Pretty much this.

Depends on the game. If it is a game like CoD or other games where the AI just hit harder and are not smarter then I just play on easy or normal. But if the game is like Rome Total war where sometimes they get smarter (most time they just get a lot more money) I play on a higher difficulty.

One level above normal if it's a genre I'm skilled at.

I pretty much always start on the easiest mode. I like to play a game first for the story and the overall experience without having to worry too much about trying parts over and over again. Dying a ton really takes me out of the experience. (I'm also not incredibly good at video games, nor do I have much patience when it comes to this sort of repetition.) Then I can go back and challenge myself with the higher difficulties, which extends the replay value.

The only exception has been Rock Band/Guitar Hero games, because once you've got the hang of them anything less than expert is boring as hell.

Yeah, I dropped it down briefly because I was doing an encounter way out of my league in the beginning and was to stubborn to come back to it later. Then I kept making it more difficult, but yes after I had 100% free destruction magic from crafting nothing posed a challenge anymore.

Depends on the genre if it's a shooter I start on the higher difficulties. Other genres I start on normal.

the highest difficulty allowed i dont like to do multiple playthroughs for trophies, and so far in my gaming carrer of over 25 yrs there are very few games that i would want to play a second time. most always the highest difficulty is the most enjoyable for me b/c i like the challenge and the feeling of accomplishment

Without reading the thread has anyone said they play on hard? Lol

Usually normal or hard, depending on the game.

I will start on normal then play through the game and enjoy the story/gameplay then once completed I will start turning up the difficulty settings.