Using the dpad to move around the world. Not during battle.. That would just be awful. To the people who prefer to play without a dpad, that's why I said make it optional in the options menu. That could definatly work out for the benefit of mika.
Actually I have faith in the devs vision for this game and I'm sure it'll turn out great without a cheesy dpad in the middle of the screen.
How about tap and hold for movement as well as the regular tapping? It'll reduce the amount of taps needed for movement, and it shouldn't affect combat nor travelling too much.
Ok there are three options mika. If you just give us a choice in the options menu, everyone will be happy. Please don't say "you can't make everyone happy"... You might as well try your best to make everyone content with the game. Like I said before, I'm sure there are many others that loath the tap to move options. Seriously this game looks INSANE, but the tap to move would honestly be a deal breaker:/
If it is optional then all good. For me v-sticks are typically deal breakers. I really dislike that control scheme in most games.
If it controls anything like Battleheart, tap to move makes more sense as you're able to manage multiple actions and characters on one screen, as well as have full screen view of everything. You can queue up actions a lot easier, and manage multiple enemies. The only thing I didn't like about the Battleheart system (but learned to work with it) was the draw to character action system, where you drag your finger from one character to an enemy or ally such as range attacks or healing.
I don't know if you really get what I'm saying.. I said have a dpad or joystick for movement alone, not when in battle. It doesn't even have to be a fixed dpad in the corner. They could just make it so you hold down wherever on the screen then are able to move with a joysick wherever you finger is was placed. This would solve the problem of having the joystick being in the way if an enemy is in the bottom left corner. Floating joystick I believe they call it?
Something we already have for simpler out-of-battle movement is if you do a quick double-tap - your character then continuously chases your finger as you hold it down. I find it preferable to constant tapping when traveling through town etc. Given the above, if it still sounds like you'd rather have a joystick for moving outside of battle, can you explain why? Like, what about tap-to-move games you've played has frustrated you or felt awkward? Just trying to grock the heart of the issue - there's even a chance you've just been burned by poor execution. Not all control schemes of the same type are created equal - I've had virtual sticks that feel great and others drive me crazy, and I've also played tapping/swiping type games that differ wildly in "feel".
This movement thing sounds like a pretty fundamental issue that should be addressed asap. I think the smartest thing is to have everyone in this thread beta test it and give our feedback ;-) Seriously though if it's a single character I much prefer the virtual D-pad, it just makes me feel more connected with the character than I do with touch. Of course it also depends on which device you are on. The Mini is perfect for the D-pad because it's small enough that you can reach everything easily but large enough that you can see buttons if they have to be made smaller to fit the screen. I can see there being issues with clutter on an iPhone screen depending on button/UI size, or alternatively, issues with being able to access all buttons on the larger iPad. All joking aside, having "real" players offer feedback on multiple devices is the best way to check these things out.
The act of repeatedly tapping is just annoying. I like to play games laying down, holding my ipad up, and controlling everything with my thumbs. Tapping is hard to do if I'm holding the iPad from the sides. If we're not using any skills in the town/ out of battle areas, I see no reason not to have a virtual joystick there. Idk how the skills are activated, but if you reserve only the corner of the screen for movement it would be great, and you'd still have the rest for activating skills and attacks.
My point exactly.. The whole double tap to move option just makes me feel in less control of a character too. I don't get why mika wouldn't just make it an option in the options menu, seriously.
Okay, here's why we hadn't really considered a virtual stick. I'm not saying we won't give it a try, we'd considered adapting the controls for a potential console port anyway, but here's where we're coming from... 1) When we started the project, we were looking at games like Diablo, LoL, Baldur's Gate, the original Fallout games - all top-down games played with a mouse. Some of them you control a party, some just one character, but all of them are "click to move", "click to lock on", etc. Having your finger act as a cursor just made a lot of sense, especially for combat. When you have abilities that allow you to leap to a specific point on screen, or teleport to a point on screen, or launch a meteor at a certain point, or quickly target an enemy to turn into a toad.... then tapping is the logical answer. Keeping the whole game controlled in a familiar mouse-like manner was how we conceived the whole project. 2) When I'm playing a mobile game, I want the controls to be consistent. I think it would be kinda weird to switch from steering my character with a thumb stick to issuing commands via taps and back again all the time. In any case, offering a joystick option for running around town doesn't really solve the ergonomic issue someone mentioned of preferring to play a game lying down with their thumbs - this is a game that's going to require you to tap on targets at the very least because of how the spells/abilities work. 3) Screen real-estate. On the iPad there's room for other stuff like a potential joystick, but here's a screenshot from an iPhone 4S, which was the first device we were testing on... it's a little busy already.
I like the tap-to-move controls in Battleheart, and I support the idea of that kind of control. I also, however, agree that having it as an option would attract more players and allow people to play the game the way they want to. On a side note though, the number of people who prefer it one way or the other is likely smaller compared to those who are indifferent to the control style and focus more on the game's story and character qualities. Just my two cents on the issue.
Im not saying I don't agree with you on this, but Diablo III has very successful controls on the Xbox 360 and that uses a control stick type movement. There is of course still the issue of space on the screen, but it has it's advantages, including the smooth movement and directional control.
I think most of you guys are missing the point. It would be extremely awkward playing THIS game with a dpad. Just look at the gameplay. The flow of the game is based on tapping. Its an over head game, tap to target, tap on spells, tap to interact. No virtual buttons. This game is optimized for touch screen/PC. Mika Mobile has been working on this game for a long time, and based on their excellent control schemes that they have going on in their award winning, money making titles, I can trust them. Now, I am a fan of virtual dpads (I grew up playing Modern Combat 2 - engaging in multiple clans, Nova 2, Order and Chaos, Dead Trigger; hell, I've even won some prize money from the Modern Combat 3 MLG tournament), but this genre isnt meant for virtual dpads; its a top down dungeon crawler. If anyone who has played Diablo or League you'll know what I am talking about. I am assuming that the people who want a virtual dpad are people who prefer console like games similar to fast based dungeon crawlers like Dungeon Hunter from Gameloft, the only reason that game works with a dpad is because there is no targeting and very few spells. A dpad would just disrupt the flow of the game. What if there is an enemy that you need to tap that is under the virtual dpad, plus using a dpad then switing to tap to move in combat would just feel awkward. This game does not need a dpad and it would be best if it didn't. And those who are just looking for a way to move without having to continuously tap, Mika already confirmed that you can tap and hold to move in one direction continuously. Please guys, just trust Mika Mobile on this one. They have yet to fail us because they are the masters of gameplay and touch controls.
Yea, it's actually D3 that made us consider the idea of adapting this game to a controller in a similar fashion some day. I still think diablo was compromised by the transition though - it's still playable and fun, but IMO it's more than a little clumsier on console. Thanks for the vote of confidence.
I'm glad you guys may be considering the virtual dpad. I agree that a set dpad in the corner would be awkward and wouldn't really fit, so iI suggest a floating dpad that is only there when you are holding your finger and moving that same finger in the little circle you would if it was a fixed one. I remember with spiral ep. 1. Everyone was complaining about there not being a virtual stick for movement including myself. Then they added the floating dpad and I loved it. The dpad would go away once you see a monster and take your finger off to start tapping to attack. Having this option along with your tap to attack, move, ect would please a lot more people then to just have your taping option. I respect the way you like to play touch games, but I just want you to think of us that hate tapping. I really hope you don't think I am being disrespectful. I think you guys are amazing and I just want to see this game be the game I am hoping for. That screenshot is seriously bring tears to my eyes!! Please just make this a simple option in the options menu.
