Hello Everyone,

I am starting to make a game on my own () and wanted to know the best way to design character controls for side-scrolling platform game for mobile (mainly Android).

What the character does?

Bare minimum:

1. Move left and right
2. Jump

Advanced:

1. Shooting
2. Grab objects

Any help on the design and concept part will be helpful.

I would check out the Mikey games (Mikey Shorts, Mikey Boots) for example of how to do it right. Basically, you want a left and right button for your left thumb, and a jump plus a maximum of one other button for your right thumb. I wouldn't recommend any more than that.

Extra points if you make the button size/positioning customizable.

Thanks, checked those games out. But is that the only way to put the buttons??? I am researching deeper....let's see what I can come up with. Any help along the way is appreciated.

By mobile do you mean mobile phones or tablets too? Regardless, most modern devices will have a whole array of sensors: touch sensitivity, gestures, gyroscopes etc. Try to think about what gestures + other physical movements the device can measure. You could come up with some interesting mechanics and dynamics for your platform game.

seems like you could get all of those functions in fairly easily.

left thumb - left/right move

right thumb - jump/shoot

then you make a "pickup" button pop up near or over an object you can pickup if your player is close enough.

then you make a "pickup" button pop up near or over an object you can pickup if your player is close enough.

hmm....why didn't I think of that??? Thanks!!!

Thanks, checked those games out. But is that the only way to put the buttons??? I am researching deeper....let's see what I can come up with. Any help along the way is appreciated.

you could replace the left-right buttons with a virtual thumbstick that appears under any touch on the left hand side of the screen aswell, it is really nice to be able to just plop your thumb down wherever and slide it left or right(or up/down/diagonally) to choose direction.

Thanks guys... I have a fair idea on how to go about this. I will post updates on the design once I feel that I have something to show.

Meanwhile you can follow my journal for my updates (if its of any interest to you) : http://www.gamedev.net/blog/2117-my-first-game/