With regard to pedal input, I think of these available variables: frequency, duration and speed (if we have an instrument capable of sensing speed). At present, frequency is the best to control, and it is also the easiest to use in games. This game is similar to a game that can be controlled by clicking on the screen with one finger or using only one key. It is not easy to control the frequency of both feet. People’s leg nerves are less developed and flexible than their hands. I don’t want the game to be too difficult. I just want to have some unusual fun while playing.
【About frequency】
The higher the frequency of pedaling, the stronger the feedback players get. Then, let’s think again about what will make people trample or shake in their life. Shaking your legs is a common behavior. People often unconsciously shake their legs. This kind of habit is bad for others, and may even be hated by others. Therefore, we might as well take shaking legs as the input mode of the game. Let players shake their legs.
I bought a pair of pedals, but not a mouse. It is similar in shape to the pedal of a racing game controller. I seem to need to change the shape of it. Because when a person shakes his legs, his forefoot touches the ground. The pedal need to be fixed on the foot. It needs to be thinner, and can be fixed on the floor.
【About the game content】
I’m trying to figure out how to maximize the thrill of shaking my legs. I think we should set up a two-player mode, just like pressing a button quickly in the game. My goal is to get players to shake their legs.
Narrate
At the same time, I hope to design a single pattern. We can realize some other operations by using the dithering rhythm. If the narrative of the game could be based on shaking legs, it would be even better. I think I should analyze the behavior of shaking my legs from a certain angle, or give it some meaning.
As far as the current information is concerned, I have a general goal:
- Make a game using pedal to input signals.
- At least two modes, one of which is the two-person battle mode
- Fully let the players “shake their legs”
- Combine this way with the game content. It’s not just replacing the mouse with a pedal
I can imagine the way of playing this game and the effect I want to achieve. Now, I want to think about how to give it a theme. At first, I named the game SHAKER. The name are very simple and intuitive. But it has a different meaning. Maybe shaking your legs can make players shake things that look great. What does a simple behavior have to do with a big thing? I came up with something related to environmental protection. Can I make a mode in which players can control the rhythm of shaking their legs to avoid obstacles or eat targets?
Because in previous experiments, I tested the frequency of input signal with pedal through a website that records the click frequency. I found that:
- The frequency of shaking legs can be kept as stable as that of hand points. However, it is difficult to control the rapid conversion from one frequency to another.
- Shake your legs for a long time, deliberately control the frequency, and get tired. If you happen to have a foot pedal, I strongly recommend you try it.
Therefore, it’s a very difficult game. Then it all seems to make sense. The story of the game can be said as follows: the original clean environment becomes abnormal because of rubbish. The quiet life of those who sleep on the bottom of the sea was broken. Players need to clean up garbage in some way (while avoiding normal creatures), which is much more difficult than ordinary way. This is a simple reason. Problems caused by people’s random behavior need to be solved in more difficult ways. Add a meaningful theme to the game.