Official MerchandiseWhy Are Alt-Controls Neglected?
The question that plagues alt-control players everywhere. And it’s a question that led in part to the formation of this website. With so many Southpaw and Legacy players out there, why don’t all developers just automatically include these control layouts? Is it really that difficult? What about complete button mapping and customization? Surely this cannot be that complicated of a task for skilled game developers.
The fact is, at least in our opinion here at Alt-Controls.com, it’s just not seen as a priority by most game development companies. Although there are many alt-control players kicking around (or even default players that would like some customizing options, for that matter), gamers that require additional control setups are viewed as the minority. The bottom line: Game developers do not view the percentage of alt-players as significant enough to warrant the extra programming time. Maybe some are just trying to meet deadlines and leave alternative options out for that reason, sure. But there are definitely some companies that just don’t care that Joe Southpaw or Steve Legacy missed out, because enough people will purchase their game anyway.
And the evidence is in the sales figures. Just for example, let’s take a look at some of the Platinum Xbox 360 titles that have neglected at least one form of alternative controls, be it Southpaw, Legacy, or in some cases, both: FEAR, Condemned, Battlefield 2, Elder Scrolls IV, Saint’s Row, Crackdown, etc. Now please don’t start picking this article apart, because you’re right, some of those titles do offer Southpaw. The point I’m making is that in all of these titles, there is at least one omission of alternate controls and in some instances, both are missing. We can’t forget the critically acclaimed BioShock either. While it’s not on the ‘Platinum’ list yet, it will be soon enough, and the game has sold extremely well without including us alt-players. Get my point? Games still SELL in spite of the omission of alternative controls.
THIS is why some developers do not offer additional controls. The extra effort is not seen as worth their time because the bottom line isn’t affected enough. They also may have the opinion that we Southpaw and Legacy guys will just buy their games anyway. Well, good for them for standing behind their creations, I guess. Sales figures speak volumes though, and there is no question that games without alt-controls still sell incredibly well. This is because there must be more default players out there than us.
So as alt-control players, what can we do? Well, sometimes campaigns and movements actually work. Look at the first GRAW. Other times, campaigns don’t go so well (BioShock). What about contacting developers? You could try, and I wish you the best of luck, but don’t hold your breath for a reply, or results.
In my opinion, the best thing to do is to play the games that we have at our disposal. Be thankful for the developers that do look out for us: Ubisoft, Infinity Ward, Bungie, Treyarch, Free Radical, Starbreeze, Saber, etc. Play the games offered by these companies until you’re blue in the face! Don’t lament about the games that don’t have your control style of choice. Play the ones that do. 
Then there’s modded controllers. That’s another option. But they aren’t free, and they aren’t perfect either. There can be issues with menu navigation, driving, etc. But for the most part, they are a pretty decent solution if you really cannot miss out on a certain game. Just be prepared to spend a little bit more than a default player.
I am a Legacy player. That’s how I feel comfortable playing games. That’s how I would like to continue to play games. Sometimes I try default settings if there is no other option available. I can get by pretty good for the most part. But in the heat of battle, instincts take over, and I start reverting to Legacy automatically. Doesn’t work out well for me, as you can imagine. 
I’m going to continue using Legacy as long as I can. I’m not going to change, because I shouldn’t have to. Neither should you.
*Image courtesy of rockpapershotgun.com
This entry was posted on Saturday, January 19th, 2008 at 3:46 pm and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.