Developers Debate Over Use of Visual Cues on Twitter About Increasing Number of Yellow Signposts in Games

In recent years, almost every gamer has noticed the yellow paint phenomenon in AAA titles. It’s a visual cue that lets players know that they can interact with something in the environment. This phenomenon has now made its way to the upcoming Resident Evil 4 remake, sparking a bit of controversy.

What Is the Yellow Paint Phenomenon?

The yellow paint phenomenon is a type of in-game directional marker that is used to guide players to certain items or locations. It is particularly common in Naughty Dog titles but has recently been spotted in the Resident Evil 4 remake. On Twitter, this sparked a mini-controversy as some people felt that the yellow paint was too obvious and out of place.

Developers Weigh In

The debate over signposting has been ongoing for some time, and developers have weighed in on the issue. Chet Faliszek, who worked on Left 4 Dead, remarked that players often don’t know what to do without very obvious visual cues. Ubisoft designer @AgentDeli added that it’s either this or a button prompt every time a player enters a room.

The Necessity of Signposting

Ultimately, it is a necessity for game developers to add very obvious signposts in order to help guide players. This is often the result of playtests that reveal that players often skip over environmental props unless they are given very clear indications of where to go. As graphical fidelity has improved, these visual cues have had to become more obvious in order to be effective.

While some may find the yellow paint phenomenon to be a bit too obvious, it is a necessary tool for game developers. It helps guide players to the right items and locations, preventing them from missing important parts of the game. It may not be the most subtle way to do it, but it is an effective one.

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