You know, I get why some people like added complexity. Most games are meant to be challenging (what's the point of playing if you don't have to put effort in or are just handed "Mission Accomplished" or "XYZ Wins").
And I'm not advocating for MK 11 to "easy mode" or anything, and in it's current states, it seems sufficiently difficult.
The thing is, though, when does challenging become a significant barrier to entry-level play? When does it start to overshadow the fun factor?
Tournament and hardcore players may have the necessary time, reflexes, and muscle memory to master amplification inputs for more than one character. But what about players that have full-time jobs, families, outside responsibilities, which prohibits the investiture of time into a video game. Or even players that are older and thus less adept and adapting to a new and ultimately unnecessary mechanic when it comes to gameplay? Are they just SoL?
I wouldn't mind if NRS put the amplification codes back in as an option for those looking for an extra challenge. But when it comes to basic mechanics and easing the learning curve in the name of more players having more fun, I think relative simplicity should be the goal.
I'll be honest, I'll be 30 in just a few short months, and I can already tell that my reflexes and ability to remember complex commands has diminished slightly. Not like I'm drooling from my mouth and staring at the ceiling like I'm 116 years old, but my thumbs don't glide across the sticks like they used to and I don't always hit the right button at the right tim, despite playing video games my whole life. Plus, while I don't have kids, I do work every day and can usually only devote so many hours to gaming in a given week.
A part of me was afraid the amplification codes might lock me out of the game, or at least hamper my enjoyment of it. But with it back to the old system, I feel more comfortable about my chances of picking up more than one character and being successful.
So, thanks NRS. I get the need for experimentation, and this would be a nice option, but I'm happy it's not required as of now.
Just my $0.02.