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Using cell phones as input devices

StoicHamsterStoicHamster Posts: 113Member
in General Development
So, I've noticed that a few Ouya games claim to offer the ability to use cell phones as input devices for the game. This really got me excited and I'm now brainstorming the possibilities for that kind of architecture.

Can anybody who has done this share how they implemented this feature?

Off the top of my head, I know I could do this by creating a mobile app that would then connect to the Ouya via wireless LAN - essentially developing a cross-platform multiplayer game.

But reading some other things made me wonder if Bluetooth might also be an option... Bluetooth is something I have zero experience with though. Is Bluetooth possible and a viable solution for this?

If it matters, I'm working in Unity.

Thanks!
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Comments

  • nicknick Posts: 186Member, Administrator, Team OUYA
    My assumption would be over LAN. Bluetooth would be an option, but would be a bit more complex to implement and would take up one of the bluetooth slots.
  • StoicHamsterStoicHamster Posts: 113Member
    Hmm... I didn't realize there was a hard limit to how many bluetooth devices could be connected. My thought was that bluetooth might be nice (from the player's perspective) because you wouldn't have to worry about Wi-Fi passwords. 

    Also seems like Bluetooth would be less laggy because it is a direct connection to the Ouya (rather than through a LAN's router).
    Jarcas Studios - Check out our latest Ludum Dare game: The Vengeful Baby-Men

    Take some time and learn Designer-Friendly Programming 101.
  • NeoTechniNeoTechni Posts: 3Member
    Any bluetooth master can have up to 7 slaves. I wouldn't say taking up a slot is a bad thing though.
  • djsbdjsb Posts: 1Member
    edited June 2013
    Hey.. check muzzley. It's a middleware for connecting people with machines transforming the smartphone into a controller. Depending on the context it could be a drawpad, gamepad or any other...

    My question is if anyone know if it would be possible to create an input device not for a specific game/application but for the underneath layer of the operating system? This way, any game could be controlled..

    best regards,
    Post edited by djsb on
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