Proposal - Active Mode for Gamepad (Action Bar & Button Combinations)

Please see the linked image below for my proposed update to the action bar. This proposal uses a directional pad and button combinations to select actions. I refer to PS3 controller buttons, but the proposal would also work with other gamepads.

Action Bar Layout Proposal
http://i52.tinypic.com/34xlrpd.png

The action bar is split into two pieces and available stamina is displayed on each side:

Quote:

---

..............Enemy
--======[==]....\/...[=====]===--
Stamina......../\.........Stamina
............Character
........[4]...........[9]
.....[2][1][3].....[7][6][8]
........[5]...........[0]

---

When no buttons are pressed, actions 1 & 6 are enlarged. Action 1 has its stamina requirement displayed on the left stamina bar and action 6 has its stamina requirement displayed on the right stamina bar.

When a directional (d-pad) button is held down, the enlarged actions change. For instance, holding down the left d-pad button will enlarge actions 2 and 7. An analog stick could be substituted for the d-pad if preferred.

Pressing the square button will select the enlarged action from the left side, and pressing the circle button will select the enlarged action from the right side.

PS3 button combinations:

Quote:

---

- Gamepad Active Mode -
Press Triangle = Toggle Active/Passive Mode
Press Cross = Cancel

- Button Uses while Selecting a Target -
Press Left = Next Target to the Left (Shift+Tab)
Press Right = Next Target to the Right (Tab)
Press Up = Previous Party Member
Press Down = Next Party Member

- Buttons for Left Actions when Target is Locked-
Press L1 = Previous Action Bar Set
Hold L2 = Ctrl Macros
Press Square = Action #1
Hold Left & Press Square = Action #2
Hold Right & Press Square = Action #3
Hold Up & Press Square = Action #4
Hold Down & Press Square = Action #5

- Buttons for Right Actions when Target is Locked -
Press R1 = Next Action Bar Set
Hold R2 = Alt Macros
Press Circle = Action #6
Hold Left & Press Circle = Action #7
Hold Right & Press Circle = Action #8
Hold Up & Press Circle = Action #9
Hold Down & Press Circle = Action #0

---

----------------------

Currently I use a Saitek P2900 with the following configuration to use my actions:

Hold L2 & Press Button 4 = Action #1
Hold L2 & Press Button 3 = Action #2
Hold L2 & Press Button 1 = Action #3
Hold L2 & Press Button 2 = Action #4
Hold L2 & Press Button 10 = Action #5
Hold R2 & Press Button 10 = Action #6
Hold R2 & Press Button 4 = Action #7
Hold R2 & Press Button 3 = Action #8
Hold R2 & Press Button 1 = Action #9
Hold R2 & Press Button 2 = Action #0

This works well, but it does not give me easy access to my macros or other action bar sets.

Further examples:
(Enlarged/Highlighted Actions in Red)

No Buttons Pressed

Quote:

---

..............Enemy
--======[==]....\/...[=====]===--
Action 1......./\........Action 6
............Character
........[4]...........[9]
.....[2][1][3].....[7][6][8]
........[5]...........[0]

---

Hold Left D-Pad Button

Quote:

---

..............Enemy
--======[==]....\/...[=====]===--
Action 2......./\........Action 7
............Character
........[4]...........[9]
.....[2][1][3].....[7][6][8]
........[5]...........[0]

---

Hold Right D-Pad Button

Quote:

---

..............Enemy
--======[==]....\/...[=====]===--
Action 3......./\........Action 8
............Character
........[4]...........[9]
.....[2][1][3].....[7][6][8]
........[5]...........[0]

---

Hold Up D-Pad Button

Quote:

---

..............Enemy
--======[==]....\/...[=====]===--
Action 4......./\........Action 9
............Character
........[4]...........[9]
.....[2][1][3].....[7][6][8]
........[5]...........[0]

---

Hold Down D-Pad Button

Quote:

---

..............Enemy
--======[==]....\/...[=====]===--
Action 5......./\........Action 0
............Character
........[4]...........[9]
.....[2][1][3].....[7][6][8]
........[5]...........[0]

---

I think there should be a button combinations for this, because directional pad is used for changing targets and analog pad is used for moving the character and the camera.

For example the [auto-run] button along with analog or directional pad would toggle the skill list (or change the target otherway around). That may work better?

I also don't think separate stamina bar is necessary. The two lists could even be changed into one 3x3 grid.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

I think there should be a button combinations for this, because directional pad is used for changing targets and analog pad is used for moving the character and the camera.

---

I believe by default when in active mode the directional pad left and right are used to change highlighted/enlarged action, so my suggestion only additionally requires up and down from the directional pad.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

I also don't think separate stamina bar is necessary. The two lists could even be changed into one 3x3 grid.

---

The separate stamina bar is required since the two lists would allow for two actions to be highlighted/enlarged simultaneously. Ultimately a large grid (9x10) which could be custom configured would be even nicer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Betelgeuzah

For example the [auto-run] button along with analog or directional pad would toggle the skill list (or change the target otherway around). That may work better?

---

Yes, I see now that using actions while not locked onto a target would now be difficult. For instance I could not use Second Wind without a locked target.

I use a similar method, but x=action 1, square=action 2, 0=action 3, triangle=action 4, then using macro's alt x=action 4, square=5, etc... same with alt for another 4 actions. I use the right stick button (r3) for target selection (f8). The D-pad is my menu navigation. I had to set select and start to the controller bound alt and tab macro for moving tabs in inventory, the ps button for battle mode. L2 is cancel, R2 is confirm. This layout seems to be working well in combat, but using the d-pad for menu navigation is slow and clunky since I have to stop moving to cycle through my menu's.

Updated image to show 3x3 grid on the left and a wheel on the right:
http://i56.tinypic.com/8ftz.png

The wheel idea makes more sense to me when there are two because it helps position them better.

Also keyboard users could should not be at a disadvantage because they could use the numpad to access the 18 actions.

Playing with a gamepad as well at the moment, but -mostly- only for camera moving while running and in combat. I'd jump to keyboard once we get the option to bind our keys on our own. But this is an issue which can be adressed in like 6months or something :P So it won't hinder the upcoming changes :3