Usually Normal. If I really like the game I'll go back after I beat it and give it a spin on Hard.

Unless it's a Tales game and then I start on Hard and then replay in Mania.

Usually Normal on the first playthrough. I made an exception on RE5 which I'm playing on Veteran for the first time.

Normal default settings.

Like most of the other here, I start with factory settings first. If the game's worth it, I'll play again on harder modes.

Hardest

I try and go just a level below hard. I don't like to play games again so I like to get a good challenge the first tiem through.

I typically play new games on the highest difficulty.

Usually I play in hard.

when i'm just barely interested by the game though I'll play in normal to speed through it...

I always play on the hardest available setting right off the bat. It really cuts down on the time necessary to become skilled at any particular game.

Easy most of the time but on deadly creatures normal