Difficulty Level Naming

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shenlong wrote:

I'm a bit late to this discussion and like the general direction of suggestions (outcast..>>exiled) - and like the idea of Shark's recent comment about a 'weakling'-type label for the easy class (as long as sensitive noobs can handle it I think this could be motivating... though maybe for a trainee period or something so not part of the main level progression).

HOWEVER...
I feel like difficulty levels in MOST games are the same in that they describe changes in the world around the player. But if you look at what's going on with level changes logically it is more the case of the player and their skill/strength/status that are changing... and this enables them to venture into new worlds that are more hard core.
So what about using descriptions of the player and their progression (as others have suggested as a tie in to story elements).

Plus - I think, with the idea of using alternative difficulty level labels, you also have the opportunity to include another little clue such as making the names of levels use the same initials as the game itself (P.O.E.) with a fourth label that entices players with the subtle suggestion of a sequel/expansion to come.

E.G. Labeling the character themselves:
Pariah >> Outcast >> Exile >> *Deity*
Pagan >> Outsider >> Exile >> *Damned*

Or the player's predicament:
Pain >> Ordeal >> Exile >> *Despair*

If that panned out then ideally the final initial could hint at the direction of a future sequel (or the initial of a future expansion world, or the initial of the replacement for "exile" in a sequel or whatever)... I don't know why my suggestions all use the letter "D" for the final stage - it just worked out that way... but you get the idea.