Every game should have an easy mode
When I first head of the term “git gud”, I naturally assumed it was somehow related to a piece of software called Git. In case you’re not familiar with it, Git is a handy tool used by software developers to track changes to their code and ensure everyone working on a particular project is on the same page.
Anyway, it turns out that “git gud” is not related to software development, but is actually a bit of cheeky slang meaning “get good”. Or, as truly indispensable meme encyclopaedia Know Your Meme explains it:
“Git Gud”, an intentional misspelling of the phrase “get good,” is an expression used to heckle inexperienced players or newbies in online video games, similar to the use of the phrase “lurk more” on forums.
Essentially, if you tell someone to “git gud”, what you’re really telling them is to stop complaining about a game’s difficulty and just “git gud” at it. I think this is an example of an in-joke that exposes a clear division in the gaming community.
It’s all about time
In short, this division is between those of us who have the time to “git gud”, and those of us who simply don’t.
To illustrate, I’ll use a couple of hypothetical people as examples: Myself, eight years ago, and his companion, myself in two years.
Back in 2012, I was in high school and I had a lot of spare time on my hands, and I mean a lot. So, me being the unathletic and somewhat socially isolated teenager I was, I turned to video games — not because they’re inherently attractive to people in those two camps, let me make that clear, but because games are pretty cool. Games are an amazing medium for entertainment and storytelling. Anyway, back then I had the time to build a level of proficiency and a level of skill, so I could “git gud” at some games.
(Not many though, but whatever.)
In two years time (touch wood since the economy isn’t too good at the moment), I’ll be working full time and studying part-time. On a weekly basis, that looks something like this:
- 38 hours working
- 5 hours commuting
- 10 hours studying
Once we add in social commitments, volunteering, exercising, and the boring miscellaneous stuff that’s just part of looking after yourself and being an adult, there is some time left over. Some, but not an awful lot.
Why people play games
It should come as a surprise to no one that people play games for different reasons. Some people play games that are mechanically challenging because they enjoy a challenge, which is fine. I don’t, and here’s the important point, that’s also fine.
I play games for three main reasons. First, it’s a nice way to burn a bit of time and wind down after a long day, or even a short day for that matter. Second, I want to feel something, to be taken on an adventure, to be part of a story. That’s why I enjoyed the Mass Effect Trilogy, because I was part of of a story, as opposed to a game like Dear Esther where it felt like I was just following someone else’s. Third, I like the social aspect, and while I don’t play too many competitive multiplayer games these days, I love a good cooperative campaign, which is why Portal 2 is one of my favourite games, and why I’ve been getting into Synergy lately.
So while I understand the appeal of games like Cuphead and Dark Souls, I just don’t really care for games that are that difficult.
An issue of accessibility
It seems to me that, in some quarters, the idea of games being accessible is a bit of a joke, which then gets codified as a joke. Every few years there seems to be a controversy within the capital-G gaming community over whether or not games should include an easy mode, and it’s these sorts of discussions where terms like “git gud” get thrown around a bit.
I don’t understand why the idea of having an easy mode in a game is such an affront. It means someone who’s relatively time-poor can play the game and still enjoy it. I don’t understand why anyone who likes this medium and wants it to succeed would be against more people being able to enjoy it.
Here’s the thing, and this might ruffle some feathers, if I’ve been playing a game for 30 minutes or so and I can’t make any progress, I’m probably going to give up and I’m probably going to apply for a refund if I meet the criteria set by Steam or Origin etc. I’ve got better things to spend my time and money on.
Anyway, all of this is a long a rambling way of saying that easy modes are good, and not everyone has the time to slave away at a game until they can “git gud” at it.
