Official forums for BZFlag.org

etigah wrote: ↑Wed Jan 01, 2020 8:32 pm Is it the game menu, the ui, the controls or something else that you find not intuitive ?

For instance, the movement of the UI and crosshair, which both BZ and quite a few FPS players will probably tend to find odd.
For BZ players, the movement will be considered "odd" due to moving independently of the crosshair/target sight.
The field of view in a great deal of FPS games is completely based on the mouse or crosshair.
This isn't too consistent with either BZ or most FPS games, so it the movement of the UI and controls will likely feel unusual to some players.

For future reference though, the responsiveness of the controls may want to be adjusted, as they feel a bit slow in the prototype.
Additionally, the way FPS is integrated could be improved somewhat, although I'm not exactly sure which areas may need to be improved or adjusted at this point in time.

-Zehra

Zehra wrote: ↑Wed Jan 08, 2020 2:20 am For instance, the movement of the UI and crosshair, which both BZ and quite a few FPS players will probably tend to find odd.
For BZ players, the movement will be considered "odd" due to moving independently of the crosshair/target sight.
The field of view in a great deal of FPS games is completely based on the mouse or crosshair.
This isn't too consistent with either BZ or most FPS games, so it the movement of the UI and controls will likely feel unusual to some players.

I would separate the crosshairs and motion box like shown in the image:

Why even use a motion box? Just use Traditional First Person Shooter controls.

No, conventional FPS controls wouldn't do because motion depends on the absolute position of the mouse cursor. I personally think this is one of the best aspects of BZFlag controls, so I'm replicating it.

Yes, agreeing with etigah, BZFlag could be categorized as a FPS game and, also, as an arcade-simulator. The "simulator" part applies here, as one of its features: you can move the tank very precisely (specially with the mouse).

BTW, separating/placing the motion box at a side seems weird and uncomfortable.

So I made some changes including relocating the motion box. I'd appreciate if you would test it and tell me if it's playable like that. I have not yet pushed a release, waiting for this change to be tested, but the code can be updated using a script. I outlined the update process in an earlier post.

Other changes include adjustments to scene lighting and replacement of crosshairs ( can you guess which game I *ahem* borrowed the new one from :-p)

I made a release tagged 'latest' which I will update often so the most up to date release can be downloaded using the same link.

Download latest version

I like it eti,

My only thing would be that movement box. Being in the bottom right will take getting used to, but feels bad when I dont know where my mouse is cause I cant see it. I would prefer it a lil closer to mid screen, even if its transparency is down so it isnt invasive to seeing whats in front of you.

iObserve wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 9:01 pm I like it eti,

Hey, thanks for your feedback!

iObserve wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 9:01 pm My only thing would be that movement box. Being in the bottom right will take getting used to, but feels bad when I dont know where my mouse is cause I cant see it. I would prefer it a lil closer to mid screen, even if its transparency is down so it isnt invasive to seeing whats in front of you.

The mousebox being centered is a choice made long ago, I suspect it's not what new players expect. Placing it in a bottom corner makes is similar to how mobile touch controls do. I really want to know how you and others find this plays in practice. I'll try to push an update later tonight or tomorrow as I made some changes to the motion box setup.

etigah wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2020 12:56 am

iObserve wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 9:01 pm My only thing would be that movement box. Being in the bottom right will take getting used to, but feels bad when I dont know where my mouse is cause I cant see it. I would prefer it a lil closer to mid screen, even if its transparency is down so it isnt invasive to seeing whats in front of you.

The mousebox being centered is a choice made long ago, I suspect it's not what new players expect. Placing it in a bottom corner makes is similar to how mobile touch controls do. I really want to know how you and others find this plays in practice. I'll try to push an update later tonight or tomorrow as I made some changes to the motion box setup.

Just like BZFlag in options you can adjust the size of the mouse box - as an example.

How about adding in options, to allow users to put it where they want to?

Please and thank you

I updated the package, available from the link below.

Download

trpted wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2020 2:33 pm

etigah wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2020 12:56 am

iObserve wrote: ↑Fri Jan 24, 2020 9:01 pm My only thing would be that movement box. Being in the bottom right will take getting used to, but feels bad when I dont know where my mouse is cause I cant see it. I would prefer it a lil closer to mid screen, even if its transparency is down so it isnt invasive to seeing whats in front of you.

The mousebox being centered is a choice made long ago, I suspect it's not what new players expect. Placing it in a bottom corner makes is similar to how mobile touch controls do. I really want to know how you and others find this plays in practice. I'll try to push an update later tonight or tomorrow as I made some changes to the motion box setup.

Just like BZFlag in options you can adjust the size of the mouse box - as an example.

How about adding in options, to allow users to put it where they want to?

Please and thank you

In mobile version, that would be great. But when on pc... It feels very awkward cause my thumb isnt right in front of my face
But in general the controls did feel smooth. I didnt mind the mousebox size, its more so I would easily loose track cause I had to look down to the right to even see where in the mousebox I was set at. Which then results in a harder time looking up or over to the radar.
I will download the new one, and give er a go!

etigah wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2020 10:55 pm I updated the package, available from the link below.

Download

I get "Not Found"

I will change the name since it's already taken and I will not be posting further updates till the game is ready. Send me a private msg if you like to follow game development.

I'd like to thank everyone who showed interest and gave me feedback.