As we have found repeatedly, the reluctance to accept yellow paint in games is often overshadowed by its practicality. This distinctive shading has become a universal method for guiding players through obstacles, although it frequently sparks debate on its potential laziness in design.

Recently, Naoki Hamaguchi, director of “Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth,” addressed this ongoing issue during promotional discussions for his game in early 2024. He stated, “I understand there’s a debate about it—whether it suits the environment or not, whether it’s wanted or not. But I think, as a game feature, there’s definitely a place for it in many contexts. Different developers will experiment with how best to integrate it in their games.”

This isn’t surprising; indeed, Hamaguchi’s remarks largely echo what has been previously said. For instance, while I don’t mind yellow markers generally, I was particularly irked by their haphazard application in “Stellar Blade,” where it felt particularly out of place.

The persistent discussions about yellow paint exemplify its necessity in gameplay, from aiding navigation to indicating interactive elements. Hamaguchi concluded, “The need to usher players along from a gameplay standpoint and show them actionable paths is sometimes indispensable. There’s no doubt about it, but the manner in which it’s done merits consideration.”