The Importance of Customizable Controls

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While it’s always beneficial when games support the four standard thumbstick configurations (Default, Southpaw, Legacy and Legacy-Southpaw), it’s also imperative to remember that full controller customization is a necessity for some.

In fact, the implementation of completely customizable controls as a standard for console games would be helpful for many. The benefits of this would not be limited to those who prefer using the alternate styles cited above - customizable controls would be valuable for all players, including those that use the Default layout, and especially for individuals who suffer from disabilities and physical impairments.

The best way to validate this statement is to share an excerpt from a recent comment that we received from Jersquall: “I am a quadriplegic and I need button mapping on a lot of games but only a few offer it.”

He also provided a link to a thread he started on the Playstation Home forums. Here is a snippet from his post: “I had a diving accident when I was younger that left me paralyzed. Now those that have played online games know I can still hold my own as long as I have an acceptable button configuration. But if any of you know or have had any type of physical disability then you know how hard it can be. Most games I play have button mapping in the controller options.”

Ultimately, anyone who purchases a console game should have the option to adjust the controls to their liking, whether it’s being able to use Southpaw or Legacy, X or Y Axis inversion, or remapping the buttons - for whatever their reasons for doing so may be.

Please take a few minutes of your time to read the rest of Jersquall’s inspirational post.

OMG, No Legacy Controls In New Call of Juarez!!

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That’s right, it seems us Legacy and Legacy Southpaw users have been left out in the rain with Call of Juarez: Bound in Blood.

I was shocked that it only has Default and Southpaw thumbstick configurations seeing as the first game had all four layouts. At least if you are a Southpaw user you can rejoice, because there is an option for that in both stick and button configurations.

This serves as a great example not to assume that a game will have all four standard thumbstick configurations just because the first one did. If I didn’t have a Legacy modded controller I would be “calling” out many words that aren’t “Juarez,” and heading straight back to the store I bought it from.

Mecha Hitler Says “Nein” To Alternate Controls

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Have you been wondering if Wolfenstein 3D for XBLA and the PSN offers alternate controls? No? In that case, skip this post entirely and continue about your business.

But if you answered “yes,” then hopefully the news that Wolfenstein 3D lacks any alternate control options won’t cause a major amount of distress for you. Although, I tend to think that many of us expected this to be the case due to the title’s age.

While the Activision-published Wolfenstein scheduled to arrive this August won’t feature Mecha Hitler, hopefully it will include our preferred control options. Games published by Activision have a good history of offering alternative controls, so with any luck, Wolfenstein will follow suit.

[Thanks, Thy Master]