Analog input in gaming: Investigating the possibilities of new controller affordances in video games

This report covers the eight week design project for the Thesis Project 1 and it looks at both the process and the results of this project. Through an iterative prototyping process a prototype was created to answer the research question: “What gameplay mechanics are required for a fighting style video game to allow for analog input in its character movements and do these mechanics allow for more natural controls and mastery?” Together with research into academic writing in the fields of neurology, embodied design and game design it was concluded that an analog control scheme, within the context of a video game that allows for that type of affordance, gives the user more natural control over the character they are playing. This was validated by playtesting the prototype with several users. However, the richness of the mastery of a game relies heavily on the implemented game elements in a finalized game and was therefore unanswered in this project. There were also constraints and game mechanics identified for game designers to keep in mind when designing a game that relies on this type of analog input. The project also raised a number of questions and new design opportunities that were unable to be explored due to the limited scope of the project