Game Controller Concept: Downwell

 

Game: Downwell

https://store.steampowered.com/app/360740/Downwell/

Downwell is a simple roguelike with minimal controls, only left/right movement and jump. The game is fast paced and fun, and I really want to see if changing the controls will make the game feel fresh to me. Because the game has such a simple control scheme, I think it could really benefit from a more intricate controller. I want the player to connect more with the character they control and experience more of the struggle of the game. Because jumping is such a key action in the game, my first idea was to tie that action into the player jumping. This idea was inspired by a DDR pad, but not focused on directional inputs. The other idea present in my concepts is giving the player multiple input sources and asking them to coordinate between them. Jumping and moving are ever present in the game, so I want the player to really have to focus to multitask and get good.

Concept #1

Concept #2

Concept #3