PHOENIX — Local gamer Gordon Bailey has begun reaching out to the gaming community for help after his way of life has been threatened by a video game implementing an optional mechanic that he doesn’t have to engage with.
After Bioware recently revealed that the next game in the Dragon Age series would have an optional mode that removes the ability for the player to die, Bailey took to social media in disbelief that a game studio would threaten his existence in such a blatant manner.
“Why would they do this? Why do they hate us so much as to do something like this,” tweeted Bailey to his dozens of mostly bot followers. “I obviously can only speak for myself but I know I’m not the only one whose life is affected by this callous move. I pride myself on only playing games on the hardest difficulty with one hand tied behind my back and never pausing so for them to make a game that caters to casuals is an attack on my very way of life. It’s like they don’t want me to exist.”
Bailey isn’t alone as many other gamers replied to his post in support.
“This is just the latest in a long line of incidents threatening our way of life,” replied Jackson Ryker. “As real gamers we are the most persecuted group in the history of the world and this is just another attempt to erase us from existence. No one has suffered as much as us but we will get through this and we will persevere. When this game fails they’ll see what a mistake they made in trying to be rid of us.
Bioware responded to the accusations in bewilderment.
“They know they can just not use the mode right? They don’t have to select it, we’re not forcing them, they can make it harder if they want.” said gameplay designer Bernard Morin.
Bailey further claimed he will not take this lying down.
“They can say what they want about this being optional but we all know they want everyone to use it and will do whatever they can to push it on us. Well I haven’t spent the last few years harassing and demanding people to play games on hard mode even if they don’t want to have this baby gamer mode forced on me. How dare they think they can do that, I will fight this. I should be able to play games however I want.”
At press time, Bailey has begun replying “git gud” to all posts praising the mode for making the game more accessible to more gamers regardless of ability or impairments.
