Tilt-Touch synergy: Input control for “dual-analog” style mobile games

We propose the use of device tilt in conjunction with touch control in mobile “dual-analog” games - games using two virtual analog sticks to independently control player movement and aiming. We present an experiment investigating four control modes based on this strategy. These include a standard dual analog control scheme, two options using tilt control in lieu of touch control for either movement or aiming, and a tilt-only control scheme. Results indicate that while touch-based controls offered the best performance, tilt-based movement control was comparable. In contrast, tilt-based orientation control significantly altered, and in certain cases impaired, participant navigation. Overall, participants preferred touch-based control, but tilt-based movement with touch-based aiming was a close second in subjective preference.