Dual wielding katana was Elden Ring's easy mode.

For MEANINGFUL difficulty modes, I would say it would depend on the developers with what they're able to accomplish with the resources they have. Release original diff, then update with diff one down the line. Or all at the same time if you have the funds to do so.

No. If it is a design choice, why the creator should change its vision? If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. Simple choice.

No. No dev team should cater to everyone because they like the design but can't play. If you can't play then don't. FromSoft knows their audience and meets our expectations, if you suck that's a you problem.

Easy and hard modes should be mandatory in every game, but with some incentive to play on Hard beyond achievements.

Personally I believe creators have a right to create their games exactly how they want, if that means some don't have an easy mode then so be it. In some games the difficulty is a fundamental part of the experience. I think accessibility is a different issue.

No. Difficulty settings are bad design, a great game has built in systems to make it easier or harder by player choice and actions

To add a difficulty setting to a from soft souls like game goes against the entire identity that they have built and made regular in their games so no, not every game needs a difficulty setting

No. Hell no dont let them crybabies Ruin the next thing bc they dont have the Guts to face higher difficulty games.

Nope it should be down to the developers.