Game Design: Controls and Ergonomics

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Questions and Answers

What are the 'Three Cs' that should be established early in game design?

Character, Camera, and Controls.

Why is ergonomics important in game controller design?

Ergonomics ensures that the equipment fits well with how players hold and use the controller, enhancing comfort and usability.

What practice should designers follow when creating controls for young players?

Designers should keep button presses simple and avoid complex combinations.

How can FPS players benefit from customization options in controls?

FPS players can create hotkeys and macros to enhance gameplay by chaining attacks or spell effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is a crucial guideline to remember for flight controls in video games?

Pulling back on the stick should cause the plane to go up, while pushing forward should make it go down. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of a tap in touchscreen gaming?

To make a selection or perform an action, such as shooting a weapon. Signup and view all the answers

How does a double tap differ from a single tap?

A double tap is used to verify a selection or indicate a direction, whereas a single tap typically makes a selection. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the function of a pull and release move in gaming.

It mimics the action of launching objects, similar to how birds are launched in 'Angry Birds'. Signup and view all the answers

In what scenario would you use a hold and drag gesture?

It is best used for moving inventory items or dressing characters. Signup and view all the answers

What action does scrubbing perform on a touchscreen?

Scrubbing is used to erase or cover something on-screen with a rapid back-and-forth motion. Signup and view all the answers

What effect does associating swiping motions with real-world functions have on gameplay?

It enhances the gaming experience by making swiping feel more engaging and intuitive. Signup and view all the answers

What is one advantage of allowing players to change the size of their brush in games like Ibis Paint X?

It provides players with more control and creativity in their drawing experience. Signup and view all the answers

How can a pinch gesture be utilized in touch screen games?

A pinch gesture allows players to size objects up or down on the screen. Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of maintaining a simple control scheme in games like Fruit Ninja?

It minimizes confusion for players and keeps gameplay engaging and accessible. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'button mashing' indicate about a player's experience in a game?

It indicates that players are unsure how to control the game, resulting in random button presses. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Game Design - Game Controls

Game controls are crucial for player experience
Ergonomics is vital in controller design
Consider player hand position and movements
Hardware developers meticulously test how players interact with controllers
Clear visual cues should be given for unavailable controls
Good practices for controls include offering multiple options and letting players customize their controls
Don't have controls that are too complex, but also keep it varied enough so that the gameplay is diverse

The Three C's in Games

Character, Camera, and Controls are fundamental elements
Establish these early in preproduction
Game design often changes during development
These three fundamentals help guide the early development

Control is in Your Hand - Ergonomics

Ergonomics studies how to fit equipment to the user
Developers prioritize player comfort and control
Consider visual range, hand placement, and movement patterns

Control is in Your Hand - Good Practices

Simple controls for younger players (8 and under)
Avoiding complex button combinations
FPS players often use hotkeys and macros to chain attacks or spell effects

You've Got the Touch

Touchscreen gaming is increasingly common
Understanding how to create responsive controls is crucial now more than ever
Touch controls are common on mobile devices

What a finger can do-Types of Interactions

Tap: Quick press for selection, actions, shooting weapons, or placing items
Double Tap: Verifying a selection, opening/closing windows, or indicating directional movement
Timed Tap: Tap in time with the game's rhythm, for rhythmic games such as Guitar Hero or similar games
Touch and Hold: Holding a moving object in place for gameplay purposes
Hold and Drag: Moving inventory items, dressing a character in gear, and tossing items into trash
Flick: Mimicking actions like throwing a ball or making a character move in a specific direction
Swipe: Indicating directional movement, similar to swinging a sword or drawing a line
Shape Tracing: Used for casting spells in games by tracing shapes like circles, squares, triangles, or zigzags
Pinch: Used to resize objects in games

Button Mashing

Avoid overly complex or repetitive controls
A good designer thinks about real-world input methods to enhance gameplay experience
Ensure the control scheme is simple
Player frustration can arise from complex or illogical controls
Player input should result in clear feedback
Consider different actions as simple inputs or actions
Players press buttons randomly for feedback; this can be observed in action and fighting games

Button Mashing - Good Practices

Avoid overly complex control schemes
Physical therapy exercises
Tapping fingers
Opening and closing hands
Extending and turning arms
These are methods that help maintain physical shape and avoid repetitive motion injuries

Buttons in Controllers

Important to design clear visual or audio when a control is not available
Design controls to not be useless when pressed
Design training modes to make the controls clear and allow for button unlock experience
Good visual cues when controls aren't available or in use

Button Mapping Example

Illustrates various button assignments for different actions
Shows layout options for game control assignments

Character or Camera Relative?

Stick with either relative scheme for consistency
Control scheme alterations cause frustration and confusing gameplay
Proper control sequence and clarity is essential;

Other Methods of Control

Actuators that give feedback in the form of vibrations.
Gyroscopes for rotating the controller to manipulate elements, a common method in mobile games.

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Description

Explore the essential aspects of game controls and their ergonomic design in this quiz. Understand the importance of player comfort and interaction with game controllers, while also learning about the foundational elements of character, camera, and controls in game development. This quiz emphasizes best practices for creating an optimal player experience.