Keyboard Controls

Propose new game/software design concepts or new game/software ideas. They can be as whimsical as you like, just be careful you don't ask someone to make it for you...
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Pobulous
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Re: Keyboard Controls

Post by Pobulous »

I prefer 1Q90M as I find QAOPM too cramped these days. I don't really like space as fire, and also it sucks if that's the only option on a rubber key Speccy.
I also still like the cursor key layout, either in the QWERT position or 56780, but I think I'm in the minority there.
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Alessandro
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Re: Keyboard Controls

Post by Alessandro »

I was always uncomfortable with the QAOPM scheme. Back in the day I used the Cursor layout whenever available. In later years I accustomed myself to the Sinclair 67890 one.

If keys can be redefined, I always followed the SDKML scheme.

Note that I am right handed, although I hold the knife in the left hand and the fork in the right when I eat, and wear my wrist watches on the right.
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R-Tape
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Re: Keyboard Controls

Post by R-Tape »

I can't think why you'd opt for a choice of choices rather than define keys, but this is an interesting thread. Some of these combinations are new to me. After the cursor weirdos, I thought the next lot was the ZXOKP rabble...
lister_of_smeg wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2019 8:34 am As a leftie, I always used ZXKM and L if given the chance.
For interest, why not just a reversed QAOP? PLWQ.
Pobulous wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2019 4:13 pm I prefer 1Q90M as I find QAOPM too cramped these days. I don't really like space as fire, and also it sucks if that's the only option on a rubber key Speccy.
That's the default Jonathan Cauldwell puts in his games. It's okay, but I can't see why it's better than QAOP. You guys must have hands like Rachmaninoff!

It's wrong to generalise, but to sum up: anyone that chooses anything other than QAOP-Spc (or M for a 48K) is a pervert.
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R-Tape
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Re: Keyboard Controls

Post by R-Tape »

Alessandro wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:42 pm Note that I am right handed, although I hold the knife in the left hand and the fork in the right when I eat, and wear my wrist watches on the right.
Nobody wears watches anymore Ale—it's far better to rummage around your coat, trousers or bag for a minute to find your smartphone :mrgreen:
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R-Tape
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Re: Keyboard Controls

Post by R-Tape »

It's worth adding that the urban dictionary has QAOP as the "Holy Four" for good reason :mrgreen:
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Einar Saukas
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Re: Keyboard Controls

Post by Einar Saukas »

lister_of_smeg wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2019 8:34 am As a leftie, I always used ZXKM and L if given the chance.
This is also Bob Smith's default controls:

https://maps.speccy.cz/map.php?id=XYZ
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lister_of_smeg
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Re: Keyboard Controls

Post by lister_of_smeg »

R-Tape wrote: Wed Sep 11, 2019 7:52 pm For interest, why not just a reversed QAOP? PLWQ.
Because it's not a 'QW Spectrum' :D

Seriously though, it just felt more comfortable not having to reach over as many keys.
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Fahnn
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Re: Keyboard Controls

Post by Fahnn »

Joefish wrote: Tue Sep 10, 2019 6:09 pm I know that QAOP and M/SPACE is the classic key layout for Speccy games, but I've seen some people prefer a sort of 'left-handed' version of this with ZX for left/right and up/down on the right. If there was another option for keys in a game (and not redefinable), what would it be?
If I could redefine the keys, it would always be to Q/W for left/right, P/L for up/down and symbol shift for fire. I'm right-handed, but for some reason I find Q/A for up/down a bit awkward for my fingers; if up/down must be on the left then Q/S seems a lot more natural.
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