I Have Only One Request.

[MycroftCanadaNS]

I only have one request.

Please, Please do something with the control system. You could use the control system from games like Diablo, and just have a key you can toggle for releasing the mouse to interact with the game world.

Right now the controls are hateful which has stopped me from playing the game, and NO I won't use a game pad (I only use a game pad for flight sims). That is for consoles, not for the PC.

[Gonzo Max]

The controls are WSAD and mouse control to navigate menus. That's pretty standard fare. Gamepad is an option, but KB&M is the primary design choice- it's certainly no more incongruous than using one for a flight sim, anyway ;)

I'll not deny I feel the controls could do with tightening up, but for me it's less of the controls and more a question of UI - the menus could do with a bit of work but it's been suggested that this'll come further down the line - hateful seems a pretty strong way to put it.

[.Envy]

If you hold down ctrl then the controls are more "Diablo-eque." I think the controls currently are a bit rough around the edges but get the job done, I like it quite a bit

[☃]

Or you could just git gud. Just a thought.

[WillieSea]

The controls work exactly as they do in any file explorer window. I guess that may seem 'hateful' if your not familiar with how to navigate Windows file explorer windows.

[Gonzo Max]

Originally posted by zee.earthling:

Or you could just git gud. Just a thought.

This doesn't help. Let's keep things nice and positive, it makes for a nicer forum to hang out in :)

[Symphony]

The control scheme is fine, it's the standard WASD movement setup. The Diablo control scheme would actually be awful here because of the number of enemies that can be on the screen at any given time. Using the keyboard keys for movement means your mouse is freed up for other actions, which you definitely want in this game, lol.
Edit: Additionally, in this game you have no spells or additional abilities that you would use while using your mouse to move.

[☣ βioClone λx-45 ☣]

I understand what you ask for, but if you expect to base your gameplay on "point and click" you are doing it bad, because you require to move all the time between "attack/stealth mode" to sprinting... doing other thing will end on you being killed soon.

[Death]

If it's a Diablo style control you are looking for, I'm pretty sure there is already a mod for that. I personally think that it's an awful way for the game to control. But if that's what you want, then so be it.

[MycroftCanadaNS]

Here is the simple solution to the clunky control system.

#1: Use the mouse pointer for movement which is used in all successful ARPG's.

#2: A,S,D for quick looking. S to look backwards, A to look left, D to look right. W is null & void while moving since while moving you are always looking forward.

#3: Hold down shift to stop you in your tracks to engage if you desire.

#4: Bind a key to untie the mouse from character movement to allow you to look through cupboards, use inventory items, build, jump through windows etc.

That is how simple this is.

Most people who play games knows that a good game starts with a good control system.

Although this game is one of the great survival games on the market hands down it suffers from a crippling control system.

I know I am not the only one who thinks so. Many people for the most part are either too afraid to post their opinion on it or just do not care. I care about the game, and I have always supported the developer in a very positive manner, and I will always continue to do so.

For me, after playing for 30 minutes my fingers begin to ache like you wouldn't believe because of how clunky, and how stretched out you have to have your fingers just to use the keyboard properly.

Anyway, I'm done with mentioning this but the solution for this is so simple.

[njs]

Originally posted by MycroftCanadaNS:

Here is the simple solution to the clunky control system.

#1: Use the mouse pointer for movement which is used in all successful ARPG's.

#2: A,S,D for quick looking. S to look backwards, A to look left, D to look right. W is null & void while moving since while moving you are always looking forward.

#3: Hold down shift to stop you in your tracks to engage if you desire.

#4: Bind a key to untie the mouse from character movement to allow you to look through cupboards, use inventory items, build, jump through windows etc.

That is how simple this is.

Most people who play games knows that a good game starts with a good control system.

Although this game is one of the great survival games on the market hands down it suffers from a crippling control system.

I know I am not the only one who thinks so. Many people for the most part are either too afraid to post their opinion on it or just do not care. I care about the game, and I have always supported the developer in a very positive manner, and I will always continue to do so.

For me, after playing for 30 minutes my fingers begin to ache like you wouldn't believe because of how clunky, and how stretched out you have to have your fingers just to use the keyboard properly.

Anyway, I'm done with mentioning this but the solution for this is so simple.

That isn't a simple control scheme for this sort of game. It isn't an ARPG. Situations in Zomboid require quick response times and ARPG controls don't work for that, just look at the labyrinth in PoE and how much of a ♥♥♥♥♥ it is to get through it as opposed to how simple it would be with instant directional input (WASD). The controls as they are in PZ work perfectly fine, especially because they are configurable.

You seem to be the only one who's brought up them being an issue, and saying that others are too scared or don't care enough to bring it up doesn't help your argument of this being a big issue.

[Johnny Boy]

Originally posted by Gonzo Max:

less of the controls and more a question of UI - the menus could do with a bit of work but it's been suggested that this'll come further down the line

Not gonna lie I'd be bummed to see the UI change. I mean it's clunky and confusing for new players but like I've been playing the game with it so long i'd be sad to see it go, it seems like it fits the game really well for what it is, yknow?

which is.. complex, and takes some getting used to, but ultimately functional

[AlterEgo45]

I won't spend much time on this either, but you all are delusional if you think this control scheme is 'standard fare' or in any way effective. The clunky method of combat and the imprecision of the controls has no business being in a real time, isometric game.

You're not getting a balanced set of opinions here because most people who hate the control scheme don't hit the forums. They just bury you in their review and go play another game.

I've seen all this talk about cars, and updated animation, and none of that is going to be worth a lick if people can't effectively control their avatar. If the control scheme isn't going to be improved, you might as well stop wasting your time, take this out of EA and call it a day since your reviews are never going to get better.

I mean, just look at the negative reviews right now. No-one is talking about the animation not being good enough. No-one is talking about fonts or whatever. I'd guess more than half of the negative reviews including mine are complaining about the control scheme first and foremost. The biggest challenge in a game should NOT be learning how to effectively control your character and avoid picking grass when you're trying to hit a prone zombie.

It's a shame. People want this game to do well and be great, it's exactly what we're looking for overall in a zombie sim. But after 6 years it's apparent that the UI is never going to be brought up to any decent standard.

[njs]

Originally posted by AlterEgo45:

I mean, just look at the negative reviews right now. No-one is talking about the animation not being good enough. No-one is talking about fonts or whatever. I'd guess more than half of the negative reviews including mine are complaining about the control scheme first and foremost.

Most negative reviews are about reviewers thinking the game is taking too long to develop.

[RobDeLaMorte]

What's with all the people suddenly complaining about the controls? o.O I don't remember this ever being a thing, was there a sale or a cross-promotion on a Roblox server or something?

Ctrl to sneak, E to open doors/windows quick, mouse for aiming and checking stuff, left click to boop zombies, right click for context menus on stuff and WASD to move. The hell else could you possibly need? It is by NO means some obtuse control scheme from a dodgy console port or something.

[☃]

Originally posted by RobDeLaMorte:

What's with all the people suddenly complaining about the controls? o.O I don't remember this ever being a thing, was there a sale or a cross-promotion on a Roblox server or something?

Ctrl to sneak, E to open doors/windows quick, mouse for aiming and checking stuff, left click to boop zombies, right click for context menus on stuff and WASD to move. The hell else could you possibly need? It is by NO means some obtuse control scheme from a dodgy console port or something.

I think people who call themselves gamers are just to dumbed down to be able to use any thing but an iPhone is my guess, unless it is a control scheme that they already know, even though pretty much every single game is made with just slightly different controls from the last and next. This is why North America has a hard time in the MLG Circus. The inability to adapt, and an unwillingness to get better by practice. It's pretty damn funny really to watch MLG E-Sports and watch N. Americans getting their teams wrecked.