Actually TF2 has fast respwn time servers, instant respawn servers, player limit changes, class limit changes, and a ton of other things... Actually TF2 is perhaps the game that has the most options of any supremely popular game. None of these changes is how it was meant to be played, yet pub games can have hugely diffrent versions of the same game. TF2 does actually have an easy mode called fast respawns, ever join a server where the people are like "why do we take so long to respond?" it's because it's a NORMAL server not an easy server.
Good job at not only picking A horrible example but at the same time relate to a game which has no bearing on this conversation.
P.S. Easy mode actually does speed up games by about 10-20 minutes on average.
But aren't most of those like mini-mods, or what ut would call mutators, to have some of those options?
/edit
Yeah I was right. Instant respawn is done with a mod. It isn't built into the game. Respawn time is set by the mappers.
One of the designers of TF2 has publically written a long essay on why he doesn't like the Instant Respawns, even.
A lot of those other config changes are also mods.
I will say, I approve of the ability to make little mods that COULD add in instant respawns. But you'd know you're playing a non-standard game since it'd list mods that are used..
When you start adding 50 different options for the host it can make it hard to tell what exactly is changed. You have to check the list of everything when you join. Then you might notice something and go "wtf?" when the game is playing weird.
Unique heroes option is good. Forced Random is good. A few others are good. But theres a limit where the other things should be like mods.
Supcom had mod support. when you selected a mod it showed up under "active mods" or whatever. Makes you know what is or isn't on. HOWEVER Supcom lacked being able to peer2peer transfer those mods that didn't ship with the game which I hope so much that Demigod has.
Like UT there where a bunch of mods that swapped weapon spawns. You could see "AwesomeBobsWeaponSwitchMut" active on the servers mutators list and have an idea of what was up.
Also, to Odit when you play non-easymode you don't have to hit level 25 to win the game. 
I hope Demigod isn't based around needing to max levels before you can start pushing into someones base..