Devlog #14 — The Train Control Panel
Hi everyone,
Today we want to show one of the most important interfaces in Speed Rivals: Model Trains:
the train control panel.
We have designed it so it can be used comfortably with both mouse and gamepad, without turning train control into something overly complicated.
The idea is to keep the controls readable, direct and fast enough for missions, while still giving the player the feeling of actually operating the train.
Driving the Train
From the panel, the player can control the basic movement of the locomotive:
Move forward.
Move backward.
Stop the train.
Turn the train on or off.
It is a simple system, but this panel becomes the main point of interaction while driving.
More Than Speed Control
The panel also gives access to several actions connected to the train and the mission.
You can:
Select track switches.
Load or unload wagons.
Move the camera focus between any locomotive or wagon.
Enable or disable locomotive smoke.
Show or hide Jeff.
Use the horn.
The horn is not only cosmetic.
It also works as an interaction tool for some gameplay situations, which gives us another way to connect the train itself with the world around it.
Mouse and Gamepad
One of the main goals of this interface is that it should feel natural regardless of how you play.
With a mouse, you can directly interact with the different controls.
With a gamepad, the same panel is designed to be navigated without needing a cursor-heavy interface.
We are still polishing the final flow, but this is already becoming the main control center for the train.
Watch the Control Panel Test
In this video we show how the current version of the panel works and some of the actions you can perform from it:
There is still more to refine, but this is an important step toward making train operation feel simple, tactile and readable.
Thanks for following the development of Speed Rivals: Model Trains.