Cursors forbidden on tvOS

Question

Mat33 OP

Created Sep ’15

Replies 3

Boosts 0

Participants 4

The TV human interfact guildeine mentions that tv app should not use cursors for naviagation.

Does it mean that cursors are totally forbidden? Or simply that they should be avoided?

A cursor might actually be useful in particualr for strategy games or navigation in elaborate menus that were primarily deigend for touch screen.

Answered by Technology Evangelist in 55128022

We would strongly encourage you to look towards implementing a focus based model. For instance, in a cell based strategy game, shifting the focus between cells rather than making the user drive a cursor around would be a far more intuitive and enjoyable game play experience. Or perhaps shift focus between groups of characters.

Menus should definitely be re-implemented in a way that supports the focus model - a cursor experience for menu selection would be very difficult.

Also consider what it might be like to use your game with a game controller's D-Pad. Cursoring isn't a pleasant experience, but the focus model maps over very well.

You will find that when holding a remote it is much easier to be accurate in horizontal movements than it is in vertical movements with your thumb. The device is equally sensitive in both axes, but it's more difficult for us to be precise in our own movements.

I hope that helps provide some additional reasoning behind the suggestions in the Human Interface Guidelines - we look forward to seeing what you create!

Boost

Answer 1

steve228uk OP

Sep ’15

You could probably do something like that more elegant by using an iPhone as a second screen to navigate through menus.

0

Answer 2

Boaz@work OP

Sep ’15

Traditionally guidelines is just guidelines; it's not forbiddened but you take a higher risk to have your app rejected.

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Answer 3

Technology Evangelist OP

Apple

Sep ’15

Accepted Answer

We would strongly encourage you to look towards implementing a focus based model. For instance, in a cell based strategy game, shifting the focus between cells rather than making the user drive a cursor around would be a far more intuitive and enjoyable game play experience. Or perhaps shift focus between groups of characters.

Menus should definitely be re-implemented in a way that supports the focus model - a cursor experience for menu selection would be very difficult.

Also consider what it might be like to use your game with a game controller's D-Pad. Cursoring isn't a pleasant experience, but the focus model maps over very well.

You will find that when holding a remote it is much easier to be accurate in horizontal movements than it is in vertical movements with your thumb. The device is equally sensitive in both axes, but it's more difficult for us to be precise in our own movements.

I hope that helps provide some additional reasoning behind the suggestions in the Human Interface Guidelines - we look forward to seeing what you create!

0