Skip to main content

Motion Controls

Master device sensor controls for an immersive gameplay experience in motion-based mini-games.

What Are Motion Controls?​

Motion controls use your device's built-in sensors (accelerometer and gyroscope) to detect:

  • Tilt - Device orientation (lean left/right, forward/back)
  • Movement - Physical motion detection
  • Orientation - Which way device is facing
  • Freeze - Complete stillness detection

How Motion Controls Work​

Device Sensors​

Accelerometer:

  • Measures linear acceleration
  • Detects movement in 3D space
  • Responds to tilt and shake
  • Always relative to gravity

Gyroscope:

  • Measures rotational velocity
  • Detects turning motion
  • Provides orientation data
  • More precise than accelerometer

Combined: The game uses both sensors together for smooth, responsive controls with built-in noise filtering.

Permission System​

First Use:

  1. Game requests sensor access
  2. Browser shows permission prompt
  3. Tap "Allow" to enable
  4. Permission remembered for future

Why Needed:

  • Browser security requirement
  • Protects user privacy
  • One-time permission per domain
  • Can revoke in browser settings

Calibration​

Why Calibrate?​

Benefits:

  • Sets your neutral position
  • Improves responsiveness
  • Personalizes controls
  • Compensates for play style

When to Calibrate:

  • First time playing
  • Changing position (sit ↔ stand)
  • Controls feel off
  • Device orientation changes

Calibration Process​

Access: Settings → Calibration or direct /calibration link

Steps:

  1. Hold device in comfortable playing position
  2. Tap "Calibrate" button
  3. Keep device still for 1-2 seconds
  4. System records baseline orientation
  5. Success message confirms

Benefits:

  • One calibration for all games
  • Quick to access
  • Persistent setting
  • Consistent experience

Per-Game Calibration​

When: Before starting some mini-games

Process:

  1. Challenge intro offers calibration
  2. Follow same calibration steps
  3. Applies only to current session
  4. Can skip if recently calibrated

Testing Calibration​

After calibrating:

  • Tilt device gently
  • Watch on-screen indicators
  • Confirm responsive
  • Recalibrate if needed

Indicators to Watch:

  • Direction arrows
  • Tilt angle display
  • Movement sensitivity
  • Character response (in-game)

Motion Control Types​

Tilt Controls​

How It Works:

  • Lean device left → character moves left
  • Lean forward → character moves forward
  • Return to neutral → character stops

Used In:

  • Spirit Maze (maze navigation)
  • Cosmic Collector (player movement)

Tips:

  • Small tilts often better than large
  • Smooth movements prevent overshooting
  • Find your comfortable tilt range
  • Practice makes perfect

Directional Input​

Four Directions:

  • Up (tilt forward)
  • Down (tilt back)
  • Left (tilt left)
  • Right (tilt right)

Threshold System:

  • Small tilt = no input
  • Medium tilt = direction registered
  • Large tilt = same result (no speed increase)

Dead Zone:

  • Small range around neutral
  • Prevents accidental input
  • Makes holding steady easier

Freeze Detection​

How It Works:

  • Monitors all motion sensors
  • Detects any movement above threshold
  • Real-time analysis
  • Binary state: moving or frozen

Used In:

  • Sentinel Gaze (freeze phases)
  • Future games with stillness mechanics

Sensitivity:

  • Very sensitive by design
  • Even small movements detected
  • Must be genuinely still
  • Calibration helps establish baseline

Tips:

  • Brace your hands
  • Rest device on surface if possible
  • Breathe steadily
  • Anticipate freeze moments

In-Game Motion Indicators​

Visual Feedback​

HUD Elements:

Direction Indicator:

  • Shows detected tilt direction
  • Color changes with intensity
  • Helps understand input
  • Debug/practice tool

Heading Indicator:

  • Compass-like display
  • Shows device orientation
  • Useful for navigation games
  • Can be toggled

Motion State:

  • "Moving" vs "Still" indicator
  • Real-time status
  • Critical for freeze games
  • Traffic light colors (green/red)

Haptic Feedback​

Vibration Cues:

  • Warning pulses (before freeze)
  • Error vibration (movement detected)
  • Success buzz (goal reached)
  • Optional/device-dependent

When Available:

  • Modern smartphones
  • Supported browsers
  • Enhances immersion
  • Can be disabled

Troubleshooting Motion Controls​

Controls Not Responding​

Check:

  1. ✅ Permission granted?
  2. ✅ Device has sensors?
  3. ✅ Browser supports sensors?
  4. ✅ Calibration done recently?

Solutions:

  • Refresh page and allow permission
  • Try different browser
  • Recalibrate device
  • Check device orientation lock

Controls Feel Wrong​

Common Issues:

Too Sensitive:

  • Recalibrate in different position
  • Ensure stable starting position
  • Check for device case interference

Not Sensitive Enough:

  • Larger tilt motions
  • Recalibrate
  • Check browser sensor access

Inverted Controls:

  • Recalibrate while holding device correctly
  • Check device orientation
  • Some games may have invert option

Motion Detected During Freeze​

In Sentinel Gaze or similar:

Causes:

  • Hand tremor
  • Breathing movement
  • Unstable surface
  • Poor grip

Solutions:

  • Brace device against body
  • Use both hands
  • Rest on stable surface
  • Steady breathing
  • Practice staying still

Best Practices​

Optimal Play Position​

Sitting:

  • Rest elbows on surface
  • Device at comfortable height
  • Stable core position
  • Good for long sessions

Standing:

  • Stable stance
  • Device at chest height
  • Allows larger movements
  • Better for active games

Lying Down:

  • Not recommended for tilt controls
  • Can work for freeze games
  • Calibrate in this position
  • Less precise control

Environmental Factors​

Lighting:

  • Good lighting helps see screen
  • Reduces eye strain
  • Not critical for motion

Stability:

  • Stable surface for freeze games
  • Reduce external vibrations
  • Quiet environment helps focus

Distractions:

  • Motion games require focus
  • Minimize interruptions
  • Better performance when undistracted

Device Considerations​

Phone vs. Tablet:

  • Phone: More portable, easier to tilt
  • Tablet: Larger screen, heavier to hold
  • Both work well
  • Personal preference

Device Orientation:

  • Portrait vs. Landscape
  • Game-dependent
  • Calibrate in orientation you'll use
  • Some games lock orientation

Battery:

  • Sensor use drains battery
  • Keep charged for longer sessions
  • Low battery may affect performance

Advanced Motion Techniques​

Smooth Motion​

For Best Results:

  1. Slow, controlled tilts
  2. Anticipate desired direction
  3. Small corrections better than large
  4. Practice smooth transitions

Quick Response​

When Needed:

  1. Small, sharp tilts
  2. Return to neutral quickly
  3. Rhythm and timing
  4. Good for fast-paced games

Freeze Mastery​

Stillness Tips:

  1. Two-hand grip
  2. Brace against body
  3. Control breathing
  4. Anticipate freeze moment
  5. Mental preparation

Motion Control Settings​

Sensitivity (Future Feature)​

Potential Adjustments:

  • Low: Requires large tilts
  • Medium: Balanced (default)
  • High: Small tilts register

Invert Options (Future)​

Possible Controls:

  • Invert X-axis
  • Invert Y-axis
  • Custom mappings

Motion Mode Selection​

Current:

  • Automatic sensor selection
  • Best available used

Future:

  • Prefer gyroscope
  • Accelerometer only
  • Custom sensor weights

Accessibility​

Motion Sensitivity​

For Users With:

  • Hand tremors
  • Limited mobility
  • Device limitations

Accommodations:

  • Higher thresholds possible
  • Longer grace periods
  • Alternative control options (planned)

Fallback Controls​

When Sensors Unavailable:

  • Touch controls (some games)
  • Keyboard support (desktop)
  • Mouse input (desktop)
  • Graceful degradation

Next Steps​

Apply motion controls in specific games:

Learn more about:

Pro Tip: Spend 2-3 minutes calibrating and practicing in each game type before attempting high-score runs. The investment pays off!