Ren'Py POLL: Which area of the keyboard do you prefer using for adult Ren'py games?

[hakarlman]

Note: Some Ren'py games have combat systems. Also, this question is more about which hand you ultimately want free, while the other hand plays the game.

(A) WASD & Nearby Keys, occasional mouse usage if needed​	(B) Arrows & Nearby Keys, occasional mouse usage if needed​	(C) Numeric Keypad & Nearby Keys, occasional mouse usage if needed​
​	​	​

(D) Primarily The Mouse, Using the keyboard as little as possible.
​

 

[Pretentious Goblin]

I honestly can't recall using the KB all that much in Ren'Py games. I prefer WASD + mouse, it's common in mainstream games, though I've played enough RPGM in my time to comfortably use the arrow keys + ZXC. Only times I can ever recall using the numpad for gaming were in 90s Sierra games, and Cold Waters.

 

[Deleted member 2393601]

One hand on the mouse the other on the ... you know.

 

[anne O'nymous]

The problem with the WASD keys is that they exclude everyone that don't have a QWERTY keyboard, and we are many.
While the problem with the arrow keys, and the numpad, is that the majority use the mouse with their right hand, and so the keys aren't easy to use.

In the end, the solution is not to make a poll, but either to let the player customize the key, or bind the actions to both WASD, ZQSD, and the arrow keys.

 

[hakarlman]

The problem with the WASD keys is that they exclude everyone that don't have a QWERTY keyboard, and we are many.

This is good to know. I had no idea.

While the problem with the arrow keys, and the numpad, is that the majority use the mouse with their right hand, and so the keys aren't easy to use.

This is the same conclusion I came to.

In the end, the solution is not to make a poll

If I didn't make the poll, how would I have gotten your amazing feedback? You've brought a serious issue to attention. Now this poll/thread will help future developers.

but either to let the player customize the key, or bind the actions to both WASD, ZQSD, and the arrow keys.

Let's take a look:

I added this keyboard config to my Ren'py game. It only took 5 minutes (modifying the existing WASD system I made was easy). I created an extra flag and dropdown option in preferences, so the player can choose Belgium format keyboard. So basically, like you said, I bound the actions to the ZQSD keys, but I also changed the other keys to cater to Belgium keyboards if that option was chosen. The player doesn't have to customize anything if they have a beligum keyboard. Game is now optimized for WASD or ZQSD! Thanks man!

 

[anne O'nymous]

If I didn't make the poll, how would I have gotten your amazing feedback? You've brought a serious issue to attention. Now this poll/thread will help future developers.

Well, I'll brought others issues then because, while they are the most common

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, QWERTY and AZERTY aren't the only ones.

You can probably forget about none Latin scripts layouts. The game being in English and originally available only from international sources, the very large majority of your players will use, or have the possibility to use, a Latin scripts keyboard.
You don't need to adapt for QWERTZ layout, that don't change the WASD position, and I'm not really sure for the QZERTY Italian layout. its name lets suppose that the key should be ZASD, but even the Italian version of Wikipedia send you to the QWERTY layout page when you try to have a look at the effective layout ; there I don't even know if it's still in use or not.
But you should at least take count of

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and

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layouts. They aren't too common (probably around 5%), but used by English-speakers (DVORAK) and by French-speakers (BEPO). And perhaps also the

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layout that provide access to Latin scripts for Japanese users.

As you can see, while there isn't a too wild range of different keyboard layouts, there's still enough variety to cause some problems. And it's the reason why most games rely in fact on the arrows keys (at least with their default configuration), despite their relative incompatibility with the mouse use, because they are a constant.
The layout effectively limits to the letters ; everything at the right of the letters block is assumed to be relatively similar whatever the keyboard and its layout. There's few exceptions to this rule, I should still have somewhere a keyboard where the arrows keys are two rows of two keys, and one where they are a single column (a seriously stupid idea) but globally the position of the keys will not change from one keyboard to the other.

 

[Velminth]

WASD seems like the most comfy since already so used to keeping the fingers there.

 

[hakarlman]

Well, I'll brought others issues then because, while they are the most common

You must be registered to see the links

, QWERTY and AZERTY aren't the only ones.

You can probably forget about none Latin scripts layouts. The game being in English and originally available only from international sources, the very large majority of your players will use, or have the possibility to use, a Latin scripts keyboard.
You don't need to adapt for QWERTZ layout, that don't change the WASD position, and I'm not really sure for the QZERTY Italian layout. its name lets suppose that the key should be ZASD, but even the Italian version of Wikipedia send you to the QWERTY layout page when you try to have a look at the effective layout ; there I don't even know if it's still in use or not.
But you should at least take count of

You must be registered to see the links

and

You must be registered to see the links

layouts. They aren't too common (probably around 5%), but used by English-speakers (DVORAK) and by French-speakers (BEPO). And perhaps also the

You must be registered to see the links

layout that provide access to Latin scripts for Japanese users.

As you can see, while there isn't a too wild range of different keyboard layouts, there's still enough variety to cause some problems. And it's the reason why most games rely in fact on the arrows keys (at least with their default configuration), despite their relative incompatibility with the mouse use, because they are a constant.
The layout effectively limits to the letters ; everything at the right of the letters block is assumed to be relatively similar whatever the keyboard and its layout. There's few exceptions to this rule, I should still have somewhere a keyboard where the arrows keys are two rows of two keys, and one where they are a single column (a seriously stupid idea) but globally the position of the keys will not change from one keyboard to the other.

Good read.

I decided to support: QWERTY, QWERTZ, and AZERTY. Then I'll be adding a way to customize the hotkeys, should be easy to do. I'm sure it's already been done and can find the code to speed things up.

 

[rk-47]

i only seem to use ctrl when skipping dialogues i have already seen, not many ive played have used the wasd keys

 

[NaughtyOnes]

None of the above, When feasible a game pad.
Allows for easy one handed play and can sit back from the monitor a bit and relax.

 

[Uthuriel]

Mouse.
I use CTRL or TAB if I want to skip though.

 

[DrunkenGoon]

I try to only use my mouse as much as possible.. I don't mind the occasional mini game but I'd rather just click away..

 

[hakarlman]

None of the above, When feasible a game pad.
Allows for easy one handed play and can sit back from the monitor a bit and relax.

Have you ever had problems with any Ren'py game in regards to your game pad? Do you need Ren'py developers to actually do anything to accommodate your gamepad so you don't run into any problems? Does your gamepad software handle everything so your gamepad presses translates to the Ren'py game perfectly?

Mouse.
I use CTRL or TAB if I want to skip though.

Do you have a five button mouse?

Which do you use more? CTRL or TAB? I was thinking of binding CTRL functionality to Mouse Button 5 (That would be the button commonly used to navigate backwards by one page in the browser).

 

[Uthuriel]

Do you have a five button mouse?

Which do you use more? CTRL or TAB? I was thinking of binding CTRL functionality to Mouse Button 5 (That would be the button commonly used to navigate backwards by one page in the browser).

I have a razer gaming mouse.

I use CTRL more often.

 

[FookU2]

I prefer using WASD to move around, and using SPACE for interactions. If there is a jump and/or attack, I use something around MNJKLPOI, or just use the mouse. I can also use the mouse for everything, depending on the game, layout, the way it plays, or whatever.

What becomes difficult for me is having WASD to move while having to use QERFVCXZ to attack, jump, interact, etc. I can't do it all with on hand, unless it's the mouse. (This would go for anywhere on the right side of the keyboard, as well.)

Also, games that spread the controls all over the keyboard, at random spots, like WASD to move, H to use menu, V to attack, N to jump, or whatever..it's ridiculous. I quit the game and delete files immediately when I find those. lol

I know it takes up more time and work, but games that implement the choice to change the controls to however we prefer...those are golden, and to me are worth the extra time and effort.

 

[smut]

One hand on the mouse the other on the ... you know.

Indeed, I do like a cold can of beer with my games.

 

[God3333]

Hahah, the numeric keypad? Oh god, this reminds me of the absolute shit show of controls flight sim had: Bloody num 8 or num 5 to raise your nose, absolute shite.

Also important to know, not every keyboard has a numpad, and even fewer numpad users know how to use them. I'm relatively tech savvy and I didn't know how to use them until I had to rebind them in flight sim.

 

[FookU2]

Hahah, the numeric keypad? Oh god, this reminds me of the absolute shit show of controls flight sim had: Bloody num 8 or num 5 to raise your nose, absolute shite.

Also important to know, not every keyboard has a numpad, and even fewer numpad users know how to use them. I'm relatively tech savvy and I didn't know how to use them until I had to rebind them in flight sim.

The number pad is supposed to be used like an old fashioned calculator...i.e...before everything was on computers and cellphones, teachers used physical calculators on their desks to calculate scores..and I watched one of my teachers typing up scores without ever taking her eyes off of the papers...one hand on the calculator (paper roll spinning out numbers lol) and the other hand filtering through the papers.
A number pad simply adds that system to a computer, so we don't have to search all over the keyboard to find the numbers at the top.
To my understanding, this is the main reason for a numberpad.
Anything gaming related is simply based on each person's personal preferences....for me...where I am comfortable with resting my hands/arms.
So, there is no wrong way to use a number pad. How a number pad should be used? Press the buttons you need to press. That's how they should be used. lol

 

[FAP369ZONE]

Gamepad

 

[Loganfin]

I really prefer to be able to move my character with the mouse, exclusively. If I'm forced to use the keyboard, I'm likely not going to play the game. In some, I've found it to be frustrating to move back and forth. In a few, the controls have been so confusing that it took all of the enjoyment away.

No problem hitting the random letter here and there, such as H to hide the dialogue temporarily, or I for inventory. But no character controls.