10 votes

Why do many games make you press a button before loading (after launch)?

So recently I've been playing Destiny 2. After you launch the game you need to press "X" for the game to start loading (which takes multiple minutes, it's ridiculous).

I've seen this in other games and I never understood the point. Yes I want to move past that screen, load the game and play it. Do you guys know why game developers do this?

7 comments

  1. Maethon
    Link
    I would love to know if there is a technical reason for it but back in NES days you would put the cartridge in and if you were to wait long enough, it would load the game demo so game/gameplay...

    I would love to know if there is a technical reason for it but back in NES days you would put the cartridge in and if you were to wait long enough, it would load the game demo so game/gameplay could be shown on the shop's window without ever needing someone to play the game. So, it was mainly used as a system where it made sense to demonstrate the game on arcades/consoles to sell you the game. Also makes big sense for arcades because machine might not be on the use at the moment so you would need a way to show people your game.

    In Destiny's case, game only pings the login server if you press a key. So it's possible devs wanted to use a well known design language for a different purpose. Also games like Fifa 2020 still load into a cinematic/demo gameplay so it is still very much in use for that reason. But like I said, I would love someone who knows about it to add to the discussion.

    9 votes
  2. [4]
    admicos
    Link
    I recall reading somewhere that some consoles require games to have a "Press Start/X/Whatever to start" screen, can't exactly remember the reason though. I also found some StackExchange questions,...

    I recall reading somewhere that some consoles require games to have a "Press Start/X/Whatever to start" screen, can't exactly remember the reason though.

    I also found some StackExchange questions, which has have interesting explanations:

    4 votes
    1. [3]
      Contentus
      Link Parent
      I think the second link you posted nailed it. Yes some devs use it to understand which controller is going to be in command but it's probably mostly to meet some console requirements.

      I think the second link you posted nailed it. Yes some devs use it to understand which controller is going to be in command but it's probably mostly to meet some console requirements.

      4 votes
      1. nothis
        Link Parent
        Interesting. On the Switch, I'm not even thinking about it since the joycons have so many options you need to determine which/how you hold them before starting. On a PS4 or something it seems less...

        Interesting. On the Switch, I'm not even thinking about it since the joycons have so many options you need to determine which/how you hold them before starting. On a PS4 or something it seems less necessary. But it's such a small hassle and maybe solves so many problems it's worth it.

        2 votes
      2. vektor
        Link Parent
        Corroborating that, as almost exclusively PC gamer, I hardly get the "press X to load" thing. Mostly at the end of loading screens, before real time stuff starts, where it actually makes sense....

        Corroborating that, as almost exclusively PC gamer, I hardly get the "press X to load" thing. Mostly at the end of loading screens, before real time stuff starts, where it actually makes sense. Beyond that, the before-main-menu prompts have a strooong whiff of potentially-mediocre console port.

        I can almost guarantee that it's a 3rd person game where walking backwards will result in my character turning around and walking towards the camera rather than walking backwards. (mildly /s)

  3. rogue_cricket
    Link
    I remember reading at some point that it was used for... some kind of controller identification sometimes, but that was just some comment from a dev on a forum, so I'm fuzzy on it. I also know...

    I remember reading at some point that it was used for... some kind of controller identification sometimes, but that was just some comment from a dev on a forum, so I'm fuzzy on it.

    I also know that console manufacturers often have tons of rules about initial loading and access to their servers, so a splash screen on console might be necessary for that kind of stuff to pass muster. It could hide some loading time behind an artsy screen or make sure that the person playing didn't wander off during the initial load before sending any packets to the server.

    3 votes
  4. knocklessmonster
    Link
    RageSquid had this in Descenders, and removed it when people complained.

    RageSquid had this in Descenders, and removed it when people complained.

    2 votes