Ord.
PHOBIE 24 Jun, 2022 @ 6:43pm
Game Test
- premise interesting lame
- controls clunky why
- settings cursor gone
- space bar broken

Premise was interesting, execution not. Some critical thinking was missing when designing the interface:

When we have up to three options to choose from, it will be impractical to use cursor and confirm with a button. It's a waste of an action. Instead button 1, 2, and 3, or QWE or a mouse with 3 buttons are the quickest way for everyone. Apart from snails and sea stars.

Keyboard controls: WASD, QWER, 123, do not work, instead cursor must be used. Space or Enter to confirm. But if we have used Space or Enter for the last choice and want to confirm on the same line, it is not working. It only works again if we move it once. I don't like to assume intent. But it's clearly broken and it's almost impossible to miss for developer.

Between ending a scene and starting a new one, space/enter or mouse must be clicked, it's not needed. By now we have wasted up to 3 actions per scene. When using mouse there is one "dry" click, where nothing happens. Not satisfying.

I don't get how it's possible to design a game where 1 click or key per scene was sufficient, then mess the UI up so that doesn't work. It's the metaphorical Rohrkrepierer.

Thanks for staying for this ergonomics lesson. Make the world a better place.