On-Map Encounters with MV Touchscreen?

[Neo Soul Gamer]

So after watching the Android demo for MV on the RPG Maker channel, something popped up in my head. 

Based on several topics that I've read through, I think it's safe to say that the general preference is to have encounters on the map instead of random encounters. Do any of you see an issue with On-Map encounters while trying to maneuver without a d-pad?

That may frustrate some people.

And in addition to that, what's your overall feeling on touchscreen RPGs? Have you found that one mobile RPG UI was executed better than others?

(Wasn't sure if this should go in the MV sub-forum or here. I apologize in advance if the mods consider this placed in the wrong sub-forum)

 

[Milennin]

I don't think it'd be too much of an issue. Playing on a device with touch screen is always going to be less effective than playing with keyboard+mouse or controller. There's also possibilities for accidentally clicking the wrong skills in combat with touch screen, but I'm sure people will be able to deal with it.

Something I'm more concerned about is how to make mini-games or challenges that involve quick or precise movement to work well on a touch screen device. Would probably need to script that detects what the player is using to play the game on, and then dumb down the challenge for mobile users through a branching event.

 

[Ms Littlefish]

I find touchscreens in general to be really frustrating, especially the smaller the device. On larger tablets it may not be nearly as much an issue. Since I haven't been able to play an RM game on a phone yet it's hard for me say how responsive the touch is, though another possibility is that a stylus may very much be recommended. 

 

[Neo Soul Gamer]

I don't think it'd be too much of an issue. Playing on a device with touch screen is always going to be less effective than playing with keyboard+mouse or controller. There's also possibilities for accidentally clicking the wrong skills in combat with touch screen, but I'm sure people will be able to deal with it.

Something I'm more concerned about is how to make mini-games or challenges that involve quick or precise movement to work well on a touch screen device. Would probably need to script that detects what the player is using to play the game on, and then dumb down the challenge for mobile users through a branching event.

The menus are a concern a for me too. Hoping there's some kind of spacing/padding plugin. 

I find touchscreens in general to be really frustrating, especially the smaller the device. On larger tablets it may not be nearly as much an issue. Since I haven't been able to play an RM game on a phone yet it's hard for me say how responsive the touch is, though another possibility is that a stylus may very much be recommended. 

Yeah, you're right. A Stylus... *shudder*

 

[Kes]

This is possibly in the right place, it depends how the discussion develops.

However, no one can yet make a positive contribution on how one might design for a touch screen, because no one who is going to participate here has got MV yet.  If this deteriorates into yet another "will it have X?", "I hope it doesn't have Y" thread, I will close it as that does not contribute to game design, and we have a couple of threads for that sort of speculation/wondering already.

 

[Neo Soul Gamer]

This is possibly in the right place, it depends how the discussion develops.

However, no one can yet make a positive contribution on how one might design for a touch screen, because no one who is going to participate here has got MV yet.  If this deteriorates into yet another "will it have X?", "I hope it doesn't have Y" thread, I will close it as that does not contribute to game design, and we have a couple of threads for that sort of speculation/wondering already.

I'd agree with closing down the topic in that case. I would hope that it doesn't deteriorate into that type of thread. I was hoping to get more feedback on touchscreen rpgs in general. (Mobile remakes like Chrono Trigger, FFVI, etc.)

 

[Kes]

That sort of feedback would be very useful to have.

EDIT

Actually, it might be helpful if you edited your opening post to make that point, so that people knew from the get go what this thread is really about.

 

[Wavelength]

I think it's a completely reasonable concern.  A script that will avoid events marked as "enemy" when coming up with a Move Route or something similar will definitely be a very in-demand script.

 

[BadMinotaur]

Final Fantasy Tacfics has an excellent mobile port (at least on iOS). This is in part due to its menu navigation. Essentially, the menus have not changed size, but instead of clicking on the option you want, you swipe your finger up or down (anywhere on the screen) to move the cursor. If you want to click something, you just tap on the screen and it'll select your current item. There's a cancel button in the corner of the screen to back out of these menus but I don't see why you can't just have a "go back" option on the relevant menus.

I think that way of doing it is very nice. It's not immediately intuitive but once you realize what the controls are, it's smooth and effortless.

 

[Neo Soul Gamer]

That sort of feedback would be very useful to have.

EDIT

Actually, it might be helpful if you edited your opening post to make that point, so that people knew from the get go what this thread is really about.

Done.

Final Fantasy Tacfics has an excellent mobile port (at least on iOS). This is in part due to its menu navigation. Essentially, the menus have not changed size, but instead of clicking on the option you want, you swipe your finger up or down (anywhere on the screen) to move the cursor. If you want to click something, you just tap on the screen and it'll select your current item. There's a cancel button in the corner of the screen to back out of these menus but I don't see why you can't just have a "go back" option on the relevant menus.

I think that way of doing it is very nice. It's not immediately intuitive but once you realize what the controls are, it's smooth and effortless.

Never played the mobile port. That swiping gesture sounds neat, though.