HB STUDIOS DEVELOPMENT TEAM SHARE WHAT MAKES 3-CLICK SWING A USEFUL ALTERNATIVE
PGA TOUR 2K23 is the only golf simulation game on the market that offers both Standard Swing Stick and the popular 3-Click Swing mechanic. Whether you’re new to the PGA TOUR 2K franchise or an experienced player, both offer responsive feedback and results that make taking on some of the world’s finest courses challenging, yet enjoyable. PGA TOUR 2K23 gives you more accessibility and variety than you’ll find elsewhere, making it the premier platform for ultra-realistic gameplay. Recently, HB Studios shared what went into designing the 3-Click Swing and how it compares to the Swing Stick.
Q: One of the biggest additions to the PGA TOUR 2K franchise is the 3-Click Swing. How did the HB Studios team arrive at the decision to incorporate it into PGA TOUR 2K23?
Accessibility. Our franchise has long been regarded as not-so-accessible, and with terms like “the Dark Souls of Golf'' being tossed around on more than one occasion, we felt it was paramount that we offer an alternative means to engage with our game.
3-Click has been a long requested feature from our community, and as the franchise grows so too must our approach to listening to our community.
Q: What benefits does the 3-Click Swing offer when compared to the standard swing?
3-Click provides a different way to swing, not only in the input method, but also the mindset. With 3-click you play a reactionary role with gameplay using visual queues to hit the perfect shot, while Swing Stick is entirely driven by the player's rhythm. That said, we did incorporate a rhythm element to 3-Click to allow the two-input systems to feel like they belong together under the same roof.
Q: This isn’t the first time the 3-Click Swing has appeared in a golf game, but what sets this version apart from the competition?
We approached 3-Click the same way we have been approaching Swing Stick, with player input skill at the forefront of every decision. Each input drives a specific aspect of the swing outcome, just like Swing Stick. There is no RNG here. Everything is determined by the player’s input.
Q: PGA TOUR 2K strives to achieve ultra-realism; how does the 3-Click Swing factor into that?
Our take on 3-Click is a bit unique in that we use a press, hold, and release to set the power, before the two additional clicks determine push/pull (2nd) and hook/slice (3rd). This approach to power requires a different kind of reactionary input and because of that controlling distance on a shot becomes more challenging.
And, as noted above, because we follow the same principals of our ultra-realistic swing stick input, the 3-click follows suit.
Q: How does the 3-Click Swing cater to more advanced players?
Like our Swing Stick, 3-Click has all the same difficulty settings. From the casual to the hardcore, both input systems can offer a challenge suitable for all levels of Skill. Legend difficulty 3-Click is no joke. There’s a certain “Breaking 60 on Legend 3-Click” youtube series from Respawn Sports, one of our community members that takes you through all trials and tribulations of a veteran player playing 3-Click at the top difficulty level.
Q: On the HB Studios team, what's the split like between those who use 3-Click Swing versus the standard swing?
It’s a pretty even split. 3-Click offers an immediate familiarity, even though it has its differences, that allow folks who previously struggled to get in there and compete with the more experienced folks on the team.
Q: Do you find that experienced golfers tend to prefer one swing style over the other when playing PGA TOUR 2K23?
Not really. There will always be players in both camps, and then those who sit on the fence between them. Generally speaking both inputs are getting heavy usage. The addition of 3-Click played a huge role on the accessibility front, offering a new way to virtual golf to those who had previously not been able to, and to those who have found a new love for our game because of it.
If you’re looking for unrivaled authenticity and variety in your gameplay experience, look no further than PGA TOUR 2K23. It doesn’t matter if you’re new to the franchise or a seasoned veteran, 2K23 gives you the opportunity to play how you want. Experiment with the 3-Click Swing and the Swing Stick to dial in your preferences and become a links legend.