Just last week Bengt talked about how modern developers like to spoon-feed us their games. It seems that he isn't alone in his desire for a return to the days where gamers had to use a bit more of the old grey matter.
BioShock Infinite will include a 1999 Mode, which will demand that players commit to their decisions, as well as providing players with more challenging weapon, power, and health management. On top of several tweaks for the new mode, there will be stricter respawning rules as well, with players being sent directly to a Game Over screen if they lack the resources to be brought back to life.
Ken Levine, Creative Director at Irrational Games said: "We want to give our oldest and most committed fans an option to go back to our roots, in 1999 Mode, gamers face more of the permanent consequences of their gameplay decisions. In BioShock Infinite, gamers will have to sweat out the results of their actions. In addition, 1999 Mode will demand that players pick specializations, and focus on them."
"I'm an old school gamer. We wanted to make sure we were taking into account the play styles of gamers like me. So we went straight to the horse's mouth by asking them, on our website, a series of questions about how they play our games. 94.6 percent of respondents indicated that upgrade choices enhanced their BioShock gameplay experience; however, 56.8 percent indicated that being required to make permanent decisions about their character would have made the game even better."
It seems that Bengt isn't alone in his desire for more challenging and thought provoking gaming experiences. Let's hope that more companies follow Irrational's lead and start accomodating gamers who like a little less hand-holding.