Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
The button size
We suggest you put an extra amount of attention to defining the proper size for your
game buttons. There's no point in having buttons on the screen if the player can't
press them.
This is especially true with games that use virtual pads. As virtual buttons tend to
shadow a remarkable portion of a mobile device, there is a tendency to make them
as small as possible. If they are too small, the consequences can be catastrophic, as
the players won't be able to even play your game, let alone enjoy it.
Street Fighter IV
for the iPhone, for example, implements the biggest virtual buttons available on the
Apple Store.
Check them in the following figure:
When designing buttons for your game interface, take your time to make tests and
find an optimal balance between the opposing necessities of displaying buttons and
saving as much screen space as possible for gameplay.
