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As with any new game, whether it’s a FPS, Adventure, Beat-em-up or Racing game, you'd expect to find yourself learning new and possibly hard-to-master controls. The question is, is this good thing or bad thing?
By creating an option to customise controls, are developers ruining their game’s chances of having that special new feel to it, like any newly bought game should? What I'm saying is, if you could change the controls of, say, a brand new FPS like Halo, to the exact controls you had used and became an expert with when you played Goldeneye or something, aren't you simply playing the same game with different characters and guns and stuff? Won’t it virtually be the same experience? You’ll find it all too similar and easy, wouldn’t you? You'll only have the odd new gadget or move to perform to remind you that you're playing a new game you've just bought and not the old one you completed a couple of months ago.
What I think makes a new, enjoyable, good game so special is the experience of learning and mastering new controls. I can’t really say that I haven’t changed the controls in a new game, because I have - I was lazy and I thought “Those controls are strange, let’s change ‘em to somethin’ more familiar”, and so I found myself rocketing through the game like nobody’s business. TimeSplitters was one of them.
All I did was have the strafe command, look up and look down commands configured to the right analogue stick, so that I could strafe AND look up and down at the same time, had the left analogue stick controlling the character, and the shoulder buttons as my fire and reload buttons – everything blended in such a way that playing it was so smooth and easy that it really was incredibly enjoyable. But, then again, it was too easy, I thought, and I thought to myself: what if I tried a new set of controls and worked my way through the game more slowly, learning step-by-step? That way the learning curve would be just right, and each level would be just about difficult enough for me to handle. I had the chance to try this out with Agent Under Fire, but I thrown away the chance, and used controls that were remarkably alike the ones I used in TimeSplitters – hence why I mastered everything very easily and too quickly (the levels were heard, though!). I have yet to try this out now, because I haven’t had the chance to experiment with a different game since 007 just as yet. But even if I do, what’s there to stop me using controls that are even remotely similar, that’ll soon enough be aiding me to yet another easy victory in this new FPS?
I get to the point of the Gamecube, and why I am very excited about it.
It’s its controller that has me weeping with joy at the mo’. Yes, I know the Xbox is new, but look at the controller! You know, I have played on a Dreamcast before, which meant playing Halo for the first time was a walk in the park, and soon enough I was running around like a near expert. So I won’t use the Xbox as the example, because of its all-too-familiar controller design and the fact that the big black chunk of hardware doesn’t excite me in the slightest. And so, back to the ‘Cube’s magnificent, originally designed, all-too-comfortable controller, and why it excites me.
It is, unlike the Xbox, new. Ok, it has shoulder buttons (and even they are exceptional – the ‘click’ on them is so smart!), two analogue sticks (in new places, and the C-stick is used for other means, as well as strafing and the like). But the buttons are spread differently, and shaped differently, and basically is a whole new layout. How great would this be if you wanted to be really satisfied with a new game by mastering brand-spanking new controls? It’ll be a lot harder to configure controls to something you may find similar, and so you’ll have no choice but to use the controller set-up as it is! That is, in my opinion, just one of the reasons as to why the ‘Cube will be so great. It also helps by the fact that not ONE person I have spoken to or talked to on this site has criticised it – everyone has said that they thought it was really comfy and easy-to-use – I just can’t wait to try it out myself.
I can see it now.
I’ve just taken home my sparkling new Gamecube and set it up, carefully placing Rogue Leader disc into the black tray (yes, I have pre-ordered the black alternative), and watching the screen load up with increasing anticipation, my eyes wide with wonder, as I have finally got my hands upon something that I have patiently waited for, for 100+ days. And then, as I start the game, I find myself salivating due to the extreme comfort the controller brings. Then, while carefully taking in everything happening around me, I begin to calmly get used to the unfamiliar controls, and start to have some fun turning and shooting, practising before things start to get even remotely tough.
It’s just something that utterly appeals to me. I cannot wait until I place that black, official controller into my hands, and caress it for the first time. I just think that it will add immensely to the experience, and help me greatly to enjoy the game to its full extent.
Thankfully, I’m not sure Super Monkey Ball has such complicated controls, as all it involves is carefully guiding your monkey around variously structured levels with precise and tentative tilting, using only, I would imagine, the analogue stick.
So what do you lot think?
Do you think that the GC will be much more of an experience than the others because of its new button layout? Would you enjoy a new game with new controls more if the actual controller was different, rather than new controls with the same controller?
Come on, it’ll be interesting to see what your views are!
Thanks for reading,
Shocktrooper.
By creating an option to customise controls, are developers ruining their game’s chances of having that special new feel to it, like any newly bought game should? What I'm saying is, if you could change the controls of, say, a brand new FPS like Halo, to the exact controls you had used and became an expert with when you played Goldeneye or something, aren't you simply playing the same game with different characters and guns and stuff? Won’t it virtually be the same experience? You’ll find it all too similar and easy, wouldn’t you? You'll only have the odd new gadget or move to perform to remind you that you're playing a new game you've just bought and not the old one you completed a couple of months ago.
What I think makes a new, enjoyable, good game so special is the experience of learning and mastering new controls. I can’t really say that I haven’t changed the controls in a new game, because I have - I was lazy and I thought “Those controls are strange, let’s change ‘em to somethin’ more familiar”, and so I found myself rocketing through the game like nobody’s business. TimeSplitters was one of them.
All I did was have the strafe command, look up and look down commands configured to the right analogue stick, so that I could strafe AND look up and down at the same time, had the left analogue stick controlling the character, and the shoulder buttons as my fire and reload buttons – everything blended in such a way that playing it was so smooth and easy that it really was incredibly enjoyable. But, then again, it was too easy, I thought, and I thought to myself: what if I tried a new set of controls and worked my way through the game more slowly, learning step-by-step? That way the learning curve would be just right, and each level would be just about difficult enough for me to handle. I had the chance to try this out with Agent Under Fire, but I thrown away the chance, and used controls that were remarkably alike the ones I used in TimeSplitters – hence why I mastered everything very easily and too quickly (the levels were heard, though!). I have yet to try this out now, because I haven’t had the chance to experiment with a different game since 007 just as yet. But even if I do, what’s there to stop me using controls that are even remotely similar, that’ll soon enough be aiding me to yet another easy victory in this new FPS?
I get to the point of the Gamecube, and why I am very excited about it.
It’s its controller that has me weeping with joy at the mo’. Yes, I know the Xbox is new, but look at the controller! You know, I have played on a Dreamcast before, which meant playing Halo for the first time was a walk in the park, and soon enough I was running around like a near expert. So I won’t use the Xbox as the example, because of its all-too-familiar controller design and the fact that the big black chunk of hardware doesn’t excite me in the slightest. And so, back to the ‘Cube’s magnificent, originally designed, all-too-comfortable controller, and why it excites me.
It is, unlike the Xbox, new. Ok, it has shoulder buttons (and even they are exceptional – the ‘click’ on them is so smart!), two analogue sticks (in new places, and the C-stick is used for other means, as well as strafing and the like). But the buttons are spread differently, and shaped differently, and basically is a whole new layout. How great would this be if you wanted to be really satisfied with a new game by mastering brand-spanking new controls? It’ll be a lot harder to configure controls to something you may find similar, and so you’ll have no choice but to use the controller set-up as it is! That is, in my opinion, just one of the reasons as to why the ‘Cube will be so great. It also helps by the fact that not ONE person I have spoken to or talked to on this site has criticised it – everyone has said that they thought it was really comfy and easy-to-use – I just can’t wait to try it out myself.
I can see it now.
I’ve just taken home my sparkling new Gamecube and set it up, carefully placing Rogue Leader disc into the black tray (yes, I have pre-ordered the black alternative), and watching the screen load up with increasing anticipation, my eyes wide with wonder, as I have finally got my hands upon something that I have patiently waited for, for 100+ days. And then, as I start the game, I find myself salivating due to the extreme comfort the controller brings. Then, while carefully taking in everything happening around me, I begin to calmly get used to the unfamiliar controls, and start to have some fun turning and shooting, practising before things start to get even remotely tough.
It’s just something that utterly appeals to me. I cannot wait until I place that black, official controller into my hands, and caress it for the first time. I just think that it will add immensely to the experience, and help me greatly to enjoy the game to its full extent.
Thankfully, I’m not sure Super Monkey Ball has such complicated controls, as all it involves is carefully guiding your monkey around variously structured levels with precise and tentative tilting, using only, I would imagine, the analogue stick.
So what do you lot think?
Do you think that the GC will be much more of an experience than the others because of its new button layout? Would you enjoy a new game with new controls more if the actual controller was different, rather than new controls with the same controller?
Come on, it’ll be interesting to see what your views are!
Thanks for reading,
Shocktrooper.
Shocktrooper wrote:
> You've got a Gamecube, pb?
>
I've been playing the shop's one since it came out in Japan. Played Resi Evil the other day, wow was I impressed. No more waiting while you go down the stairs and the zombies bloomin' well followed me! Gah!
Back to the topic though, the Gamecube controller is really really comfy to hold, but as I said it takes a short time to get used to the different set up.
> You've got a Gamecube, pb?
>
I've been playing the shop's one since it came out in Japan. Played Resi Evil the other day, wow was I impressed. No more waiting while you go down the stairs and the zombies bloomin' well followed me! Gah!
Back to the topic though, the Gamecube controller is really really comfy to hold, but as I said it takes a short time to get used to the different set up.
The fact is a new controller is essential, it is the idea that a next gen is supposed to be a new experience not an old one, sure PS2 games look different to PS1 ones but do they feel different. X-box controller is awful i despise it it is really hard to use and it ruined the Halo JSRF experience the Cube's controller looks small, cool and new... i will get a purple, black, orange and wireless one.
You've got a Gamecube, pb?
Anyway, I'm not bothered if it'll take a while to get used to, because that's what I'm looking forward to - a new experience with a new controller on a new game.
And even if it really does take a while to get used to, at least it's comfy, eh? Do you think it's comfy, pb?
Anyway, I'm not bothered if it'll take a while to get used to, because that's what I'm looking forward to - a new experience with a new controller on a new game.
And even if it really does take a while to get used to, at least it's comfy, eh? Do you think it's comfy, pb?
I do like the new Gamecube controller, but it took a long time to get used to it after using all the current ones.
The idea of making a controller that you can change to suit your needs is a good one. Programmable buttons in many places can be used to do this quite easily, but the problem there is that you would confuse all the first time and casual gamers, which would equal frustration and therefore less sales in the long run.
Perhaps we could see one of these controllers as an add-on, rather than sold with the console itself?
The idea of making a controller that you can change to suit your needs is a good one. Programmable buttons in many places can be used to do this quite easily, but the problem there is that you would confuse all the first time and casual gamers, which would equal frustration and therefore less sales in the long run.
Perhaps we could see one of these controllers as an add-on, rather than sold with the console itself?
A very nice topic there Shocky. I see what you are saying about the controls and stuff. GC is best, it adapts a totally new controller, a totally new setup, something to learn, something different. It rules. You say about having a setup function like, for games. Well, im not sure about this.. because as you said, you could change the controls to suit your liking, which is good, but YOU should be MADE to learn the controls.
Sometimes, there is a really annoyingly placed button that you should have control over, and you should be able to change it.
Anyway, great post, hope you get a win mate.
Sometimes, there is a really annoyingly placed button that you should have control over, and you should be able to change it.
Anyway, great post, hope you get a win mate.
As with any new game, whether it’s a FPS, Adventure, Beat-em-up or Racing game, you'd expect to find yourself learning new and possibly hard-to-master controls. The question is, is this good thing or bad thing?
By creating an option to customise controls, are developers ruining their game’s chances of having that special new feel to it, like any newly bought game should? What I'm saying is, if you could change the controls of, say, a brand new FPS like Halo, to the exact controls you had used and became an expert with when you played Goldeneye or something, aren't you simply playing the same game with different characters and guns and stuff? Won’t it virtually be the same experience? You’ll find it all too similar and easy, wouldn’t you? You'll only have the odd new gadget or move to perform to remind you that you're playing a new game you've just bought and not the old one you completed a couple of months ago.
What I think makes a new, enjoyable, good game so special is the experience of learning and mastering new controls. I can’t really say that I haven’t changed the controls in a new game, because I have - I was lazy and I thought “Those controls are strange, let’s change ‘em to somethin’ more familiar”, and so I found myself rocketing through the game like nobody’s business. TimeSplitters was one of them.
All I did was have the strafe command, look up and look down commands configured to the right analogue stick, so that I could strafe AND look up and down at the same time, had the left analogue stick controlling the character, and the shoulder buttons as my fire and reload buttons – everything blended in such a way that playing it was so smooth and easy that it really was incredibly enjoyable. But, then again, it was too easy, I thought, and I thought to myself: what if I tried a new set of controls and worked my way through the game more slowly, learning step-by-step? That way the learning curve would be just right, and each level would be just about difficult enough for me to handle. I had the chance to try this out with Agent Under Fire, but I thrown away the chance, and used controls that were remarkably alike the ones I used in TimeSplitters – hence why I mastered everything very easily and too quickly (the levels were heard, though!). I have yet to try this out now, because I haven’t had the chance to experiment with a different game since 007 just as yet. But even if I do, what’s there to stop me using controls that are even remotely similar, that’ll soon enough be aiding me to yet another easy victory in this new FPS?
I get to the point of the Gamecube, and why I am very excited about it.
It’s its controller that has me weeping with joy at the mo’. Yes, I know the Xbox is new, but look at the controller! You know, I have played on a Dreamcast before, which meant playing Halo for the first time was a walk in the park, and soon enough I was running around like a near expert. So I won’t use the Xbox as the example, because of its all-too-familiar controller design and the fact that the big black chunk of hardware doesn’t excite me in the slightest. And so, back to the ‘Cube’s magnificent, originally designed, all-too-comfortable controller, and why it excites me.
It is, unlike the Xbox, new. Ok, it has shoulder buttons (and even they are exceptional – the ‘click’ on them is so smart!), two analogue sticks (in new places, and the C-stick is used for other means, as well as strafing and the like). But the buttons are spread differently, and shaped differently, and basically is a whole new layout. How great would this be if you wanted to be really satisfied with a new game by mastering brand-spanking new controls? It’ll be a lot harder to configure controls to something you may find similar, and so you’ll have no choice but to use the controller set-up as it is! That is, in my opinion, just one of the reasons as to why the ‘Cube will be so great. It also helps by the fact that not ONE person I have spoken to or talked to on this site has criticised it – everyone has said that they thought it was really comfy and easy-to-use – I just can’t wait to try it out myself.
I can see it now.
I’ve just taken home my sparkling new Gamecube and set it up, carefully placing Rogue Leader disc into the black tray (yes, I have pre-ordered the black alternative), and watching the screen load up with increasing anticipation, my eyes wide with wonder, as I have finally got my hands upon something that I have patiently waited for, for 100+ days. And then, as I start the game, I find myself salivating due to the extreme comfort the controller brings. Then, while carefully taking in everything happening around me, I begin to calmly get used to the unfamiliar controls, and start to have some fun turning and shooting, practising before things start to get even remotely tough.
It’s just something that utterly appeals to me. I cannot wait until I place that black, official controller into my hands, and caress it for the first time. I just think that it will add immensely to the experience, and help me greatly to enjoy the game to its full extent.
Thankfully, I’m not sure Super Monkey Ball has such complicated controls, as all it involves is carefully guiding your monkey around variously structured levels with precise and tentative tilting, using only, I would imagine, the analogue stick.
So what do you lot think?
Do you think that the GC will be much more of an experience than the others because of its new button layout? Would you enjoy a new game with new controls more if the actual controller was different, rather than new controls with the same controller?
Come on, it’ll be interesting to see what your views are!
Thanks for reading,
Shocktrooper.
By creating an option to customise controls, are developers ruining their game’s chances of having that special new feel to it, like any newly bought game should? What I'm saying is, if you could change the controls of, say, a brand new FPS like Halo, to the exact controls you had used and became an expert with when you played Goldeneye or something, aren't you simply playing the same game with different characters and guns and stuff? Won’t it virtually be the same experience? You’ll find it all too similar and easy, wouldn’t you? You'll only have the odd new gadget or move to perform to remind you that you're playing a new game you've just bought and not the old one you completed a couple of months ago.
What I think makes a new, enjoyable, good game so special is the experience of learning and mastering new controls. I can’t really say that I haven’t changed the controls in a new game, because I have - I was lazy and I thought “Those controls are strange, let’s change ‘em to somethin’ more familiar”, and so I found myself rocketing through the game like nobody’s business. TimeSplitters was one of them.
All I did was have the strafe command, look up and look down commands configured to the right analogue stick, so that I could strafe AND look up and down at the same time, had the left analogue stick controlling the character, and the shoulder buttons as my fire and reload buttons – everything blended in such a way that playing it was so smooth and easy that it really was incredibly enjoyable. But, then again, it was too easy, I thought, and I thought to myself: what if I tried a new set of controls and worked my way through the game more slowly, learning step-by-step? That way the learning curve would be just right, and each level would be just about difficult enough for me to handle. I had the chance to try this out with Agent Under Fire, but I thrown away the chance, and used controls that were remarkably alike the ones I used in TimeSplitters – hence why I mastered everything very easily and too quickly (the levels were heard, though!). I have yet to try this out now, because I haven’t had the chance to experiment with a different game since 007 just as yet. But even if I do, what’s there to stop me using controls that are even remotely similar, that’ll soon enough be aiding me to yet another easy victory in this new FPS?
I get to the point of the Gamecube, and why I am very excited about it.
It’s its controller that has me weeping with joy at the mo’. Yes, I know the Xbox is new, but look at the controller! You know, I have played on a Dreamcast before, which meant playing Halo for the first time was a walk in the park, and soon enough I was running around like a near expert. So I won’t use the Xbox as the example, because of its all-too-familiar controller design and the fact that the big black chunk of hardware doesn’t excite me in the slightest. And so, back to the ‘Cube’s magnificent, originally designed, all-too-comfortable controller, and why it excites me.
It is, unlike the Xbox, new. Ok, it has shoulder buttons (and even they are exceptional – the ‘click’ on them is so smart!), two analogue sticks (in new places, and the C-stick is used for other means, as well as strafing and the like). But the buttons are spread differently, and shaped differently, and basically is a whole new layout. How great would this be if you wanted to be really satisfied with a new game by mastering brand-spanking new controls? It’ll be a lot harder to configure controls to something you may find similar, and so you’ll have no choice but to use the controller set-up as it is! That is, in my opinion, just one of the reasons as to why the ‘Cube will be so great. It also helps by the fact that not ONE person I have spoken to or talked to on this site has criticised it – everyone has said that they thought it was really comfy and easy-to-use – I just can’t wait to try it out myself.
I can see it now.
I’ve just taken home my sparkling new Gamecube and set it up, carefully placing Rogue Leader disc into the black tray (yes, I have pre-ordered the black alternative), and watching the screen load up with increasing anticipation, my eyes wide with wonder, as I have finally got my hands upon something that I have patiently waited for, for 100+ days. And then, as I start the game, I find myself salivating due to the extreme comfort the controller brings. Then, while carefully taking in everything happening around me, I begin to calmly get used to the unfamiliar controls, and start to have some fun turning and shooting, practising before things start to get even remotely tough.
It’s just something that utterly appeals to me. I cannot wait until I place that black, official controller into my hands, and caress it for the first time. I just think that it will add immensely to the experience, and help me greatly to enjoy the game to its full extent.
Thankfully, I’m not sure Super Monkey Ball has such complicated controls, as all it involves is carefully guiding your monkey around variously structured levels with precise and tentative tilting, using only, I would imagine, the analogue stick.
So what do you lot think?
Do you think that the GC will be much more of an experience than the others because of its new button layout? Would you enjoy a new game with new controls more if the actual controller was different, rather than new controls with the same controller?
Come on, it’ll be interesting to see what your views are!
Thanks for reading,
Shocktrooper.