I was 5 years old and had no problem learning how to play SNES. Controllers haven't got much more complicated since then, but people have gotten dumber I suppose.

I find keyboard and mouse coupled with building a rig and installing a game+making it run be more intimidating than a controller and a console.

But guess it`s just me then...

But I always will hate the Dreamcast controller.

Why do people have a hard time believing a 10 button controller with 2 analog sticks and a d-pad MIGHT be intimidating to people who aren't already familiar with it?

Somehow I doubt anyone here picked up their first console FPS and was circle-strafing while throwing grenades, hitting melee attacks, and firing at bad guys in the first 2 minutes.


It's not that it's impossible to learn, it's just intimidating and with a significant learning curve.

Yup. I've had some problems with controllers, but I'll get used to it though. The barrier may also apply to games themselves. For example, a game can a delayed button input. This may range from mildly to very annoying depending on how long the delay is. So controllers and possibly games themselves are barriers. The other problem is when controllers are broken. Now you have something to worry about.

Yes, controllers are a barrier to people playing video games. I'm really surprised that some people don't see that. I though it was common knowledge by now.

Try handing a traditional controller to your parents.  They have no clue what to do.  Even a controller as simple as the SNES controller caused problems like that.

At that age learning is easy.

Also:

SNES - 6 buttons + direction pad (just 4 directions for the most part)

Dual Shock 3 - 6 buttons + direction pad, + 2 analogue triggers + 2 analogue control sticks (with the click function adding 2 more buttons as well) + motion control.

i dunno, but if can't use a dualshock 3, you better have nervious system checked.
with you know who.

Hmm. . . I would be more worried about your inability to use a keyboard, and grammar.

OT: It just absolutely amazes me the arrogance of the people here. I now can see why people think that their particular toy is so great, clearly their well-being is absolutely tied to the performance of their toy and their ability to play with it. No, there is nothing wrong with someone being intimidated and feeling like the controller is confusing. I have been gaming since 1982 and I still sometimes have a hard time adjusting to a newer control scheme in a game (Assassins Creed comes to mind). Some people need a serious reality check.

Well is it easier to swing a TV remote to hit a virtual ball or move your character with a stick using one thumb while pressing a button combination with another? Is it easier to aim at something to shoot it with a stick or by pointing at it?

This is exactly why the Wii has done so well.

Edit: In fact here's something that may give you the same feeling as they have.. You've been in a coma and wake up 2 years after the release of Halo 4, here's the controller you have to use, enjoy taking it to your friends who all have experience with the set up.