61–69 of 69 posts
The other day I mused, "software used to look like an alien space ship. Now it looks like paperwork." I wasn't even thinking of the Xbox when I wrote that, just software in general in those days. Feels like everything had depth, character, texture... But reading this article, man the Xbox sounds amazing! I need to buy one now.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
I don’t use it personally but tbf my Xbox has also been pretty much collecting dust for probably 2 years now.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
I don’t think it’s standard on Sony. But then I just play games on a few PlayStations , never used the actual parental controls. But I guess they’d have told me that I could attach a user to a certain controller. Hah, I looked it up. Even on Xbox it’s just some kind of auto login but the kid could switch profiles after.
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.
There's no need to force a special interaction. They usually have to interact with a menu regardless. You can know the controller then. I had the impression this was on Sony's technical requirements list, so people have no choice.
As a bonus, this does also simplify handling any user-specific options that may affect the display of the initial menu.
What truly made Wii/DS and Wii U/3DS era Nintendo OSes great are the built in games and mechanics that extend into other games as well. Loved collecting houses in ACNL and receiving Wii Mails from a Toad.
This loss of easter eggs in software, along with the rise of enshittification, both have the same source: Software used to be made by Programmers, with taste and opinions, according to their talent and personality, in solo or small groups. Now they are run by Project Managers and Data Scientists chasing KPIs through engagement measurement tools and AB tests. Fun easter eggs cannot be justified. They are cut. Personal…
I was greatly disappointed to learn back in 2020 that PS5 didn't even support themes. The only customization it offers is disabling / enabling sound and changing a background to a screenshot for one of the menu items which is a dashboard (with customizable widgets at least) with your friends' activities, new store arrivals or whatever you choose. Changing to an appropriate theme when there were holidays or when I bea…
It does now have a limited set of themes based on previous consoles. Initially a 40th anniversary special feature that ended up sticking. But yeah, it’s a bit odd we’ve gone from Sony providing the tools to make your own theme with the PS3 to basically nothing with the PS5.
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.
There's no need to force a special interaction. They usually have to interact with a menu regardless. You can know the controller then. I had the impression this was on Sony's technical requirements list, so people have no choice.
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).
It's not the game. You just press the PS button and then you can turn off the controller that is running out of battery from a system menu, turn on another and go back to the game. At least on the PS4 and 5.