Planet Noobula has been host for the dullards of gaming for decades. They come in all shapes and sizes, but lack one key feature; common sense. Whether it is the screaming 13 year old on Xbox Live, a team killer or a farmer, each archetype is lost from the majority of the gaming world. Why then is the casual gamer strewn into the mix? Most casual gamers know how to play video games. Albeit with a different mindset, they’re gamers too...

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Casual Gamers Aren't Morons
Friday, August 22, 2008 – by Beau King, Staff Writer

Planet Noobula has been host for the dullards of gaming for decades. They come in all shapes and sizes, but lack one key feature; common sense. Whether it is the screaming 13 year old on Xbox Live, a team killer or a farmer, each archetype is lost from the majority of the gaming world. Why then is the casual gamer strewn into the mix? Most casual gamers know how to play video games. Albeit with a different mindset, they’re gamers too.

As of late, articles have been popping up denouncing a game’s ability to reach this tender market mainly due to difficulty of play. One such example comes from a notable site warning that Resident Evil 5’s traditional style may ward off potential buyers. It is exactly this way of thinking that has started to seep into developer’s heads creating a product most consider easy and lackluster. Looking to each game’s default normal setting has already shown how this is the case. Most gamers understand that normal is reserved for those with average skill and ability. Recently however this mode has sunk to easy while easy sits on the cusp of insulting.

Other developers have gone as far as take challenge away completely with games like WiiMusic. Even the crappiest titles in history try to incorporate some challenge or goal. This game, from what we’ve seen and heard, allows a player to mindlessly swing and mash a Wiimote in order to produce sound. It appears that the only catch is that there is no rhythm needed, no skill and more importantly no game over. Hopefully this title is reserved for toddlers. Otherwise, any other age group will cry over the time they just wasted. Even though the Wii is a shameless leader in this arena, many other companies have caught the bug. A quick look at the newest Prince of Persia title reveals that, here too, there is essentially no ability to fail. Every time the prince falls his teammate will somehow magically come to the rescue. If only life were so easy.

Developers answer to the new casual gamer friendly adaptations is that they are making a game that can be picked up by a first timer yet be challenging enough for the hardcore types. There is no way on this planet that this type of play can truly reach success. Both ends of the spectrum will be lost and everyone else will suffer having to drudge through something awkwardly put together. Whichever genius thought diluting every game to the point of a cake walk in order to scoop up the casual market needs a punch to the throat.

Casual gamers are not morons. The games they play are based on different criteria, not strictly ease of play. If desired, a mom wanting to try to experience her son’s love of GTA IV can easily jump in and play. More often than not, she will get frustrated, stop, and go back to Nintendogs. However, if she wanted to, there’s no doubt she can keep playing to get the hang of it. Nonetheless, mom’s a casual gamer and doesn’t like games like Resident Evil 5 or Gears of War 2. She won’t be enticed to play if one button completes the game either.

Different needs call for different products. Adapting one to fit everyone just won’t work. Casual Gamers may not have started with the Ocarina of Time, but most have hand-eye coordination and enough sense to mash buttons in accordance to a game’s demands if they wanted to.