Nintendo Says You're Playing Kid Icarus: Uprising Wrong

[WMDogma]

Nintendo Says You're Playing Kid Icarus: Uprising Wrong

Game's creator thinks players should just relax.

Even though the the game has received generally positive reviews, a common complaint about Kid Icarus: Uprising [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/reviews/9552-Kid-Icarus-Uprising-Review] has been the frustrating control scheme, which requires players to use the 3DS' circle pad to move and the stylus to aim. However, in a recent interview with IGN, Masahiro Sakurai, the game's creator, thinks that players who are frustrated might not be playing it the right way.

Standing by Kid Icarus' control scheme, Sakurai said his team pushed the 3DS to its limits when developing the game, and that including an option for the Circle Pad Pro was a technical impossibility. Sakurai also stated that offering multiple control schemes would more than likely unbalance its' multiplayer, as the 3DS' stylus allows players to aim more quickly than using a circle pad.

"If a player used to touch screen-based aiming played against someone used to right-analog control, the first player would probably dominate. The speed is on a whole different level."

As for players who are angry at the controls or feeling they've developed carpal tunnel playing Kid Icarus, Sakruai recommended they try approaching the game from a different angle.

"If there are players who say that it makes their hand tired, that's because you're applying too much force," explained Sakurai. "Try to relax and work on building a rhythm to your control. Place the pen in the middle of the touch screen; when you're flicking it, take the pen off the screen as you're sweeping with it, and stop right there. That's the basic idea."

Source: IGN [http://uk.ds.ign.com/articles/122/1224194p1.html]

Permalink

 

[Something Amyss]

Is this the biggest dev yet to pull the "You're playing it wrong" line?

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

That's right, players. The problem isn't with my control scheme, it is with your playstyle. Seriously, just admit that you made a less than optimal control setup.

 

[DirgeNovak]

This is relevant:
If we're not playing properly, it's your own damn fault, Sakurai-san.

 

[Scarim Coral]

I would love to hear Yatzee his reply to Masahiro Sakurai statement, not in a reply video but a face to face open statement with a translator of course.

 

[VonKlaw]

Pro-tip: If you have to tell people they're "playing it wrong", you probably fucked up somewhere.

And +1 internet to the Jimquisition linker, so very relevant.

 

[Pandora92]

I wonder what Yahtzee makes of this article...

Also does this remind anyone else of Apple's "the phones are fine, you're just holding it wrong" thing?

 

[Lord Beautiful]

When you have to give experienced gamers tips on how to hold the controller for your control scheme, it may be time to rethink your ego.

I realize there's still a good chunk of players who don't mind the scheme. Judging by descriptions, it controls similarly to Metroid Prime: Hunters, which I didn't have any problems with. That said, with this much criticism, at the very least admit that you may have fucked up, instead of telling gamers that they're doing it wrong.

 

[Tanakh]

"If a player used to touch screen-based aiming played against someone used to right-analog control, the first player would probably dominate. The speed is on a whole different level."

Smart man, that's exacly why hugely successful PvP focused games like SC 2 don't allow you to click to produce units or issue specific orders, or why SF IV kicks you out if it detects you are playing with anything but a joystick.

We need to keep the pro Kid Icaruns PvP scene balanced people.

 

[Proverbial Jon]

Ahh yes of course! All this time and I've been using my DS/3DS completely wrong! Instead of playing all my games with pent up rage and sheer frustration I should just... relax?

Could you BE any more patronising? If gamers can't pick up a game and intuitively play it on a system they have been using already for years (The 3DS is no different than the DS control-wise) then that is a problem with YOUR game, mister Nintendo.

You released a STAND with this game for heavens sake! That's an admission of guilt right there.

 

[newwiseman]

If your HANDHELD console game comes with a stand to play the game then the Developer is doing it wrong.

 

[therandombear]

...wow, that was not a smart thing to say honestly. If you have to go out and tell people they're playing your game "wrong" maybe he should sit down and think: "What if I am wrong?"

Might come up with some solutions which can be applied other places then.

[sub] Even though it's much easier and better to change aim mode to XYAB buttons[/sub] >.>

 

[WanderingFool]

I wonder what Yahtzee makes of this article...

Also does this remind anyone else of Apple's "the phones are fine, you're just holding it wrong" thing?

God... I barely remember that...

Though I think there is something to this: If your first thought of a criticism of your work is because the other person is doing it wrong, you should first look to see if it isnt you thats doing it wrong.

 

[Samus Aaron]

Woah, hold on! Nintendo is not saying "You're playing it wrong." Nowhere in the article does Nintendo say anything along those lines. It's recommending a different style of play, not outright attacking players' choices. While the title of this article isn't an outright lie (although by writing 'Nintendo says', the author might as well be putting words into the company's mouth), there is no denying that the author of this article is writing this news in a deceptive, borderline sensationalist manner.

 

[Shoggoth2588]

If you have to explain the best way to control the game than your game has bad controls by default. I like the game enough but I can't defend the control scheme since I switched it as soon as I figured out how to. Sorry Sakurai-san...maybe you should have stuck to a 2D-platformer? Nintendo seems to be going back to them after all.

 

[Euphbug]

Let us see, people complain about a general well reviewed games controls. So you can either
A: Not say anything and just tinker with the controls in any sequels.

You could also go with
B: Just ignore the complaints and go about you way with whatever you plan on doing next.

Or you can do
C: Yell back at the complainers saying they are at fault, throwing more fuel to the fire.

Why do a lot developers somehow arrive to some form of C this day and age. Never choose C, at the very least just ignore it when you can't change the game after release.

 

[SuperTrainStationH]

I've had no problem with DS or 3DS games that use the stylus in one hand and the main directional control with the other.

Metroid Prime Hunters was fine for me, so was Kid Icarus.

I dont hate the controls, my hand doesn't want to fall off, I dont scream in pain or anything like that.

The stand is nice since when I play portable games at home I do so at a table anyway.


If I don't like the controls of a game after trying them, I flat out wont play the game, even if its one I WANTED to enjoy. The DS Zelda games are a prime example.

I really didn't have a problem with Kid Icarus' controls.

 

[evilneko]

Is this the biggest dev yet to pull the "You're playing it wrong" line?

Pretty sure Apple's bigger than Nintendo.