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Control in a computer game is a fundamental aspect of turning a good game into a great game. It changes a simple arcade game into an all time classic. It also gos to show the level of detail and effort put into a game by the developers. Complicated control systems don't do anyone any favours. Sega are masters at realising simple control systems, mainly because they have a need to scale their games down into a three or four button arcade machine, but what of the home games, what is it that makes control systems good and bad?
The reason I'm writing this is because it interests me, some day I hope to be a games designer, and do gague what my peers like about control systems is very important, so well constructed analysis of your favourite games' control systems wouldn't go a miss. Think of this as your dream come true, to actually be consulted about what you would like to see implemented in your interaction with a game.
Games console producers spend millions developing and perfecting their games controllers. Once upon a time the consisted of no more than a turning wheel, today they are game pads with digital d-pads, analogue joysticks up to ten buttons, pressure sensitive buttons, voice recognition, motion sensors all being implemented and styled to give each console and therefore it's games a unique feel and style. One of the major aspects of the great games of recent times were the control systems and controllers used. Goldeneye, would it have been as good without the N64 pad? Timesplitters, as good without the dual analogue sticks of the PS2? It's an open ended debate, and one I hope you will discuss properly...........
The first person to degrade this thread with a "Well Done, good post Bonus" post, will get a boot up there rear ends. That's not an open invitation for some funny guy to come along and try it either........
Enjoy. ;)
The reason I'm writing this is because it interests me, some day I hope to be a games designer, and do gague what my peers like about control systems is very important, so well constructed analysis of your favourite games' control systems wouldn't go a miss. Think of this as your dream come true, to actually be consulted about what you would like to see implemented in your interaction with a game.
Games console producers spend millions developing and perfecting their games controllers. Once upon a time the consisted of no more than a turning wheel, today they are game pads with digital d-pads, analogue joysticks up to ten buttons, pressure sensitive buttons, voice recognition, motion sensors all being implemented and styled to give each console and therefore it's games a unique feel and style. One of the major aspects of the great games of recent times were the control systems and controllers used. Goldeneye, would it have been as good without the N64 pad? Timesplitters, as good without the dual analogue sticks of the PS2? It's an open ended debate, and one I hope you will discuss properly...........
The first person to degrade this thread with a "Well Done, good post Bonus" post, will get a boot up there rear ends. That's not an open invitation for some funny guy to come along and try it either........
Enjoy. ;)
Personally, I think there is a line. A line where manufacturers have to stop and say: "Listen, this is good enough - any more features on this pad, and it'll look like a bloody Star Trek Tri-Quater!" Or something like that...
One thing that I think is almost indispensable when designing a controller is having pressure sensitive buttons. I went into CEX, Birmingham about two days ago, and there was a GC Pad sitting next to a PS2 pad... out of interest I held both, one afte the other. And although the GC Pad's design is much more comfortable and efficient, to a way, the PS2 pad definitely has a better feel to its buttons... They're like springs, in a way. They almost all give the feeling of trigger buttons, only they don't go down as far. Basically, the PS2 Pad's buttons are much nicer to press. The pad feels expensive and well built... so to, I suppose, does the GameCube pad, but not to the same degree. (Can't remember what the XBOX pad is like!)
Now, although I think having pressure sensitive buttons is definitely a must, they can, in my opinion, be spared if the pad has two L and R trigger buttons (DC, GC, XBOX) These are perfect for racing games and even better than Pressure sensitive buttons for games like fishing, flying, boat racing etc.
The one problem I have with the GC pad is the size. It's only just big enough for me to hold... the PS2 pad can be held in two ways, I suppose. The Kiddies 'Full Hands' grip, or the Adults Thumb and first two fingers type grip. The GC pad is a bit harder to hold, then... for me anyway.
I short, I suppose a controller has to be a decent size, with enough buttons. Also durable, well-made and have a decent layout.
I don't know if anyone's heard... But Game-Network are reporting that there's a company who are making a connector that allows gamers to use the PS2 pad on GC games. Quite how thing works i'm not sure... it'd have to be programable, for starters!
Well, there's my slightly relevant POV on controllers... not that anyone cares.
Game
One thing that I think is almost indispensable when designing a controller is having pressure sensitive buttons. I went into CEX, Birmingham about two days ago, and there was a GC Pad sitting next to a PS2 pad... out of interest I held both, one afte the other. And although the GC Pad's design is much more comfortable and efficient, to a way, the PS2 pad definitely has a better feel to its buttons... They're like springs, in a way. They almost all give the feeling of trigger buttons, only they don't go down as far. Basically, the PS2 Pad's buttons are much nicer to press. The pad feels expensive and well built... so to, I suppose, does the GameCube pad, but not to the same degree. (Can't remember what the XBOX pad is like!)
Now, although I think having pressure sensitive buttons is definitely a must, they can, in my opinion, be spared if the pad has two L and R trigger buttons (DC, GC, XBOX) These are perfect for racing games and even better than Pressure sensitive buttons for games like fishing, flying, boat racing etc.
The one problem I have with the GC pad is the size. It's only just big enough for me to hold... the PS2 pad can be held in two ways, I suppose. The Kiddies 'Full Hands' grip, or the Adults Thumb and first two fingers type grip. The GC pad is a bit harder to hold, then... for me anyway.
I short, I suppose a controller has to be a decent size, with enough buttons. Also durable, well-made and have a decent layout.
I don't know if anyone's heard... But Game-Network are reporting that there's a company who are making a connector that allows gamers to use the PS2 pad on GC games. Quite how thing works i'm not sure... it'd have to be programable, for starters!
Well, there's my slightly relevant POV on controllers... not that anyone cares.
Game
Hmmmmm
A simple control system may mean the game is very easy to get into, but it could also mean that the game has a very short life due to you getting the best out of it straight away.
Harder control systems can be bypassed completly by some people as they cant be bothered, but once you master it, it can offer sooo much more.
I dont think the control system changes the game too much. It is important in attracting casual gamers, people who want a quick blast, but give any game time and you will adapt to the control system.
A simple control system may mean the game is very easy to get into, but it could also mean that the game has a very short life due to you getting the best out of it straight away.
Harder control systems can be bypassed completly by some people as they cant be bothered, but once you master it, it can offer sooo much more.
I dont think the control system changes the game too much. It is important in attracting casual gamers, people who want a quick blast, but give any game time and you will adapt to the control system.
Control in a computer game is a fundamental aspect of turning a good game into a great game. It changes a simple arcade game into an all time classic. It also gos to show the level of detail and effort put into a game by the developers. Complicated control systems don't do anyone any favours. Sega are masters at realising simple control systems, mainly because they have a need to scale their games down into a three or four button arcade machine, but what of the home games, what is it that makes control systems good and bad?
The reason I'm writing this is because it interests me, some day I hope to be a games designer, and do gague what my peers like about control systems is very important, so well constructed analysis of your favourite games' control systems wouldn't go a miss. Think of this as your dream come true, to actually be consulted about what you would like to see implemented in your interaction with a game.
Games console producers spend millions developing and perfecting their games controllers. Once upon a time the consisted of no more than a turning wheel, today they are game pads with digital d-pads, analogue joysticks up to ten buttons, pressure sensitive buttons, voice recognition, motion sensors all being implemented and styled to give each console and therefore it's games a unique feel and style. One of the major aspects of the great games of recent times were the control systems and controllers used. Goldeneye, would it have been as good without the N64 pad? Timesplitters, as good without the dual analogue sticks of the PS2? It's an open ended debate, and one I hope you will discuss properly...........
The first person to degrade this thread with a "Well Done, good post Bonus" post, will get a boot up there rear ends. That's not an open invitation for some funny guy to come along and try it either........
Enjoy. ;)
The reason I'm writing this is because it interests me, some day I hope to be a games designer, and do gague what my peers like about control systems is very important, so well constructed analysis of your favourite games' control systems wouldn't go a miss. Think of this as your dream come true, to actually be consulted about what you would like to see implemented in your interaction with a game.
Games console producers spend millions developing and perfecting their games controllers. Once upon a time the consisted of no more than a turning wheel, today they are game pads with digital d-pads, analogue joysticks up to ten buttons, pressure sensitive buttons, voice recognition, motion sensors all being implemented and styled to give each console and therefore it's games a unique feel and style. One of the major aspects of the great games of recent times were the control systems and controllers used. Goldeneye, would it have been as good without the N64 pad? Timesplitters, as good without the dual analogue sticks of the PS2? It's an open ended debate, and one I hope you will discuss properly...........
The first person to degrade this thread with a "Well Done, good post Bonus" post, will get a boot up there rear ends. That's not an open invitation for some funny guy to come along and try it either........
Enjoy. ;)