I love thinkin' up ideas for how certain types of games should control on new systems. I've kinda been wondering how an FPS could control on the 3DS without using the cramp-inducing touch screen. I think it should use the gyroscope and emulate the Wii's IR controls.

So moving the system physically would move the on-screen reticule, and the nearer the reticule is to the edge of the screen the faster the camera turns. Holding the L button would put you into iron sight mode, and moving the system would give you slower, finer movements. When you're not using the iron sights you'd probably want relatively high sensitivity so you don't have to move the 3DS too much.

I'm kinda wondering if we'll see HVS use this. Personally I'm hoping Gameloft does it, because they're really good at making mobile shooters. I'm worried that HVS will be lazy and just port their IR controls to the touch screen, and Gameloft might do the same and only port their thumb-drag aiming system over (which is good on the highly-sensitive iOS touch screens, but not on a DS's). :/

Anyway, feedback? Any other ideas out there?

Good. I played Face Raiders out of boredom today and I was playing the "Final Stage" in which you are flying through space battling the final boss. I finally saw the gyro's power. It works very well. I'd like to see this control idea being used in a Metroid game.

I think it would be awesome, but I think the reticule should stay dead center. It should essentially play like Face Raiders but the joystick allows you to move forward, back, and strafe. And it would be absolutely amazing. Especially if the game is so bold as to allow you to lean the system to the side to peak around corners, etc.

I'm hoping that n-Space or High Voltage Software thinks about the gyroscope controls when their FPS titles come out.

I just kinda want to slightly turn my 3DS a little to the left to make my character start to turn around. I don't want to have to turn all the way around just so my character can turn around. Just like Wii controls where all you have to do is point to the left and it will start to turn by itself.

Yah, what Arcanum said. Face Raiders is cool in short bursts but for long-term play it's impractical.

We need a "please no" smiley face here!

What about aiming up and down? I wouldn't want any movement drastic enough to ruin the 3D effect. Monkey Ball 3D comes to mind.

yeah,gyro + 3d effect isnt the best combo.
quick movements makes the screen hard to look at, almost painful.
plus, quick movements is ahrd on the top screen. i dont know for you people, but i really feel my top screen is a little wobbly when its opened fully.

I don't play in 3D anyway; it hurts my eyes even when it works. It'll be a shame if gyro controls are overlooked just because they don't jive with the gimmicky 3D effect.

I was thinking that they could use the gyro for on the rails lightgun game which could give us a portable version of the house of the dead games etc... Its like a guilty pleasure but I really love those games and hoping that they bring out a sequel to HotD:overkill in 3D!!! hell yeah.
Not meaning total 3D, but blood splatters etc. hitting the screen would be a great gimmick.
...other on the rails games would be good too.

Fixed.

I can live with that.

Wouldn't it be kinda awkward to use in public?

^ Hehe.
_{gonna get that if you use the gyro at all. Gameloft already uses the gyro for their iPhone shooters, and I hear it works awesome.}

Well, in the context of an iPhone, sure.

Stylus aiming will always be superior, seeing as how it's basically equal to mouselook (which is the gold standard for FPS controls). Some people have a hard time adjusting to stylus aiming FPS's on DS consoles, but it's no more difficult than learning to use a mouse/keyboard setup (probably easier). One thing is for sure, anyone who wants to be truly competitive in a multiplayer FPS on the 3DS is going to have to use stylus aiming if it's an available option.

Yeah, not every single 3DS game has to have 3D. It's there and can be used only if the players/developers want to use it. I don't really see how a FPS could really benefit from having 3D anyway.

of course !
it was awckyard just to play it in my family's living room. you look dumb moving around when people dont know what the heck youre doing.

the gyro will be of good use with that cubic ninja game coming up.

i dont mind the use of gyro, but let it be like the 3d feature is. something to add to the game, or to leave when youre not in the mood for it.

This thread has me thinking along the lines of 'Sin and Punishment'.

S&P would be impossible with gyro controls. Gyro controls force you to focus so much on your aiming you could never coordinate yourself enough to move and dodge accurately as intense as the game is. Actually, the more I think about that, the more gyro controls for a traditional FPS seems like a bad idea. I mean, don't get me wrong, I wouldn't mind trying it. It could be a lot of fun, just for the feel of it. But there's no way it could be considered a "better" control option for FPS's, "better" meaning it enables you to play better or more competitively.