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stmia r0!, {r2-r9}
Hi all! So I'm working on a little game, perhaps to be released as a "preview" for the contest ending soon. I don't really have a history playing handheld or console games and I'm wondering (embarrassing as it is) if there is any sort of standard "conventions" for what the various buttons are for.
The available buttons (not counting the joystick directions):
L, R, A, B, X, Y, START, SELECT, JOYPUSH
I know that different games have different functions so there are not "universals" but gamers must come to expect that certain controls will function in certain ways. If I had to guess, here's what I would guess for some common tasks... if these are wrong or unusual somebody please correct me so I don't use nonintuitive controls (and maybe somebody else will benefit too).
Menu selection (for example, choosing between single player and multiple players before the game starts, or selecting a difficulty level): Either have the text explain which button to push for each option (A=SINGLE PLAYER B=TWO PLAYERS), in which case favor A and B as the buttons but also X and Y could be available. Or, navigate a list. If navigating a list, the joystick and X / Y buttons are used to move between items, with SELECT, A, JOYPUSH, L, or R (any one of them) used to make the selection (if making a selection is required).
Lacking something like explicitly explained keys to start the game (e.g. A = START EASY GAME B = START HARD GAME), I would think that the START button would start the game. Also, the START button pauses the game and resumes it again.
If the game has a weapon, it seems like the R button is the most natural way to fire it. It seems a bit awkward to push the L button too often while using the left hand to work the joystick. Is there normally another button used to fire the primary weapon -- for example, R and A could both have that function. It's nice to reserve buttons for alternate functions but nicer to make the controls behave the way players expect.
Secondary weapon: Lots of games have a second weapon. I'd guess that this would map to L and B.
X and Y would then be used for alternate functions (like jumping, ducking, going into hyperspace, etc). The joystick push could similarly be used for an alternate function, but after playing with my gp2x for a while it seems like it might be better to avoid the joystick push altogether as it's too easy to click it accidentally. For something like a strategy or adventure game, moving a cursor with the joystick then pressing to select the item under the cursor seems like it could work though.
I have no idea what the SELECT button would be used for during game play.
Any corrections or additions greatly appreciated!
The available buttons (not counting the joystick directions):
L, R, A, B, X, Y, START, SELECT, JOYPUSH
I know that different games have different functions so there are not "universals" but gamers must come to expect that certain controls will function in certain ways. If I had to guess, here's what I would guess for some common tasks... if these are wrong or unusual somebody please correct me so I don't use nonintuitive controls (and maybe somebody else will benefit too).
Menu selection (for example, choosing between single player and multiple players before the game starts, or selecting a difficulty level): Either have the text explain which button to push for each option (A=SINGLE PLAYER B=TWO PLAYERS), in which case favor A and B as the buttons but also X and Y could be available. Or, navigate a list. If navigating a list, the joystick and X / Y buttons are used to move between items, with SELECT, A, JOYPUSH, L, or R (any one of them) used to make the selection (if making a selection is required).
Lacking something like explicitly explained keys to start the game (e.g. A = START EASY GAME B = START HARD GAME), I would think that the START button would start the game. Also, the START button pauses the game and resumes it again.
If the game has a weapon, it seems like the R button is the most natural way to fire it. It seems a bit awkward to push the L button too often while using the left hand to work the joystick. Is there normally another button used to fire the primary weapon -- for example, R and A could both have that function. It's nice to reserve buttons for alternate functions but nicer to make the controls behave the way players expect.
Secondary weapon: Lots of games have a second weapon. I'd guess that this would map to L and B.
X and Y would then be used for alternate functions (like jumping, ducking, going into hyperspace, etc). The joystick push could similarly be used for an alternate function, but after playing with my gp2x for a while it seems like it might be better to avoid the joystick push altogether as it's too easy to click it accidentally. For something like a strategy or adventure game, moving a cursor with the joystick then pressing to select the item under the cursor seems like it could work though.
I have no idea what the SELECT button would be used for during game play.
Any corrections or additions greatly appreciated!
