Kids React to Old Technology (New! Teens react to NES)

[Luke]

Grumpy old dudes thread.

Let kids like what they like.

I'm on board with the guys who prefer buttons and joysticks, but kids want to be "cool" and touch is what's popular. Plus if we complain, then it's our responsibility to show kids how awesome some gameboy games are.

I admire mjrmjmj (Mike) for introducing his kids to great games that have aged well.

[dsheinem]

I honestly don't understand how anyone can prefer gaming on a touch device to one with actual buttons. Like, if nothing else, I would hate it when the screen inevitably get's covered in smudges and fingerprints. I don't think I have to explain why buttons are better for actual gameplay to this crowd. :/

depends on the game, frankly. There are plenty of great touch games that would suck with a controller.

Does he still think Star Wars is based on Angry Birds?

We've not yet tried crossing that bridge again. We need another viewing of A New Hope this summer to see if he gets it better.

[Key-Glyph]

I honestly don't understand how anyone can prefer gaming on a touch device to one with actual buttons. Like, if nothing else, I would hate it when the screen inevitably get's covered in smudges and fingerprints. I don't think I have to explain why buttons are better for actual gameplay to this crowd. :/

I read an article in The Atlantic that made an interesting point: while you have to learn what a button, joystick, or a mouse is for and what your relationship is to the result -- the concept that you manipulate an attachment and something indirectly happens on the screen -- it's way more intuitive to toddlers to touch the screen itself and directly manipulate what's there with their fingers, without the middleman. If they grow up used to that style from such a young age, I can see how it would seem clunky and restrictive to go back to buttons.

I watched the video and can't help wishing that some of the kids would tone down the "this is the worst thing ever" reactions they're obviously playing up for the camera... but then that would be effectively asking them to stop being kids, wouldn't it? That kid with the "bag of batteries" comment was hilariously and brilliantly spot-on, though.

I recommend that article above, though -- it's an interesting read on many accounts.

[Hobie-wan]

I honestly don't understand how anyone can prefer gaming on a touch device to one with actual buttons. Like, if nothing else, I would hate it when the screen inevitably get's covered in smudges and fingerprints. I don't think I have to explain why buttons are better for actual gameplay to this crowd. :/

I read an article in The Atlantic that made an interesting point: while you have to learn what a button, joystick, or a mouse is for and what your relationship is to the result -- the concept that you manipulate an attachment and something indirectly happens on the screen -- it's way more intuitive to toddlers to touch the screen itself and directly manipulate what's there with their fingers, without the middleman. If they grow up used to that style from such a young age, I can see how it would seem clunky and restrictive to go back to buttons.

The big thing though is that once you understand what a joystick and buttons are, from that point on if you see one you pretty much know there's a video game or some mechanical thing nearby that will move when you manipulate them. Also once you get used to the particular controls and what they do you are able to work them without having to look at them all the time. Touch screen controls need to be looked at (or close to other tactile feedback like the edge of the device) pretty often to use them.

Car infotainment/climate control nonsense has this same issue. In a car with good old buttons, after a little adjustment you can reach over and twist the middle knob one click to the right to speed up the fan, then reach down a little and do the same with the radio volume without diverting your eyes off the road. With a touchscreen interface controlling everything you'll probably have to change screens at least once to do both of those things and it is very unlikely you'd be able to do it without looking even once you're familiar with the system.

[Key-Glyph]

Car infotainment/climate control nonsense has this same issue. In a car with good old buttons, after a little adjustment you can reach over and twist the middle knob one click to the right to speed up the fan, then reach down a little and do the same with the radio volume without diverting your eyes off the road. With a touchscreen interface controlling everything you'll probably have to change screens at least once to do both of those things and it is very unlikely you'd be able to do it without looking even once you're familiar with the system.

Oh, I completely agree with you! I have an entire laundry list of reasons why I'm personally in favor of unique tactile experiences when it comes to controls.

But the thing with the kids is that even the ones who can't even walk yet get the occasional spin with iPads and iPhones, and despite lacking the motor skills to have anything even resembling control over their environment, they can get satisfying results from it. Poking a touch screen and getting an image to do something neat (which is now often specifically designed to feel rewarding and powerful to kiddies that young) is the equivalent of knocking blocks over or squeezing a squeaky toy. So they become accustomed to the controls super early, and they might be resistant to or skeptical of trying something different later on.

I just imagine that these kids feel the same way I do when I try to tackle the harder levels in Lemmings on the Genesis. The game requires more control and speed than I can possibly get out of that D-pad, and it's frustrating. The difference is that as adults we can understand that games are built to be successful with certain controls, or that a game (or car!) experience can be broken by a bad interface, instead of being so easily convinced that a certain type is superior in most instances.

[SNESdrunk]

I'd like to see kids react to Merlin. LOVED this as a kid.

[Gunstar Green]

I'd like to see kids react to Merlin. LOVED this as a kid.

Oh man, I still have a Merlin in a drawer somewhere. That would melt their brains.

[jfrost]

They could have put in a different game than Tetris there.

It's a great game, but nowadays it doesn't stand out the way it did back then.

[ExedExes]

New video!

Teens React to NES

Bonus: One of them says "CRT TV". Definitely future RB material.

[jvalentine98]

Thought I read once that a gameboy survived a bombing over in the middle east, and despite some outer damage, it still plays games. Maybe it was on display at an official Nintendo store or museum