More transparent d-pad

[positive]

Sometimes, when crawling on the bottom side of a map, the covering of the d-pad button is quite disturbing.
I made a modified d-pad (only for demonstrating), which is not so nice on a white background:

ui_dpad_mod.png

But would be better in the game:

modified_dpad.png

What do you think about a more transparent d-pad button?

[red hatter]

[empty]

[positive]

Hmmm... Does anybody use the d-pad apart from me? (I made a poll.)
I would also prefer physical controls, but my phone is used not only for the game, and overally I like my phone. So this is the least bad option.

[Tomcat]

I don't use the dpad, but several regulars have mentioned using it, so you should get some feedback from hardcore players. But I do like the look of the more transparent one.

[fiernaq]

I've tried the d-pad in the past as a way to prevent accidentally running around a monster (and subsequently getting attacked by it) rather than running straight into it as intended and getting the first hit in and it's great... except for when it gets in the way. Unfortunately, making it transparent won't solve that problem for me. The ideal solution (IMHO) would be to make it so your character is always dead center on the screen even when you move near the edge of a map. Then you could put a d-pad wherever you want and it would never cover up your character. Of course, making it more transparent isn't a bad idea either because even with that change there would be times when you still need to see under where it is, just not for the intent of moving there directly.

There have also been other movement ideas suggested such as the "visible path" idea where you place your finger on the screen and a visible line will appear along the path between your character and where your finger is showing you the route your character will take to get there. An option for that method is to make it so your character begins moving immediately along that path (similar to current) or to make it so your char doesn't start moving until you lift your finger (signifying that you approve of the path). I think some of the other ideas were things like just implementing a "stance" option where aggressive would mean that any time your character came within 1 square of an enemy, any subsequent move in that general direction would be considered an attack so you don't have to hit the enemy directly, just move in that direction. Defensive stance would be as it is now where you have to hit the mob directly and Avoidance stance would always try to move you around the monster rather than attacking (you wouldn't initiate combat unless you long-pressed the monster and chose to attack). Then there was the whole "shrink the screen" method where the idea was to free up the edges for finger placement and not cover any of the screen up (right now both the target bar along the top and the combat log itself cover part of the screen). That option would be great for those with tablets or large phones but not so great for those with small screens to start with.

Regardless, plenty of options to choose from and making the d-pad more transparent is definitely helpful rather than harmful so sure, go for it.

[Pyrizzle]

I use the D-pad when grinding in areas where i don't have to worry about my HP getting too low.

it is nice because it does cut down the number of times you have to click but it's annoying because it is sometimes in the way...

Making it more transparent wouldn't fix it IMO

[positive]

There are only two things that can disturb the sight. The d-pad (when it is used) and your finger. The higher transparency would be a solution (relief) only for the first. And that is what I shoot for. But I also like the centralized character positioning idea.

So, now I'm curious. How do you control the game? Moving your finger around the edges of the screen is quite uncomfortable and a bit slow, isn't it?

Ohhh NO! I extended the answer options, an all the votes are gone. Sorry. (A warning message would be useful.)

[Sarumar]

Hmmm... Does anybody use the d-pad apart from me? (I made a poll.)
I would also prefer physical controls, but my phone is used not only for the game, and overally I like my phone. So this is the least bad option.

I use d-pad all the time (galaxy s3, big screen)... IMO it should be more transparent.