As handholding mechanics come under fire elsewhere, Control Resonant devs confirm they made a "conscious decision" not to use yellow paint

Control Resonant, one of the few modern open-world games, does not always guide players on their next move. The game's director, Mikael Kasurinen, confirmed this during an appearance on the Dropped Frames podcast. Kasurinen stated that this decision was made deliberately, emphasizing the importance of player autonomy in creating a good game. He explained that the game does not tell players what to do, allowing them to make their own choices.

Kasurinen further stated that it is crucial for players to feel they are figuring things out themselves. The use of yellow and white paint in games, particularly open-world ones, has been a source of ridicule recently. Games like Marvel's Wolverine have been criticized for using yellow paint to mark paths, with players jokingly referring to it as "fart trails." In response, Insomniac Games added a toggle to turn off these visual cues, but the damage had already been done.

Control Resonant's decision not to use similar tricks is noteworthy, given the game's larger map compared to the original Control, which relied on diegetic signs. The game does use yellow paint, but it is more organic, fitting the industrial design of the surfaces. Kasurinen said while he is not entirely against the practice, it must fit thematically within the game's world. The game encourages players to make their own decisions on what to do with the visual elements they encounter, ensuring they feel in control.