Hello Everyone,

I've got a question for you relating to something I'm working on right now. Feel free to be open and honest with your responses.

Traditionally, most Adventure Games control either by "point and click" first person view or "point and click" third person. Either version requires pretty much just mouse input.

My question is this: If there was an adventure game done in realtime 3D from a first person perspective where you control movement with the keyboard and "look around" with the mouse, is that something that would appeal to you?

The game would play exactly as a traditional adventure game with focus on logic, inventory and navigation puzzles, no "twitch" controls or threat of death. The difference would be your cursor would remain in the center of your screen and as you moved your mouse around your view would move as well. The cursor would change to show you what you can interact with and how. You would still interact with a simple click.

You would use the keyboard to move yourself around the environment, literally able to scour and examine every bit of the environment. Full 3D would enable fully animated environments as opposed to the more stagnant images currently used for adventure games.

I realize this is a wide question but I'd appreciate if you'd give it some thought and share your opinions. Thanks!

-Bryan

An adventure with tradional FPS controls would be great I think.

HITMAN used a system that would work for adventures. Left click obviously was shoot, but right clicking on certain hotspots (doors, people, weapons etc) brought up a menu at the side of the cursor, with options such as TALK, PICKUP, etc etc, and you could scroll these with the mouse wheel.

I think that would work extremely well for an adventure.

We NEED more adventure games! Dont you worry,you just make the game and we will adapt to the controls.

I think I would be ok with that but some people say it gives them motion sickness .

I like to keep it simple, so my 'Black&White' answer would be no... wouldn't appeal to me. However, there's a Grey area, too: If using keyboard controls would 'put' me on many amusement park rides , THEN I'd buy it! But for the most part, a Point-&-Click-only game is my first choice. Thank you for asking us Bryan.

I have to admit that the Sherlock Holmes game "The Awakened" was done with such controls and I surprisingly suffered through motion sickness. It was one of the reasons I really disliked the game.

Keyboard controls,too, seem kind of clutzy to me. Mouse movements seem more natural and fluid making the game more enjoyable as you play.

I do appreciate your asking Bryan!

My preference is point & click using the mouse and not the keyboard.

Thanks,
Linda

Hi

When there aren't timed/action/stealth sequences that might require speedy keyboard movement I find I can manage well with the keyboard and mouse combination you describe

[And nice to be consulted - whatever the end result ]

Cheers.

Mad

I like the option of keyboard controls and would be happy to use them if the fit well in the game. The key is to make whatever movement fit well within your style and design of the game.

Also, if you can, I would recommend that you also design the game that it could be played with keyboard and mouse, and also a game control. If I had that option I would eagerly play the game with my game control.

Keyboard control is a step backwards. Older games had keyboard control because the mouse wasn't standard equipment.

Hi Bryan --

I don't mind pressing the "w" key and using "mouse look" to move around. I think this is as easy as point-and-click, and I like the freedom of movement in 3D games that use that particular set-up.

If the controls are more complex (just keyboard and no "mouse look," for instance) I'll adjust, but it draws draw me out of the game while I focus on how to move around, so it's less immersive.

I seldom have trouble with nausea while gaming, though I understand that there are others who do. The only time I've felt it even slightly is if I have to thoroughly and frequently search for something on the ground.

3D graphics often aren't as detailed as 2D graphics, and sometimes I notice this more than I notice the controls.

I'm ok with Keyboard and mouse (as long as there is no timed area), but I usually have to slow down the speed with which the mouse moves or the game will make me sick (and I don't normally suffer from motion sickness). My sister can't play those type games as they all give her motion sickness.

The option to have the game gamepad compatible would be great if you can do it.

Point and click is the easiest, but keyboard would not stop me from playing a game that otherwise interested me.

for asking

IMHO it doesn't matter a smidge to me. My only request would be to allow the keyboard to be "mappable"

inferno

Carrie, you remembered that other thread!

It doesn't really matter to me which method of control you use. If keyboard, I want to be able to touch and affect a huge amount of the gaming world. I do get motion sickness from it, so I can sympathize with those folks that shy from keyboard for that reason, or other physical reasons that makes keyboard controlled games difficult for them to enjoy.

Well I have two words to say < Forget It >

Motion sickness is very bad for me in a game...

I tried in vain to get use to Sherlock Awakened....I could not play it.

My opinion

I started Sherlock Holmes the Awakened, and it lasted 20 minutes on my computer. Sure, there are "360 degree" games that go from room to room that worked, but I prefer a fixed camera view in my adventure games. I know the idea is total immersion, but my eyes start to blur images together in less than half an hour if I look at a moving screen.

It's not so much motion sickness as just "bad eyes" on my part, but I"m sure many could sympathize with that part.

Hi Bryan, thanks for asking! I have to say I am not a great lover of keyboard controls to play a game - but if you needed to use this option to make the game do what you wanted I would ask that you consider also making it gamepad compatible. For me this is a nice alternative & very intuitive option for some of us I used one to play Dreamfall & for me works better than navigating the keyboard which to me can be quite clumsy!

I don't mind keyboard/mouse controls for a game. In fact, if one was going to make a game with 1st person 360 degree panning, that's what I'd prefer: a set up where keyboard controls movement & mouse controls camera/panning. As opposed to movement & camera all being controlled by the mouse (like in Secrets of Atlantis), that kind of setup makes me a little dizzy.

The big thing for me is that if a game has full 360 camera panning, I like there to be something built into the game options where I can adjust the mouse/camera settings -- things like mouse & camera sensitivity, panning speed, etc.

Anyway, with all that said, I know a lot of people can't stand any setup with keyboard controls but I don't mind that at all. Have played several games like that with no problems.

Probably mot. That's the kind of movement that tends to give me motion sickness.

I've tried to figure out exactly why Tomb Raider 1 didn't bother me at all while nearly every other real time 3D game gives me motion sickness. At first I thought it was because Tomb Raider used follow cam -- that having a character's back to focus on somehow warded off the motion sickness. But now I think it's something to do with the height of the camera in the game -- If the camera is too close to the ground, objects appear to move by in an unnatural way in relation to one another and it triggers motion sickness.

Keyboard controls don't bother me as long as they are logical, convenient for what you have to do in the game, consistent, and not too complex.

I actually LIKE keyboard control in a game ( as long as we are using the arrow keys and not wasd!) and I think it makes the game more immersive than clicking a mouse to get to where you want to go . This is especially true of third person games, which I dont much like anyways. What I DONT like is a mix of keyboard and mouse - either one or the other is ok, but both is just confusing.

I prefer the mouse rather than the keyboard, but would be happy
to play a new adventure game, no matter what. We need
more games. So, if it's easier/faster to produce one without
the keyboard, I'd vote for that. Thanx for asking!!!!!!
Game creators are our heroes

Yes indeed I did nickie... indeed I did. Bet you kept it in mind too. Wonder if Bryan's gonna let on, or keep us guessing? (For those who didn't read it, I put the link in nickie's quote... click on "OTHER" to see what we were talking about)

Thanks Guy... didn't know that... I wanna keep moving forward... and as it is with my cats, I shall remain a diehard Mouser (with an exception or two).

I'm actually surprised to see all the replies saying they don't mind keyboard controls, or actually prefer them. I'm sure I've seen threads before complaining about games with keyboard controls but by the looks of this thread, either they've changed their minds or haven't spoken up.
Personally, I won't purchase a keyboard controlled game until I've read comments from others saying that it works well and is not too difficult to get used to.
I believe it was Grim Fandango that used just keyboard controls (correct me if I'm wrong, but that was a very long time ago). I really enjoyed the game, but poor Grim was slammed into walls so much it's a good thing he was dead to begin with!
So, I much prefer mouse control, but won't totally say no to a keyboard control.

Nope. I have tried keyboard controls (Uru, Bad Mojo) and cannot get comfortable with them.
I have nothing against mouse controlled 3D (Gabriel knight 3, Uru, Sentinel). I've never had an issue with motion sickness from 3D movement in 1st person.

It would not matter to me. I've become quite proficient in falling off cliffs, walking into walls and just going in circles. All kidding aside, I would purchase the game either way.

Ana