Ubisoft producer Jade Raymond thinks that current video game controllers are far too complex to be mainstream. Raymond believes that too many people shy away from video games due to the inaccessible nature of the controllers.
“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. 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.
“As more of a hardcore gamer I want to see that stuff integrated into hardcore games in a way that makes them better because as fun as all those games are. I don’t really play exercise games — I can’t picture myself doing that. I’d love to be able to lean and look round the corner and just integrate more natural motions. The tech for those things isn’t quite there, but I hope it will soon.”
Meh, whatever you say.
poop
yeah agree, but Jade Raymond its making it sound like the Wii never exist, like its the easiest control to use, but this fool i ignoring it like its not even a console to begin with.
Don’t twist what he/she said. They’re talking about controllers as a whole. Plus, by your logic, the easiest controller to use would be the Atari 2600 – all it had was one button and a joystick.
Plus the Wii had a controller other than the Wiimote and Nunchuk – it’s called the Classic Controller/Pro. Last time I checked, it nearly had everything the PS3/Xbox 360 had, except the clicking analog sticks.
Man the Atari 2600 sucked! Except river raid and pitfall
have U seen a Atari 5200 control?
how is a wiimote that hard to understand, because its a pick up and play control. If U feel that way, man i can tell U are one suck ass gamer.
Yet again, you take it out of context. I find the Wiimote easy, but again if we’re going by your logic; the Atari 2600 had the easiest controller for any use because controller only had ONE button which did everything.
I never said I had problems with the controllers, I’m just saying that Jade is sort of right: “You have to master face buttons, triggers and they all do different things.” Each game and console uses the specified controller in many ways that might make the average person, not gamer, get intimidated by it.
The Wiimote is a standard “Pick Up and Play” because Nintendo knew people were afraid of the layout of the controllers and what button did what – thus giving them the idea of basing the console on motion controls.
You’re ignorance is quite appalling.
Dammit, my insomnia is taking it’s toll. I didn’t notice I put “You’re” instead of “Your”.
Ah common… Stop thinking people are stupid. -_-
I don’t think he is saying people are stupid, he does have a point however, as gamers we are used to any kind of controller layout, but the mainstream isn’t. Of course that doesn’t mean they can’t do it, but since it’s more complicated than just touching a screen people rejected for being “too hard” to get used to, why do you think the Wii sold so well? it was because the controller was easy to understand and enjoy
I hope you realize the person was a girl, right?
Woop woop, here comes the sexism
Cry me a river.
I’m not trying to point out that he/she is sexist, I’m just saying that Raymond is a girl.
Hmm interesting point, I haven’t thought about it that way before.
But it still seems a bit far-fetched, if you ask me. I think the bigger problem are the games, not the controllers. That’s why people play Angry Birds and stuff, you can just play it without thinking, where as some bigger video games (RPGs…) really require digging into the game to fully understand it.
But that’s just my opinion…
Wouldn’t that still be considered the controller because all you do in Angry Birds is slide your finger and tap the touch screen while RPG’s are on consoles with the complex controllers
If you think this is difficult, you’re IQ is lower than 15 ._.
you’re talking about their stupidity and you don’t even know the difference between your and you’re
At least he capitalized the first letter in his sentence. So you shouldn’t talk. I could beat either of you in a grammar competition.
Damn, no errors.
Kinda hard to screw up two sentences.
I now. Rite?
I’m British, so I’ll just say ‘capitalised’ and walk away.
Gasp! You didn’t hit the space bar twice after the period at the end of the sentence! I’m pretty sure that counts.
You should really have separated the first two sentences with a comma, rather than a full stop. Not so much an error as just sloppy. In any case, all Americans are wrong; ‘capitalise’ has no z in it.
*YOUR
Your = Possessive. “Your car. Your cat. Your food.”
You’re = Contraction of “You are”
Trolololololoooolololololooooooo
Oh no! It’s Patcher! o.O
Oh shit! Call the assassins!
Fail. It’s spelt ‘Pachter’.
this guy sells eye patches obviously.
Oh shit, no, NOOO!!! This must be a nightmare.
A GAMER and an Ipad user are not the same.
The controllers for each one are NOT THE SAME and never will.
*iPad
Ehh no need for Controllers to be dumbed down for people. Many buttons are necessary for today’s game. Nintendo however, seems to make it more easier to play games.
The wii remote always seemed to have fewer buttons than needed for gaming. P.S You don’t say more easier, it’s wrong it’s like saying. “The water is more hotter than before”
yeah i kind of get what your saying, like there’s other way to control a video game.
Yeah.
When I first got a Gamecube, it took me under 5 minutes to figure out the button layout.
Same with my friend’s Xbox 360. And my Wii.
You really have to be stupid as hell to not understand controllers.
Unless, of course, the game has a horrible control scheme….
To be honest, as stupid as it sounds, its right. The amount of times ive had to explain what buttons to press and where they are to non gamers is mind blowing, particularly with my parents, but they liked the Wii and DS because it was simple, playing Wii Sports, Mario Kart, even Smash Bros, hell, even my grandmother owns a DS, she’s always on it. The gamepad should or could solve some of that, because it a mix of simple and modern controllers, rather than one or the other. Pleases both sides of the fields.
…Or, in the worst possible scenario, doesn’t please neither sides.
Why wouldnt it? Theres an option for everyone with the WiiU, not just in games, but in controller choices too. The gamepad has had positive responce from casuals and core gamers, its quote, from just abiut everyone, “surpisingly light and very comfortable, can imagine it not being uncomfortable during long playthroughs”. Thats a big deal to core gamers, and tbh, was my only concern. My the pro controller is there is you dont like touch screen
But the type of game and gamers is also something to note. Non gamers arent going to want to jump into a COD game or Zelda, tey want ones where if they suck at playing the game, its okay, because everyone else does too, or they dont feel alone, or left out.
One of the things people havent considered about Nintendoland is that it could essentially create core gamers out of casuals, and visa versa. People could really like Zelda minigame, and when the new Zelda game comes out, be drawn into buying it because of the fun they had playing it on Nintendoland, that goes with all the minigames, and works the other way round too. Cores and their friends might be more persuadable to buy a 2-4 player game, if they have alo of fun play Nintendoland.
That game NEEDS to be bundled with the consoles
I think that’s what Nintendo is doing it has all the controls for hardcore games buttons, shooting, Wii Remote Plus and controls for casual games tilt, screen taping it’s trying to show to the casual audience what hardcore games are like without the need for 50+ hours of play.
Exactly. Its accessible to everyone with out realising a piece of crap that doesnt work and provides nothing to core gaming and cost $100 *cough* kinect *cough* smartglass pad *cough*
yeah its like they created this there are not going to abandon it, um… eccwii like using Wii remotes and he is hardcore.
Theres actually nothing wrong with the Wii remote. Its accessible, but the Wii just lacked power, thats all, and thus missed out on the third party content
Wow. It’s not that hard. Haven’t you noticed the letters or shapes on the controllers? It’s just as easy to explain someone where Buttons are on the X-Box as on the DS!
Im not saying it applies to everybody, but certainly alot of people, especially ones who are new to gaming. To us, gaming is second nature, after a good hour or 2 with the WiiU pad i’ll be comfortable with using it, but thats because our brains are wired to know exactly how to play at game. We dont buy a new game and go “duh, what do i do?”. Someone new to gaming will find it just as hard as learnin to ride bike, just take a while before people get used to it, its natural. Plus casuals have no attention span what so ever, its hard to keep them on a game for a while
Thank you for understanding the problem. Reading through these comments, it seems like a lot of people never tried to teach a non gamer how to play a game. Every time I taught someone, I noticed that they spent more time looking at the controller than at the game. Sometimes they aren’t interested in the game and give up, or get frustrated at how easy I make it look and don’t want to play anymore.
I know -.- it is annoying, but gaming isnt for everyone, but the Wii changed that. I used to come home and see them playing it sometimes without me having to set it up or anything. So she is right, but nintendo looks as though theyre trying to merge their two demographics
^this so much. seem things apply to games. Just try to explain why they should buy battlefield instead cod or vice versa. People dont have access to this and thats a fact. Thats why we should be thankful for the Wii. It took us out the nerd-corner.
It’s true, really. Try giving a non-gamer a gamepad. They just can’t use a tiny device with so many buttons that will be out of eyesight. It just doesn’t come naturally to everyone.
I don’t really see how a controller is hard to use those people must have messed up hands even a retard can figure out how to use a video game controller.
Hmmm I doubt basicly anyone from the ages 3-40 are having problems with it.
The last generation will because they are either too lazy to learn or dismiss video games as childsplay.
But if there are gamers that really thinks controllers are complex then they are retards.
He is right. Controllers, while easily enough for a gamer like you and I to understand, is a bit confusing for your average casual gamer, someone who doesn’t play video game all to often are used to playing via a touch-screen.
*all to often or are used to playing via a touch-screen.
And dont forget the type of game these players are playing.
Well you can kind of guess if they’re playing a game that only relies on the touch-screen.
should replace the word mainstream with casual. which is true. try get your mom, non-gaming dad, grandma to pick up the 12 button controller and play some game. Chances are they give up half way, and play angry birds instead. They didn’t get used to the button layouts, they will constantly look at the controller, which button is which. They are not stupid, but didn’t have the dedication as we gamers do, to memorize the buttons layout and play the game without looking.
btw, jade raymond <3
what the fuck is this fool talking about.
Aw come on, people who do not play games in the traditional way have a tough time with the basic controller. I know this from looking at other people who just don’t play games. They pick up a controller and feel a bit overwhelmed. They aren’t stupid but do aren’t familiar with a controller. Add that with a complex game and they would give up.
I get what he’s saying, but I don’t really see how things like the Kinect as a controller at this point in time
too complex? mainstream?
sir, you’re mistaken! I owned a Nintendo 64 when I was 10 and its controllers weren’t that difficult. I really don’t think is the controllers that are the problem, is the game! the way you’ll be using your controllers on the game is what matters. I really don’t get it if the past generation of Nintendo gamers could have done it without any problems and this generation will find it very complex. I think the controllers of now are way easier than the ones we used to have for the Nintendo systems, Microsoft and Sony.
I agree. How can something 7 years old get used to in less than an hour be complex?
Children learn things easier and are entertained easily (coming from someone who spent years playing pokemon blue and tetris constantly without getting bored)
the things people consider mainstream ._.
Techically, non gamers are the mainstream…
Just give everyone the ability to use a Keyboard and Mouse on the console… easier said than done. The PS3 can do it for some games so why couldn’t every other console.
The SNES did that…it didn’t last long
That’s a great idea! League of Legends on the Wii U = WIN!
Thats a terrible idea. I honest dont see the appeal of playing with a keyboard and mouse. The mouse, understandable, its presice, but keyboard? Its uncomfortble, and you cant lounge and relax when using a keyboard and mouse
I hate playing games on a pc, using my left hands at an awkward angle causes cramps and pain up my arm, mouse is precise but I hat shooters on pcs because they literally are a pain to play.
You can actually use a PS3 and/or the 360 controller while playing on the PC along with other game-pads designed for PC gaming.
Why would anybody prefer a keyboard and mouseover a controller sculpted for your hands and comfort?
You can use a PS3 and/or a 360 controller along with some other alternatives like game-pads made for PC gaming.
He is right in a sense. Remember the days of putting in a quarter and you really didn’t need instructions. You would figure it out through button mashing….miss the old arcade days.
It’s a SHE. a beautiful one at that
….it appears you are right about that
Really? I dont beli……ermm….i’ll be back in a couple of minutes
This is stupid if you want to play the game then learn the damn controls shit nothing is easy in this life people want to be spoon fed the fuck up
Too many time does “press b/x/a to jump” appear. Every game should have its in game tutorials optional from the start
I haves played RPGs sience I was 8 . They arnt complex to me any more. Complex FTW
Was that a sentence?
I herd u lyk complex
If I want to play with Keyboard and Mouse I stick to PC ;p
i guess this explains why i find the shapes on a sony controller to be a foreign concept when i try to play on it, while the A B X Y comes more natural to me
Ive honest never understood how gamers get confused by different controllers….the basic layout is the same. Bottom button to jump, the rest to do, whatever. I never understood the confusion in that sense -.-
Not so much that but more of what games they played on their console, xbox had halo while sony had….well something else. while you are used to the controls to one game on another console and try to switch it becomes rather difficult cause you have to break out of your norm
stupid people play video games all the time?
Jade Raymond has a point. But anything worth doing will have some kind of learning curve. If it holds your intrest for long enough you’ll learn it. P.S. Jade Raymond is hot. Leave luck to heaven.
A new controller is always a bit awkward at first, but once you spend time with it you somehow learn the button placements. Controllers are not complex, people are just stupid for suggesting so.
Then why does Sony use the same controller design for all their Playstations? It doesn’t take me that long to figure out a controller, took me not even 30 minutes to figure out the Gamecube controller (probably something like 5 to 10 minutes)
It more aimed at casuals and non gamers but sony using the same controll works, it keeps it familiar. Although i wish theyd change it, the controller, or at least make it more ergonomic
True. They should take a note from the 360 controller in terms of it’s shape.
Really controllers are not hard unless your A really young B very old C really stupid or D never seen nor cared about video games and/or controllers.
Bullshit
Learning a controller layout takes only 5 minutes, and if a person can’ t do that then they should just fucking kill themselves for being do stupid.
That’s kind of harsh, man.
http://static.tumblr.com/5deuomv/TPXm08rb7/inception_meme__1_.png
I like how everybody thinks Jade Raymond is a guy.
She is the MOTHER of ASSASSIN’S CREED. RESPECT.
To be honest, i saw the words Raymond and Ubisoft and thought, “oh some french dude”.
How wrong is was xX
one does not simply misses out beautiful women in gaming industry!
:P
and yes, she was the first producer of the first assassins creed. Fan of assassins creed should know this
“too complex to be mainstream”
Does that make controllers hipster?
If you can’t handle 2 analogue sticks and some buttons, stay the hell away form gaming.
Goldeneye wii was the first fps i ever completed due to dual analog i think motion is totally superior and i have been gaming since 88
You’re too complex to be mainstream Jade Raymond!
That’s true right now.
But in the future, how could that possibly be true? The games industry is constantly growing. In 1 or 2 generations, nearly everybody will play video games. They will be as ubiquitous as movies, so the complexity of the controller will be a non-issue.
Dumbing down the controller is not the answer to this. It’s simply time.
If you can use a PC keyboard with all its buttons to navigate to this website, then you should be capable of using a console controller to play a fucking game.
STOP MAKING EXCUSES NINTENDO! (and shitty French companies)
If we are buying your fucking consoles, we should at least have the option of buying a regular controller for the bloody thing!
facepalm
The stupidity in this one post makes RXL209 or Pyro look intelligent.
Right.. 3 buttons, a scroll wheel, and gesture movement (hand movement) vs 16-effin-buttons with two sticks (can equate it to gesture movement too = finger movement)… which one is easier to memorize for first timer? go figure..
one thing to remember, gesture movement (touch, hand, finger movement) is always the easiest input to adapt to.. which is why the wii is doing so well among the casuals… and of course it’s also the most tiring, most space consuming, most cumbersome for us who just want to enjoy the game with least movement as possible
Hold the wii remote sideways. There, problem solved
Although it won’t work on FPS games…;)
Honestly if you can’t figure out simple control schemes by now, you shouldn’t bother to play games. Go outside, play sports, watch T.V. (actually T.V. remote may be a little complex too). Avoid all technology then or take time to LEARN it.
A bit late here, but here goes:
I learned how to play the NES…as a 3-year-old. What’s anyone else’s excuse?
The “mainstream” shouldn’t always be one’s main concern. If anything, gaming suffers in quality, whenever the “mainstream” becomes its central focus. Let “core” vs. “casual” demographics just have their own respective spaces, co-existing as two worlds.