Draggable Object VS Virtual D-pad

Games
#1

Which control scheme to use is the question that’s been keeping me up at night. My game at it’s core is a street crossing game (like Frogger) that consists of a small square which you must navigate from the bottom of the screen to the top, while avoiding rectangular “enemies” which zip across the screen (traffic).

The first control scheme I went with was making the player a draggable object. The advantages to this method are: precise control, anybody can use it, easy to understand.

The disadvantages are: the person playing can cheat by quickly dragging the player, in one swipe, to the top of the screen. Also, if dragged fast enough, the player passes right through enemies and barriers, regardless of physics or isBullet statements.

These problems prompted me to go with a virtual d-pad solution, which is what I am currently using for the game. To get it closer to the draggable object controls, I made the d-pad draggable. The advantages to this method are: the player cannot cheat, and barriers stop the player as they should.

The disadvantages are: the controls are one step less intuitive, and take some getting used to. Gamers take to this control quickly, but more casual people prefer the ease of the draggable object controls.

My hope, in posting this, is that perhaps a hybrid of the two can be come up with, which will allow the strengths of both methods to be maintained while eliminating the weaknesses.

Thanks for reading this. Any thoughts, please post them.

Much thanks,
Steven

[import]uid: 79394 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 326037[/import]

#2

This is just my 2 cents and nothing to do with a hybrid - but one other con of dragging is that depending on the size of your game (iPhone?) they user may not be able to see the hero/player/frog/etc they are dragging under their finger.

One other option rather than a dpad might be a joystick, Alex (maker of ChocoRun) has a great one in the code exchange that is well worth looking at.

Peach :slight_smile: [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 105423[/import]

#3

Hi Peach,

Nice to hear from you, you just voiced a thought that’s been circulating in my subconscious for months now:) Thank you, I’m going to try out the joystick you mentioned. I have a feeling it’s the solution I’m looking for.

Of course, any other suggestions are welcome, I’ve figured out the finger covering the player problem by making it so the user can touch anywhere on the screen rather than having to touch the player directly, but the other issues still exist.

Much thanks,
Steven [import]uid: 79394 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 105425[/import]

#4

No worries - hope you get some other answers too :slight_smile:

If you look at the joystick Alex (@dunkelg) put up it actually appears where you touch.

It may or may not work for what you want to do but I’d certainly give it a go. (Best of both worlds, IMHO.)

Peach :slight_smile: [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 105527[/import]

#5

Thanks Peach, you’re the greatest!

Steven [import]uid: 79394 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 105686[/import]

#6

Hah thanks Steven, look forward to seeing some screenshots in the near future, I hope :slight_smile: [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 105787[/import]

#7

Absolutely, will put some up sometime in the next few weeks:) [import]uid: 79394 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 105841[/import]

#8

Hi Peach,

Just wanted to let you know that I’ve got a couple of early screenshots up. It’s not much, just the Title Screen and the beginning of the game (taken from the prototype), but it should give you an idea of the game’s basic set-up and art style. Hope to show you more in future!
http://thejimmychiushow.squarespace.com/news/

Steven [import]uid: 79394 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 110103[/import]

#9

Nice stuff! I love that style of artwork; clear, colorful and cartoony. Three of my favorite C words, after “Corona”, of course :wink: [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 110114[/import]

#10

So happy to hear you like the style, Peach! Hope to show you more in future:)

P.S. Whew! When you brought up the C-word, I thought you meant something else! lol [import]uid: 79394 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 110280[/import]

#11

I will look forward to that :slight_smile:

I admit I realized when writing it how the term “C-word” might be taken, which made me smirk - as such I left the post unchanged. I’m glad you seem to have been amused by it also. [import]uid: 52491 topic_id: 26037 reply_id: 110442[/import]