We have received user feedback about game control, specifically, the ability to play the game with a single button, which can rob the gameplay of depth.
The game is not intended to be played this way, it has an underhand and an overhand button, which both work in conjunction with directional input for aiming your hit. This directional control is useful for setting up your strategy, by forcing your opponent where you want them in their court, and then attacking where they are not covering, which will greatly increase your chances of scoring.
However, we did include an automatic override if you choose to make a play not appropriate to the current situation, for the sake of making the game approachable and not frustrating for beginners or very young children. This does indeed allow the game to be played with a single button.
We are listening to your feedback, and in response, we are working on an update, which will make this assisted input behavior optional. With this option turned off, the game will then require you to learn the game mechanics and establish a correct rhythm with the appropriate inputs, or your player character will miss the play, and your opponent will score. In short, one button gameplay will no longer be possible unless the assisted input option is activated.
Currently, it is important to note that even with the assist always active, using single button style play will never allow you to access all of the possible play options which are available to you.
Please see the instructions below to see how the game input is intended to be used.
Thank you for playing and we hope you will enjoy the game.
Regards,
VTree Team
--------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------
GAME CONTROLLER PLAY INSTRUCTIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------
[SP] = Standard Play Button (default assignment is controller button 1)
[AP] = Alternate Play Button (default assignment is controller button 0)
[PN] = Team Play Position Next Button (default assignment is controller button 2)
[PP] = Team Play Position Previous Button (default assignment is controller button 3)
[EXIT] = Exit Button (default assignment is controller button 8)
[RESUME] = Resume Button (default assignment is controller button 9)
Direction Control: Use thumb stick for direction control. Direction pad may also be used if no thumb stick is available.
Custom Assignments: Game Controller assignments may be customized from the game launch screen.
SERVE: Press [SP] or [AP] to begin, then when the serve bar marker is in the center green zone, or as close as possible, press [SP] or [AP] again, and use directional control to aim the ball.
BUMP: Press [SP] while using direction control to aim the ball. If passing to your team mate, the ball will automatically aim toward the best location for your team mate to make a play.
SET: Press [AP] while using the direction control to aim the ball. If an overhand play is not currently possible, the player will automatically use an underhand play.
BLOCK: Press [AP] and direction control to attempt a block against your opponent’s attack.
SPIKE: Press [AP] while using direction control to aim the ball. When the green energy bar on the left is full, your player will perform a super spike.
PLAYER POSITIONING: Press [PN] or [PP] to scroll through the player positioning options along the bottom. Each position option has advantages and disadvantages, so experiment with them and use the position option which best suits your strategy. These buttons do not have an instant effect, but rather they represent the preferred positioning when the players regroup when they have opportunity to do so. If no positioning option is selected, the players will use automatic positioning.
PAUSE / RESUME / QUIT: Press [EXIT] to pause the game. Press [RESUME] to resume the game or press [EXIT] again to quit to the main menu.
------------------------------------------------------------------
MOUSE PLAY INSTRUCTIONS
------------------------------------------------------------------
[LMB] = Left Mouse Button for Standard / Underhand Plays
[Alt+LMB] = keyboard ALT key plus Left Mouse Button for Alternate / Overhand Plays
SERVE: Hold [LMB] and swipe the mouse up to begin, then when the serve bar marker is in the center green zone, or as close as possible, hold and swipe again in the direction you want to hit the ball.
BUMP: Hold [LMB] and swipe the mouse in the direction you want to hit the ball. If passing to your team mate, the ball will automatically aim toward the best location for your team mate to make a play.
SET: Hold [Alt+LMB] and swipe the mouse in the direction you want to hit the ball. If an overhand play is not currently possible, the player will automatically use an underhand play.
BLOCK: Hold [Alt+LMB] and swipe the mouse up to attempt a block against your opponent’s attack.
SPIKE: Hold [Alt+LMB] and swipe the mouse up and in the direction you want the ball to go. When the green energy bar on the left is full, your player will super spike the ball.
PLAYER POSITIONING: Press any of the buttons along the bottom of the screen to select player positioning options. Each position option has advantages and disadvantages, so experiment with them and use the position option which best suits your strategy. These buttons do not have an instant effect, but rather they represent the preferred positioning when the players regroup when they have opportunity to do so. If no positioning option is selected, the players will use automatic positioning. You can press a selected option again to turn it off for automatic mode.
PAUSE / RESUME / QUIT: Press the menu button on the top left to pause the game. From the pause menu which appears, you can resume the game, or quit to the main menu.