[quote]This whole idea that game designers, or any creator, somehow has an obligation to base their creation on the lowest common denominator of their audience is a terrible idea. [/quote] If you want to make money with a kind of game that requires BROAD appeal? Its a VERY good idea...and arguably a MANDATORY one. Because when you stop making money making games, people stop GIVING you money to make games. That's how capitalism works. Fact is....you have it backwards. When you have a niche taste in the marketplace, you generally have to pay a PREMIUM to have that taste satisfied. Because it is a demand that is often expensive to meet....and the market for it is too small to make a profit unless the price is very high. Which is why games like World of Warcraft charge monthly subscritption fees IN ADDITION to charging for bulk content drops (expansions). Ball-busting difficulty is not most people's idea of fun....and most people play games to have fun. Not to prove something to themselves or others. So people who want that level of difficulty (Like a Dark Souls or a Cuphead) either need to be prepared to turn to indie games (which are cheaper to make), cult-following games (like Dark Souls). Or be prepared to break open their wallets and pay a premium for games like World of Warcraft.