I play video games in easy mode.

For some reason that phrase seems to lift the pitchforks and light the torches of thousands of angry gamers whose greatest accomplishment in life was beating Dark Souls without dying. And I really don’t know why. Playing games on easy mode, or avoiding notoriously difficult games doesn’t make me a filthy casual. And frankly I’m fed up if defending myself against sad, sad little men who are far too angry for their own good. So I guess here is an open letter (you will read that as “rant” if you don’t agree with me, but that’s not the intention) to all those who think “easy mode gamers” are the same as “casual gamers”. Because we’re not.

It’s important to differentiate between easy gamers and filthy casuals. Casual gamers do not enter a game intending to become engrossed, and they tend not to set aside time for gaming sessions. They’ll play Angry Birds on the bus or Minecraft in their free time. But when I obsessively plan my next day the night before, I always set aside two hours for proper gaming games such as League of Legends or Cooking Mamma.

Furthermore, people who play games on easy mode still buy all the gaming needs. Take me, for example. I paid hundreds of pounds worth of my parent’s money to build a gaming PC. For my birthday present I insisted on a 3DS. It’s unlikely that casuals would be cool enough to make these purchases or wishes. Only the supreme chosen ones would do this. And the people who play games on easy mode are among this group, whether you accept it or not.

We’ve successfully distinguished between easy mode gamers and casual gamers. But one question does remain. Why is Angry Birds such a big deal. Or, if you’re invested in this article, “Why play games on easy mode?”. What an excellent question. As it so happens, there is an expert writer on this site who could answer this. But he’s busy moving house so you’re stuck with me instead.

Primarily, I play games on easy mode because I’m limited on time. Currently I’m on gap year and can only play video games in my free time which is when I’m not working in a farm or learning a foreign language (I would say drinking with friends, but that statement would then contain two lies). Provided I want to eat, sleep and (occasionally shower) my down time gets limited to about three hours a day. So when I finally decided to complete “Fire Emblem: Awakening” I played on easy mode with permadeath off. It took a lot out of the strategic experience as I didn’t feel the need to obsessively place units in optimal positions or make optimal character marriages (Nowi and Donnel for life), and I am a little bit sorry. But I got through the game quicker because of it, and I didn’t lose anything on the story and character development. Gregor will always be an (offensive) stereotype, Gaius will always be the G-d damned best, and Severa will always be a complete and utter cunt whatever difficulty you play on.

And as someone who has a lot of games to play in a limited amount of time, this made my play through ideal.

It’s not just a busy work schedule where easy gaming helps. When you have a significant other or objective family members who don’t quite get your gaming habits and wish you would DO SOMETHING USEFUL FOR ONCE WITH YOUR LIFE SAM, WHY DO YOU ONLY PLAY GAMES? it’s useful for blasting through games quickly whilst still getting a full experience. However, it must be noted that this only works for story driven games, or at least games with a strong story. Since easy mode gaming often softens up on the gameplay, it wouldn’t be a good idea for gameplay based games, such as dungeon crawlers, as then you don’t get the full experience of gameplay. No shit Sherlock, but sometimes it needs explaining.

But perhaps most importantly, I play games on easy mode because I don’t like the sensation of shoving my penis in a dry blender, that harder difficulties give me. When I find something difficult I tend to give up on it, which explains my Maths results and my dreams of becoming a Tupac impersonator. This rule certainly applies to video games as well. I love fantasy. A lot. But I’ve avoided Dark Souls because apparently that shit is as difficult and unwelcoming as your girlfriend’s family whose father was ranked sergeant-major in the military. Why would I spend money on a game that I would give up on after an hour or so? This is why if Fire Emblem: Fates ever makes it to the UK (they’ve given a release date but I’m too pessimistic to believe it as true) I’ll only play Birthright. It also applies to doing hard mode playthroughs of games. I just don’t see it as a good investment of my precious time as I’ll give up on it very quickly.

One final thing to note is that people who play games on easy mode can still enjoy a challenge. If a game is easier than getting into the pants of your high school’s slag then it can be boring. If it tests me then it can be fun. But if it’s as challenging as trying to find an original moment in the movie Avatar, then it just becomes gruelling and no fun.

Overall, gamers who play on easy mode are still real gamers. We have the gear and accessories. We obsess over characters and stories. We set aside time for gaming, and we can enjoy a challenge. What we don’t appreciate is when a game is more gruelling and grindy than club dancing. So next time you belittle us for playing games on easy mode, just remember one thing; just because you’re a masochist doesn’t mean everybody is.

Samuel comes from frozen north of England, but is still remarkably tanned. Some say this is because of the extensive travelling. Samuel thinks it’s because he’s the Messiah.