A smartphone’s virtual keyboard would be worse (smaller) than the Kindle’s, wouldn’t it? Maybe I should try it though. I mean, I’m pecking this message on my smartphone’s virtual keyboard so…
Comment on A more relaxing way to play text-based games?
fkn@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Maybe I am confused why you can’t play them on a smartphone?
GrappleHat@lemmy.ml 7 months ago
fkn@lemmy.world 7 months ago
Lol. That’s my thought. We use the virtual keyboards a lot already. Like the other poster said there are some drawbacks but I find it much easier than any physical mini keyboard (far less strain).
xyzzy@lemm.ee 7 months ago
The software is built with imprecision in mind. I don’t know about you, but I use the swype method (moving a finger continuously from key to key and lifting at the end of the word) and when writing a message I still spend like 50% of the time correcting mistakes from the virtual keyboard.
Because these are usually short messages you’d instead likely be hunting and pecking the virtual keys, but without the tactile feedback of a real keyboard. For games that are all about text, it’s a preference thing.
Plus a phone comes with a ton of distractions that a dedicated device without notifications doesn’t. Sure, you could turn in do not disturb while playing a text game but that feels a little intense.
If you really think about it, your question is basically like asking why anyone would need a Nintendo Switch when mobile games have virtual controls.
fkn@lemmy.world 7 months ago
I wasn’t trying to be dismissive. You bring up several good points. I asked because what seems to me the most obvious small form factor answer hadn’t been considered at all.
xyzzy@lemm.ee 7 months ago
All good, I know you weren’t and didn’t take it that way!