Dungeon Master Forum

I'm considering dropping the arrows from the interface in my DSB game, to allow more space for other stuff.
This is on the assumption that players no longer use them, and instead use keyboard keys.
This assumption may be wrong

So can you please answer this poll so that I can see if it's viable to lose the arrows. Thanks.

I use the... um... normal arrows. Does it count as "other key combination"? I never use WASD and I've only used the on-screen arrows a few times in my life because in one of the clones (I think in CSBWin) it was slightly faster than the keyboard and was necessary for certain timed puzzle(s) in certain custom dunegon(s).

Yes, arrows count as 'other keys', I edited the poll to make it more obvious.

I know there can be accessibility issues such as Raixel described for not having a mouse-only way to play the game.

Yep, true, I did think about the accessibility issues too. Perhaps I should keep the arrows after all. I'm still interested to see the results of the poll though...

Most often I use the on-screen arrows, I switch to the keyboard (arrow keys) if do not have to interact much with the rest (travel mode). I never use WASD.

You have to be careful here as some computers use different keys for left/right up/down moves. The right arrow key on mine for example turns you to face right instead of a step to the right. On the numerical keys board the step right key marked on the 6 key does the same thing and its the 3 key below with no arrow marked on it that actually steps you right. Crazy or what. I find the arrows on the game much more useful as you have got to use the mouse for the spells anyway and changing your hand from the mouse to use it for spells then take it off the mouse to use the keys and back again would be dreadful.

For what it's worth, in DSB there's a menu where you can assign whatever keys you want to the movement arrows.
I believe the other clones have similar features but I don't recall.

Sophia how do you access this menu to change the keys?

Hit Esc while playing, then press Enter.

I remap movement key to WASD+Q+E (ZQSD+A+E on french keyboard) on all DM clones.

I DO use the on-screen arrow keys. For movement, I use R,F=forward/backpedal, E,T=turn left/right, and the on-screen arrows for strafing left/right. I use strafing to avoid spells (rarely, no room to manouver in the corridors usually) but mainly to *BUMP* in the wall sidewise while running along to search for false walls. Yes, I am one of THOSE people that bash ever single tile of wall in the dungeons Yes I know I could use D,G for strafing, but I prefer it 'my' way.My mouse pointer is on the spells/weapon panel all the time anyway.

strange way to play ! got third hand ?

linflas wrote:strange way to play ! got third hand ?

No LOL
Left hand on the keyboard, right on the mouse. Playing like that since my first mouse on Amiga 500
Well, except from the rather brief time I played using the Belkin N52 Nostromo speedpad

Thanks for all your input. Despite the fact that most people seem to use the keyboard only, I decided to keep the on-screen arrows for reasons of accessibility and familiarity.