Exciting developments are afoot in the realm of New World as the highly anticipated controller support feature officially launches with the Season of the Guardian on March 12th. The development team, in a recent devblog, opened up about the journey of bringing this feature to life, focusing on customization, accessibility, and the meticulous considerations for gameplay balance, especially in PvP scenarios.
Unveiling Controller Support: A Game-Changer
New World’s introduction of controller support marks a significant milestone in the game’s evolution, aiming to enhance the gaming experience for both casual and hardcore players. The development team embarked on this venture with clear goals: to develop native controller support that is both functional and customizable. From redesigning the user interface (UI) for better controller integration to fine-tuning combat, movement, and navigation, the team’s efforts were geared towards creating a seamless experience for controller users.
Accessibility features play a crucial role in this update, with the inclusion of a new radial menu for common functions, shift modifiers for easier combat ability access, and UI navigation shortcuts. These enhancements promise to make New World more accessible and enjoyable for a wider audience.
Striking a Balance in PvP
One of the most critical aspects of introducing controller support was ensuring PvP balance. The team decided against including target lock or aim assist in PvP at launch, acknowledging the potential for such features to disrupt the competitive balance. This careful approach reflects the team’s commitment to maintaining a fair and enjoyable PvP environment for all players, with plans to evaluate and adjust based on player feedback and gameplay data.
Looking Forward: Continuous Improvement and Community Feedback
As controller support rolls out, the New World team is not resting on its laurels. They are actively seeking player feedback through the Public Test Realm (PTR) and live build to make continuous improvements. Features like button remapping are already in the pipeline, signaling the team’s dedication to refining controller support in response to community input.
The introduction of controller support in New World is more than just a feature update; it’s a testament to the game’s evolving landscape and the development team’s commitment to creating an inclusive and immersive gaming experience. As players dive into the Season of the Guardian with their controllers in hand, the future of New World looks more promising and accessible than ever.
