Pressing start and modern games.

[matnatz]

Aside from simple tradition, is there any reason to actually have a "Press Start" in games these days? It always seemed somewhat pointless. Although it does give me a special feeling in my loins when I press start for the first time with a new game, I can't think of any actual need.

 

[Pimppeter2]

Yes... How are you supposed to start the game?

I mean we could replace it with "Press any button to start" but thats not as cool, and it just begs the 'why bother?' question

 

[Beardly]

Yes... How are you supposed to start the game.

I mean we could replace it with "Press any button to start" but thats not as cool.

Especially since I don't think any console have controllers with an any button

 

[Internet Kraken]

Because the artists want there to be a cool title scene that isn't obscured by a menu.

Serious Answer: I really don't know. Maybe it;s so it doesn't immediately jump to the menu and confuse the player?

 

[JRCB]

But.... how would we know if we have started the game if we have not pressed the start button?

EDIT: And as I recall, Halo 3 did not have an option to press start to get to the main menu.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

I guess we could just have the game auto-start, but having the "press start" button I guess is to make sure the game doesn't auto-load just because it is in when you really wanna put in a different game.

 

[SonicKoala]

Start buttons are important - they start the game, and they pause the game. There is absoloutely no need to either a)add any function to the button, or b)remove the previously mentioned functions of the button. Games that do annoy me.

 

[Sassafrass]

Yes... How are you supposed to start the game.

I mean we could replace it with "Press any button to start" but thats not as cool.

We could replace it with a 'Press buttons in a certain order or get punched by a boxer' screen.
Imagine the fun you'd have getting a code wrong then being hit really hard in the face!

OT: I don't see any reason apart from a reminder of the older games of gaming.

 

[dreadedcandiru99]

Here's what I want to know: why is there still a select button? I'm pretty sure I haven't selected anything with a select button since 1988.

 

[Freshman]

that's a really good point, it could just bring you to the games main menu now that i don't have to give the game any coins to play it...

 

[sinny777]

I guess we could just have the game auto-start, but having the "press start" button I guess is to make sure the game doesn't auto-load just because it is in when you really wanna put in a different game.

Because the artists want there to be a cool title scene that isn't obscured by a menu.

Serious Answer: I really don't know. Maybe it;s so it doesn't immediately jump to the menu and confuse the player?

These are the answers you are looking for.

 

[Spaghetti]

Because if you didn't have it, how else would you start the game?

Seriously though, I have no idea. Its not like anything bad is going to happen if it cuts straight to the menu...

 

[Raiha]

well i think in borderlands if you don't press start the opening cinematic will go on a few times. if you do press start it brings up the starting menu and won't go into the cinematic.

 

[sinny777]

well i think in borderlands if you don't press start the opening cinematic will go on a few times. if you do press start it brings up the starting menu and won't go into the cinematic.

Because game developers forget that these aren't arcade games and feel obligated to include an "Attract Mode"

 

[WorkerMurphey]

The same reason they don't make cars turn on as soon as your ass hits the seat. You gotta tell the machine when it's go time.

 

[Jammerz]

Well on the ps3 when you have to install a game I normally leave the room for a bit, I don't want to come in and see I've missed the opening cinematic

 

[commasplice]

Many books have title pages, even though the vast majority of them have their titles and authors' names printed right on the front. That being said, I don't really know the purpose for those, either. Even if they were to do away with "press start" screens, there's still usually intro cinematics and such to skip through. I don't think it really makes much of a difference either way...

 

[Raiha]

well i think in borderlands if you don't press start the opening cinematic will go on a few times. if you do press start it brings up the starting menu and won't go into the cinematic.

Because game developers forget that these aren't arcade games and feel obligated to include an "Attract Mode"

let them. i love the song in it so much i have been letting it run for half an hour while checking out the forums.

 

[Guy32]

Infamous did that nicely. You press the start button once to start the story, then your saves auto-load every time you play after that.

 

[Kollega]

The same reason they don't make cars turn on as soon as your ass hits the seat. You gotta tell the machine when it's go time.

Good answer.

My answers are:

A) It's a tradition.
B) It allows for cool title screen.
C) If player does not press Start, you can roll a cool cinematic.
D) Subverting the expectations (case in point: inFamous).