Okay, so this time we've got an exciting task - to create an accessible controller, that could be as universal and easy to use as possible. And... to create a game that could be played by it in the potential future. In some better times would also be required to try to build a physical controller, but we live in lockdown times, so here is a story about the first two parts. Part one - Controller concept.
I love brainstorming. It always amazes me how the thoughts are pulled out from the often empty heads like the handkerchief from the clown's pocket. We started with something undeniable - buttons, keyboards, glasses... and ended up with the glove idea!
Just thinking about it - a glove, that could be as comfortable as possible, and sensitive as possible. The sensitive glove could feel a finger's minimal movement, which would be so much easier to use by the beautiful people with any state or disability.
After the glove idea, we were thinking about something even more accessible. The glove will require to be put on, and it requires all five fingers working ( or even be presented). And it would be much harder to make the perfect fit of the player's hand, as each of us has its shape and size. Besides, futuristic style is a must-have nowadays, so why wouldn't you go for something more minimalistic?
So we ended up with the rings that could be adapted for any finger's size and thickness. That could be customised for any quantity of the fingers, for any sensitivity and finger movement!
So I started to research and discovered such treasures as the Glove controller which PS1 made in 1998. Or an invisible keyboard, made by TAP. Those all inspired me for drawing this concept, which our fantastic modeller Alex Bates modelled later in ZBrush.
Model by Alex Bates
So by our idea that glove-like controller/rings could provide:
-> finger movement activates corresponding button / mechanic
-> single hand support
-> easy and effortless controls to support elders and others with not much strength in their hands
-> 3 finger controls? -> further support in case of fewer than five fingers
-> one ring comes with control stick support for the movement
support:
- setting to flip controls for left / right hands
- sensitivity setting for the button press
- button toggle holding on/off
- joystick comes separate
-> allows for customisation for individual controls
That was an amazing journey in the world of technologies and ideas.
Looking forward to tell you about the game in the next post!
コメント