Interface suggestions

zox · Post by **zox** » 15 Feb 2007, 00:52

Only one so far, but I might forget if I don't post it. Best to keep distinct aspects in different threads, though. Maybe others will add to it.

Hide pointer on keypress

Even though the team are considering ways to provide purely keyboard-based control, there are invariably times when the pointer gets used for something, then left in the middle of the screen until you remember to drag it off again (possibly with a grunt of annoyance).

Post by **Crush** » 15 Feb 2007, 02:55

How about making the cursor disappear when it isn't moved for a few seconds?

Quiche_on_a_leash · Post by **Quiche_on_a_leash** » 15 Feb 2007, 16:36

Crush wrote:How about making the cursor disappear when it isn't moved for a few seconds?

I'm sure this was discussed a while back.
Personally, I'm all for that idea.

Although I'm not to keen on the hiding the mouse on key press idea as I do find that quite annoying IMO.

zox · Post by **zox** » 15 Feb 2007, 22:51

Whichever works.

I have a preference for using keypress (maybe just the arrow keys?) because it happens precisely when you are definitely not using the mouse, whereas the timeout can happen by pausing too long during use, or linger past its welcome.
In my experience, timeouts never sync with the user's intentions.

Likewise, in case it wasn't obvious, the pointer would reappear on use (in either system).
Then you have to move it just to find it again, before you can see which way to really move it; This is okay if it comes after using the keyboard, but a real nuisance between pointer moves.

I can see the keypress being undesireable for players who use the pointer exclusively, but then I don't know why they'd want to hide it.

Post by **EJlol** » 16 Feb 2007, 12:45

Why not make it an option (keypress, timeout and none)?
That way the player can choose what they want.