Voters please identify yourselves and which vote you are casting.

The results of this poll will not be binding unless it is unanimously agreed upon.

In the spirit of fence-sitting I have voted 'no preference'.
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I've just voted No Preference.

While I prefer to use the mouse, I can use the keyboard also, and don't really care as long as I win
(or at least get good points!)

No preferences for me too. I suck either with mouse or keyboard ( )
Anyway, if not using mouse can increase the challenge, I can only agree with that
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I am no preference, but I voted not allowed since we're looking at challenge factor for this compo.
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I voted Mouse allowed.

BTW, isn't "Mouse allowed" and "no preference/allow either" the same???
I mean, if it is allowed, no one forces you to use the mouse.

A poll allowed/not allowed would be much more logical. But then, it's maybe only me...

Not allowed, makes this game too easy to beat.

I voted mouse not allowed, it's more of a challenge that way
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I voted for mouse control allowed because keyboard control is not only inferior but also infuriating with its inaccurcy and i'd like to compete.

No preference, I decided to play Arkanoid with the Lightgun....errrr no.....
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I was going to put 'Other' in the voting options, but I honestly couldn't think what anyone could use it for
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Since we can't agree, I say let Thunderer decide. After all, he is filling out Matt's shoes at the moment.
All I'm saying is that if we don't allow mouse, we might have to go through this discussion every month.

Lightgun...good one, Firefox

Actually, a light gun might be very useful... seriously!
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I voted for no preference, I think you should get to play the game like you're used to.
I'll just use a joystick, though
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This is all in good fun IMO. So for this round I voted not allowed but I would usually vote no preference in general.

The only reason I voted not allowed for this particular game is because the Arkanoid competition was already underway when this subject came up and there is a huge difference in scores when someone uses the mouse and when they use the keyboard. All that said, there could be some sort of squabble when the competition ends if the highest score is made by someone using the mouse and then you have people who have lower scores who used the keyboard or joystick.

Adding to what Hannibal said, if this situation comes up again I think we should have this sort of vote after a game is chosen. Delay the competition by 24-48 hours and ask people what they wish to do. Then let the gaming begin. Or if someone votes for a game that allows for mouse control state their preference in the voting itself.
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I voted not allowed. Mouse definatly makes it far more easier.
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I thought about this in great detail during the night and I cannot force anybody to play with joystick/keyboard only for any competition. But this is a specific case which was made apparent during the first day of play so in the interest of the competition I would not force anybody but request that they play with keyboard/joystick, it's only one round after all and I doubt that we'll ever have a similar situation.

Therefore, for those who insist on using only mouse I can only plead to try out the keyboard and meet the challenge, everbody else already seems to be embracing this idea.

C'mon it's only a competition where we have fun and Shteev wins
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Yes it is only one round but i don't want to let Shteev win this year easily so i am forced to compete even if i do not like the game very much (Arkanoid) and it makes me curse all the time, not because i suck so much at it but because the controls suck so much...
All in all a fine choice for a compo game, thanks a bunch ppl.

I think this thing of limiting to just the keyboard is a stupid idea. After all, in the control selection of the game itself it lets you select mouse, paddles etc as well as a standard joystick, so anyone who has them should be allowed to use them.

The arcade original IIRC had a trackball. Could you imagine how bad the game would be to play if it used a joystick?
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I think there are a couple of points that people are missing.

Firstly, if the controls are limited to keyboard, then everyone has the same disadvantage. Everyone has to deal with the shitty controls, awful collision detection and generally crappy quality.

Secondly, even if you do allow mouse, Shteev will still win, (and fair enough too), but also, since it seems much easier to complete the whole game the competition is reduced to points whoring since you can only go through 32 stages.

Thirdly, Shteevs current high score is quite reasonably beatable given a bit of work (I think I should be able to get quite close by the time the comp ends), so I don't think anyone has the right to complain there.

Look, I voted for keyboard only, but really if the other option was to sap this game for T.R.A.Z. I would secretly aquire everyones passwords just to boost the votes for that option.

Conclusion: Arkanoid sucks, but everyone has the same disadvantages.

I'm using the keyboard version of the joystick emulation in VICE. I don't see it as a problem.
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I am playing arkanoid with joystick, but I would let people using the control method they prefer, joystick, keyboard, mouse, paddle (in the real thing), or whatever they wish. (Just my opionion.)
Btw I wonder why many guys who vote Arkanoid for the compo, now are vanished in air, letting us struggling with this not-perfect game.
We should force 'em to take part to the compo someway

It was a decision formulated in a very polite and non-intrusive way. So basically what I am saying is [assertive voice]use joys/keys only[/assertive voice].