[idea for dev] multitouch on PC

[Ryuu]

Idea for a next game: as far as i know it's possible to use two mice for gaming on Windows, though it's rarely done, possibly due to being rarely suitable and requiring some extra work, also that would likely be hard to port to Mac/Linux.

Some examples: Hammerfight and Trine(both on Steam) and even Settlers 2 for DOS! All of them use that just for coop mode.

But for games like Room it would be pretty feasible for singleplayer experience as well:
- you won't need to change game puzzles that rely on multitouch (and they don't require more than 2 touches), so they can stay more difficult and interesting and true to the original design
- would allow some kind of coop mode :) (and introduce bugs due to that though, yeap ). The simplest solution is only registering clicks from one mouse at a time apart from scenes that require both.

I think this requirement is not too demanding, most of us have some spare old mice lying around and they're cheap anyway. As a backup: second cursor can be controlled from keyboard, most puzzles require only one pointer anyway.

Here's some info from development point of view: https://gamedev.stackexchange.com/questions/24046/is-it-possible-to-detect-two-different-mice-at-the-same-time-and-have-their-mov

[LeRoy3rd]

Fireproof Games, PLEASE don't do this, it's a TERRIBLE idea.

[Ryuu]

Could be next step in PC puzzle games because there's only that much you can do with a single cursor. Should have been done earlier though because touchscreen displays get less uncommon on PCs.

But i agree, controlling another mouse with the hand that never usually does that would feel weird :) So it's indeed more suitable for coop-only games. I'd still try it.
Well, maybe then just switching between two cursors? Hold and move one thing with one and then move something else with second one.

You realize that we're losing the original puzzles which relied on multitouch in PC port? They get easier, more plain, meh.

[Ocelote.12]

I tried multitouch puzzles in The Room Three and Old Sins on Windows using Bluestacks Android emulator, it has an option to use special keyboard shortcuts for "touching" selected spots on the screen like with second finger (mouse is still the first finger).

[Ryuu]

Originally posted by Ocelote:

I tried multitouch puzzles in The Room Three and Old Sins on Windows using Bluestacks Android emulator, it has an option to use special keyboard shortcuts for "touching" selected spots on the screen like with second finger (mouse is still the first finger).

Oh, interesting info, i haven't used Bluestacks for a long time, thought it's still unsuitable for any multi-touch games, unless colors are mapped to KB&M.

I just don't like that we lose some of originality and difficulty of puzzles in ports.

[cowinspace]

I wouldn't use with mice it but it's an interesting thing to consider given that most people own a controller and dual analogue sticks are normal on them now.

I'm not a programmer so I have no idea how hard it would be to have the sticks act as dual inputs compared to touchpad inputs but it would be more accessible than a dual mouse system.