# Game Controls

## Master the Controls for Better Scores

Understanding and mastering game controls is essential for competitive play and climbing leaderboards. This guide covers all control schemes and optimization tips.

## Universal Controls

### Keyboard (Recommended for Desktop)

**All games support keyboard controls:**

* More precise than mouse
* Faster response time
* Less hand fatigue
* Preferred by top players

### Mouse/Touchpad

**Limited support:**

* Some games allow click controls
* Less optimal for competitive play
* OK for casual gaming
* Not recommended for leaderboards

### Touch (Mobile)

**Mobile-optimized controls:**

* On-screen buttons
* Swipe gestures
* Tap controls
* Varies by game

## Game-Specific Controls

### 🍒 Chomper (Pac-Man Style)

**Keyboard Controls:**

```
↑ ← ↓ → Arrow Keys  - Move in 4 directions
W A S D             - Alternative movement
```

**How Movement Works:**

* Press direction to change movement
* Character keeps moving until you press another direction
* Can't reverse direction instantly (game mechanic)
* Pre-input next direction for smooth turns

**Pro Tips:**

* Use WASD for faster hand positioning
* Pre-press turns before corners
* Quick direction taps for dodging
* Arrow keys + WASD simultaneously doesn't work (choose one)

**Mobile:**

* On-screen D-pad (bottom-left)
* Swipe gestures for quick turns

***

### 🎾 Brick Breaker (Breakout Style)

**Keyboard Controls:**

```
← → Arrow Keys      - Move paddle left/right
A D                 - Alternative movement
Space               - Launch ball (start)
```

**How Movement Works:**

* Hold key for continuous movement
* Release to stop paddle
* Paddle speed is constant
* Ball angle depends on paddle hit position

**Pro Tips:**

* Feather keys for precise positioning
* Edge hits create sharper angles
* Center hits = straight bounce
* Quick taps for micro-adjustments

**Mouse Controls:**

* Move mouse left/right
* Paddle follows cursor
* Click to launch ball
* Better for some players (preference)

**Mobile:**

* Touch and drag paddle
* Tap to launch ball
* Swipe for quick movements

***

### 🐍 Pixel Snake (Snake Game)

**Keyboard Controls:**

```
↑ ← ↓ → Arrow Keys ONLY - Change snake direction
```

**How Movement Works:**

* Snake moves automatically
* Press arrow to change direction
* Can't reverse direction (180° turn)
* Input buffer (holds last key press)

**Pro Tips:**

* Press next direction early (buffered)
* Never spam keys (causes accidental reverse)
* Smooth direction changes
* One key press per turn

**Mobile:**

* Swipe in desired direction
* Single swipe = one direction change
* Don't swipe opposite direction

***

### 🧱 Block Drop (Tetris Style)

**Keyboard Controls:**

```
← → Arrow Keys      - Move block left/right
↑ or W              - Rotate block clockwise
↓ or S              - Soft drop (faster fall)
Space               - Hard drop (instant)
```

**How Movement Works:**

* Blocks fall automatically
* Rotate in 90° increments
* Can move/rotate while falling
* Hard drop ends turn instantly

**Pro Tips:**

* Use both hands (left for move, right for rotate)
* Space bar hard drop for speed
* Hold down for faster fall
* Rapid left/right for quick positioning

**Alternative:**

* Z/X for rotation (some players prefer)
* Can customize in settings (future feature)

**Mobile:**

* Swipe left/right to move
* Tap to rotate
* Swipe down for hard drop

***

### 🚀 Space Rocks (Asteroids Style)

**Keyboard Controls:**

```
↑ or W              - Thrust forward
← → or A D          - Rotate ship left/right
Space               - Shoot
```

**How Movement Works:**

* Ship has momentum (floats in direction)
* Thrust adds velocity
* Rotation doesn't affect current velocity
* Screen wraps (go off edge = appear on opposite side)

**Pro Tips:**

* Tap thrust (don't hold) for control
* Use rotation while coasting
* Shoot + thrust = rapid fire escape
* Master momentum physics

**Alternative Controls:**

* WASD only (↑ = W thrust)
* Arrow keys only
* Can't mix (choose one scheme)

**Mobile:**

* Left side: Thrust + rotate buttons
* Right side: Shoot button
* Or tilt to rotate (optional, in settings)

***

### 🐦 Flappy Pixel (Flappy Bird Style)

**Keyboard Controls:**

```
Space               - Flap wings (go up)
Click               - Alternative flap
```

**How Movement Works:**

* Character falls continuously
* Flap gives upward boost
* Gravity brings back down
* Precise timing required

**Pro Tips:**

* Rhythmic tapping (not random)
* Small taps for fine control
* Never hold space (one tap = one flap)
* Find your rhythm and stick to it

**Mouse:**

* Click anywhere to flap
* Same as spacebar

**Mobile:**

* Tap anywhere on screen
* Same mechanic as desktop

***

## Control Optimization

### Hardware Recommendations

**Keyboard:**

* Mechanical keyboards preferred (faster response)
* Low-latency connection (wired > wireless)
* Cherry MX Red/Silver for gaming
* Clean keys (sticky keys = death)

**Mouse (if used):**

* Gaming mouse (higher DPI)
* Wired for lowest latency
* Smooth mouse pad
* Adjust sensitivity in settings

**Monitor:**

* 60Hz+ refresh rate
* Low input lag
* Good response time (< 5ms)

### Browser Optimization

**For best performance:**

* Close other tabs (reduces lag)
* Disable browser extensions temporarily
* Use Chrome or Brave (best performance)
* Full screen mode (F11)
* Disable browser zoom (100% size)

### System Settings

**Windows:**

* Disable sticky keys
* Turn off key repeat delay
* Disable Windows key (prevents accidental menu)

**Mac:**

* Disable key repeat delays
* Turn off keyboard shortcuts
* Use wired keyboard if possible

## Control Customization

### Coming Soon

**Planned features:**

* Custom key binding
* Sensitivity adjustments
* Alternative control schemes
* Gamepad support
* Accessibility mappings

**Currently:**

* Fixed control schemes per game
* Can't remap keys
* Submit feedback for preferred controls

## Mobile Controls

### Touch Controls

**General:**

* On-screen buttons
* Swipe gestures
* Tap actions
* Auto-scaling for screen size

**Optimization:**

* Play in landscape mode
* Use tablet for larger buttons
* Reduce screen brightness (less battery drain)
* Close background apps

**Limitations:**

* Less precise than keyboard
* Smaller screen = harder gameplay
* Battery drain consideration
* Leaderboard disadvantage vs desktop

**Pro Tips for Mobile:**

* Use stylus for precision (Block Drop, Brick Breaker)
* Enable haptic feedback
* Adjust button size (settings)
* Practice more than desktop players

## Gamepad Support

### Future Feature

**Planned support for:**

* Xbox controllers
* PlayStation controllers
* Generic USB gamepads
* Custom button mapping

**ETA:** Phase 3 (Months 7-12)

**Benefits:**

* Console-like experience
* Comfortable for long sessions
* Good for some game types
* Accessibility option

## Practice Tips

### Control Mastery

**To get better:**

1. **Practice Mode First**
   * Learn controls without pressure
   * No gas fees
   * Focus on muscle memory
   * Experiment with techniques
2. **Focused Practice**
   * One game at a time
   * 15-30 minute sessions
   * Take breaks (prevents fatigue)
   * Track improvement
3. **Speed Drills**
   * Time your inputs
   * Practice rapid key presses
   * Improve reaction time
   * Build muscle memory
4. **Consistency Training**
   * Same time of day
   * Same hardware
   * Same posture/setup
   * Minimize variables

### Hand Positioning

**Optimal positions:**

**Chomper / Brick Breaker:**

* Fingers on arrow keys or WASD
* Thumb on space bar
* Relaxed wrist

**Space Rocks:**

* Left hand: Arrows or WASD
* Right hand: Space bar
* Or two-handed arrows (thumb on space)

**Block Drop:**

* Left hand: Left/right arrows
* Right hand: Space bar for hard drop
* Alternating between rotation and movement

**Pixel Snake:**

* One hand on arrows
* Light finger pressure
* Quick taps only

### Common Control Mistakes

❌ **Mashing keys**

* Causes input errors
* Leads to accidental inputs
* Exhausting for long sessions

✅ **Deliberate, timed inputs**

* More accurate
* Less fatiguing
* Better performance

❌ **Wrong hand positioning**

* Slower reaction times
* Uncomfortable strain
* Inconsistent inputs

✅ **Optimal hand placement**

* Faster reflexes
* Comfortable play
* Consistent performance

❌ **Looking at keyboard**

* Divides attention
* Slower reactions
* Misses on-screen action

✅ **Muscle memory**

* Eyes on screen only
* Faster responses
* Better awareness

## Accessibility

### For Players with Disabilities

**Current options:**

* Multiple control schemes (WASD vs Arrows)
* Mouse controls (where applicable)
* Spacebar alternatives

**Future accessibility features:**

* One-handed control schemes
* Adjustable input timing
* Eye-tracking support (research phase)
* Voice commands (experimental)

**Request accommodations:**

* Email: <accessibility@8bitarcade.games>
* Discord: #accessibility channel

## Control Lag & Latency

### Minimizing Input Lag

**Causes of lag:**

* Wireless keyboard/mouse (3-10ms delay)
* Browser overhead
* System performance
* Network issues (less relevant for controls)

**Solutions:**

* Use wired peripherals
* Close background apps
* Update browser
* Disable browser animations
* Use gaming mode (Windows)

**Testing input lag:**

* If controls feel sluggish
* Test on different browser
* Try different keyboard
* Check system performance

### When to Contact Support

**If controls:**

* Don't respond at all
* Randomly stop working
* Have severe delay (>100ms)
* Work inconsistently

**Troubleshooting first:**

1. Refresh page
2. Clear browser cache
3. Try different browser
4. Test keyboard elsewhere
5. Then contact support

## Control FAQs

**Q: Can I use a gamepad?** A: Not yet. Gamepad support planned for Phase 3 (Months 7-12).

**Q: Can I customize key bindings?** A: Not yet. Custom controls coming in future update. Join Discord to vote on priority.

**Q: Do I need a gaming keyboard?** A: No, but it helps. Any keyboard works, gaming keyboards have lower latency.

**Q: Touch screen vs keyboard - which is better?** A: Keyboard for competitive play. Touchscreen OK for casual.

**Q: My controls feel laggy, why?** A: Try wired keyboard, close other tabs, update browser, or try Chrome/Brave.

**Q: Can I play with one hand?** A: Some games yes (Flappy Pixel, Chomper), others harder (Block Drop, Space Rocks).

**Q: Do top players use special equipment?** A: Most use standard gaming keyboards. Skill > equipment, but quality helps.

**Q: Controls stopped working mid-game, what happened?** A: Browser lost focus. Click back on game window. Or page needs refresh.

## Next Steps

* [Game Library](https://docs.8bitarcade.games/games/game-library) - Choose your game
* [Anti-Cheat System](https://docs.8bitarcade.games/games/anti-cheat) - Fair play guidelines
* [Start Playing](https://play.8bitarcade.games) - Practice mode
* [Leaderboards](https://docs.8bitarcade.games/getting-started/leaderboards) - Track progress

***

*Master the controls, master the game. Practice makes perfect!*
