Controls survey

[West-End-Pro]

So I'm making a game, and at the moment I'm a tad unsure of what the final controls will be. The game basically involves moving around the screen, and shooting things the same colour as you =]. I've decided on the movement controls being the arrows, and p being to pause, but I wasn't sure how to change the colour of the main 'gun'. Below are some examples of my ideas:

Changing with A,S & D:
Link 1

Changing using just one key. In this case SHIFT (Although it could be something else):
Link 2

Or, forget changing the colour with the keys, move around and collect the approperiate colour 'circle thingy':
Link 3

So what idea do you think is the best? Or if you don't what way would you say is best?

Thanks,
~Tom

[UnknownFury]

I preferred the second one with the shift key.

[ProfessorFlash]

In my oppinion #3 option is the best.

[WillAlvein]

Number 3.

I liked that one...

[West-End-Pro]

Your reasons?

Anyone else? =]

[squidly]

3rd ones best and most original.
Just change the movment keys to WASD.

[Jimp]

I really dont like using the arrow keys. it makes it really awkward for games that use the mouse like yours, especially in the first option where you essentialling need 3 hands to play.

I would personally use option 2, but use WASD to move and Q and E to switch between weapons.

[RiotFlash]

i like #3

[Firestom]

I prefer #3 because it adds originality and constantly changing with SHIFT, moving and using the mouse gets tiring. Even more with WASD.

[I-smel]

Right, well if you're using the mouse, you should use WASD to move.
This is because, on laptops, the mousepad is in the middle, so using the arrows and mouse is really awkward.

Not the third one, cos you need three hands to play it.
The second one might work, if you changed shift to like SPACE or something. Because then you could move using WASD with three fingers, then press space with your thumb.
The third one could be a good idea if the enemies didn't come in from random places.

[gankro]

I like the third one because it gives the least awkward hand-ness and adds an extra goal while playing.

[West-End-Pro]

Looks like everyone wants WASD =/

I'll change the keys to arrows or WASD then =]
And it looks like #3 is the best option.

Thanks.

[louis8799]

I don't care about the control but what I don't really like is that when I move around, enemies will just come together and group into a single triangle , you could improve this one.

[SkySausage]

I think the first option is best. You just need 3 fingers on 3 buttons, and you can change the colour right away without having to scroll through the colours with SHIFT or having to move around just to change the colour. Also, for the second option, some users may have a problem with StickyKeys (I disabled it =D).

[Deathcon7]

#3 is stronger for gameplay. You could have color combo spots that let you take out two colors at a time and other things like that. I think it'll lend itself best to a video game.

[BasV]

definitly the third one. The other two versions of the game are already done a lot, the third one has originality

[West-End-Pro]

At 3/17/08 10:19 AM, SkySausage wrote: I think the first option is best. You just need 3 fingers on 3 buttons, and you can change the colour right away without having to scroll through the colours with SHIFT or having to move around just to change the colour. Also, for the second option, some users may have a problem with StickyKeys (I disabled it =D).

Hhmm...I see where your coming from. But most people prefer using WASD, and that would coincide with their preferred controls, and then theres the whole deal of also having to have a 'third hand' on the mouse =/

[jmtb02]

One thing you should worry about is that people with the AZERTY keyboard layout will not have a normal gameplay experience if you bundle the A,S,D keys together as a color changing mechanism, since the usual WASD layout for left-handed control does not exist.

Just a thought.

[Punchpralinen]

It would be cool to use #2 but change the color with the scrollwheel on the mouse or Q and E.

[Spiralstorm]

In my opinion, number 3 was the best, but if you add moving to all of them, then I would probably say number 1, because it is the one with the quickest way to change colors for me.

If that makes sense....>_>

[Paranoia]

At 3/17/08 03:19 PM, Punchpralinen wrote: It would be cool to use #2 but change the color with the scrollwheel on the mouse or Q and E.

Scrollwheels also present compatibility issues.

I'd make a hybrid between 1 and 2 - allow the user to move forwards and back between colours but also have shortcuts to go directly to certain ones.

[Ferris95]

#3 Was the best in my opinion. It offers more playibility for the player. Its pretty cool.

[biskits]

I reckon that the best would be, move around with W,A,S,D. shoot with the mouse. and for the changing of the colour, there should be zones u have to enter to be able to shoot that colour, or just for a really annoying/ challenging game (oxymoron?) u should make the colour change on it's own (like to the beat of some music). but if ur just looking for what you were talking about i think, the scroll wheel would be good instead of a button to change the colour. because you are already usint your leaft and right ffingers/hands?

[West-End-Pro]

At 3/17/08 06:37 PM, biskits wrote: the scroll wheel would be good instead of a button to change the colour. because you are already usint your leaft and right ffingers/hands?

Not everybody has a scrollwheel which is abit of a problem =[

And the 'beat to the music' idea is a good 'un. I shall think about it :)