Had this happen recently with Rogue Trader, it was taking so long to load the assets and stuff I alt-tabbed then came back later and stared at the screen for a good long time before I saw the, “press any key to continue…”
Gods, I absolutely hate interactive loading screens.
No, I don’t need tips.
No, I’m not taking a bathroom break.
No, I don’t want to play Galaga while I wait.
I wouldn’t mind playing gallaga while I wait, shame that when this patent finally died, loading became too fast warrant a retrogame.
Whats the point of those screens anyway? I just started the game and waited for the loading screen. What else do you think I would want to do but continue? Oh, yes, nothing, because it is literally the only option. Then just send me to main menu right away instead of wasting my time
I read somewhere that it was a compliance requirement for some consoles. The player has to be able to interact with the game after X seconds or something, and that screen gives you a chance to push a button before seeing more cutscenes or something.
I wouldn’t be surprised if that was a requirement for older systems that got carried over because tradition. Like, an arcade game wouldn’t go to the next screen just because you put a quarter in it, it waits until you hit a ready button to confirm you’re ready to play the game.
Thanks for the explanation. I still find it weird that developers spend time on that screen if it servers no real purpose, at least nowadays
Back in the days of long loading times you went to the washroom, got a drink, etc. So it was nice that it didn’t autoplay.
That makes sense. But I was talking about games where you only go to the main menu after pressing a key
I know something’s up if it doesn’t start in 5 seconds ever since I switched to NVMe SSDs
Shader compilation is the new rage, mate. NVMe won’t save you.
I’d rather wait for shader compilation than getting random stutters whenever a boss whips out a new move. Looking at you, Elden Ring.
I would have rage quit long before that, but then, I’m an impatient sod.
I hate this so much, just get on with it, why are they asking me to press a button to continue?
one reason could be to prevent that while you are getting your drink while the game loads you spawn in, get killed and lose
Then that’s a bad design.
This often happens even before the main menu. The game could send you to the main menu right away no problem.
I needed that time to rethink my life.
The thing that often gets me is when it’s a screen that’s entire purpose is to show you the loading symbol (so you know what it looks like and not to shut off the console during it) and you just click to continue.
So in this case I typically notice just the symbol and an waiting for it to go away on a screen where it will never go away.
I think Persona 5 Royal and/or Yakuza: Like a Dragon are examples of games that have this when you first start them.
