Control Resonant Director: No Yellow Paint Was a Conscious Choice
Mikael Kasurinen says Control Resonant's lack of yellow paint was deliberate, citing player autonomy as key to a good game.
Control Resonant director Mikael Kasurinen has confirmed that the game's lack of yellow paint was a conscious design decision. Speaking on the Dropped Frames podcast, Kasurinen said player autonomy is a key factor in making a good game.
Yellow paint has become a subject of ridicule in recent years as games use it to guide players through environments. Control Resonant does use the colour yellow on certain objects, but its industrial design makes it look organic rather than a blatant signpost.
The original Control took place inside an office building and relied on diegetic signs for orientation. That approach appears to carry over to the sequel, with Kasurinen framing the choice as a matter of respecting player agency.
Elsewhere in the wider games landscape, Marvel's Wolverine from Insomniac Games was criticised for its blue scent trails, which players dubbed "fart trails." Insomniac later added a toggle to turn off the scent trails in the game.
Quick answers
Did Control Resonant remove yellow paint on purpose?
Yes. Director Mikael Kasurinen confirmed on the Dropped Frames podcast that the lack of yellow paint was a conscious decision.
Does Control Resonant use yellow at all?
Yes, the game uses the colour yellow on certain objects, but the industrial design makes it look organic.
Why did Insomniac add a toggle to Marvel's Wolverine?
Insomniac added a toggle to turn off the game's blue scent trails after players criticised them.