Start by finding out what is making the game hard or uninteresting, then adjust that part of the challenge rather than automatically lowering difficulty for everyone. When a game allows it, tune settings for each player, agree on roles that suit both partners, and check in as you play. A single group-wide setting can help one player while taking away the challenge another wants, so look for options that preserve everyone’s ability to participate.
The best adjustment may be a lower combat challenge, a clearer explanation, more time to practice, or a change to how the controls are operated. Those are different needs, so it helps to name the problem before reaching for a menu. The goal is not to make every player face identical demands; it is to make it possible for both people to enjoy the same session and contribute to it.
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How can I make a co-op game easier for my friend?
Ask what feels difficult before changing anything. “This is too hard” could mean enemies are overwhelming, aiming takes too much concentration, navigation is confusing, or the other player is waiting through puzzles they already understand. Those problems call for different adjustments. If you lower the overall difficulty without identifying the cause, you may reduce a challenge your friend enjoys while leaving the frustrating part untouched.
Difficulty is not just a fixed property of a game. It is the fit between a player’s abilities and the barriers the game presents. Two people can face the same encounter and experience it very differently. Microsoft’s Xbox Accessibility Guideline 108, “Game difficulty options,” says: “The goal of this Xbox Accessibility Guideline (XAG) is to ensure that game titles provide multiple difficulty options so that all players can enjoy and complete games, regardless of their skill level.” For a co-op pair, the practical implication is to look for meaningful choices, not to assume there is one correct setting for both players.
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Identify the specific source of friction
Use a neutral question such as, “Which part would you change?” Possible answers include:
- Reaction speed: Timing or fast-moving threats are the main obstacle. Look for options that reduce the pressure of combat or timing, if available.
- Aiming or combat: The player understands what to do but struggles to land attacks or stay alive. Check for settings affecting combat separately from exploration or puzzles.
- Navigation: Finding the route, reading the interface, or keeping track of objectives is harder than the encounters themselves. Look for navigation or information supports rather than changing every challenge.
- Puzzle-solving: The puzzle is the fun part for one player but a bottleneck for the other. Decide whether to keep it challenging, offer hints if the game has them, or share the solving.
- Resource pressure: Limited supplies or consequences for mistakes make the session stressful. Check whether the game offers a setting that affects this pressure independently.
- Communication or unfamiliarity: The player may need more time to learn the rules, controls, or team routines. A short explanation or practice opportunity can be more useful than changing the game’s difficulty.
These are diagnostic prompts, not a claim that every game has a separate switch for each issue. The available controls depend on the game. If the person says a particular part is enjoyable even though it is difficult, do not assume it needs to be softened. Ask whether they want help, a setting change, or simply more time to try.
Match the change to the problem
Look through the game’s settings for the specific mechanic that is causing trouble. A menu might offer broad difficulty presets, individual options, or both. A setting that changes combat may not help with a confusing map; a navigation aid may not change how demanding a fight feels. Read the option’s description, and if its effect is unclear, try it in a low-stakes section before committing to a long session.
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Microsoft’s guideline encourages multiple difficulty choices and discusses options aimed at distinct aspects of play, including an ultra-low difficulty option. That does not mean every game has that option, or that one particular label has the same effect across games. A very low-pressure preset can be useful for a player who wants to focus on the story, learn the controls, or simply get through a demanding section, but check what it changes rather than relying on its name.
Also check whether the game lets you pause local multiplayer while someone reviews options or talks through the next step. Microsoft’s guideline includes pausing local multiplayer as a consideration. Pausing can create time to discuss a setting without asking one person to keep playing while the other is still deciding. Whether it is possible depends on the game and mode.
Can co-op players use different difficulty settings?
Sometimes. A game may offer one setting for the whole group, separate settings for individual players, or a mix of both. Do not assume that co-op automatically supports different difficulty levels: check the game’s own options and description. A co-op-specific example appears in an official Halo Waypoint community Q&A from June: “Difficulty Modifiers allow each player to adjust settings for themselves, which can help everyone have an easier time or a more difficult challenge.” The excerpt does not establish the post’s publication year. This is an example of a design option, not a feature to expect in every co-op game.
When a game does not offer per-player controls, you may still be able to adjust individual mechanics for the whole group. Microsoft’s guideline discusses multiple difficulty choices and settings that can target distinct aspects of play. Valve’s Steamworks accessibility guidance likewise recommends granular options and clear explanations of what presets change. A global change is not the only possible adjustment, but the game must actually provide the relevant controls.
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Per-player and per-mechanic are separate questions. A title might let everyone share a setting that changes combat while offering no individual modifiers. Another title might let each player choose a different challenge level. If both are available, the group can decide whether each player needs a different overall challenge, whether one mechanic is the main issue, or whether both kinds of adjustment are useful.
Compare the options before changing them
| What to check | Why it matters | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Who does the setting affect? | A per-player modifier can let partners choose different challenge levels; a group-wide setting changes the experience for everyone. | “Does this apply to my character, or to the whole session?” |
| Which mechanic changes? | A targeted adjustment may ease combat without flattening exploration or puzzles. | “What does this option actually make easier?” |
| Can it be changed during play? | If the setting can be changed mid-session, the group may be able to respond to a mismatch without restarting. This is game-specific. | “Can we try it now and change it back if it isn’t right?” |
| Does the game explain the effect? | Clear descriptions help players choose a setting based on its effect rather than an ambiguous label. | “Does the menu say what this preset changes?” |
| Can both players still contribute? | A smoother session should preserve meaningful participation for each person, rather than leaving one player with nothing to do. | “Will this give us a better balance, or make one of us disengage?” |
The final question is a useful way to judge the fit, not a measured guarantee about how any particular setting will affect enjoyment. Together, the checks help distinguish a precise adjustment from a broad one: who it affects, what it changes, whether it is reversible during play, and whether each player remains involved.
How should we adjust difficulty without spoiling the fun?
- Agree on the goal. Ask whether the aim is to reduce frustration, keep the session moving, learn the game, or preserve a tougher challenge for one player. Partners may want different things, so name both preferences before choosing a setting.
- Look for a targeted option first. Read the description of each relevant setting. If only combat is causing trouble, changing every aspect of difficulty may solve more than necessary.
- Check whether the setting is individual or shared. A local modifier can preserve different challenge levels when the game supports it. If the control is group-wide, decide together whether both players accept the trade-off.
- Check when the setting can be changed. Some games allow adjustments during a session; others may limit when or how changes can be made. Find out before assuming you can switch back immediately. If the game offers pausing in local multiplayer, use that time to discuss the choice without rushing.
- Try one change at a time. This makes it easier to tell whether the selected option addresses the problem. If several settings change at once, it becomes harder to know what helped.
- Check in after a representative section. Ask whether the specific problem improved and whether the other player still has the kind of challenge they wanted. Keep, revise, or undo the change based on those answers.
Use literal, nonjudgmental language when making a suggestion. “Want to lower enemy damage but keep the puzzles?” gives a clear choice. A label that implies someone is bad at the game can turn a practical adjustment into a personal criticism. Microsoft’s difficulty guidance emphasizes multiple options and respectful naming; Valve’s Steamworks guidance also stresses explaining what presets do. Clear descriptions and respectful conversation both help keep the choice focused on the play experience.
Do not treat an easier setting as a verdict on a player’s ability. Settings are tools for shaping the session. A player might want a lower-pressure option because they are new to the game, tired, learning a controller, or more interested in the story than in a demanding encounter. They might also prefer to keep the challenge and accept occasional failures. Let the person experiencing the barrier have a say in what changes.
How do you play co-op with someone new to games?
Let the less experienced player choose a level of responsibility that feels comfortable, while making sure the arrangement remains a choice rather than a permanent ranking. Depending on the game, one person might take a lower-pressure task, focus on support, or handle a role that gives them time to learn. Another option is to pause for a practice opportunity before returning to a demanding section.
Keep roles flexible. A support task can help someone take part, but it should not become an assumption that the newer player must always stay in the background. Ask whether they want to try a different responsibility as they become more familiar with the game. The experienced player can offer a short explanation or coordinate a plan, then leave room for the other person to make decisions and act.
Make explanations small and useful. A brief description of a control, objective, or team routine can be easier to apply than a long list of instructions delivered while the action is happening. Before stepping in, ask whether the other player wants a hint or wants to try first. If the answer is “let me figure it out,” give them time; if they ask for help, explain the next useful step without taking over the whole task.
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When a game includes settings for separate mechanics, use them to reduce the parts that are getting in the way of learning. For example, if the player wants to solve puzzles but finds combat overwhelming, consider whether the game offers a way to adjust combat without changing puzzle difficulty. This is only possible when the game exposes those controls; if it offers just one group-wide preset, explain that trade-off before selecting it.
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Practice can also be a choice, not a test. Try a safe encounter or a low-pressure section where the player can experiment with movement, aiming, or a support role. Agree on when to move on, and avoid making every mistake a reason to interrupt. A little space to learn may address unfamiliarity more directly than changing the overall challenge, but it will not solve every kind of mismatch.
How can we keep co-op fun when one player is much better?
Make the session adjustable instead of treating the difference in skill as something one person must fix. The more experienced player can ask before stepping in, explain a mechanic when useful, and avoid taking over every decision. The newer player can say whether they want a hint, a lower-pressure role, or time to work something out alone. Both players should be able to ask for a change without it being treated as a verdict on their ability.
Use the game’s settings as part of that conversation, not as a substitute for it. A per-player modifier may preserve the experienced player’s preferred challenge while easing another player’s experience. A group-wide setting can affect both, so discuss what each person gains or gives up before changing it. If the game has no suitable adjustment, roles, practice, and a different pace may still help—but none of those choices should be imposed as a permanent hierarchy.
Compare what each person wants, not just how well each person performs. One player may want the satisfaction of a hard fight; another may prefer fewer combat demands so they can focus on coordination or exploration. Where settings allow, preserve the challenge that each person enjoys. Where they do not, make the compromise explicit: for example, agree to try a shared setting for one section, then check whether it worked for both people.
Pay attention to whether assistance leaves the other person with meaningful decisions. Carrying every fight or solving every puzzle may make the game progress faster, but it can also remove the opportunity to participate. Ask before taking over, offer support that helps the other player act, and revisit roles when they stop feeling useful or enjoyable. This is a practical way to keep agency in view; it is not a promise that any one role arrangement will work for every pair.
What if the difficulty is really about using the controls?
A player can understand the game and still face a barrier in operating its controls. That is a different problem from experience or game skill. Check whether the game supports remapping or other input options, and consider whether adaptive hardware or shared control fits the specific need. These options address access to input; they do not automatically resolve differences in strategy, reaction, or familiarity.
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Adaptive inputs
Microsoft describes the Xbox Adaptive Controller as a hub for external switches, buttons, mounts, and joysticks, with remapping and profiles. Connected assistive devices are sold separately, and suitability depends on the player’s hardware and the game. Check compatibility and what additional equipment is needed before relying on it for a particular setup. The controller is an optional input-access tool, not a general difficulty setting. There is no single additional-device list that applies to every player, so identify the inputs needed and verify that the particular devices and game setup work together.
Cost is therefore not just the price of the hub: external assistive devices may be needed and are sold separately. The materials cited here do not establish current prices, bundles, or availability, so check the product information for the setup you are considering rather than assuming the controller alone supplies every required input. If the barrier is not operating controls, buying adaptive hardware may not address the actual problem.
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Xbox Controller Assist can link two controllers for shared control, including playing with a friend. This may help when operating the controls is the barrier and a partner wants to help with input. It is a platform feature, not a standalone purchase. It should not be mistaken for a way to give each player a separate difficulty level. Confirm that the player wants shared control and that the relevant platform setup fits the game and situation.
Keep the distinction clear: difficulty options change how demanding the game is; remapping or adaptive inputs can change how a player operates it; shared control lets two controllers contribute to the same control scheme. They solve different problems and may be combined only if the player wants that approach and the hardware and game support it.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should we check before picking a co-op game?
If you have not chosen a game yet, look beyond a single “easy” or “hard” label. Check whether it offers multiple difficulty options, whether those options affect each player or the group, and whether different mechanics can be adjusted separately. Read the game’s descriptions where available: a clear explanation of what changes is more useful than a preset name whose effects are unclear.
It can also help to check whether settings can be changed once play has started, and whether local multiplayer can be paused while you talk or adjust options. Those details determine whether a mismatch can be handled in the moment or whether the group must accept a setting chosen earlier. Do not assume that every title offers mid-session changes, local pausing, or per-player modifiers; confirm each feature in the game’s own options or official guidance.
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1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFinally, consider whether both people have a meaningful way to take part. The right fit is not only the lowest-pressure option; it is a combination of challenge, clear settings, and roles that leaves each player with choices. If a game does not offer a setting that separates the exact mechanics you want to adjust, decide together whether its group-wide trade-off is acceptable before settling in for a long session.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can co-op players have different difficulty settings?
Sometimes. Some games offer per-player modifiers, while others provide only a group-wide setting or adjustments to specific mechanics. Halo’s official community Q&A describes per-player Difficulty Modifiers, but that feature is not available in every co-op game. Check the game’s options and descriptions.
How can I make a co-op game easier for my friend without making it boring for me?
Ask which part feels difficult, then look for a targeted or per-player setting rather than lowering every challenge for the group. If only shared settings are available, agree on a change to try and check afterward whether both players still enjoy the session.
How do you play co-op with someone new to games?
Ask whether they want a hint, a practice opportunity, or a lower-pressure role. Keep roles flexible, explain controls or routines briefly, and leave room for the newer player to make decisions. If the game allows it, adjust the mechanic that is getting in the way of learning.
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Can we change co-op difficulty in the middle of a session?
That depends on the game. Check its settings or official instructions rather than assuming a change is available mid-session. If local multiplayer can be paused, that can give you time to discuss options, but pausing and changing settings are game-specific.
What if a player understands the game but cannot comfortably use the controls?
Treat that as an input-access issue rather than a skill mismatch. Check for remapping, adaptive inputs, or shared control. Microsoft says the Xbox Adaptive Controller works with external switches, buttons, mounts, and joysticks; connected assistive devices are sold separately, and compatibility depends on the setup.
The Bottom Line
Find out what is making the session difficult, then choose the narrowest adjustment that addresses it. Prefer per-player or mechanic-specific settings when the game offers them, explain group-wide trade-offs, and keep roles and practice flexible. If the barrier is the controls themselves, investigate input-access options separately. The aim is a co-op session where both players can choose a level of challenge and contribute meaningfully.
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