QTEs Must Die: 10 Reasons to Evolve Game Interaction
Let’s talk about a phantom limb in the body of modern game design. An unwelcome guest, a twitch in the system. I’m talking about Quick Time Events, or QTEs. They promised immersion, interaction, and pulse-pounding action. What we got instead was button-mashing anxiety and a pervasive sense of… what was the point?
It’s time for an intervention. It’s time to acknowledge that QTEs are, more often than not, a disservice to players and a crutch for developers. Let’s delve into why they fail, and how we can build a better, more engaging future for action-oriented games. Prepare yourselves, developers, for a reckoning.
10 Reasons Why QTEs Must Die (Or At Least Evolve)
Here are 10 reasons why QTEs are detrimental to gameplay, and what you can do to create something infinitely more engaging. Let’s get started.
1. The Illusion of Agency
QTEs present a false sense of control. You think you’re making a difference. You’re desperately hammering a button, but the outcome is often pre-determined.
It’s a cinematic rollercoaster pretending to be a game, a choose-your-own-adventure where all roads lead to the same destination. The challenge here is to provide real choices with impactful consequences. Consider branching narratives and multiple solutions to obstacles.
2. Disrupted Flow and Immersion
Nothing shatters the immersive experience of a beautifully crafted game world quite like a jarring QTE prompt. It’s a neon sign screaming "Look at me! Don’t think, just react!". This completely breaks the flow, pulling the player out of the experience and into a state of anxious reflex.
We must prioritize a continuous, unbroken experience. Instead of QTEs, integrate actions seamlessly into the gameplay loop. This can be done through contextual actions triggered by player proximity or specific in-game states.
3. The Button-Mashing Grind
The sheer repetition of button-mashing often associated with QTEs is not engaging gameplay. It’s a test of endurance, not skill or strategy. Carpal tunnel, anyone?
The solution is to replace repetitive actions with meaningful choices that require player skill and understanding of the game’s mechanics. For instance, in a climbing sequence, require players to manage stamina, find optimal routes, and react to environmental hazards.
4. Lack of Skill Expression
QTEs rarely reward skill or strategic thinking. They are often binary: succeed or fail. This lacks depth and doesn’t allow players to demonstrate their mastery of the game’s systems.
Instead, aim for mechanics that allow players to express their skill and creativity. Give them tools and systems that reward experimentation and mastery. Consider the combat system in Devil May Cry 5, where players can chain together complex combos and express their individual playstyles.
5. Punishing Failure Unfairly
Failing a QTE can often result in instant death or significant setbacks, even if the player has been performing well up to that point. This feels arbitrary and punishing, especially when the QTE is poorly telegraphed or requires obscure inputs. Imagine fighting a tough boss, only to instantly lose to a QTE.
The solution is to make failure less punishing and more instructive. Instead of instant death, consider implementing a system where failed QTEs result in minor setbacks or opportunities to learn from mistakes.
6. Accessibility Issues
QTEs can pose significant challenges for players with disabilities, particularly those affecting motor skills or reaction time. The rapid button presses and precise timing required can make these sequences inaccessible. Accessibility should be a priority, not an afterthought.
Implement alternative control schemes or difficulty settings that allow players to bypass or modify QTEs. Consider options for auto-completion or simplified input methods. The Last of Us Part II offers an impressive suite of accessibility options that should serve as a benchmark for the industry.
7. Over-Reliance as a Crutch
Developers sometimes use QTEs as a shortcut to create dramatic moments or simulate complex actions. They become a crutch, replacing genuine gameplay mechanics with cheap spectacle. This reveals a lack of creativity and a dependence on tired tropes.
Instead of relying on QTEs, challenge yourselves to design innovative gameplay mechanics that genuinely engage players. Think about how Shadow of the Colossus creates epic moments through its unique climbing and combat system.
8. Predictability and Lack of Surprise
Once you’ve encountered a few QTEs, you know what to expect. The element of surprise is gone, replaced by a sense of dread and anticipation of the next button-mashing sequence. Predictability breeds boredom.
Introduce elements of unpredictability into your gameplay. Use procedural generation or adaptive AI to create dynamic and engaging experiences that keep players on their toes.
9. The “Press X to Not Die” Meme
The prevalence of QTEs has spawned countless memes and jokes, highlighting their absurdity and lack of genuine engagement. The “Press X to Not Die” trope has become synonymous with lazy game design. It highlights the community perception.
Listen to the criticism and take it to heart. The gaming community is intelligent and discerning. Avoid falling into the trap of relying on tired tropes and clichés.
10. Missed Opportunities for True Interaction
Perhaps the biggest tragedy of QTEs is the missed opportunities they represent. They occupy space where truly engaging and meaningful interaction could exist. They stifle creativity and limit the potential for immersive gameplay.
Embrace the challenge of creating genuinely interactive experiences that empower players and reward their skill and ingenuity. Let’s look at how Breath of the Wild rewards exploration and experimentation with its open-world design and physics-based gameplay. The possibilities are endless.
Replacing the Phantom Limb: Concrete Solutions
So, we’ve diagnosed the problem. Now, let’s move towards solutions. Let’s discuss some concrete alternatives to QTEs that can revitalize action-oriented games:
Contextual Actions: Implement actions that are triggered by specific in-game states or environmental cues. For example, instead of a button prompt to jump across a chasm, require players to time their jump based on the wind conditions or the crumbling edges of the cliff.
Skill-Based Mechanics: Replace button-mashing sequences with mechanics that require skill and precision. For example, instead of a QTE to parry an attack, require players to time their parry based on the enemy’s animation and attack pattern. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is a masterclass in skill-based combat.
Branching Narratives: Give players meaningful choices that affect the outcome of the story. Instead of a predetermined sequence of events, allow players to make decisions that have real consequences.
Environmental Puzzles: Integrate interactive elements into the environment that players must manipulate to progress. This could involve solving puzzles, using the environment to their advantage, or finding hidden pathways.
Physics-Based Interactions: Allow players to interact with the environment in a realistic and meaningful way. This could involve using physics to solve puzzles, create traps, or overcome obstacles. Half-Life 2’s gravity gun is a prime example.
A Case Study: God of War (2018)
The God of War reboot (2018) serves as an excellent example of how to evolve beyond QTEs. While earlier God of War titles heavily relied on QTEs for boss battles and dramatic moments, the reboot largely abandons this approach in favor of more engaging and skill-based combat.
Instead of button-mashing prompts, players must master Kratos’ axe-throwing skills, parry enemy attacks, and manage their rage meter to unleash devastating attacks. The game also features environmental interactions and puzzle-solving elements that add depth and variety to the gameplay.
The result is a more immersive and rewarding experience that respects the player’s skill and agency. The reboot demonstrates that it is possible to create epic and dramatic moments without resorting to tired QTE tropes.
The Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
Replacing QTEs isn’t a simple swap. Here are some common pitfalls and how to avoid them:
Complexity Creep: Don’t overcomplicate your mechanics. The goal is to create engaging gameplay, not to overwhelm players with convoluted systems. Focus on clarity and intuitiveness.
Lack of Polish: Ensure that your alternative mechanics are well-polished and responsive. Nothing is more frustrating than a poorly implemented system that feels clunky or unresponsive.
Ignoring Feedback: Pay attention to player feedback and iterate on your designs. Don’t be afraid to experiment and make changes based on what players are telling you.
Over-Reliance on Difficulty: Don’t confuse difficulty with engagement. Challenge players with smart design, not artificial difficulty spikes.
The Future of Interaction: A Call to Action
I ask you, developers, to embrace the challenge. Step away from the comfort zone of QTEs and explore the vast potential of truly interactive gameplay. The future of action-oriented games depends on it. We have a responsibility.
Let’s create experiences that empower players, reward their skill, and immerse them in worlds that feel truly alive. Let’s banish the phantom limb of QTEs and build a future where every interaction is meaningful and engaging. The audience demands it.
So let’s get to work. The potential for amazing interactive games lies ahead. This future of gaming begins with us.