I am in the process of reviewing a game and would like to know if people consider the following scenario a fail. The starting screen of the game says "press jump to continue" and it states that the A button is mapped to "jump." So I press A with my controller #2 and I play the game. After I die, I am brought back to the starting screen. At this point, the starting screen of the game only responds to controller #2 and not to controller #1. So even if I wanted to switch the predominant controller (for example, so my friend could play with his controller), I cannot. Now normally games that show a starting screen and ask for button input are implying that the function of the screen is to choose the predominant controller. In this case, this functionality works but only the first time you encounter the screen.

Do you think this is a fail in peer review?

There's lots of games that don't allow you to switch controllers after that first screen, or don't let you back to the press start screen.

I don't think I would fail for this one. It worked with other controllers, it didn't require me to play hunt the controller.

I would give them feedback that you expected different behaviour.

I think it is not fail worthy. If you're able to start the game with any controller it is ok.

The ZMan:

There's lots of games that don't allow you to switch controllers after that first screen, or don't let you back to the press start screen.

Right, but this one allows you to go back to the start screen.

I think if you wanted to fail nobody would call it unjust. I personally wouldn't on this one.

The ZMan:

I personally wouldn't on this one.

Agreed. You started the game with one controller and just because you can't switch during the game doesn't mean a fail, no matter that you're at a menu.

If the game previously allowed the player to use any controller on that screen but no longer does, and there has been nothing communicated to the player that would indicate why it's the case, I would say it's a fail.  Arbitrarily changing the scenarios under which controllers work without communicating the change to the player is definitely a fail point to me.

From the Evil Checklist:

(Developers: Support for switching controllers mid-game is not required. The Player usually implicitly "declares" the active controller at the "Press Start" or "Main Menu" screen.)

Jim Perry:

Agreed. You started the game with one controller and just because you can't switch during the game doesn't mean a fail, no matter that you're at a menu.

But this screen is not a menu. The whole purpose of this screen (in my opinion) is to determine the active controller. There are no other real options (except for exiting the game).

By the way, I haven't failed the game. I am just mulling over what I am going to do.

While I probably wouldn't fail it I wouldn't pass it either, when you are at the press start to play screen you should be able to change controllers. That is what the screen is, if you can't then I don't understand why they take you to the start screen again? Definitely confusing. Perhaps you just post to the developer that this is a point of confusion and that they should fix it.

I think this should be a pass with feedback. It's definitely ok to have the controller locked in once you've passed the "press ___ to start" screen, so this seems like more of a let them know in case they want to change it issue.

BogTurtleCarl:

But this screen is not a menu. The whole purpose of this screen (in my opinion) is to determine the active controller.

When you first start the game. Why would you switch controllers in the middle of a game?

Jim Perry:

When you first start the game. Why would you switch controllers in the middle of a game?

Although definitely not something required, I can think of a few "why" answers on switching controllers.

Your first controller starts acting flaky after you threw it at the wall or is low on rechargable batteries, while you also own a wired controller in perfectly working order, though a bit inconvenient...
You and a friend are taking turns playing, but don't want to use the same saves (diff profiles on diff controllers)
You're like me, and have a game that supports controllers, drums, and guitar and want the player to be able to switch between them from the main menu.

Jim Perry:

When you first start the game. Why would you switch controllers in the middle of a game?

The best example I can think of is if I am playing the game and a friend is watching who has his or her own controller. When my game ends, maybe they want to play with the controller in their hands.

I wouldn't have a problem with the game if it took me back to the screen that comes right after the controller activation screen. But taking me back to the controller activation screen implies to me that I should be able to change controllers.

A majority of the people here have responded that they wouldn't fail for this issue. Because of this, I think I will abstain from reviewing this game. Thanks for all the comments!

I agree its a nice to have feature. More important for XBL games where you want the acivements to match to the right controller/login. But useful also if the game honors gamer settigns like reverseY. But I rank it as even less annoying that not having an exit option in terms of features.