#56 The problems with "difficulty" in gaming

This week we wanted to have an easy going talk about difficulty in games. What makes it great, what makes it difficult to design and plan around for, and some cases where it's just a necessary part of a game's core identity.MORE PLACES TO FIND USCrubscribe ► https://bit.ly/CrubcastGet the show early and get exclusive content at our Patreon ► https://www.patreon.com/crubOur Crubcasts are recorded LIVE at https://www.twitch.tv/crub_official every Tuesday at 7pm Eastern, with EXCLUSIVE Pre- and Post-ShowsJoin our Discord ► https://crub.org/joinBird App ► https://twitter.com/crubofficialPodcasts are available on Apple, Google, Spotify, and other platforms are available at ► https://crub.orgSHOW NOTESPath of Exile's skill tree, mentioned later in the show:https://www.pathofexile.com/passive-skill-treeHere's some of the games we mentioned that you may be curious about:Cyberhook: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1130410/Cyber_Hook/Selaco (disclosure, Trav edited their launch trailer): https://store.steampowered.com/app/1592280/Selaco/Another Crab's Treasure: https://store.steampowered.com/app/1887840/Another_Crabs_Treasure/Lisa: https://store.steampowered.com/sub/77828/TODAY'S CRUBCAST HOSTSChris: https://www.youtube.com/@MykonosFanJustin: https://www.youtube.com/@WorldFamousJtart9Moriarty: https://www.youtube.com/@reallycoolTrav: https://www.youtube.com/@ThatTravGuyCHAPTERS00:00 What's up with difficulty in games?08:34 Starting games on Hard difficulty13:16 Why should games be difficult?33:32 Design versus designing for difficulty40:50 Harsh realities of game development46:28 Guides and completionism relating to difficulty55:54 Games that use difficulty as a narrative tool1:09:24 RACROX's Crubscriber Question of the Week ★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★