Topic

Game Controls

Personally, I'm finding the game controls a bit awkward. The arrows and space bar are fine for just walking around, but when I need to jump, move and hit enter at the same time, I fall one hand short! I don't typically play games that require a lot of coordinated keyboarding, so I thought it could just be me. Then I had my husband try. He has written his own games and is heading to QuakeCon this week where he's in charge of setting up the gamers' networks. He is obviously very experienced with gaming and the controls. He also found it very awkward. I think a little fine tuning is definitely in order.

Posted 17 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink

Replies

  • I would suggest using the WASD keys with your left hand(using your thumb for the space bar) instead of the arrow keys. In most games that use the keyboard for movement, the designers primarily intend for you to control you character in that manner.

    Also, I believe UP(or W) serves the same purpose as ENTER. If using WASD you can play the game with one hand.

    Hope this might help when Glitch opens back up.
    Posted 17 months ago by Mokk Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Sorry, but my left hand is not coordinated enough to use the WASD keys. And the up key only works if I'm going up (as in a ladder, rope, or tree). I respectfully submit, that the problem is not me (see above) and am hoping that the developers are reading the forums. As a beta tester, I feel it is my responsibility to point out areas that I feel could be improved. In my opinion, and that of my husband, the game controls are not up to snuff.
    Posted 17 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I have selected things a number of times with the "Up" key (I am a lefty so play weird).

    Most of the noobs I meet don't have much of a problem with the keys.  As an alpha tester and through beta I have really liked the keyboard controls and thought they worked quite well.
    Left-Right controls motion of avatar and changes selection in a menu.Up moves you up and down ladders and vines and can be used to select items.Space Jump1,2,3,4 causes your avatar to make facial expressions.Enter selects an object around you or in a menu.L brings up the Quest Log.M MapF opens Magic Rock menu (the "F" is for "Familiar", another name for the Magic Rock).B Toggles between your inventory and the main screen.Ctrl+Enter or Command+Enter Toggles through the main window and both chat panes.

    If you are really having problems there are mouse controls but it is a lot more awkward in my opinion
    Posted 17 months ago by Ani Laurel Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I never have liked using the space bar for things in other games, and usually redefine the key-bindings so I can do everything on the number pad (using 0 or enter for jump, for instance). It's much more natural as you can do everything with one hand. Most keyboards now-a-days have number pads, so this shouldn't be a problem to implement (especially if the current options are kept in place simultaneously, for those few keyboards that don't have one, or those that want to use the mouse plus space-bar only).

    Also, this seems like a good place to mention that I have a friend who plays this game who has a physical condition that makes it so he can't easily use the keyboard. Everything in this game can be done with the mouse except jumping. I would like to see an option for jumping added to the mouse for people like him. I'm now sure how this could be done... maybe double clicking? Right now, it is causing him to avoid areas that require lots of jumping, and makes it impossible for him to accomplish many quests.
    Posted 17 months ago by Shepherdmoon Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Using WASD comes with time, like learning typing. But sometimes I use the mouse, too. I find it easier to do some things.
    Posted 17 months ago by Crucial Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Hmm.. I use my mouse a LOT.. on the right.. (though  I am a lefty) Have a tremor that makes it difficult to be steady on the keyboard (especially for my left hand), so I would really like to have a double click to jump!
    Posted 17 months ago by Joni Mitchell Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Woot Aniloverl! Lefties represent. WASD is made for us, don'tcha think?
    Posted 17 months ago by Lilypad Subscriber! | Permalink
  • Sheperdmoon, many laptops don't have a number pad! Like my little MacBook :)
    Posted 17 months ago by Victoria Subscriber! | Permalink
  • yeah... my mac doesn't have a number pad. I'm pretty clumsy w/ that stuff, don't type nearly as fast as I think.. I have left/right issues. I lose all the races. But it doesn't bother me... I just move a little slower. A lot of the game is strategy, mystery and fooling around.
    Posted 17 months ago by sakmet Subscriber! | Permalink
  • WASD was keys from alot classical games long ago when computers was 8bit. When i use them i feel so soooo nostalgic. I'm a lefty too.

    I got back then Pravetz 8c which was Apple II clone and got the fantastic 128KB RAM. :D
    Posted 17 months ago by Lilla My Subscriber! | Permalink
  • I have figured out where all of the controls are. (Except the UP arrow, which does NOT work to select for me. I have tried.) And I have no problems using the left/right arrow keys to move around or the space bar to jump. So, using these controls, trying to massage/milk a butterfly that is flying back and forth at a level that requires a jump: I have to use the arrows to move either right or left, while using the space bar to jump, and SIMULTANEOUSLY hit enter to select the butterfly when it turns blue. Challenging. I think the WASD keys and the arrow keys give lefties/righties options, but they don't solve all the issues. I, too, would like to see more mouse options, including double click or right click. This would be convenient for me, and as Shepherdmoon pointed out, essential for someone with certain disabilities. Thanks for the suggestion to redefine the keypad SM. I'll give that a try too.
    Posted 17 months ago by Audaria Subscriber! | Permalink