Cerny Envisions Knack as an "On-Ramp" to Console Gaming

Mark Cerny has explained that he wants Knack to be the "on-ramp" to console gaming.

Speaking at today's Develop Conference in Brighton, the PlayStation 4's lead system architect talked about his hopes for the game he's currently developing.

Cerny began by explaining that Knack should inspire nostalgia in players familiar with both Crash Bandicoot and Spyro the Dragon, but also offer something to newer gamers not used to the complexity of console games.

He posited that older gamers had grown up playing on arcade machines and then handhelds, both of which created familiarity for that generation with complex control schemes. More recently though, the introductory form of gaming for many has been through smartphones, which are far more simple to input commands with. What Cerny and his team wanted Knack to become, then, was "an on-ramp to the world of console gaming" for those not familiar with the medium, while still retaining enough challenge for those who want it.

Additionally, he and his team created a DualShock 4 twice the normal size in a bid to replicate the experience had by an eight year-old; this led to the discovery that the shoulder buttons weren't viable for younger gamers, and Knack's control scheme was adjusted accordingly.

Luke Karmali is IGN's UK Junior Editor and pre-ordered his PS4. You too can revel in mediocrity by following him on IGN and on Twitter.

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