fully appreciate the game. In *Dark Souls*, for example, the developers made death a core mechanic to encourage exploration, which can be less punishing when players realize that not all souls are vital, and that the game encourages learning through failure.

How can players use their mindset and the developers' design choices to overcome frustration in games like *Dark Souls*?

By understanding the developers' design choices, such as the significance (or lack thereof) of losing souls in *Dark Souls*, players can shift their focus away from the fear of failure and instead embrace exploration, experimentation, and the challenge without the constant pressure of loss.