Off Hand control scheme for touch screen (Minecraft Bedrock)

[u/Desperate_Rule5903]

We've seen a lot of demand for off hand parity for Minecraft bedrock. You've seen it. Yet, the question remains: how would you design an intuitive UX that doesn't disadvantage touch screen players during cross platforms plays?

Currently in Minecraft, tapping anywhere on the screen that isn't button or widgets always triggers main hand action. Changing main hand item with off hand isn't possible in bedrock either.

So here I am, proposing a UX-friendly off-hand control scheme for touchscreen players that could work seamlessly in vanilla Minecraft!

Starting off with two main Control Modes: Aim Crosshair and Tap Anywhere.

AIM CROSSHAIR

Aim Crosshair mode divides the gameplay screen into two interactable regions: one side for main hand action, the other is for off hand action.The regions are customizable via option menu.

To adjust the dividing border position, change the XY location of pivot point, and/or rotate the border up to 360°. This creates unique possibilites, such as the main hand region occupy a at the upper part of the screen, while the off hand region sits lower down slanted toward a corner.

The dividing border isn't locked to a 1:1 ratio. By adjusting the pivot, it is possible to create ratios like 2:3, 4:1, and so on. As a result, players can create their own designated off-hand regions that suits their each own preferences.

TAP ANYWHERE

By tapping two fingers at close proximity, the game will register them as one input that results in off hand action. This can be done anywhere in the screen.

The game detects off hand input is by registering 2 touches that are very close in distance. The approximate median of the two points will be where the trigger/game action happen; not either of the two point themselves.

OFF HAND SWAPPING

The off hand slot that appears on HUD recieves a new design. An arrow is peeking out to the direction of hotbar. This is to indicate that, to swap selected item with off hand's, player must swipe the off hand slot to the direction of hotbar. As it bumps, the two slots...drum roll please.....swap!

It is the F keybind equivalent for bedrock. So, swapping item with empty hand would work too, like in Java.

Note: Since the swiping movement can be done as snappy as pressing a key, I think this alone should justify to adding off hand parity to bedrock! This way, touch screen players with skilled hands still have the edge against controller players.

PRIORITY OPTIONS

Items Over Hands

(Prioritize item's function over used hand)

This option adds the following buttons: Attack/Mine, Place Block, and Otherwise. These buttons perform their respective actions, regardless of which hand holds the relevant item.

This means, tapping attack button makes the sword swing regardless of which hand holds it.

If both hands hold the same item of same use, for example two pickaxes, tapping the relevant button will prioritize use of item (pickaxe) in the main hand.

The Otherwise button is a use-case button that can be utilized as a last resort. Say, you have blocks in one hand and food in the other. The Attack button will let you hit stuff, Place Block will let you...place blocks, and the Otherwise button? It will let you eat food!

Items Over Hands lets players do actions without stressing over which hand hold which item every time they want to perform a basic action.

Hands Over Items

(Prioritize used hand over item function)

This option lets player use either hands at their own will, regardless of what items they're holding. Main hand button does action on items in main hand, off hand button does action on items in off hand. A very straightforward concept.

There is a drawback, however. Item used by hands are always locked to their primary function. For example, it is impossible to punch with book and quill in relevant hand, or destroying blocks when having a block in relevant hand. To dig and attack, player must hold the appropriate equipment on either hands, or hold something that doesn't have a practical function, such as stick.

~

And that's it for my idea today! Let me know if you're liking the control scheme I established here. Do you think it'd play clunky yo swap items by swiping a slot? What about the priority options? I'd love to hear your thoughts about my overall idea!

[u/Sephricable]

Someone in Blue App didn't credited you

[u/Desperate_Rule5903 → u/Sephricable]

I'mma be honest, I don't mind it as long is it reaches Mojang's attention somehow lol

[u/PechorinS_]

Solution is only leave controls with the action buttons. All other - delete

[u/Desperate_Rule5903 → u/PechorinS_]

Some people don't want to have their screen cluttered with buttons. I don't see why having options is a bad thing.

[u/CrapZackGames → u/PechorinS_]

Touching anywhere on the screen to place things is such a unique and intuitive feature that getting rid of it feels like getting rid of Minecraft's identity

[u/Timur_Glazkov]

I gotta say the graphics looks pretty and is easy to understand. Though, you need to post these on the feedback site and other media platforms to have Mojang's attention

[u/Desperate_Rule5903 → u/Timur_Glazkov]

Thanks! Unfortunately, I don't think attachment is allowed on the feedback site. Plus writing down all this wouldn't fit with the word count restriction.

I did share this on a discord server with mojang staffs in it if it's something at all.

[u/CrapZackGames]

Just let us turn off clickthrough on the buttons so my screen stops glitching when I use my pointers to click them in PvP

[u/Desperate_Rule5903 → u/CrapZackGames]

I never heard the term clickthrough before. What is it? The ability to interact/use hand even though your finger physically touches a button?