I was thinking about a column that user isntchrisl wrote a while back, The Wii U Controller and Gamers' Resistance to Change, and challenged myself as to why it is I have such a strong dislike for non-standard controllers like the upcoming U gamepad.  In every aspect of my life I am a proponent of change, I always see change as being a positive. Though there are some things that once I like, I never change.  Like wearing Chuck Taylor's.

So why the hate? Gaming is my primary hobby and interest, I take it fairly seriously. I choose the games I play with great deliberation and tend to note the subtle differences in the genres I specialize in. As a part of this hobby I implement tools that I find to be most effective. Back in the old days, this meant buying third-party controllers until I found the perfect one.  These days, MS and Sony have pretty much provided the almost perfect tool for the job, so I don't have to go third party anymore.

I imagine if my hobby was fishing, I'd be the same way about my fishing rods and the associated lures, sinkers and lines. After 30 years of fishing, I'd have a good idea of what works and what doesn't, and while I may occassionally try a new line or lure, I'm not switching from using a rod to catch fish.  If a Japanese dude came along the river and tried to sell me a net, and encourage me to get rid of my current gear because the net is more efficient, catches multiple fish at a time, is lighter and well, just better in everyway, I imagine that I'd respond in the same way I have to the U. In short, "Get the hell out of here!".

To labor the metaphor, in time, after watching him use the net, I may pick one up to augment my fishing but I won't enjoy it as much and will reserve it for those times when a net is called for. But since I won't be a regular user I won't really appreciate it and after years of dis-use, likely throw it away.

How can you say you choose your games with great deliberatioh when you said on the podcast you're going to play a Neo Pets game on the DS with Yoda? Its a damn falsity I say!

I still have to say give it a chance. Some very cool things were accomplished with the DS and the dual screen was very quickly dismissed as unnecessary at first. And yet without it. . . no TWEWY. Sad thought isn't it? The DS made me a believer in the idea that sometimes a radical change is needed to innovate.

Here's perhaps a better reason to try though. Last year during my tablet gaming experiment I came across a few interesting games that were doing some creative things with the touchscreen and tilt controls that were available. Age of Wind 2 immediately jumps to mind. The problem was, the tablet just wasn't designed for gaming. The weight isn't balanced right, mine is too heavy, and the tilt isn't sensitive enough. Despite that a few devs did a decent job of creating good games. If that kind of creativity is used with a tablet specifically designed for gaming, I think we could see some truly impressive things.

What's wrong with bread? God you're hard to please.

Those do look delicious. I'd hit---eat it.

bugsonglass said:

I once went on a short trip with no other shoes except my Chuck Taylor's.  After about 24 hours (which involved a lot of walking) my feet bled and my little toes stung so bad I cried.  They nearly crippled me.  I think I binned them in Tel Aviv as soon as I bought a proper pair of trainers.

Should have gone barefoot.