DayZ hardcore

It's funny, if you play War Thunder and play "Arcade" mode (3pp, easy controls, etc.), no one has an issue with it being referred to as easy mode. If you play the game in the "Realism" mode (still 3pp as an option, but with more realistic physics and damage models, etc.), no one has a problem with acknowledging that this is a more challenging way to play and, commensurately, a more rewarding mode when you achieve kills. The most challenging game mode is "Simulation." In this mode 1PP is locked, it has the most realistic physics and damage models and is legitimately a harder way to play because you have to master the planes, understand your enemies' capabilities and develop tactics in an effort to maximize your strengths and minimize theirs. Success in this mode is, by sheer effort and skill, a more rewarding experience if you are capable of playing it. Everyone acknowledges that Arcade mode and Realistic mode aren't as challenging as the Simulation mode. BUT War Thunder was never advertised nor did it leverage being a hardcore combat flight sim, I don't believe that it's the reason people play the title.

So I don't think the semantics, though they might be daunting for some, are the issue for most players. Rather, I believe, that it's the people gravitating towards a game that is often referred to as a hardcore, unforgiving simulation of an apocalypse, getting upset when it's pointed out that the "mode" in which they are playing is the easiest way to play it (i.e. potentially more fun and accessible but also less rewarding and engaging). Consequently they get very defensive and angry about it, afterall, they are playing a hardcore, unforgiving survival game aren't they? But are they? Really? And that's the group that, I believe, many players fall into; wanting to be associated with a hardcore game rather than play a hardcore game. And there are very few players (1PP server pops are evidence of this) that actually want a hardcore game that borders on simulation (which is what DayZ was billed as from the start). 1PP players get frustrated because they, wrongly, think that everyone wanted to play a hardcore game and wonder why there's even a 3PP mode. I've only heard of one legitimate rationale for not playing 1PP if you wanted a more challenging experience and that's that some people experience nausea.

/r/dayz Thread Parent