Sensor control: new ways to play old games?

[AndroidNoodle]

What do you think?

[Nephasth]

Looks cool. Still waiting for Game Gripper to be made for the Droid 3.

Nevermind, looks like it was just released!

[wp34]

Interesting.  Star Wars does look real playable.

Why the reference to Driver-Man at 1:32 in the video?

[Hoopz]

Interesting.  Star Wars does look real playable.

Why the reference to Driver-Man at 1:32 in the video?

And the 720 reference?  Looks like we need to get Spacies to make that visit after all!

[AndroidNoodle]

wp34,

It is me, your friendly neighborhood crazy internet crusader, the Driver-man. How are you doing my friend, what's swinging?


Hoopz,

New ways to play old games, eh!? C'mon you gotta love me for it!

Not that I did much, horizontal axis support was already there, but no one seem to have realized there is more to sensor input, much more. None of the emulators actually support it, and playing with virtual pad completely sucks, right? So, after testing this and making that video, for you my dear friend, I then went to Android Market and posted to all SNES emulators asking to do the same thing, so I, and you, and everyone, can play Star Fox and whatever other games that turn out playable this way. Many are. The thing is, even if you can't play most of them as good as with joystick or even keyboard, they are still kind of fun, and challenging rather than struggle and plain frustration like it can be with virtual pad.

There is one more thing I started here on this forum, but never got to finish, like 720 Degrees (ha!), which is Global Scoreboard. Now I am going to add that feature to MAME4droid too, it's perfect fit, right? And now no one should be afraid of being connected to internet since these phones are supposed to be anyway. How cool is that? Wanna help me out test it? ...or you can ban me, for some reason. I only wanted to fix bugs, which I did, I still have no clue why everyone hates me. I'm so friendly, and beautiful, don't hate me just because I'm cool.


So, what's it gonna be, ban me, or let me upload that new version of MAME4droid for you? And then you can ban, hehehee... or we could play and have fun, make that Scoreboard thing together and then try to beat each other records?


How many people here have Android phones anyway, I'd say 70% to 50% at least, am I wrong?

[Gray_Area]

I don't think it's very playable, but people are going to play whatever games on whatever hardware, so.....

[AndroidNoodle]

I don't think it's very playable, but people are going to play whatever games on whatever hardware, so.....

You can think that, or you could actually try it out. Awww. I guess what you saying is that you do not care, but why would that be is completely unclear. Do you not care about mobile gaming? Maybe you think arcade games should not be played on mobile phones as it is not "authentic"? Perhaps you'd rather play with virtual pad, or maybe you prefer Market games like Fruit Ninja and Angry Birds? What is your comment really about, please?


Some games are playable like they were made for it. With some games it's really intuitive, feels smooth, responsive and precise (with practice). I tried to play Road Runner which seemed impossible after trying it for the first 10 minutes, but I kept practicing and after 30 more minutes I could almost past the first stage, and I had fun, bit of a struggle and sweating, but to me it was fun. There is a slight "physical" kind feeling you get while playing like this, kind of what you get when playing mechanical pinball, it immerses you in the game and gets you more involved, I guess that's what makes it fun even for the games where it does not quite fit.

Moon Patrol plays beautifully, I could pass several stages with the first life I played like that. It only needs left-fight, so you can try it yourself with MAME4droind from the Market. If that does not tickle your fancy then what in the world does, what do you play on your mobile and how?

[RandyT]

....horizontal axis support was already there, but no one seem to have realized there is more to sensor input, much more. None of the emulators actually support it, and playing with virtual pad completely sucks, right?

Just got my first Android phone (played with a nice Android tablet a bit before that), and I disagree with your conclusion that no-one realized it was there.  Heck, one of the games pre-installed on the phone was a labyrinth game which makes extensive use of the sensor, and it works very well for that type of game.  There was also a driving game that I don't enjoy playing, simply due to the awkward control scheme.  If the tilt scheme wasn't used by a developer, it was more likely ignored, being seen as not worth the effort to include.

The control offered by the sensor is imprecise in this application (practice or not) and the majority of games will just be frustrating to control.  That may be fun for some, and I wish them well if they enjoy playing that way, but I'm not in that crowd.  Still, probably better to have the option than not, so folks can decide that for themselves.

[AndroidNoodle]

....horizontal axis support was already there, but no one seem to have realized there is more to sensor input, much more. None of the emulators actually support it, and playing with virtual pad completely sucks, right?

Just got my first Android phone (played with a nice Android tablet a bit before that), and I disagree with your conclusion that no-one realized it was there.  Heck, one of the games pre-installed on the phone was a labyrinth game which makes extensive use of the sensor, and it works very well for that type of game.  There was also a driving game that I don't enjoy playing, simply due to the awkward control scheme.  If the tilt scheme wasn't used by a developer, it was more likely ignored, being seen as not worth the effort to include.

The control offered by the sensor is imprecise in this application (practice or not) and the majority of games will just be frustrating to control.  That may be fun for some, and I wish them well if they enjoy playing that way, but I'm not in that crowd.  Still, probably better to have the option than not, so folks can decide that for themselves.

I am not talking about crappy Android apps, delete, delete! I was talking about all the other EMULATORS, that either do not support sensor input at all, or even perhaps more aggravating they support only left-right, what the...?

So, you tried some crappy Android app and will not even try anything else, ugghh. Do yourself a favor and try Moon Patrol or something on MAME4droid, not crappy Market apps, before you make your opinion. But then, you are the guy who is happy controlling games via USB, when you could have lag-free interface via parallel port, so I don't think you are competent enough to judge the wizardry involved in controlling arcade games. Just kidding, you're all right, I like you better than the other guy. Now, please do a few Moon Patrol rounds and report back if you changed your mind, ok?

Although, you'd really have to try it with Star Wars or Gyruss to truly appreciate how well it fits. I did it only for the Star Wars, and it's on my great surprise that many other games could be played like that as well, games like Amidar, Crush Roller, Bagman, Elevator Action, Commando, Time Pilot, Ghosts'n Goblins, even Missile Command... and I haven't yet tried Marble Madness and many other games that could fit it very well. Alternatively, you can always play Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja. Just don't forget, whatever it is, practice makes it perfect.

[RandyT]

I am not talking about crappy Android apps, delete, delete! I was talking about all the other EMULATORS, that either do not support sensor input at all, or even perhaps more aggravating they support only left-right, what the...?

So was I.  If I were developing an emulator, I don't know that I would bother with the tilt sensor either.  Just my opinion.

So, you tried some crappy Android app and will not even try anything else, ugghh. Do yourself a favor and try Moon Patrol or something on MAME4droid, not crappy Market apps, before you make your opinion. But then, you are the guy who is happy controlling games via USB, when you could have lag-free interface via parallel port, so I don't think you are competent enough to judge the wizardry involved in controlling arcade games. Just kidding, you're all right, I like you better than the other guy. Now, please do a few Moon Patrol rounds and report back if you changed your mind, ok?

Heh.  So the extremely fast response time of USB is not good enough for you, but the net effect of playing a game with a "wet noodle" as a joystick is?  A little consistency goes a long way in the credibility department .  Like I said, some folks may find it enjoyable playing a game as well as they are able, being severely hampered by the control, just not me.

Although, you'd really have to try it with Star Wars or Gyruss to truly appreciate how well it fits. I did it only for the Star Wars, and it's on my great surprise that many other games could be played like that as well, games like Amidar, Crush Roller, Bagman, Elevator Action, Commando, Time Pilot, Ghosts'n Goblins, even Missile Command... and I haven't yet tried Marble Madness and many other games that could fit it very well. Alternatively, you can always play Angry Birds and Fruit Ninja. Just don't forget, whatever it is, practice makes it perfect.

It is a good option to have for analog controls, but honestly, some of those games, like star wars, would probably be better if you could use the touch screen instead.  As for the others, feel free to post a video or three showing how great they play with this method.  You have the practice already (I'm assuming), show folks how well it can be done .

[AndroidNoodle]

Sorry, you have no clue what you saying. Star Wars with touch-screen, ay caramba! You don't even have an opinion, it's not opinion if you have not tried it, it's assumption. Always the same with you guys, and it would only take a minute just to TRY IT OUT. And they call me crazy?! Why am I even trying to persuade you to have fun, uh. Perhaps I am crazy after all, well someone surely must be.


Therefore, I challenge you,

in hi-score competition where
you play with real Star Wars controller
and I play with my phone and sensor control,

do you accept the challenge, mate?

[RandyT]

Therefore, I challenge you,

in hi-score competition where
you play with real Star Wars controller
and I play with my phone and sensor control,

Perhaps I am crazy after all

You don't need to convince me.  I will probably try it out at some point.  Just consider me skeptical, based on every game I have played with the sensor, and the "meh" aftertaste I was left with.  Some games are really good, like the labyrinth game, and others where the  game was designed with the tilt sensor in mind.  It's the others, where it seems out of place, and doesn't offer enough control, that leave me wanting.

[AndroidNoodle]

Cool. I'm looking forward to hear what you think. Thank you!

I suggest you try Moon Patrol, until I upload my version of MAME4dorid somewhere. Don't know any other game with just left-right you could try really. Arkanoid for example was too hard for me, maybe Tempest or some other spinner game would be better, have not tried it yet.

[yotsuya]

OK, I call "Banned by 5:30 PM, my local time".

[Sjaak]

OK, I call "Banned by 5:30 PM, my local time".

+1

[AndroidNoodle]

Driver-man, friend or foe?

Right. Well, I said what I wanted anyway, I'll see myself out now.
Some of those who do try it will appreciate it, and you're welcome.


Ta-ta,
Driver-man



 Driver-man, Driver-man, does whatever a driver can
 Spins a code any size, catches bugs just like flies
 Look out, here comes the Driver-man!

 Is he strong? Listen bud, he's got radioactive blood
 Can he swing from a thread? Take a look overhead
 Hey, there! There goes the Driver-man!

 In the chill of the night
 At the scene of a crime
 Like a streak of light
 He arrives just in time!

 Driver-man, Driver-man, friendly neighborhood Driver-man
 Wealth and fame he's ignored, thrill & action is his reward
 Look out, there goes the Driver-man!

[Drnick]

Well that was all very odd    May bust out the Droid and give it a go I suppose.

[HaRuMaN]

OK, I call "Banned by 5:30 PM, my local time".

+1

Try 2:30   

[yotsuya]

When the warning light for your gas tank comes on, you don't wait to run out of gas first to know you have a problem. 

[SavannahLion]

Crappy code pumped out by someone who has a crappy understanding of the underpinnings for the very thing he argues for. 1985 called, they want their computer back.

I don't even care about what D-M knows because it's entirely overshadowed by what he thinks he knows.

[HaRuMaN]

Fairly needless ban that time around.... 

Premptive strikw

[Gray_Area]

He was starting to get pretty worked up. And people can always change their minds. Many do several times a second....