Granted, the programmers didn't pioneer this design mentality; other games like MotorStorm, and even Sega Rally on the Dreamcast have done it before. However, Criterion could have remedied the problem by allowing you to reconfigure your controls for Burnout, or at least have the pre-set option to use the right analog stick for gas/brake instead. Of course, I spend most of the time holding that stick up constantly to put the camera in a usable position so I can actually see what's in front of me (you'd think that would be important in a game where crashing is such a huge setback), but being able to pre-set camera angles in racing games would probably be asking far too much, since that feature seems to have come and gone within the span of Need for Speed: V-Rally 2 on the PS1.
Then there are games like Army of Two and Conflict: Denied Ops that use L2 and R2 for primary weapon use, contrasting against the L1 and R1 setups for many other similar games we all play. Would it really add that much development time to a title to add the ability to just switch around some buttons so I didn't have to re-memorize basic functions whenever I switch discs?
I have to commend the people at Factor 5 who, after getting slammed in reviews of Lair for the terrible controls, offered a patch that enables players to use the dual analog setup as opposed to the shabbily executed Sixaxis configuration. At least they took the players' best interests to heart, despite the fact that it was too late to salvage sales of the game.
There's a Place For People Like You
With all the emphasis on visual and aural pizzazz in games these days, forgetting about the importance of controls and their customization is both neglectful and irresponsible, especially when you do it for one platform and not another. Intuitive, responsive, and configurable controls are key to the gaming experience. If you want to ignore that, go make movies instead. They'll love you there.
Article comments
1 - Robert M. Barga
I am just waiting until MIT releases their hand/brain controlled mouse, until then, nothing is good enough
2 - Rob F
If this were truly an issue beyond your limited scope more developers would do something about it. Why BC continues to lend space to your awful opinions and analysis is beyond me.
3 - Mark
Thanks Rob, nothing constructive, just whining, meaningless criticism with nothing useful behind it. Load times and mid-level saves have been complained about in the past and guess what? THEY FIXED IT in countless titles. Sixaxis functionality got a number of complaints and has been relegated to optional status in virtually every title out there now. Why should someone voice something they take issue with when they can sit around hoping developers will read their minds? Better to suffer in silence, right Rob? Friggin' brilliant thinking.
If you're so weary of my "opinions and analysis," it must have been excruciating keeping your mouth shut until now, since I don't seem to remember you piping up about the anguish my words caused you before. Why do you keep reading then? Do you also keep slamming your hand in a door, hoping it'll feel good one of these times?
Yeah man, Pong rocked. God forbid we say or do anything to try to evolve/improve a hobby. I'm not interested in your opinion if this is the best you could do, and since clearly the feeling is mutual, how about you keep it to yourself?
4 - Rob F
I've read and commented on your work before, and it still surprises me they let you contribute. Your stuff is like a car crash-- it's hard not to take a look at least every once in awhile.
Developers have never, and likely will never take anything you say to heart. And they certainly won't change the way they design their games as a direct result of work like yours.
I don't care if you don't like my opinion; this issue is minor and insignificant at best... [Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor].