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The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

vale.rocks

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Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#41

Post by nemomarx »

Forgeties79 wrote: post #30
shakow wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Many games can just swap devices on the fly (from the top of my mind, Elden Ring, Witcher 3, Lords of the Fallen, Dirt Rally).

This gets a little rickety when you have permissions tied to input devices, which is not uncommon in households with young children. Also for some games it’s just generally buggy.

Which consoles/ systems use the controller to determine which account is active?

At least on the switch you just have accounts in the upper left and switch between them regardless of controller. Is it a Sony implementation?

Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#42

Post by chuchurocka »

Waterluvian wrote: post #26
thenfcm wrote: post #25

"Even today I can burn hours clicking around the Wii" I mean, the menu's fine but its not that exciting

I can burn hours clicking around the PS5 UI. No seriously, I’m lost. Send help.

It's our cereal box and shampoo...

Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#43

Post by luqtas »

functionmouse wrote: post #15

Cool interfaces don't make billions of dollars. Match-3 games and microtransactions and season passes and skinner boxes make billions of dollars. You understand, right?

so why not offer season passes and lootboxes for special UI on interfaces? /j

Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#44

Post by rcxdude »

fredoralive wrote: post #34
tom_ wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Press Any Button screen is there so the game knows which input device is being used, and therefore (one way or another) which user, so it can apply any parental control/accessibility/etc. options required.

Games having a title screen where you “Press Start Button” is a slightly odd convention going back to the arcades, even on games where there’s only one set of controls.

With arcades it at least makes sense because it puts the game out of demo/attract mode.

Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#45

Post by sanex »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #28

TBH they have accessibility to keep in mind - visual contrast, screen reader support, etc. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, but I've yet to find a great example of something that is both accessible and full of character.

I mean they don't HAVE to, unless there's some law I'm not aware of can't they just say "sorry not sorry colorblind people" or something. The MBAs will say HAVE to because maximizing shareholder value.

Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#46

Post by Forgeties79 »

nemomarx wrote: post #41
Forgeties79 wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This gets a little rickety when you have permissions tied to input devices, which is not uncommon in households with young children. Also for some games it’s just generally buggy.

Which consoles/ systems use the controller to determine which account is active? At least on the switch you just have accounts in the upper left and switch between them regardless of controller. Is it a Sony implementation?

I’m not trying to be difficult but this is very easy to search and the combative tone is unnecessary. I can tell you firsthand my Xbox does it, but that doesn’t really do anything for you because you already doubt me for some reason. You should still look it up to confirm it for yourself. You can tie users to controllers and set that for login. It’s a documented, widely used feature. I get that may sound ridiculous to you but it’s been standard for years.

Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#47

Post by nemomarx »

Forgeties79 wrote: post #46
nemomarx wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which consoles/ systems use the controller to determine which account is active? At least on the switch you just have accounts in the upper left and switch between them regardless of controller. Is it a Sony implementation?

I’m not trying to be difficult but this is very easy to search and the combative tone is unnecessary. I can tell you firsthand my Xbox does it, but that doesn’t really do anything for you because you already doubt me for some reason. You should still look it up to confirm it for yourself. You can tie users to controllers and set that for login. It’s a documented, widely used feature. I get that may sound ridiculous t…

I don't mean to be combative, I've just genuinely never used a console with that. The perils of mostly using PCs and Nintendo ones, I guess? If it's standard with both Xbox and Sony that does cleanly explain the press any button screen, although I wonder why they leave it in for the PC ports.

Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#48

Post by jareklupinski »

BoppreH wrote: post #6
tom_ wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The Press Any Button screen is there so the game knows which input device is being used, and therefore (one way or another) which user, so it can apply any parental control/accessibility/etc. options required.

I've seen computer games where any input device is accepted, and on-screen instructions refer to the last type of device used. Seemed like a good idea. And how does input-based parental control work? Do you hide the adult's controller?

> Do you hide the adult's controller?

the case for physical games: put the cartridge on the high shelf

Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#49

Post by GuB-42 »

functionmouse wrote: post #15

Cool interfaces don't make billions of dollars. Match-3 games and microtransactions and season passes and skinner boxes make billions of dollars. You understand, right?

> Match-3 games and microtransactions and season passes and skinner boxes make billions of dollars.

Only if they have a cool interface.

What make people play a match-3 game over another match-3 game that has the exact same gameplay? It is the way it is presented.

What are the most popular microtransactions? Cosmetics.

Why are people buying season passes instead of just content DLCs? Again, mostly cosmetics.

Cool interfaces make money. I don't know why they stopped doing it for the console itself, they have their reasons, I guess.

Re: The Death of Character in Game Console Interfaces

#50

Post by toast0 »

sanex wrote: post #45
Cthulhu_ wrote: post #28

TBH they have accessibility to keep in mind - visual contrast, screen reader support, etc. I don't think the two are mutually exclusive, but I've yet to find a great example of something that is both accessible and full of character.

I mean they don't HAVE to, unless there's some law I'm not aware of can't they just say "sorry not sorry colorblind people" or something. The MBAs will say HAVE to because maximizing shareholder value.

In the US, the ADA says you have to make reasonable accomodations, and it allows for private enforcement, so it's generally followed.
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