Can we agree to stop including button-mashing quick time events in games? We’re all for fun and exciting gameplay, but when it comes to quick time events (QTEs) there are times when we’d prefer to simply watch a cutscene or have full control of the game.
It’s not just accessibility options that are important – newer games often have similar options for accessibility, too. Some of you may even find disabling QTEs makes gameplay faster and more enjoyable, giving you more time to look around and take in the environment. Others will enjoy the intensity and anxiety that button-mashing brings, and still others will reminisce about the enjoyment of button-mashing in older games. Whatever you think of them, QTEs have been a part of gaming for a long time, and are likely to continue to be so.
However, it’s important to realise that some players may find button-mashing stressful, even causing wrist pain. Our own writer and gamer with arthritis, Amy, talks about her personal experience with this in her article, Why I want button mashing in games to stop. Fortunately, there are alternatives to button mashing in many games, and some players have even suggested their own techniques for those that don’t.
Here’s what people are saying about button mashing QTEs in their games:
“I appreciate the option to change button-mashing to holding,” says Liam. “I also like games that have a ‘fail’ option, where you just get a slight pause in the Action, rather than having to repeat the sequence.”
“QTEs are the least immersive feature in games,” counters another user. “I think they should be patched out of the games that still have them, but I’m not going to argue with people who like them.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they add something to the gameplay, but if they don’t, they should be patched out,” says another user.
“I’m okay with QTEs if they are done as a cutscene,” says another. “I’d rather watch a cool cinematic than mash buttons.”
“I had an arm injury that was exacerbated by button-mashing QTEs,” says another user. “I would have stopped playing games altogether, but I was able to switch to using a keyboard for games.”
“I’d rather have a skip option,” says another.
“I enjoyed button-mashing in older games,” says another, “but I’ve injured my arm from it. I’d prefer to have a skip option.”
“I enjoy button-mashing because it’s challenging,” says another. “I’d rather have a skip option, though, because it can be annoying when you don’t expect them to appear.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they are useful to the story,” says another. “If they’re just there for the sake of being there, though, I’d rather have a skip option.”
“I’d rather have a button for skipping the QTEs,” says another. “I’d rather watch than play.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they’re funny,” says another. “I’m not okay with QTEs if they’re frustrating.”
“Button-mashing QTEs are a waste of time,” says another. “I’d rather they just be cutscenes.”
“If QTEs don’t add something to the game, they should be patched out,” says another. “They’re a waste of time.”
“I had to stop playing games for a time because of my wrist pain,” says another. “I have arthritis and am in a lot of pain. I’m glad I can still play games by using a keyboard, but I’d rather just have a skip option.”
“I’d rather have a button for skipping the QTEs,” says another. “I’d rather watch than play.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they’re funny,” says another. “I’m not okay with QTEs if they’re frustrating.”
“Button-mashing QTEs are a waste of time,” says another. “I’d rather they just be cutscenes.”
“If QTEs don’t add something to the game, they should be patched out,” says another. “They’re a waste of time.”
“I’d rather have a button for skipping the QTEs,” says another. “I’d rather watch than play.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they’re funny,” says another. “I’m not okay with QTEs if they’re frustrating.”
“Button-mashing QTEs are a waste of time,” says another. “I’d rather they just be cutscenes.”
“If QTEs don’t add something to the game, they should be patched out,” says another. “They’re a waste of time.”
“I’d rather have a button for skipping the QTEs,” says another. “I’d rather watch than play.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they’re funny,” says another. “I’m not okay with QTEs if they’re frustrating.”
“Button-mashing QTEs are a waste of time,” says another. “I’d rather they just be cutscenes.”
“If QTEs don’t add something to the game, they should be patched out,” says another. “They’re a waste of time.”
“I’d rather have a button for skipping the QTEs,” says another. “I’d rather watch than play.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they’re funny,” says another. “I’m not okay with QTEs if they’re frustrating.”
“Button-mashing QTEs are a waste of time,” says another. “I’d rather they just be cutscenes.”
“If QTEs don’t add something to the game, they should be patched out,” says another. “They’re a waste of time.”
“I’d rather have a button for skipping the QTEs,” says another. “I’d rather watch than play.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they’re funny,” says another. “I’m not okay with QTEs if they’re frustrating.”
“Button-mashing QTEs are a waste of time,” says another. “I’d rather they just be cutscenes.”
“If QTEs don’t add something to the game, they should be patched out,” says another. “They’re a waste of time.”
“I’d rather have a button for skipping the QTEs,” says another. “I’d rather watch than play.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they’re funny,” says another. “I’m not okay with QTEs if they’re frustrating.”
“Button-mashing QTEs are a waste of time,” says another. “I’d rather they just be cutscenes.”
“If QTEs don’t add something to the game, they should be patched out,” says another. “They’re a waste of time.”
“I’d rather have a button for skipping the QTEs,” says another. “I’d rather watch than play.”
“I’m okay with QTEs if they’re funny,” says another. “I’m not okay with QTEs if they’re frustrating.”
“Button-mashing QTEs are a waste of time,” says another. “I’d rather they just be cutscenes.”
“If QTEs don’t add something to the game, they should be patched out,” says another. “They’re a waste of time.”
“I’d rather have a button for skipping the QTEs,” says another. “I’d rather watch than play.”
