Preface:
Most hand-eye coordination tests (like combos) can be learned and practiced more effectively at slow speeds in order to learn the correct motions more accurately. As with playing piano, one gradually increases the speed until they reach the required tempo and the music (or combo) is played accurately.
In order to increase learning quality and speed for fighting game players, this technique should be made available to them.
The Goal:
What I want to do is make a program that one use to input combo information “like a musical score” and have it played back at variable speeds to help a person understand and build muscle memory for timings and motions.
Framework:
Have a “score” set up where markers can be placed requiring a button press.
The score should be divided into 60 segments per second and that could be set as the maximum speed for playback.
The user can mark (based on frame data) where the button or buttons can be pressed as groups of segments or single segments. If markers are placed next to each other requiring the same exact button combination, they will form a group. A single segment would be akin to a one-frame link, while multiple segments would indicate more lenient timing.
The program should read inputs from joysticks and controllers used in windows just like games do.
Once the combo is set, the program should wait for the first button press of the combo to start progress down the “score”. This is somewhat similar to the trials in SF4, except there is no actual opponent to hit.
If the combo is missed, a strong indicator should be present that you screwed up. (maybe something red)
If the combo is completed in its entirety, an equally strong indicator should show it (maybe something green).
The program should automatically restart the “waiting for input” status after a short delay from either failing or succeeding.
The person should be able to scale down the speed of progress along the “score” at least down to 1/2 tempo. Ideally, 1/4 should be great. The program should adjust the amount of time spent on each segment accordingly.
Summary:
I imagine this to be somewhat like those electronic keyboards that are supposed to teach you songs. It could possibly have a GUI that looks like a field of arcade buttons that light up just the same way.
I feel that this could help everyone from the bottom of the pot monsters up to the top with improving input accuracy much better than hours of practice in the training mode just trying for that first success. You ABSOLUTELY will still have to take what you trained yourself to do in this program back into training mode, but the point of this isn’t to learn the game without the game. It’s just an “exercise machine”.
If anyone can help produce this program (possibly using flash) please let me know. I would love to see this usable in a browser with saveable combos.