Blazblue: Continuum Shift 2

[Joshkdmw]

So, I picked up the game today.

ONE VERY IMPORTANT THING TO NOTE:

The circle pad cannot be used for movement. You're not even allowed to set it that way in the menus.

What kind of slackjawed shit-flingers thought it would be a great idea to not only to not make the circle pad input standard, but to entirely REMOVE the option to use it? It's practically un-fucking playable, at least as far as I'm concerned.

[KamaItachi]

What really? The position of the d-pad is really uncomfortable and inaccessible for anything remotely arcadey.

This is the stupidest thing I've heard in quite a while.

[Joshkdmw]

What really? The position of the d-pad is really uncomfortable and inaccessible for anything remotely arcadey.

This is the stupidest thing I've heard in quite a while.

Really, really. I actually shot off a email to Aksys asking for either a patch or a refund.

[DiBiddilyBop]

It's stupid that it's not even an option, but as a fighting game enthusiast, I can tell you that no even semi-serious fighting game player would use an analog stick for play. It probably never even occurred to them that someone would want to use the analog stick.

[KamaItachi]

Really, really. I actually shot off a email to Aksys asking for either a patch or a refund.

Horrible as it sounds, this makes me glad I may have another 6-odd months before we see the Euro/Aus version of this game. If it's not fixed by then I'm going over to the dev's office personally to break a few necks.

[Joshkdmw]

It's stupid that it's not even an option, but as a fighting game enthusiast, I can tell you that no even semi-serious fighting game player would use an analog stick for play. It probably never even occurred to them that someone would want to use the analog stick.

I am semi-serious. I like to play every fighter that comes out. DO I enter competitions? No. But I am semi-serious. I can and do use the analog stick for every game on the 360. I have always used an analog stick to play fighters. And how the hell is a D-pad any better?

It MUST have occurred to them. They must have looked at street fighter and noted the option for joystick movement. I mean, did they make the game in a vacuum?

[KamaItachi]

It's stupid that it's not even an option, but as a fighting game enthusiast, I can tell you that no even semi-serious fighting game player would use an analog stick for play. It probably never even occurred to them that someone would want to use the analog stick.

Any fighter, no matter on home console or a handheld, should at least give the option for accessibility. Dedicated fighter fans may or may not use the nub, but it should be the player's choice.

I'll bet this is a holdover from the PSP version that has the reversed d-pad/analogue nub layout and it didn't occur to them to fix it.

[Akion-Totocha]

Well, there goes my desire to play this game. Bye bye desire!

[Zero]

I'm actually kind of surprised at how many people use analog for fighting games.

[Joshkdmw]

Okay, so after a day, my rage has subsided. It still sucks, but I guess it's playable. Not like I can play competitively, as it has no online, either.

Here was the email I sent to Aksys support:

I picked up Blazblue for my 3DS today, because I'm a big fan of the franchise.

I was severely disappointed to find that not only is the circle pad not the standard movement input, it's not even allowed to be that way if I change the control settings. This decision baffles me. If you found the controls didn't work well, well, maybe that was the case for your play-testers. Personally, I've always played fighters on an analog stick (like the 360, and even other fighters on the 3DS) and I liked them just fine.

So, the game, as designed, is completely unplayable for me. It's like looking at a delicious meal concealed behind a sheet of bulletproof glass. Great to loo at, but I can't really get my hands on it.

As I've bought the game an opened it, I can't return it at my local game shop. It's not THEIR fault the design is faulty on the game - that rests upon the developers.

So, I would like to get a refund for the game, or find out if it is possible for it to be patched very soon. As it is, I have wasted forty dollars on a game that I should by all logic be enjoying immensely this very moment. How do I begin the process of getting refunded?

Sincerely,

Joshkdmw

Their response:

Hi Joshkdmw,

Unfortunately you would need to return it to the retailer you purchased
it from for a refund or exchange. Usually GameStop has a 30 day return
policy with receipt.

There are no plans to patch the game at this time either.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

Please let us know if you have any other questions.

Thanks!

Aksys Games Support

Which strikes me as a polite way of telling me to fuck off. I shot a tweet at their official twitter account inquiring about the decision, but they've made no comment. So THAT'S awesome.

Man, I coulda got DoA: Dimensions. That's what I went in the store for. Then I saw BlazBlue and figured I had a winner. Ol' Josh gambled and lost.

[KamaItachi]

Man, I coulda got DoA: Dimensions. That's what I went in the store for. Then I saw BlazBlue and figured I had a winner. Ol' Josh gambled and lost.

Man, my urge to get his just evaporated.

You really should see if you can bring it back/trade and get yourself DoA. That game is oarsome.

[Joshkdmw]

Probably not full credit - it's an indie shop, so no hassle-free return bit. I could prolly snag decent credit, as I'm willing to bet they don't have another used copy. Then they can sell it, the store will get money for two copies, and aksys only one. Not usually a fan of sticking it to devs, but they kind of fucked me on this one.

[Kielaran]

They did tell you to fuck off. Making it a used copy would only return the favor. I say do it. :)

[JayVe]

I'm gonna agree with Kama. DOA Dimensions has plenty of oars in it.

[Gorvi]

They did tell you to fuck off. Making it a used copy would only return the favor. I say do it. :)
What exactly were they supposed to do? Patch it just for one person who has a problem with the control scheme? That's asinine.

[Kielaran]

What exactly were they supposed to do? Patch it just for one person who has a problem with the control scheme? That's asinine.

I just meant that he should not feel bad trading it in because the game is missing a basic control scheme. One that he feels he needs to enjoy it and that there are no plans on patching in.

Also I doubt he is the only one with the problem, just maybe the most vocal.

On a side note, was I the only one who found it odd that they shilled Gamestop in their reply?

[JayVe]

I just meant that he should not feel bad trading it in because the game is missing a basic control scheme. One that he feels he needs to enjoy it and that there are no plans on patching in.

Also I doubt he is the only one with the problem, just maybe the most vocal.

On a side note, was I the only one who found it odd that they shilled Gamestop in their reply?

Are there really any other game stores these days? Egghead software? Funcoland?

[Gorvi]

I just meant that he should not feel bad trading it in because the game is missing a basic control scheme. One that he feels he needs to enjoy it and that there are no plans on patching in.

Also I doubt he is the only one with the problem, just maybe the most vocal.

On a side note, was I the only one who found it odd that they shilled Gamestop in their reply?
Oh, I don't think he should feel bad about trading it in if he's unhappy with it, I just think expecting some kind of compensation from the publisher is a bit much. Really, I think most people would use the d-pad any way over an analog stick for a fighter, but maybe there should be a poll for that. ;)

As for the GameStop thing, it's not all that surprising, they are the largest game specific retailer out there.

[Kielaran]

Well you never know til you ask.

Gamestop may be the largest game specific retailer but there are a lot of other places to buy games. It just looked weird with so many places out there to get games.

[Joshkdmw]

Oh, I don't think he should feel bad about trading it in if he's unhappy with it, I just think expecting some kind of compensation from the publisher is a bit much. Really, I think most people would use the d-pad any way over an analog stick for a fighter, but maybe there should be a poll for that. ;)

That makes sense. I'm in the minority, so it doesn't really matter what my preferences are, I'll do as I'm told. The opinions of a larger group render my own opinions invalid. :o

But hey, let's do the math. There are what - three fighters on the 3DS now? Two of them have the option to use the analog stick OR the dpad. One of them only allows dpad used. Which would mean that BlazBlue is in the minority. SO really, fuck THEM, they should have to go along with everyone else and do as they're told and get an analog stick option in there.

OR we can just acknowledge right here and now that "Most people do things differently" is a really fucking stupid argument for anything and move on. :D

[Gorvi]

That makes sense. I'm in the minority, so it doesn't really matter what my preferences are, I'll do as I'm told. The opinions of a larger group render my own opinions invalid. :o

But hey, let's do the math. There are what - three fighters on the 3DS now? Two of them have the option to use the analog stick OR the dpad. One of them only allows dpad used. Which would mean that BlazBlue is in the minority. SO really, fuck THEM, they should have to go along with everyone else and do as they're told and get an analog stick option in there.

OR we can just acknowledge right here and now that "Most people do things differently" is a really fucking stupid argument for anything and move on. :D
I'm not saying you're wrong for wanting to use the circle pad (I'm implying it :p), but I do think you're wrong for asking the publisher to refund your money for that support not being there. They just went with what was more popular and neglected to support an alternative method. They're in the wrong, just like every developer that doesn't support left handed controls.

[Zero]

If every publisher gave refunds for a design decision, I'd hate to think of what video games would be like now.

[JayVe]

They just went with what was more popular and neglected to support an alternative method.

Actually, they didn't go with what is 'more popular'. While the hardcore may prefer the d-pad... MOST players will be using the analog stick. Why? Cause MOST games use the analog stick. Therefore most players use the analog stick most of the time for most games. Even looking at other fighting games... when was the last time a fighting game didn't allow the use of the analog stick? The 'most popular' approach would to be to design the game that can be played on both. Like other popular options.

I would be pissed if I purchased a driving game and it forced me to use the d-pad to steer. Sure, that is the way it USED to be, but all the competition allows players to use the analog stick.

This thread ensures that I do not pick up Blazblue for the 3DS... which I was previously considering.

Edit: Even the 360 and PS3 versions of Blazblu support the analog stick. Support should definitely be there for the 3DS version.

[OrangePulp]

It's stupid that it's not even an option, but as a fighting game enthusiast, I can tell you that no even semi-serious fighting game player would use an analog stick for play. It probably never even occurred to them that someone would want to use the analog stick.

Not sure about the 3DS and it's stick/nub/whatever specifically, but I tend to watch tournament streams, and I've seen pad players for 360/PS3 use the stick. Guys that are actually competing successfully. I'll give it to you that it's not common, for sure, but it's also not unheard of. Especially considering fighting games are usually played with an analogue stick of a different sort (dedicated arcade stick).

[Daytime_Lantern]

Got it on PSN the day it got up. $25 bucks and it was a steal. Now, I can be awful at this game on the go!