Author Topic: Tidalis + Touchpad = Challenges!  (Read 2234 times)

Offline CautiousChaos

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Tidalis + Touchpad = Challenges!
« on: July 18, 2010, 10:08:19 pm »
Hey folks,

So I've got one of them fancy touchpads.  You know the kind - either super-sensitive or not at all responsive (until you start typing)...

Anyways, it is difficult to manage the controls necessary to play Tidalis with a touchpad.  Left-clicking with one finger than attempting to navigate with the other finger on the same touchpad is somewhat comical.  It's just too small an area to have that many fingers trying to get things done. 

So, I went into the Settings section of Tidalis to try and bind the keys differently.  There really isn't a configuration for replacing/emulating the effect of holding down a mouse button to move/change arrow directions.  It's a bit frustrating in a way because it makes any game where speed is a factor just plain tough to play because of tripping up on the finger interface. 

I've got a solution, though, that really is working well, though it's not something that your average player is going to concoct. 

I'm using AutoHotKey to reassign my Tab key to be LeftMouseButton and my Caps Lock to be RightMouseButton.  The effect is magical!  I simply hold down one of these keys with my left hand and my right hand is free to navigate on the touchpad. 

Thought I'd post my experiences and solution for those that may be in the same predicament. 

cc

Offline x4000

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Re: Tidalis + Touchpad = Challenges!
« Reply #1 on: July 18, 2010, 11:08:47 pm »
That's a great idea!  We'll have to make an extra hotkey for the next patch that would let you do that without resorting to autohotkey.  We put a lot of work into having full-fledged keyboard controls, which is what we figured anyone without a mouse would use.  But, that's a clever tertiary control scheme you've got going there, we'll have to make that an official added one. :)
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Offline CautiousChaos

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Re: Tidalis + Touchpad = Challenges!
« Reply #2 on: July 19, 2010, 12:29:56 am »
Well, thank you!  I didn't want to come back here and whine without thinking things through. 

I was quite surprised at the amount of remapping you had provided.  And the number of options in the game (play options) are also surprising.  I love the custom game setting "surprise me with something". 

cc

Offline x4000

  • Chris McElligott Park, Arcen Founder and Lead Dev
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Re: Tidalis + Touchpad = Challenges!
« Reply #3 on: July 19, 2010, 09:10:06 am »
No problem!

And yeah, Keith had the idea foe the surprise me setting, and I thought that was really cool when I saw it. :)
Have ideas or bug reports for one of our games?  Mantis for Suggestions and Bug Reports. Thanks for helping to make our games better!

 

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