I’ve had the control scheme for Dungeon Delver set up like several other roguelikes in the app store, using the top of the screen to move up, bottom to move down, left – left, right – right. I found after a lot of playing that this really becomes unfomfortable after a while. I think it’s important that the game can be played with one hand, and this control scheme starts to wear on your hand pretty quickly. So I’ve decided to go with a d-pad. It will be trivial to keep both schemes, so I may end up making it an option.

Another thing I keep repeating to myself is that this is going to be a fairly casual Roguelike. I don’t want anyone to have to pour over a manual to figure it out, or memorize obscure commands. I understand that this is half the fun in a real Roguelike, but that’s not what I’m aiming for with this game. With that in mind, I am also adding interface buttons for all of the major actions a player can take. I’ve added a button to open and close doors already, and there will be others to use your queued attacks, rest, etc. Actions like drinking or eating something will be in the inventory screen, like any modern rpg.

Here’s another video showing my first go at the d-pad. I’ve added the door button already, so you can see that in action as well. It may be hard to tell from this video, but in your hand this is extremely natural and easy to use.

Dungeon Delver – New Control Schme from Broken Platypus Games on Vimeo.

I also added a smooth transition for the player when he moves from tile to tile.

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