Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Imagining the device orientation
Generally, there are two ways people hold their mobile devices when they are using
them, including when they are playing games.
•
Two thumbs
: This is when the device is in a landscape (horizontal) position
and the player holds it using the fingers of both hands. Traditionally, only the
thumbs are at the surface of the device screen, as only they can be used for
various interactions. Such a position is inherent for various games with a dy-
namic content with less precision of input (large active areas should be used
for more comfort).
•
One finger
: This is when one hand keeps a device in a portrait (vertical) po-
sition and the other one is used for input: either single-touched (only an index
finger is applied) or multitouched, when several fingers can be used at once,
for example, gestures such as pinch.
Alternative scenarios are possible, but are less common and are used only in specific
situations and cannot be considered as a prevalent behavior. For instance, some
people play games putting a device on the tabletop (that is more usual for iPad rather
than iPhone). Obviously, this is possible only when they are sitting in their living rooms
or offices.
The main advantage of such models is free fingers, which can be used for some very
shifty multitouch tasks. Another possible player's behavior implies that the two fingers
(an index and a thumb) are placed over the screen. It is a little bit ungainly because it
is harder to hold a device (especially a full-scale iPad) and operate all fingers; never-
theless, it is worth thinking about.
