Ironically most people I talk to refuse to make a game easier by lowering requirements to reach something.
- they view it as cheating
- but if Stern lowers the requirement, then it's great and makes the game better
I agree that you could be "cheating" if you make it too easy. But if you're experienced enough IMO you can tell when something is unrealistically hard (at least for where you're at), so changing a setting to be easier is the right move to make the game better (for you). Just factor that in when bragging about your high scores

Steve Ritchie himself told me to lower the requirement of changing songs in AC/DC from 8 to 5 to make the game more fun - which makes Encore much more realistic, but still not easy by any means. The question is who is "Man Enough" to take Steve Ritchie's advise? Most of my friends wouldn't do it - they're just too proud. But again, if Stern changed the default they'd be all excited. Ironically, excited about something they had the power to do themselves for the last 6 years! And they totally knew they could make the change, but refused because they didn't want to cheat.

They put the options in the menu for a reason.

Also, for those of you that think it's cheating - what about:
- different outlane settings
- different inclines
- different rubber
- dirty games in need of flipper rebuilds
- extra ball settings
- other variations on a game - like guide rails bent/aligned differently

---- All of the above can totally make 1 game much easier/harder than another instance of the same title

IMO make the wizard mode difficult to get too, but not impossible for your skill level
-- BTW for me, not impossible would mean I could get to it at least once in a years time