Guerrilla Talks About Overhauled Killzone 3 Controls

Ever since we learned about the decision to replace the "too heavy controls" of Killzone 2 with something faster and more accessible in Killzone 3, the backlash from fans has been most evident.

Many claim it was the realistic weight and feel of KZ2 that set it apart, and to take that away would cause the franchise to simply blend in with every other shooter on the market. And so, this hot topic of discussion caused Killzone.com to ask Game Director Mathijs de Jonge about why the team made this design decision. And it seems Guerrilla was indeed listening to player feedback concerning KZ2, and they wanted to address the "accuracy and responsiveness issues" that some complained about. He does admit that many say they "loved the weighty feel" so there had to be some sort of compromise and on top of which, de Jonge has a clarification:

"For the most part, the unique sense of weight in Killzone 2 comes directly from the first-person animations, not from the control scheme. The speed of movement and the way the camera bobs up and down are consistent with the view of a person carrying around heavy equipment."

So they went back to the beginning and began to examine every aspect of the system, looking at factors like input lag, acceleration and dead zone, etc. Based on this research, they then tweaked and improved the controls for KZ3. Finished de Jonge:

"Right now it's still a work in progress, but we're definitely getting there. We’ve recalibrated the dead zone to be more responsive and significantly reduced the input lag, resulting in far better accuracy. Best of all, we've managed to retain that sense of weight that set Killzone 2 apart from other shooters. I can't wait for people to try it out."

Well, as usual, it's one of those "play it before you pass judgment" situations. We have little doubt that Killzone 3 will rule, and our hope is that it will, like its predecessor, redefine the very nature of the FPS. It's a tough bar to leap over but if anyone can do it... Maybe Guerrilla's next project should be an RPG. ...or maybe that's a terrible idea.

Related Game(s): Killzone 3

Tags: killzone 3, killzone 2, controls, guerrilla

7/16/2010 10:48:07 AM Ben Dutka

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Comments (55 posts)

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Xombito
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:11:16 AM
Reply

In all honesty, I couldn't hit anything with the weighty feel. So I set the controls to be more responsive. But if they indeed make the controls more responsive while maintaining the weighty feel. Then I say go for it.

11 up, 0 down

Godslim
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:15:45 AM
Reply

yeh i actually turned the sensitivity all the way up because i felt it was a bit clunky

3 up, 6 down

Wage SLAVES
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:26:36 PM

Same here Godslim, same here.

I think the graphical prowess and style set it apart from the rest so they shouldn't worry about being like 'everyone else'. I think it would be neat to allow the old scheme for the veterans of Killzone 2 and find a compromise to allow those of us that need more precision while not breaking the balance.

I do hate it when devs completely change the feel that you grew used to but personally I'd need that change. I think they need to have popular reception too and the controls were a deal breaker for my brother and me and I'm certain for others aswell.

3 up, 0 down

Godslim
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 10:41:56 AM

yeh have to aggree dude the graphics and animation were all brilliant luved it.......but i dunno the controls for me weren't quite right

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 10:43:15 AM

I found it best to have it 3/4 or slightly lower. If you play with it long enough you get used to it. It becomes second nature.

2 up, 0 down

mike rlz
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:23:26 AM
Reply

Good. Wasn't really a fan of the controls.

4 up, 5 down

Wage SLAVES
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:34:06 PM

Wow, disagreeing with a personal opinion? That's odd.

My opinion is actually inline with yours. I guess we painted a bulls-eye on ourselves, huh Mike?

0 up, 3 down

aaronisbla
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 12:21:41 AM

or it could be you place too much into this thumbs up and down system

2 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 5:42:47 PM

Both.

Wage-whatever places way too much emphasis in the thumbs up/down thing, and yes, I do disagree with your opinion. What of it?

I was a fan of the controls. I don't care if you agree or not. There's no problem with what I like versus what you like. I simply disagree. No offense. A thumbs down doesn't mean, "You're an idiot." It means "disagree".

Last edited by Underdog15 on 7/17/2010 5:45:30 PM

1 up, 0 down

Streets_74
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:35:22 AM
Reply

I'm glad they explained this better, at first I was a little upset that they caved to all the twitch shooter fans. But now it seems as if they're trying to find a balance, I for one really enjoyed laying to waste people online complaining it doesn't control like COD.

6 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:48:22 AM
Reply

Killzone 3. One more reason to own a PS3.

I don't care what the control scheme is like. I just want to play the game.

5 up, 0 down

Mamills
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 12:11:06 PM
Reply

i loved KZ2, im a bit worried about hearing them totally change the controls but, im sure it will still be good. Even a hardcore killzone fan like me was turned off of the controls when i first started playing. but i got a lot better and it took practice. as long as it doesn't turn into a run n gun/ no brained shooter. (*ahem MW2)

-I like strategy in my games,
-i loved the way KZ2 had each map cycle through the game modes.
- i loved the way certain maps were so hazardous that they become a challenge in themselves to traverse. (Nuke, the train etc.)
-the way it depended on teamwork to get stuff done.
-the way some matches lasted an hour plus (depending on what server you were on)
-DEDICATED SERVERS!
-Killzone is one of the few franchises out there that got the clan system right.

if they need to improve anything, id have to say the party system. (it was good but it wasn't the best)

maybe even have the bullet respond to wind conditions and gravity. (Thus making sniping feel even more rewarding. i know this is a gameplay mechanic that can change the game a lot so im not holding my breath for it)

well as long as KZ3 is for the h4rdc0r3 im happy. screw all those noobs just getting into shooters. (you know, the ones that think MW2 is the best game ever created. lol i enjoyed knifing n slicing them but you know a game is broken when i can go 76 n 4 with just a knife. that game sux)

6 up, 0 down

StangMan80
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 12:21:04 PM

MW2 suck big time!

4 up, 1 down

The Stig
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 7:18:56 PM

I think that was something that turned off alot of the 'twitch' gamers, it takes practice to be good at Killzone, its not like CoD where you can just pick it up and be instantly good at it.

And those hour+ long games are EPIC, they feel so much more rewarding than a 10 min game of CoD.

2 up, 0 down

Dustinwp
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 12:13:53 PM
Reply

Good news! I'm happy that Guerrilla is tweaking the controls instead of abandoning the feeling of weight in KZ3.

2 up, 0 down

oONewcloudOo
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 12:16:52 PM
Reply

the controls kind of need to be more responsive.. the way they were in KZ2 made MP very annoying and slow, if they take a few ideas from COD they could make KZ3 really enjoyable

PS when i say take a few ideas from COD i dont mean completely copy it

3 up, 2 down

StangMan80
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 12:22:48 PM

Why do you think COD controls?

1 up, 1 down

Mamills
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 12:57:41 PM

speaking of borrowing ideas from MW2, anyone else got the medal of honor beta?

i'm TRYING to really like that game, but in all honesty i cant. its really bad. (i know its still in beta but in comparison to BFBC2 closed beta this game is pretty bad)

0 up, 1 down

Jawknee
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 2:00:47 PM

I can't say i hated the beta, but it does need a lot of work. I was a bit surprised it didn't quite stand up to Bad Company. Especially since it's being made by DICE.

I hope they can make enough changes so it can at least stand with their other games.

As for taking ques from CoD? I hope to god they don't. Bad Company would be a better FPS to take ques from.

1 up, 0 down

Akuma07
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:11:57 PM

The only problem with the controls was that they werent all that responsive.

The weight of your movement was fine, but the responsiveness was really off, KZ2 online now is a bit better.

I hope they get it perfect this time. and please dear god do not take anything from COD

2 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 1:30:51 PM
Reply

Good news indeed, it is no fun to be a floating gun on ice.

2 up, 0 down

DjEezzy
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 1:32:05 PM
Reply

I honestly hope they have just a little bit larger maps on MP. The maps in KZ2 are nice size but they get really crazy and stupid busy, if you will. Don't get me wrong it definitely got hectic and crazy which i like. But you would seriously find yourself in one part of the map the whole match with a whole bunch of people shooting at each other. LOL. It gets kind of annoying. If they could come out with maps the size of Battlefield BC2, that would definitely be choice.

0 up, 0 down

The Stig
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 7:24:11 PM

I dont think map sizes are the issue, its the amount of players in the map. Maps like Radec Academy are great for 4v4 to 8v8, but are just far too chaotic with 16v16. You just need to make good use of the search function when looking for games.

2 up, 0 down

Shadow_Ninja
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 1:52:44 PM
Reply

yea, im pretty happy that they're going to tweak the controls. in all honesty, that's why i stopped playing KZ2. the game itself is fantastic but the controls just seem to weigh everything down... a little too much. and as much as i tried to get used to them it just didn't work out for me.

2 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 1:59:16 PM
Reply

Sounds good to me. Sounds like they going for a good balance between weight and responsiveness. Something like Bad Company will suffice.

1 up, 0 down

maxpontiac
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 8:50:24 PM

I actually can't stand the controls in Bad Company. Feels wrong to me.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 10:47:28 AM

Really? I like them. They are tough to get used to at first but i enjoy them much more then CoD. I haven't played MAG so i couldn't comment. Between Killzone 2 and BC2, i like Killzone 2 best. I was playing it a bit last night and while it took me a few minutes to get used to it again, after awhile it became second nature.

0 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 2:28:40 PM
Reply

Tweak the loading time to be faster, KZ2 loading time is pretty slow.

Last edited by AcHiLLiA on 7/16/2010 2:29:02 PM

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 2:54:09 PM

I'm sure they will. It also looks like they fixed those hang ups when it auto saves too. Remember how it would sometimes freeze fora few seconds while either loading the next area on the map or saving? From the footage being shown, it doesn't freeze up anymore.

1 up, 0 down

Mista
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 2:58:19 PM
Reply

I loved KZ 2 and after ALOT of practice online it was fine for me at least. I did tweak the control speed a little, so speeding it up sounds good. I have no doubt 3 will still be a great game, and maps could be a tad bigger.

0 up, 0 down

sirbob6
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 6:38:21 PM

I think they said that the maps would be 10 times the size of the KZ2 maps.

Last edited by sirbob6 on 7/16/2010 6:42:47 PM

0 up, 0 down

TheIllusiveMan
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 4:07:42 PM
Reply

Now they've changed my stance back. Now that I know the weighted feeling and realism is returning, but with better more responsive controls I'll definitely want it.

2 up, 0 down

Sir Shak
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 4:20:07 PM
Reply

This is exactly what I said in the previous article. They will only make the right analogue stick more responsive. The realistic camera movement which gave K2 its unique feel will still be there.

Last edited by Sir Shak on 7/16/2010 4:21:00 PM

0 up, 0 down

FM23
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 4:27:47 PM
Reply

Well this is good news, that's for sure. Like I said before...KZ2 controls are unique, but there is definitely lag in the input...it still didn't ruin the game one bit for me. KZ2 got me interested in shooters, then I realized others shooters don't play like KZ2, so keep the core gameplay intact. I did enjoy BC2, Bioshock and a few Medal of Honor titles back in the day, but KZ2 set the bar like Ben said. Funny thing, critics will rate Halo Reach higher than KZ3 based off of you know what...but bias is found everywhere, too bad alot of game reviews skew the truth when it comes to a particular franchise.

0 up, 0 down

kraygen
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 5:16:30 PM
Reply

I really want to try this game out. I'm personally not a fan of the bobbing camera when moving, my vision doesn't do that when I walk or run, but whatever. I think they'll get it right, I have faith in them

0 up, 0 down

sohio
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 5:30:52 PM
Reply

I'd love to see a change to the rpg character.

1> Only 1 rpg character per team. Or maybe only one for every 12 characters on that team.
2> If not, tone it down some. I mean, a shield, rockets, and a huge speed rush? A good player can be almost invincible.

2 up, 0 down

FM23
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 6:17:07 PM

Agreed...RPG nuts are irritating. Some just kill themselves along with only one person just because its fun, which is fine...but team based matches become irrating with people like this. I heard a guy over the mic say, "I don't care if I kill myself, I taking somedown with me" with a horrible New York accent...his squad of course didn't win with players like him on their side.

0 up, 0 down

Him
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 7:22:30 PM

I've never had a problem with the rpg at all, its just plain fun with them.

1 up, 1 down

aaronisbla
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 12:32:02 AM

the problem with this was it lead to servers that banned the assaulter class. when they massively beefed up the air sentry drone to the point that it could actually get some kills, the one class that was great at taking it down with the heat seeking rocket launcher was out of play due to banning.

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 10:45:57 AM

My only gripe about playing online is everyone seems to love Radic Academy. I don;t like that map very much.

0 up, 0 down

sohio
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 5:32:20 PM
Reply

Considering I have over 500 hours on this game, I really think GG should get ahold of me for any issues relating to KZ3 :)

0 up, 2 down

sirbob6
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 6:28:47 PM
Reply

I'm happy the wieght is going to be there, this just made my day.

1 up, 0 down

FxTales
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 8:13:30 PM
Reply

It would take more than that to make me not want this game. Slight change of controls?. Still going to buy it.

0 up, 0 down

Snaaaake
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 9:05:12 PM
Reply

Tweaking it a bit to make it balance?
Well I can live with that.

0 up, 0 down

RX78Zero
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:01:36 PM
Reply

I really enjoyed the controls in Killzone 2 and the animation for the characters, their factors that separated Killzone 2 from other shooters. I'm very glad to hear that the feel you get when your play will mostly be intact.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:22:02 PM
Reply

Keeping the weighty feel? YAY!!!!!!

(sitting here, wiping my brow, and yelling...
"Whew", thank goodness")

0 up, 0 down

RebelJD
Friday, July 16, 2010 @ 11:43:36 PM
Reply

Just like InFamous 2 got a complete make over for the sake of its franchise, KillZone 3 is planning on changing a few things to make itself better. It's about time these first-party PS3 games start to branch out on word of mouth and get a desired fan base, either than just Playstation owners. In a world of genres it's nice to have a cult following, but nothing beats worldwide recognition.

Keep pumping out those AAA games Sony while continuously catching the attention of third-party developers. If you can pump out more PS3 systems then all expectations will be surpassed. Let's do it.

Last edited by RebelJD on 7/16/2010 11:44:45 PM

0 up, 0 down

___________
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 2:53:26 AM
Reply

i really dont get this!
you just had a article what yesterday? saying the weighty feel of the controls is gone in KZ3.
but here they are saying they remain.
WTF?
can we make up our god dam minds please?

o, and Jawknee if you say why do you care your not buying it, i swear to god im going to shove a frozen poll where the sun dont shine!

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 10:44:50 AM

Why do you care, its just Killzone 2 with jet packs anyway remember?

Get lost loser. How pathetic can you be to make threats over the internet?

0 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 5:49:54 PM

@Anonymous Cow-patty

The article the other day did indeed say the feel would be gone. This article is about how the dev is CLARIFYING what he said earlier.

You see, the previous article was about what the dev said. Then the dev realized, what he said wasn't what he meant. So he elaborated. THAT'S why the story changed. It's right there in Ben's text!

""He does admit that many say they "loved the weighty feel" so there had to be some sort of compromise and on top of which, de Jonge has a clarification:

"For the most part, the unique sense of weight in Killzone 2 comes directly from the first-person animations, not from the control scheme. The speed of movement and the way the camera bobs up and down are consistent with the view of a person carrying around heavy equipment." ""

See?

I wish you would read things before you flame. This isn't the first time. Most of the time, I just skip what you wrote unless I see the usual 10+ downvotes.

It makes my day a little brighter to hear the comedy that is you being serious about something.

Last edited by Underdog15 on 7/17/2010 5:51:58 PM

0 up, 0 down

ed_winchester
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 3:36:33 AM
Reply

Mod Nation Racers load times are unbearable. I never complained about load times until I played this game

0 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 10:59:32 AM

What i don't get is it also comes with an install does it not?

0 up, 0 down

BeezleDrop
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 11:13:39 AM
Reply

I personally think it is a bad idea to change the controls like they did, like that quote from the article "That is what made KZ2 stand out from other FPS" I actually got used to the controls easily just like Jawknee, but when when someone ran to the left or right of me really quickly I was in trouble.

0 up, 0 down

Banky A
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 6:30:57 PM
Reply

It was all good for me. Sooome people had to get the 1% online rankings with the weighty feel! Sheeeesh :D (not me for half the time btw).

0 up, 0 down

Nerull
Saturday, July 17, 2010 @ 10:16:13 PM
Reply

it could be since I don't play that many shooters, still haven't touched MW2, but I didn't see a problem with KZ2.
Ya it's a bit slower but that just adds to the immersion more than hopping around like the character OD'd on haze or something.
I just used the default options, though I don't think I ever beat the final boss on hard.
I'd be more looking forward to #3 if I had a 3d tv to test it out on but that's not happening anytime soon.

0 up, 0 down

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