Raymond: Controllers Getting In The Way

So what do we have without controllers? We get Kinect, but that's only the tip of the iceberg as far as Ubisoft boss Jade Raymond is concerned.

In a recent OXM UK interview, Raymond discussed the future of the industry and maintained that traditional controllers are a "barrier," one we'll have to bypass if we want full and unimpeded immersion.

"I was a big Trekkie when I was a kid and I still have this dream that, ultimately, we're going to end up creating the Holodeck - you know, totally immersive experiences. I still think one of the huge barriers is the controller, and even people who played games when it used to be just one big red button and a D-pad can't play games now.

You have to master face buttons, triggers and they all do different things," she went on. "So obviously we're never going to get to that really mass-market place where we're touching a really broad audience with our messages with controllers, so Kinect and other more natural ways to interact with games are incredibly important. I think we can go further."

But here's the big question: What will gaming become without the controller? Are they even still "video games?" Or is that simply the definition of virtual reality, depending on how far the technology goes? And just how precise can the movements of our body be when compared to the ultra-precision of a button press? Furthermore, would this advancement leave most gamers behind and usher in a new age of participants?

I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I didn't have the controller in my hands. But that's just me.

Tags: jade raymond, next generation, video games, gaming industry

7/25/2012 8:44:10 PM Ben Dutka

Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter

Comments (76 posts)

Toggle Scrolling | Reload Comments

cLoudou
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:25:19 PM
Reply

Um no...

15 up, 1 down

NiteKrawler
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:29:54 PM
Reply

Big no.

15 up, 1 down

Nas Is Like
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:33:26 PM
Reply

smh, she must be high.

10 up, 2 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:48:56 PM

If so I want some of what she's smokin'

13 up, 1 down

Vitron
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:14:46 PM

You wouldn't want one :)

3 up, 0 down

ZettaiSeigi
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:34:53 PM
Reply

Sorry, but I'd always prefer using a controller over moving around to play a video game. Some games are better played with motion controls but not all of them are. I've also had a very good sense of immersion playing a video game using a standard controller.

7 up, 1 down

Temjin001
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:37:15 PM
Reply

"one we'll have to bypass if we want full and unimpeded immersion."

That is the crux of the entire argument. Strictly speaking, I agree. But video games do not have to be VR to be enjoyed.

8 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:41:03 PM
Reply

Star Trek is lame.

12 up, 8 down

Nas Is Like
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:47:26 PM

I was waiting for a comment like this.

Thumbs up.

4 up, 3 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:49:34 PM

No way man, I can't wait for the new Trek movie.

3 up, 0 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:50:56 PM

Okay, okay, I'll grant that the J.J. Abrams movie was mildly entertaining. The rest of it....not so much. XD

2 up, 6 down

ProfPlayStation
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 10:40:54 PM

New Trek blows. Abrams destroys everything he touches.

Old Trek forever.

5 up, 3 down

Jawknee
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 10:43:38 PM

New Trek, Old Trek....LOL!

2 up, 2 down

Vitron
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:12:56 PM

The new Trek was great, if not better than average.:)

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:37:10 PM

Star Trek is not lame, but Jade Raymond is higher than a kite if she thinks that we're all gonna have holodeck like experiences in our homes instead of a more traditional controller led experience.

Regarding New Trek vs Old Trek, I agree with the Prof. New Trek sucks more than the cold hard vacuum of interstellar space.

Last edited by Highlander on 7/25/2012 11:38:25 PM

5 up, 2 down

Beamboom
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 2:14:27 AM

Old trek is teh eternal win for SURE! The new movie was... Well, it was as ok as it could get with those kids I guess.

But I got a complete collection of Star Trek TOS on Blu-ray, and the restoration work is just jawdropping. Eyepoppingly good.

Spock + Kirk == The duo of *any* millennium. :)

Last edited by Beamboom on 7/26/2012 2:16:09 AM

1 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 9:46:01 AM

You like the Bluray of STTOS then you should take a look at STTNG in Bluray, very impressive as well. The first episode Encounter at Farpoint is a really good example. They made the jelly fish type alien look awesome in the Bluray.

STTOS on Bluray, what did they do to it to make it look great? Did they add to it or is it just higher res?

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 10:06:29 AM

STTOS on BluRay. They went back to the original film where they could, cleaned up everything, replaced all the effects shots with new HD CGI versions, upgraded the sound, and generally speaking gave it a good old fashioned HD polish. Paramount went back and did it season by season and they were 'premiered' on broadcast TV in HD before release on BluRay.

Last edited by Highlander on 7/26/2012 10:07:22 AM

1 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 11:44:05 AM

Yup.
There is a "making of" documentary included with the blu-rays that shows you the process they went through, and it was formidable. They could go as far as restoring single frames to remove scratch and dust, enhance colour balance and so forth.

The result is so good that during some scenes it's almost too much: You can see the make-up and set pieces where earlier the blurriness masked it some.

0 up, 0 down

xenris
Saturday, July 28, 2012 @ 6:17:16 PM

I think I remember you saying to me Jawknee one time that I wasn't furthering the discussion(even though I was) and that I might be starting a fight on the internet over something so small, interesting considering the comment you laid down. It is pretty much bait for an argument and you have indeed just argued that star trek sucks and haven't furthered the conversation on controllers getting in the way. Quite the hypocrite it would seem ;)

Just to add to both conversations, as to not disappoint you, I think star trek is pretty decent although I didn't grow up watching it I watch a bit with my dad and it was pretty enjoyable, both the new and old. I liked the jj movie as it was pretty good sci fi even if you took out the star trek name.

As for controllers this girl is high if she thinks controllers are getting in the way. Using our hands is one of the first reflexes we develop, once people spend time with a controller it becomes second nature. Even my dad is getting better and he was one of those guys who played mario and couldn't hold the run button and jump at the same time -_-.

0 up, 0 down

WorldEndsWithMe
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:49:58 PM
Reply

You will have my controller when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

7 up, 1 down

Oyashiro
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 9:56:28 PM
Reply

Once you have something that works better than a physical controller... sure.

Kinect barley works with games designed for it.

14 up, 0 down

Warrior Poet
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 10:20:46 PM
Reply

Motion sensing has never been "more natural." Nothing about video games has ever been natural. An interface device that's inherently distracting isn't going to help our immersion or lower the level of abstraction means there are less possibilities. Motion controls can be used well, but I don't think traditional controllers have been getting in the way. What is getting in the way is the lack of ideas in most modern games!

6 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 9:42:34 AM

Agreed! +1

0 up, 0 down

Rogueagent01
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 10:42:17 PM
Reply

Would I like to have a Holodeck? Hell yeah, sign me up! However looking at the complaints about the price point of the PS3 at launch I bet only a select few around the world would be willing to shell out the money it would take to put a holodeck in their house. Plus we aren't even remotely close to that level of tech yet, and if anyone tries to use the Kinect as an example I will simply laugh at you, as you surely do not know what the holodeck was/is.

Plus like Ben said we are now talking VR not VG, so sorry she is wrong in that sense alone.

I would like to ask her then if the controller doesn't allow immersion then what about the controls of say a plane? Do I not get to enjoy flight because I have to pay attention to the controls? I really don't see the controller being an issue AT ALL. Another way to think about it is movies. If she was right then books should have died off with the advent of movies, since they give you much better immersion(argueably of course), but no, people are still completely immersed within books.

"I still think one of the huge barriers is the controller, and even people who played games when it used to be just one big red button and a D-pad can't play games now."

Can someone explain to me what this line means? Seriously is she actually saying something along the lines of people that played games back in the day can't play them now? Because I know of a couple hundred people in my life that would like to have a talk with her if that is what she meant.

2 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 9:45:47 AM

I've played those games a lot when I was a kid, and I can play modern games easily. : D Even though I'm still young though. (24) But I know others who played games that far back and can still play modern games. People can adapt, and some can't I guess.

0 up, 0 down

BikerSaint
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:02:30 PM
Reply

"Call me Jade'd, but I still wanna a Holodeck NOW"....along with Ms Raymond"

(wishful thinking on my part for either)

2 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 9:46:42 AM

Get her programmed into the Holodeck, she could be an assistant. :p But yeah, I know what you mean.

2 up, 0 down

Vitron
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:02:38 PM
Reply

I bet this girl can't play. Shes venting out her frustrations on controllers.

0 up, 8 down

Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 12:06:56 AM

Whether she can "play" or not is almost irrelevant in my eyes.

She's proven herself quite a few times over in this industry. She's partly responsible for one of the best and most popular new franchises of the current generation (Assassin's Creed), even if she did oversee the total ruining of Splinter Cell: Conviction (at least, I think she did).

7 up, 2 down

kraygen
Wednesday, July 25, 2012 @ 11:23:58 PM
Reply

A holodeck would be awesome, but that technology won't be around for a long time, if ever, and when it first arrives it won't work for the video game market due to the fact that it would be extremely expensive.

My bet would be that the first holodeck would be owned and operated by the military.

1 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 9:48:08 AM

I bet that will happen as well. I'm sure the Military would be the first purchaser of a Holodeck.

0 up, 0 down

Riku994
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 12:18:48 AM
Reply

Do want controllers.

2 up, 0 down

BigT_1980
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 1:02:17 AM
Reply

I guess she wants too have more games likes, `We Dare.` That looked like an interesting party game. Should have came out in the US.

0 up, 0 down

bigrailer19
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 1:03:33 AM
Reply

So ussually as most big names in the industry she has a lot of good input. This time - again as with many other times - I wonder why this person is even in the industry. Crazy! I mean do people seriously not realize how big of a failure kinect is? Sure sales might be ok but it's terrible. Se with Motion controls in general. I'll admit I had fun with wii for awhile, but it's inaccuracy at times left me frustrated and disconnected at times. Move although far more accurate and enjoyable than the wii's controls, also is not a hot commodity, regardless how good HR was with the move controls.

People that make statements like these drive me crazy. Its like they only see good ideas not the actual outcome. Before you go and create or develop the holodek think about the outcome first. Might be cool to see that on store shelves but can you make it work and get the same feelings and outcomes with a game like HR or Uncharted? I just don't see it, being a replacement for controllers.

Last edited by bigrailer19 on 7/26/2012 1:04:24 AM

0 up, 0 down

Dancemachine55
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 1:05:34 AM
Reply

Leave fitness, dancing and kids games to the motion controls.

As for racers, give me a steering wheel, not a pretend air steering wheel like Forza 4.

Platformers, controller required.

Shooters, controller or precision light gun (Move and Wii remote also acceptable)

RPG's, controller and microphone for voice recognition.

Fighters, controller.

Adventure games, controller or mouse.

Action adventure games, controller.

Pretty much every genre of games except those based around human movement like dancing or exercise requires a controller for the most precise and immersive control. Sometimes our thumbs are more precise and react faster than our entire bodies.

Finally, the biggest problem with motion controls... differentiation among users.

People and their movement move very differently, so to ask the player to move in a specific way to control a character and their actions can be a very big and possibly painful task for some gamers. Controllers have worked for so long, and since the days of the Dual Shock on the PS1, and the refinement of shooters with the 360 controller's triggers, games are designed around that controller setup. It is the most common controller type now, it has enough buttons and triggers for the core gamers, but the D-pad and face buttons are still prominent for casual gamers who prefer something more simple.

Why mess with a winning formula?

2 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 2:19:29 AM
Reply

The industry need some visionaries who help push things forward. Even though a holo-deck is merely a conceptual dream at this stage there's nothing wrong in using it as an illustration of "the ultimate goal", the ultimate "natural controller" is after all ourselves? To turn our head instead of wiggling our left thumb to look in a different direction surely comes more natural to most. And if we had something that actually *worked* surely it would be awesome?

And then the rest of us can sit here and be rational and grumpy and say "that'll never work you fool, we just want things the way they are".
I just really hope she don't listen to all the besserwissers who right now are lining up to tell her she's wrong and an idiot.

I like visionaries. I really do. We need'em.

Last edited by Beamboom on 7/26/2012 2:41:14 AM

1 up, 0 down

Ludakriss
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 3:38:10 AM

That was a rather, mellow, nice outlook, BeamBoom.

I always like to read what ya got to say. It's kinda...interesting. Yeah.

2 up, 0 down

Ludicrous_Liam
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 3:46:59 AM

Yeah I agree...Ludakriss...Ludakriss...Ludicrous...

HEY WAIT A MINUTE!

2 up, 1 down

Highlander
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 10:32:48 AM

Head tracking is pointless so long as the display is fixed in space, you turn your head to look at an opponent, the display needs to move with you or it's pointless. But, even if we suppose that you now have either a head mounted display, or a 360 degree display apparatus, there is a question that begs to be answered.

How do you move in that VR environment?

If you are implementing full body motion capture and control along with head tracking, does that mean you need room to literally run around, jump, dive, roll, etc? If so, it must be safe enough for you to fall and so forth during play. Who has room in their living rooms to even meet the supposed space requirements of Kinect or Move? Who on earth has the space for everything required for full motion control?

But if you go with something other than full body motion, you *need* a controller. If you are going to hold a controller to handle certain aspects of control, why would you force gamers to use motions instead of fingertip controls such as those things that people in the future think are pretty important. You know, buttons.... But then Jade would have some kind of button-less controller, forcing specific gamer movements to represent certain controls. Make a gun shape with your hand and go "Pew Pew Pew"? What is this, third grade?

It's ridiculous to suggest that operating a button is too difficult. Forcing users to use particular actions instead of using buttons is more or less the same as forcing Move of Kinect on gamers. You know how popular that would be.

2 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 1:48:24 PM

Noone is saying that we should all start building holodecks in our homes, Highlander. That is to misunderstand her statement completely.

What she is saying is essentially that she think there is a better way. And I can relate to that.
To remember to press circle, double press square and then cross to do a special move, plus holding R2 and press square button to do the second move, eventually with a cross at the end for the finish, with variations depending on if you alter between R1 and L1, all while pushing forward on the right stick...
Man, say what you want but that shit is *not* intuitive. Every UX designer throughout history are turning in their grave by the very thought of it.

There are lots of features in many games I just end up never using, not cause I don't want to or don't see the usage but because it simply becomes too friggin' much.

Do you think these limitations is a hindrance for the games designers too? I don't see how it *can't* be...

But how to solve it!? I have no suggestions.
That's why I am saying that I'm glad there are visionaries who can see opportunities where the rest of us say "nay it can't be done", and instead say, "hmmm... There gotta be a better way".

Last edited by Beamboom on 7/26/2012 1:54:44 PM

1 up, 1 down

Ludakriss
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 3:44:15 AM
Reply

Personally. Sure. Why not. The whole understanding of calling a controller a "barrier" however, nah. Only a barrier to people, who consider it so.

Rest of the gamers don't exactly scream in demand "please, oh please. Give us some new interface".

There's a reason for that. They got used to something, for they have tried something.

She said something along the lines of "mass market's finding it hard to use" or something. Yeah, of course. Because they can't be bothered.

So now, all of a sudden we need to appeal to people who don't even want to try it because, oh no! Their thumbs will break if it requires eye to hand co-ordination!

C'mon people. If journalism now, saying "games are getting so easy". Think of what kind of games this interface will bring. Assuming it is going to be targeted not out of "barrier" removal but out of desperation to get some of the "lazier" gamer who couldn't or WOULDN'T try getting used to the button?

0 up, 0 down

___________
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 5:47:50 AM
Reply

when you can put me in a virtual reality situation where your body movements are 100% accurate and perfectly registered in game every time, THEN you can have my controller!
till then you keep your grubby mitts off it!

speaking of AR i read a interview with john carmack a few weeks ago about his new AR glasses it was really interesting!
apparently hes finally managed to improve on the resolution and response time of current models.
and even better it has head tracking and you cant see the edges of the screen, so it is totally 100% immersive!
SWEET!!!!!!!!!
though he says he seriously doubts it will ever be released for mass consumption, so unless someone picks it up off him will never see it.
:(
its such a shame theres so few companies out there really pushing the tech!
$ony did a decent job with the HMZ-T1, now someone else needs to pick off where they left and improve on it!

3 up, 1 down

Highlander
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 10:17:53 AM

Yes, because as we all know John Carmack is an uber-genius of epic proportions who can do no wrong and is smarter than the entire R&D facility at google working on the same thing...

1 up, 1 down

Beamboom
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 2:01:52 PM

Actually, those Carmack googles is how I *thought* the Sony 3D googles would be. I thought they too would have movement sensors in them, and with an image that covered your entire vision field.

I don't see why it can't be done, eventually. It'll be great!

Last edited by Beamboom on 7/26/2012 2:22:51 PM

0 up, 0 down

___________
Friday, July 27, 2012 @ 10:30:37 AM

dude, what do you have against john?
hes one of THE only guys pushing this technology forward, so i gotta take my hat off to him!

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Friday, July 27, 2012 @ 11:42:23 AM

What I have against John Carmack is not so much John Carmack as it is the godlike status he seems to have among a certain group of gamers who believe that he con do no wrong and can reshape the earth if he wants to. He's a smart guy to be sure, but just like I get fed up when some local Doctor running for political office claims to have revolutionized the medical world with his ground breaking patents (no one has ever heard of this guy, or his patents, and the only revolution involved was the turning of an hourglass while he electronically submitted a patent application that should *never* have been granted); I get fed up when people start giving Carmack the kind of deference reserved for a real pioneer in technology.

0 up, 0 down

JackC8
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 7:10:50 AM
Reply

I'm so tired of these industry exec's talking as if the future of gaming lies with casuals - people who can't figure out how to use a controller. Kinect is a complete effing joke - I've yet to see a review of a Kinect game where is wasn't just the critic laughing at how awful the thing is. And then you've got Nintendo and their motion controls - scrapped on the Wii U in favor of a far more traditional controller. Albeit a totally non-ergonomic one with a stupid, useless and expensive screen between the analog sticks.

As far as holodecks - yeah. We'll have those in the 24th century, along with warp drive and transporters.

1 up, 0 down

duomaxwell007
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 8:27:14 AM
Reply

well considering in the 80s I though the year 2000 would be like the Jetsons where we're all using flying cars now.. and her eit is 2012 and we're no where CLOSE to that..... Im pretty sure by the time we see "controllers" like this guy wants NONE of us will still be alive to se eit

1 up, 0 down

Underdog15
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 8:47:17 AM
Reply

If we do get a holodeck, I'm gonna create a virtual reality program that will let me sit in a bedroom that looks like the one I grew up in and play old school video games with a controller.

14 up, 0 down

Beamboom
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 8:59:37 AM

lol! Comment of the week. :D

2 up, 0 down

Rogueagent01
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 2:48:34 PM

That is fantastic!!! I love that idea!

1 up, 0 down

slugga_status
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 9:15:17 AM
Reply

"You have to master face buttons, triggers and they all do different things"

Really..it takes a hour tops to remember where buttons are..My controller isn't going anywhere..

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 10:16:36 AM

"In the future we have what we call BUTTONS which turn out to be pretty important..."

1 up, 0 down

wackazoa
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 12:04:18 PM

There are 4 BUTTONS. How hard can that be to master ?

And as for triggers, unless Im playing a shooting game that requires me to use them or a driving game that uses it for accel., then honestly I never use them. And some games allow you to config the face buttons so you never HAVE to use them.

0 up, 0 down

duomaxwell007
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 12:10:29 PM

lol it takes you an hour to figure out where buttons are? ookay >.>

0 up, 0 down

Clamedeus
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 12:38:41 PM

Duo, I can see if the person is new to gaming, that or if they switched from Console to PC, or vice versa.

I've played on PC before, but not competitive games, but I have CoD4 for PC and It took me a couple of hours to get accustomed to the key layout and where they are in a heated battle. I'm used to it now though as I've been practicing on CoD4 with a friend.

1 up, 0 down

slugga_status
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 1:17:45 PM

@Duo

Just how it was for me. When I got my 360 I knew where the buttons where easily. Getting my fingers to remember that it was a 360 controller took a bit of time...

1 up, 0 down

Comic Shaman
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 9:47:35 AM
Reply

Direct neural interface is more technologically feasible than a holodeck. Still a ways off, but it's legit science fiction. The holodeck is, at this point, science fantasy.

Or to put it another way, we'll get to the Ghost in the Shell era long before we ever get to the Star Trek era.

3 up, 0 down

homura
Friday, July 27, 2012 @ 3:01:00 AM

Just like an Animus.

0 up, 0 down

CrusaderForever
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 9:49:01 AM
Reply

It's probably true and will happen far into the future. But I doubt we'll see Holodeck type technology in our lifetime. Being a Trekker I would love to see a Holodeck, that would be sweet on many levels! :)

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 10:16:23 AM
Reply

I think someone needs to sand Jae a present. A nice, form fitting black T-shirt with the following words stenciled in bright white reflective paint;

"In the future we have what we call BUTTONS which turn out to be pretty important..."

Kevin Butler nailed it in his Move commercials. Ms Raymond really needs to review reality before being quoted again.

1 up, 1 down

DjEezzy
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 10:18:57 AM
Reply

i'm sorry but i fail to see how standing in a living room waving your arms in the air a bunch of times in a brightly lit room is a more natural way of playing games. LOL. From what i've seen and experienced, it's really quite awkward actually. The move feels more natural than kinect even though it still feels "off". Not that it's bad or anything but... well you get my point.

1 up, 0 down

wackazoa
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 11:58:29 AM
Reply

Ok so I was glad when she got her job (you know the whole dudes dont have to rule everything angle).

But now....... get her outta here. You want to take away my controller ?!?!?!? Well you'll have to pry it from my cold,dead,sweaty,hairy,fat hands!

0 up, 0 down

AcHiLLiA
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 12:14:49 PM
Reply

"controllers getting in the way" if that's the case, I'm going outside.

0 up, 0 down

THEVERDIN
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 2:06:08 PM
Reply

Imagine the costs of the accessories for the games guns costumes depending on the game.

0 up, 0 down

Highlander
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 2:17:21 PM
Reply

LOL! I just reread the quote from Ms Raymond....oh boy.

"even people who played games when it used to be just one big red button and a D-pad can't play games now."

Excuse me? Say what now? People that 30 years ago could master directional controls using 4 buttons plus a big red fire button are having trouble with controllers now? What, are they senile or something? Come on Jade, say it ain't so. I mean, did the intellect of the people that mastered the simple D-pad plus fire layout vaporize? I mean seriously, was mastering a 5 button digital controller so taxing that they cannot master a few more keys?

Oh, wait, this is the new generation of Wiimote using, iPhone wielding, Siri devotees. They can't think for themselves, they get their iPhone to do it. The iPhone has no buttons to speak of, and the simplicity of the WiiMote matches the 5 button controller of old. So when faced with something as gnarly as a DualShock 3 controller, they probably drop the thing like it was molten lead. Oh Siri, please tell me what to do, the analog sticks are so intimidating.

::rolls eyes::

Good grief. This is another sign that the industry is no longer catering to people that want to play the games and take the time to learn how to play a particular game. Now it's catering to casual gamers who haven't got longer than 30 seconds to master the controls because they can't pay attention for longer than 30 seconds. Besides if it takes more than 30 seconds to explain, it's obviously too complex for their delicate brains to handle alone.

I hate this idea that we have to make things easier. Easier than what? Pressing a button? Oh my, that's just so oppressively difficult... Oh, but you have to learn the controller layout. well let's see, it rests in your hands and the buttons and sticks are at your finger tips. Most shooters have similar controls, most racers have similar controls, most games in general follow the same basic pattern of the d-pad and left stick being directional control, and the other buttons and stick for other aspects of control such as firing, changing weapon, opening a menu, or accelerating/braking. It's the same in nearly every game. How hard is that to learn and remember? Even toddlers can master this stuff, so who is it that Jade is talking about?

</rant>

0 up, 1 down

Rogueagent01
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 2:58:36 PM

I asked that at the end of my post. Who is she talking about? A large amount of gamers here on this site have been playing since those days and I don't recall anyone saying "these controls are so complex, we need simpler controls".

To me she wants one thing "World Domination"(lol). After reading it again I don't think she is trying to push the tech as much as she wants to get more customers. And though I can understand wanting more customers I am not willing to give up what games are to get them.

I never had an issue with Jade till this qoute now I see her as nothing more then a capitalist pig, pardon me for being harsh.

0 up, 0 down

Rogueagent01
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 3:06:49 PM
Reply

Visionary?? Really? That concept existed far before she got involved with the industry, probably even before she was born. After reading it again I do not see her wanting this for the benefits of pushing gaming to the next level, more so she can try to get people that don't play games to want to play games. I see nothing but a business mindset in her comment and I don't like it.

We already have really crude holodecks in existance. The military has been working with them for around 20 years, but they are nothing close to what a Star Trek holodeck is. So if you want visionaries look toward the military before looking at her.

2 up, 0 down

PharaohJR
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 3:29:50 PM
Reply

its called....... go outside. dont mind if its optional but enforced as core interaction ...... naw im koo.

0 up, 0 down

T2X
Thursday, July 26, 2012 @ 5:14:24 PM
Reply

I like her attitude, but I believe we're quite a ways off from having a holdeck experience in our homes. Unless you're a billionaire. And I first will say I would prefer a standard controller and secondly, I will be the first early adopter of the technology if there is a virtual Playboy Mansion!

0 up, 0 down

Gravelight
Sunday, July 29, 2012 @ 9:21:26 PM
Reply

Wrong, controllers need to remain optional for those who would rather not look like a monkey through the window as someone passes by. Do ppl even look at themselves when they play games without a controller, lol. We look like we're in full seizure mode. To put it blunt, controllers are here for a reason, so we k ow what we're doing and so that the console recognizes our initial input. You can't get that precisely with IR or camera movement.

0 up, 0 down

Gravelight
Sunday, July 29, 2012 @ 9:23:52 PM
Reply

Oh, and I was gonna ask what kinda drugs are we gonna need for this, ha!

0 up, 0 down

PHOENIXZERO
Monday, July 30, 2012 @ 5:32:17 AM
Reply

The way this is gonna happen is the day we get holo decks.

0 up, 0 down

ChloeAngelCat
Monday, July 30, 2012 @ 5:42:09 PM
Reply

Oh dear she out of her mind
I will just stick to controllers and their better then kinect

0 up, 0 down

drooleybob
Wednesday, August 01, 2012 @ 2:53:11 PM
Reply

So what next in the future, pills labelled after games that give us a trippy experience???
That, or is it something like in the movie Total Recall?
Seriously, creativity does have no bounds. I'd prefer newer content than replacing my joystick for a more 'immersive' experience.

0 up, 0 down

Please login or register to leave a comment.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories cheats	PSP
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas cheats	PS2
Battlezone cheats	PSP
SSX On Tour cheats	PSP
Mafia cheats	PS2
BMX XXX cheats	PS2
Einhander cheats	PS1
Tetris HD cheats	PS3
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories cheats	PS2
Bully cheats	PS2

Do you plan to buy a PlayStation Vita this year?
	Yes, I'll definitely get one in 2013.
	No, but I'll get one eventually.
	No, I have no intention of buying the Vita.
	No, I've already got one.

Playstation 3

Playstation 4

PSP

Playstation Vita

Playstation 2

Playstation

Other

PSX Extreme

Site Stats

Raymond: Controllers Getting In The Way

Comments (76 posts)

Leave a Comment

Latest Updates

Popular Cheats

Recent Reviews

Recent Previews

Popular Sections

Extras

Sponsor

Our Poll

Resident Evil: Revelations review	PS3
Metro: Last Light review	PS3
Zombie Tycoon II: Brainhov's Revenge review	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon review	PS3
Star Trek: The Video Game review	PS3
Injustice: Gods Among Us review	PS3
Dead Island: Riptide review	PS3
Defiance review	PS3
Sniper: Ghost Warrior 2 review	PS3
Army of Two: The Devil's Cartel review	PS3

The Bureau: XCOM Declassified preview	PS3
Time and Eternity preview	PS3
Ride to Hell: Retribution preview	PS3
Call of Juarez: Gunslinger preview	PS3
Far Cry 3: Blood Dragon preview	PS3
Spartacus Legends preview	PS3
Payday 2 preview	PS3
DUST 514 preview	PS3
Dynasty Warriors 8 preview	PS3
Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness preview	PS3