Lack of map WASD and drag-scrolling is insane

[Imhotep]

I've just installed the game.

My first impression is that the lack of WASD keys and/or dragging with the mouse for scrolling around the map is insane. These are elementary fundamental things a game like this should have.

Instead, one has to use the arrow keys, which is fine for left-handed people or those with two right hands, but for most people it's annoyingly inconvenient. Or, with the mouse, there's edge-scrolling, which is a lot less ergonomic and precise than drag-scrolling.

I see people have been asking for these things since four or five years ago, yet nothing's happened. It boggles the mind that such a finely-crafted and complex game is omitting such standard and basic features.

[MACIORELLA]

Bro, this is SIMULATION not normal game, there are other priorities, I enjoy scrolling with mouse, no idea whats the problem.

[Pain]

He has a bit of a point though, don't you think? Remapping keys is not really a difficult thing in computer software and is pretty much the standard for any game.
I scroll with the arrow keys. I don't think it's ideal, but also not a deal breaker for me personally.

[Imhotep]

Originally posted by MACIOREX:

Bro, this is SIMULATION not normal game, there are other priorities, I enjoy scrolling with mouse, no idea whats the problem.

That's not really an argument, Firstly, this is a game; and, secondly, any decent map you'll find on the internet has drag-scroll capability. Take Google Maps, for a start.

Originally posted by Pain:

I scroll with the arrow keys.

Are you left-handed, or do you have two right hands? 😁

I found this, in the Guides section, which explains how to run a script outside of the game which allows drag-scrolling in the game by holding the middle mouse button.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3396536595
I've set it up. As the author notes, it doesn't work perfectly, but it's much better than not having the possibility at all.

Again, this should already be in the game, though. It's bread and butter, bricks and mortar, foundational stuff.

[Pain]

I'm right-handed. My keyboard is on the left side and my mouse mat with a mouse is right. When I use the arrow keys, I still am far away from my right hand. I guess it may be more of an issue, if I had to play on a laptop and had to rely on a touchpad or something like that.

[Imhotep]

Originally posted by Pain:

I guess it may be more of an issue, if I had to play on a laptop and had to rely on a touchpad or something like that.

Yeah, I use a laptop.

[nemezis]

I agree. This was my first thought for an improvement. It should be a standard behaviour. But what about this: I suspect the author did it intentionally to let us experience post disillusion war quality of life 😉

[Pain]

Originally posted by Imhotep:

Originally posted by Pain:

I guess it may be more of an issue, if I had to play on a laptop and had to rely on a touchpad or something like that.

Yeah, I use a laptop.

Do you not have an external mouse that you could connect to a USB port? It would make it a bit nicer to play anyways.
Personally, when I'm travelling abroad and have my laptop with me, I always bring an extra mouse with me, because I hate using touchpads (not because of Shadow Empire).
A good mouse does not have to be expensive, I think the Logitech Pilot for example is a great mouse and relatively cheap. Full disclosure, I am not working for Logitech or anything like that. :)

[nDervish]

I don't see any reason not to add map dragging, although I personally DGAF, since it's not a feature I've ever liked/used in any game (aside from possibly being forced to do it once in the tutorial to show that I understand the concept). Edge-scroll is my preference, although I also frequently move around the map in SE by pressing '9' (jump to next idle unit) or clicking in my list of cities to jump to that city instead of scrolling.

WASD, on the other hand, has the obvious issue that those keys already have other functions in this game. 'A' activates ranged ("Artillery") attack mode, while 'S' activates Strategic move mode. I don't recall whether 'W' or 'D' have functions already assigned; if they do, then apparently they're not functions I use frequently.

[ЧPOG]

Honestly, It's a big F.U. to the customers when releasing yet another patches but not addressing simple QoL issues like redefining keys/wasd scroll etc. Really sad.

[Slippy]

Originally posted by ЧPOG:

Honestly, It's a big F.U. to the customers when releasing yet another patches but not addressing simple QoL issues like redefining keys/wasd scroll etc. Really sad.

I mean its a solo dev and Id much rather have bug fixes/new features/balance changes rather than something I can live with not having. We dont know how long it would take to implement.

Its not that I dont want it, but its something I can live without. If someone is turned off from the game because it doesnt have drag scrolling (which I hate) or WASD (which I like) then they are missing out on the game.

[desrtfox071]

I agree that the map scrolling is a bit underwhelming. This kinda goes to my other post regarding the UI in general.

This game could use a bit of UI polish in general.

I think WASD scrolling as an option would be a start, and maybe some kind of mouse drag, say middle mouse button, would be great as well.

[desrtfox071]

Originally posted by Slippy:

Originally posted by ЧPOG:

Honestly, It's a big F.U. to the customers when releasing yet another patches but not addressing simple QoL issues like redefining keys/wasd scroll etc. Really sad.

I mean its a solo dev and Id much rather have bug fixes/new features/balance changes rather than something I can live with not having. We dont know how long it would take to implement.

Its not that I dont want it, but its something I can live without. If someone is turned off from the game because it doesnt have drag scrolling (which I hate) or WASD (which I like) then they are missing out on the game.

Sure. The problem here though is there are a lot of these cases and while certainly they can be worked through, or around, by those determined enough to push through, many potential players will not. This is likely money on the table for the dev.

This may or may not matter, of course, depending on your perspective.

[Wise Lettuce]

The people defending this non existence QoL is insane. Tell me which other hex games that doesnt use WASD to move around the map.

[HippieJesus]

In more complex stretegy games, I almost expect WASD to be bound to game functions and use arrows for scrolling.

[Imhotep]

Originally posted by Pain:

Originally posted by Imhotep:

Yeah, I use a laptop.

Do you not have an external mouse that you could connect to a USB port? It would make it a bit nicer to play anyways.

I use a mouse, but I use my right hand with it. The cursor keys are on the right of the keyboard and, on a laptop, the keyboard cannot be moved in relation to the screen. Most of the interaction with the game takes place through the mouse and I therefore wish to retain the use of my right hand for it.