Mobile Gaming with Indirect Sensor Control

This research explores the development of intuitive, buttonless control interfaces for 3D mobile games, addressing the common challenge of balancing complex input requirements with the need to maintain an unobstructed field of view. The primary thesis posits that combining accelerometer-based indirect control with touch-area interfaces allows for a cleaner, more immersive user experience compared to traditional on-screen button layouts. By utilizing the device's tilt to switch between game perspectives and interaction layers, developers can effectively manage complex game mechanics without cluttering the display.

The study focuses on a 3D labyrinth game prototype developed for Android devices. The researchers designed three distinct control schemes to evaluate their efficacy: a hybrid model using touch areas supported by accelerometer-based view switching, a touch-only model using dedicated areas for all inputs, and a traditional control scheme featuring six visible on-screen buttons. The methodology involves a comparative analysis where participants interact with all three modes in a randomized order, with performance data logged to a database and supplemented by user experience questionnaires.

The proposed approach aims to mitigate the limitations of current mobile gaming interfaces, which often rely on porting conventional hardware controls to touchscreens. By shifting view-switching tasks to the accelerometer, the interface minimizes the need for static UI elements, potentially increasing player comfort and reducing input errors. While the research is currently in the evaluation phase, the findings are intended to provide a framework for implementing more sophisticated control systems in complex mobile genres, such as shooters and role-playing games, by prioritizing screen real estate and intuitive physical interaction.