QWERTY Keyboard - Brand New Design [vacation]

[Ditocoaf]

Really, I think you should go with the most steriotypical, basic keyboard (not neccesarily white, though). It seems kind of strange to do the keyboard map, but use a weird convoluted keyboard that isn't like what most people have.

[patrick1744]

this would be a weird map

[Kaplowitz]

If people like the curvy keyboard, but want it black just change the colors on Photoshop.

[Tieryn]

I like the gameplay elements introduced in an ergo keyboard. They're hardly unheard of in today's day and age, and provide a good break through the middle.

Here's my ideas on changed gameplay and attack routes:

Attack paths are Horizontal, along a row, to adjacent keys, or vertical, along a "typing" finger, to adjacent keys.

There will be an arch connecting Esc through to F12, over the multimedia keys, as well as a couple of other connections in there. I'm thinking just dotted paths but I'll see what I can integrate.

Left hand Ctrl/Shift/Alt will be able to attack right hand combo-letters, Right hand Ctrl/Alt/Shift will be able to attack left hand letters. Esc, Backspace and Delete bombard letters.

I think I'm going to remove the combo-bonuses, and make them attack paths. Remove the interconnected letters, and instead go back to a territory based bonus system, based on typing "finger".

I was considering something like "For Letters, you get +1 every 2 territs held, rather than every 3" but can this be done for only small sub-sections of the map rather than the whole map? I'll look into it.

Territories would then be: Left [pinky/ring/middle/index] Right [pinky/ring/middle/index] Left cotnrols, Right controls, Function Keys (as an x required bonus every 4 held) and multimedia keys.

I think this sets up some nice territories, and I'll do a visual representation soon. It also dramatically simplifies the gameplay, while still having a unique edge to it? Or do people like the key-combo bonuses?

[Tieryn]

Okay, Complete revamp....

Comments please? (bonuses aren't set, I've just listed how many territories in continent, rather than organised bonuses yet)

Does this feel better for gameplay oak?

[Tieryn]

actually looking at this and thinking...

It's going to be hard to hold any groups since you have to almost hold all territs in them to keep them safe (with the any horizontal attacks rule).

I need to mod that somehow..perhaps all "non-letter" keys can attack horizontally, but letters can only attack vertically along their finger... I prefer that... but in order to make it graphical, I'm going to need to add in some extra bits, maybe little crosses for non-passable connections, and attack dots for all the horizontal attacks available... might clutter the board a bit, I'll see..

Added, doesn't look too bad actually. Quite easy to see all connections without using legend, but it helps define them in words...


Bonuses should read: +3 at top - 7/5/3/4/7 break 5/3/4/7/8

Oak, Gimil, Can I get comment on gameplay/graphics please?

So far my major though/concern with gameplay is if you take the multimedia keys, then it's a short step to working down into F-keys, and bonusing your way to win the map... While others struggle to hold bigger bonuses...

Either I can make something else easier to hold to give a few options, or I can make the top keys harder to hold by adding an attack route to Rew and Fwd from F2 and F9? or F3 and F8?

Also with Esc/Back/Del as neutralkilled each turn, I'll need to take them out of the continent bonus otherwise it'll be unachievable, and this will change the numbers again in turn. I'm assuming the neutrals are killed and installed -before- bonus calculation?

[whitestazn88]

i liked the old bonus structure, is this gonna be up for debate or no?

and i like where the design is going, but its starting to get busy in there.

[DiM]

1. the windows logo is copyrighted.
2. don't use a keyboard image found on the internet. create your own
3. the max size is 630*600 not 630*630

[Tieryn]

i liked the old bonus structure, is this gonna be up for debate or no?

and i like where the design is going, but its starting to get busy in there.

Sure, debate away. I'm still flinging ideas around trying to find something that works and isn't too bulky. I'd appreciate anyone coming on board to help out with gameplay ideas

[Tieryn]

1. the windows logo is copyrighted.
2. don't use a keyboard image found on the internet. create your own
3. the max size is 630*600 not 630*630

1&3 are easy fixes..

2 - Why not use a base image from an actual keyboard? and in terms of creating my own from scratch, well there's where I get stuck. I'm a photo editor rather than image creator so I'll have to go do a whole bunch more work to even start getting one from scratch. Probably worth it in the long run for my skill-set but I just don't have the time now. Is there a major problem with using a photo image? I know no other maps have done it, but is this disallowed? or what would be done better if I was to create it from scratch...

It's not I'm trying to avoid work, god knows I've put heaps into this map and its various incarnations, but what would I be hoping to -get out- of that work? How would making it from scratch myself improve the map?

[Ogrecrusher]

The problem with using a photo as a base is that it looks hideous....

[oaktown]

The problem with using a photo as a base is that it looks hideous....

"Hideous" might be a bit harsh, but the image is indeed muddy. It would look much cleaner if recreated using photoshop layers.

Good idea using the monitor for the legend though. So simple it's brilliant.

i liked the old bonus structure, is this gonna be up for debate or no?

My personal take on the old bonus structure was that there was way too much going on - too many words and key combinations to keep track of. It seems like this new approach may represent a bit of an over-reaction, because now there are only a couple of words/key combinations, and more traditional regions. I think that the words make the map more interesting, and set it apart from other maps... if I want to play for regions, I'll play classic. I really though you were on to something earlier. Maybe settle on seven or eight CC-related words that would make for fun play? "Conquer," "Club," "Kamchatka," "Congo," "GFY," etc.

Throwing an "x" in between keys to represent barriers is just kinda weird.

[Tieryn]

[quote=oaktown]Throwing an "x" in between keys to represent barriers is just kinda weird.[/quote]

But putting a dot for connections is okay?

I can just as easily go back to full connectedness per hand and word bonuses. I might make the key combinations attack-directions rather than bonuses, and that will solve that issue. There could still be the f-key +1, although I like the idea of using the f-keys as part/required bonuses better. +3 for every 4 or something. Especially the way the F-keys are connected on the current design Perhaps even better if I removed the connections between f-key blocks. Then a few shortcut connections could also take place... one way, yeh that could work nicely.

Removing the need to distinguish keys other than by hand will make instructions simpler. give me more space to fit bonuses in.

Do I honestly have to recreate this from scratch graphically? I'm not a graphics artist. I've never created an image from scratch before. I've done heaps of photo editing tho and I'm reasonably good at it. I can make this look decent from a photo. No other map's been done from a photo, hell, why not have one. We've got an oldschool pixelated video game... why not a photo of the desktop you're sitting in front of... That says a lot more to me than some artificially generated map... This is a -real- concept, and not scaled at all. its about the same scale as the one in front of you. Unlike a territory map, it's real size, and a photo captures that better, imnsho. Really, I'm just wanking on to make it sound good so I don't have to completely redo the map again... but honestly... now that I've said all that... think about it... This is a real map, use a real image.

*shrug*

Anyway, I'll redo it changing bonus structure soon. Gimil, can I get a call on the graphics?

[tenio]

I vote that all keys on left can attack (or at least bombard) all other keys, and same for the right side

I really liked the "hold the word" idea

maybe it could work, as long as there was no more then 10, 15 at the most, words

[Tieryn]

Okay: i'll do a graphical version up later on the weekend but here's a worded breakdown on gameplay:

Types of keys.
Character keys - all letters, numbers and punctuation. All characters on a hand are connected. Split it as on keyboard.
Control keys - Ctrl, Alt, Start and Shift. Each of these can attack the characters on the other hand. Left Ctrl attacks right hand, etc. Caps Lock, Tab and Enter cannot. They are just territories.
Delete Keys - Delete, Backspace and Escape can bombard any character key on the same hand as them. They also get neutral killed each turn, maybe with 3 or 5 coming back?
Function Keys - Progressive bonus, with +3 for every 4 held
Media Keys - Depending on if I go back to a classic layout with the pencil, or stick with this ergo one (I like the f-key connections on this map...) or design a whole new one from scratch (that will probably be ergo...) these may or may not exist. If they do, they'll be a continent. I'll probably remove them, tho, they provide a nice bridge from one side of the keyboard to the other...

Bonuses will be for words held. I will choose a number of cc specific words. you'll get +1 for each unique letter in the word, since they'll be so hard to hold that's fair. There'll be some 2 letter (LOL), 3 letter, 4 letter, 5, 6, 7, 8 etc... not too many tho... but enough to be interesting. Any suggested words, please post... I don't think I'll go player names, except maybe my own? is that the payment for making maps? self gratification? Probably lackattack too, because hey, can't have CC without lack!

I won't do keyboard shortcuts for bonuses at all... stick with words only. that's different/unique enough withotu being too confusing or annoyingly unfair. Keep it simple, stupid.

How does that sound guys? any added comments on what I should have?

[tenio]

that sounds good


noob
lolcats
lmao
pr0n
mod squad

[Blitzaholic]

black i reckon

[InkL0sed]

that sounds good


noob
lolcats
lmao
pr0n
mod squad

None of these.

I liked Oaktown's suggestions for words. Also, it would probably be better if you find words that need the same letters to obtain, so the continents in effect override each other.

For example: CONE, and CONQUER. You would get a +4 or something for holding CONE, then if you got the Q, U, and R you wouldn't get a second bonus, just a different one. See what I'm trying to say?

[Tieryn]

Conquer and Club is a good example, where the C and U overlap... and that will definately be an option... Of course holding "Conquer Club" itself is an extra extra special bonus...

Other words previously looked at:

Conquer
Club
Risk
Kamchatka
Keyboard
QWERTY
Dice
Strategy
Deploy
Fortify
Defend
Advance
Attack (and Lackattack!)
Foundry
Forged
Quenched

I am reluctant to have too many small words as we don't want people to jag bonuses at the beginning, but I think this list would give us a nice spread of letters to be targeting, without making things -too- complex. Removing the shortcut bonuses is useful, although maybe combining them into a single bonus such as:

Cut/Copy/Paste - hold Ctrl + X, C and V.
ALLCAPS + Caps Lock - Obnoxiousness personified?
Ctrl + Alt + Del - Given Del gets neutralkilled each turn this might be less worthwhile...? I'll think about it.
Exit Window: Alt - F - X - F4
Close Window: Ctrl - F - C - F4

How are these sounding?

[Tieryn]

Updated with as many words as I can fit in from above, and I think it's made a nice set.




Gameplay and connections changed and letter colours altered to make that look better... Can I get an assessment of where this is gameplay and graphics wise please? I'm feeling pretty good about it... what does it need specifically to get forgeworthy?

Edit: Darkened the keys, I think it looks better.

Edit 2: I added in a venetian blinds effect because it was doing it to me earlier, and it's a typing curse we all know! does it look any good or is it too annoying?

[tenio]

looks very good, lots of bonuses and words can you put | between different bonuses-words on the same line (ie defend| attack v[5])

[Tieryn]

done - refresh

Also added in bombs for del/back/esc and conquer logo for space/phrases

[tenio]

okay, good lol

[Tieryn]

What colour Keyboard?

Black 39 54%

White 32 45%

71 votes is quite a bit of interest thanks folks! New poll - do you like the venetian blinds effect or not?

[whitestazn88]

i'm not a fan of the blinds thing... it just looks annoying.

the gameplay is sweet, and i like the way it's going.

territory bonuses will be regular in this game right?