Question for left handed gamers.

[chadachada123]

I got so irritated that Twilight Princess on the Wii doesn't allow you to choose which hand Link uses, and makes him right-handed, when in all other games he's a lefty.

That is just a slap in the face to fifteen percent of their fanbase, and is akin to changing the gender or race of a character just to appeal to the "majority."

I really hope more games include the option to switch. From a programmer's standpoint, changing which side the gun is on is next-to-nothing, and flipping third person character's handedness would also be extremely simple.

I don't *particularly* care for shooters, since most of the time is spent aiming down the scope, and for RPGs it's but a minor break in the realism, but for Wii games I consider it a large issue. I'd prefer an option in Skyrim, but not having one wouldn't reduce my rating of it in the slightest.

 

[Riddle78]

I'd go lefty all the way. I'm sick and tired of developers for "This character is a fantasy/sci-fi representation of you!" games assumiming every person in every universe is right handed. The only games I've ever played that allowed you to be left handed was Unreal,which had a "Weapon Hand" option.

As such,for Skyrim,I'll be lefty;Swing sword with left hand,hold shield in right. Hold bow in right,pull arrows with left. Magic will be iffy;I'f I'm primarily a mage,spells go left hand. Otherwise,right hand.

 

[spacepope22]

I've been a lefty my whole life, but after playing games for all those years, I've grown used to being right-handed. Playing southpaw is something i cant' get used to. It fells off.

 

[RedEyesBlackGamer]

I'd like to be able to wield a weapon with my character's main hand being his left for immersion. I can't physically use my right hand for much.

 

[AnAngryMoose]

I'm ambidextrous, so I think I have to dual wield! Or dual shield!

This is what my first Skyrim character will do!

 

[chadachada123]

snip

Having been to the range several times, I can say that shooting pistols, bolt-action rifles, and shotguns are essentially unaffected when shot lefty. Though the bullets may come out of the right side of the gun for pistols, you're holding the gun extended in front of you and it won't obstruct anything.

For bolt-action rifles, you have to bring your right arm really far back to chamber the next round, but it's not too much of an inconvenience. Also, for trained snipers in video games, you would imagine that your own government/organization would give you a gun for your own handedness, right? Though I couldn't imagine using a lefty-bolt-action rifle after firing so much right-handed.

I have never fired an automatic or semi-automatic rifle before, so I can't conclusively comment on it, but I would say that, as far as I can tell, shooting a right-handed one while aiming would not be negatively affected by using the left hand. It would only be an issue if you were trying to fire essentially from the hip. Sure the shells are hot and could fall on your right arm, but I don't picture that being too much of an issue.

You would still imagine that the occasional enemy in a video game would use the left hand instead of the right, though.

 

[IndianaJonny]

When it comes to melee combat games, there should ALWAYS be a left-handed option.

I've been fencing since a kid and us left-handers have a natural advantage since people are so used to fencing right-handers (so pit two left-handers against each other and, yeah, hilarity ensues). It's not uncommon for 8 or so of the top 10 positions in a competition to be held be left-handers; it's that much of an advantage.

While I don't advocate translating this advantage into a bias mechanic in games, the 'cosmetic' option of would certainly add character - even if only to emulate the cunning Clan Kerr [//www.thejanuarist.com/clan-kerr-and-the-legend-of-the-spiral-staircase/].

I'm left handed, and when I've learned how to use swords, I was taught to use my right hand, although it's easy enough to switch hands and figure it out. I'd prefer my sword in my right and shield on my left. The reason is pretty simple. I was taught how to use a sword right handed, so that's what my muscle memory is, so it's easier. I also hit harder with my right. I guess it depends on the sword. Anything requiring finesse, I'll use my left. Anything that I'm just going to hack away with, I'll use my right.

I'm genuinely sorry to hear this. You were cheated (unintentionally of course) out of a great natural advantage there.

the british armies main assault rifle can only be used righty. anyway, i dont mind (as a lefty). i like how Cole from inFamous is ambidextrous. the main reason is because thats how people are trained.

While the superior FAMAS can be reversed to eject cartridges to the left rather than into the ear - a serious oversight on the part of the SA80 there when it comes to bullpup design.

 

[Javarock]

When it comes to melee combat games, there should ALWAYS be a left-handed option.

I've been fencing since a kid and us left-handers have a natural advantage since people are so used to fencing right-handers (so pit two left-handers against each other and, yeah, hilarity ensues). It's not uncommon for 8 or so of the top 10 positions in a competition to be held be left-handers; it's that much of an advantage.

While I don't advocate translating this advantage into a bias mechanic in games, the 'cosmetic' option of would certainly add character - even if only to emulate the cunning Clan Kerr [//www.thejanuarist.com/clan-kerr-and-the-legend-of-the-spiral-staircase/].

Wow, That artical... Was intresting... Thanks for shareing I had no idea about that before now.

 

[CrystalShadow]

snip

Having been to the range several times, I can say that shooting pistols, bolt-action rifles, and shotguns are essentially unaffected when shot lefty. Though the bullets may come out of the right side of the gun for pistols, you're holding the gun extended in front of you and it won't obstruct anything.

For bolt-action rifles, you have to bring your right arm really far back to chamber the next round, but it's not too much of an inconvenience. Also, for trained snipers in video games, you would imagine that your own government/organization would give you a gun for your own handedness, right? Though I couldn't imagine using a lefty-bolt-action rifle after firing so much right-handed.

I have never fired an automatic or semi-automatic rifle before, so I can't conclusively comment on it, but I would say that, as far as I can tell, shooting a right-handed one while aiming would not be negatively affected by using the left hand. It would only be an issue if you were trying to fire essentially from the hip. Sure the shells are hot and could fall on your right arm, but I don't picture that being too much of an issue.

You would still imagine that the occasional enemy in a video game would use the left hand instead of the right, though.

Yeah, you would figure there'd be enemies that fired left-handed. But I guess flipping the animation rigging is too much work? XD

No seriously I do wonder sometimes. I know there are a lot of copy-pasted enemies in games, and if you had to explicitly create a new character design to be left handed it'd be a lot of work.

But I also know that unless you need a character to use a pen, or interact with very explicitly right-handed objects (like scissors), you can get away with flipping the animation rig in its entirety left to right.

It's easy to do in a 3d modelling program. It's easy to write the code to do it into a game engine. (So you wouldn't even need to explicitly store a left-handed version.)

And yeah, maybe if you need to show someone opening a door or something it could be a problem...

But if your animation is that detailed, and rigid enough to need to be lined up explicitly, I think the game engine has bigger problems.

As to the guns... Well, like I said, I've never dealt with real weapons.
I just recall someone else mentioning this being an issue with real weapons.

They implied it was pretty dangerous... But maybe not.

There was mention of army rifles though, and some issues like how the British army uses a rifle for which a left-handed variant doesn't exist, and which soldiers are trained to only use it right-handed irrespective of their dominant hand.

So... Now I don't really know who to believe. XD

 

[Verlander]

I'm ambidextrous, but it doesn't make much difference either way. Plus, well, control setting have been customisable for a while.

 

[Broderick]

It generally wont affect my love for the game, although I would like the option to be left handed in many games of this type as it adds to the immersion for me. To answer your question, I would have my sword in my left hand, and shield in my right, as that would be more comfortable(in a realistic situation, and in game).

 

[German Borbon]

well, no it doesnt, maybe you fell more with your character but not that much, i like the detail that certain characters like link been lefthanded but no, it doesnt affect me at all

 

[s0m3th1ng]

Weird as it sounds, I'm right handed but play computer games southpaw, mouse on the left. So your question gets a little more complicated in my case...Yes I play the game as a lefty but my brain still thinks about things from a right-handed perspective.

 

[chadachada123]

Yeah, you would figure there'd be enemies that fired left-handed. But I guess flipping the animation rigging is too much work? XD

No seriously I do wonder sometimes. I know there are a lot of copy-pasted enemies in games, and if you had to explicitly create a new character design to be left handed it'd be a lot of work.

But I also know that unless you need a character to use a pen, or interact with very explicitly right-handed objects (like scissors), you can get away with flipping the animation rig in its entirety left to right.

It's easy to do in a 3d modelling program. It's easy to write the code to do it into a game engine. (So you wouldn't even need to explicitly store a left-handed version.)

And yeah, maybe if you need to show someone opening a door or something it could be a problem...

But if your animation is that detailed, and rigid enough to need to be lined up explicitly, I think the game engine has bigger problems.

As to the guns... Well, like I said, I've never dealt with real weapons.
I just recall someone else mentioning this being an issue with real weapons.

They implied it was pretty dangerous... But maybe not.

There was mention of army rifles though, and some issues like how the British army uses a rifle for which a left-handed variant doesn't exist, and which soldiers are trained to only use it right-handed irrespective of their dominant hand.

So... Now I don't really know who to believe. XD

I don't want to pretend as if I'm super-qualified either, hah. I've just been to the range more than a few times, so absolutely feel free to take my word with a grain of salt xD

As far as animation goes, I think that we may have a good idea here. Encourage game developers to just throw in some lefty enemies and allies once in awhile, especially in places where it isn't hard to program in, yeah?

 

[docSpitfire]

isn't link a lefty? so does that freak out you righties?

*edit*aha, I see this was already discussed...
I can't believe they changed link! I'm horrified and offended!

Also, Both Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin (first 2 men on the moon) were both lefties...

 

[Javarock]

isn't link a lefty? so does that freak out you righties?

Apprently not anymore.

Before The Wii:

Spoiler: Large Link, Lefty

After:

Spoiler: Link, Twilight Princess

 

[thegrimfandango]

I'm intrigued by this tidbit, I'll definitely try out a lefty in Skyrim. I grew up using a mouse on the right as that was default, so I'm well used to it. The same with games, I found it awkward at first that motion was controlled by my left and actions buttons were on the right with my slower hand, but I'm so used to it now I'd probably find it unmanageable if it were any other way.
It's never actually bothered me right-handedness always being the default in games, though I can see it being a problem for motion controllers or people who play fps games with mouse/keyboard. I do find it jarring sometimes looking at my characters because it doesn't look right to me, in Dragon Age I kept looking at my character going 'they're holding that in the wrong hand!.....wait' lol.

 

[docSpitfire]

isn't link a lefty? so does that freak out you righties?

Apprently not anymore.

That just looks wrong...
*edit* just realized, the bad guy in that picture is still lefty...
Hasn't the left-handed community had enough bad press?
The Romans called us Sinister, as recent as 50 years ago, students were hit with rulers because they insisted on drawing with their left hand in kindergarten...
And now? apparently only bad guys in the zelda universe are left-handed!
[/insanerant]

 

[IndianaJonny]

When it comes to melee combat games, there should ALWAYS be a left-handed option.

I've been fencing since a kid and us left-handers have a natural advantage since people are so used to fencing right-handers (so pit two left-handers against each other and, yeah, hilarity ensues). It's not uncommon for 8 or so of the top 10 positions in a competition to be held be left-handers; it's that much of an advantage.

While I don't advocate translating this advantage into a bias mechanic in games, the 'cosmetic' option of would certainly add character - even if only to emulate the cunning Clan Kerr [//www.thejanuarist.com/clan-kerr-and-the-legend-of-the-spiral-staircase/].

Wow, That artical... Was intresting... Thanks for shareing I had no idea about that before now.

There's plenty of historical tidbits out there when you start to look. Gladiators famed for being left-handed or Spanish barbarian princes who cut off their own right hands to avoid Roman military service only to be taught to fight left-handed instead. The biblical book of Judges makes reference to a crack unit of 700 left-handed slingsmen (20:16) and, although dubious as immaculate evidence, the "Book of Jossipon" (10th century) makes the claim that Alexander the Great of Macedon was also left-handed.

Sinister is sinister, after all.

 

[Javarock]

isn't link a lefty? so does that freak out you righties?

Apprently not anymore.

That just looks wrong...
*edit* just realized, the bad guy in that picture is still lefty...
Hasn't the left-handed community had enough bad press?
The Romans called us Sinister, as recent as 50 years ago, students were hit with rulers because they insisted on drawing with their left hand in kindergarten...
And now? apparently only bad guys in the zelda universe are left-handed!
[/insanerant]

Im fairly certain its not the majority of enemys, If it helps that enemy is one of the stronger in the game... So...