SpecialEffect's Othello

Created to enable players to use their preferred controls on Android, the game is designed to be played with one of the following input methods: touch, a mouse cursor, switch access, a game controller or a keyboard. The app opens in landscape mode only.    

The objective is to change the majority of the pieces on the board to your colour by the end of the game. You switch your opponent’s pieces to your own colour by placing your pieces either side of one or more of theirs.  

SUPPORTED INPUT METHODS:

TOUCH - A single tap on the onscreen buttons activates them. No swiping or holds are required.  You can choose between ‘Classic’ or ‘Precise’ controls using the button in the top left. Using the ‘Precise’ controls option, you can directly select the square on the board that you want to place a piece in.

If using the ‘Classic’ controls option, you get larger targets that are spaced further apart. You first select the top of the two circular buttons on the left to select the quadrant of the board, that the square you want to place your piece is in. Then use the bottom circular button to select it. You then use the same onscreen buttons to scan through and select the square itself within the quadrant.  

MOUSE CURSOR - Using a single left click on the onscreen targets activates them. No drags or holds are required. The Auto-Click option on Android is also compatible with the game. When on this Android setting allows you to hover your mouse cursor over an onscreen target for a set period of time to click automatically. As with touch, you can choose to use either ‘Classic’ or ‘Precise’ controls using the button in the top left. Using the ‘Precise’ controls option, you can directly click on the square on the board that you want to place a piece in.

If using the ‘Classic’ controls option, you get larger targets that are spaced further apart. You first select the top of the two circular buttons on the left to select the quadrant of the board, that the square you want to place your piece is in. Then use the bottom circular button to select it. You then use the same onscreen buttons to scan through and select the square itself within the quadrant.  

SWITCH ACCESS - To scan through the onscreen targets using a switch, the use of the Google Switch Access app and a compatible switch interface or device is required.  

With your switch or switches, you first scan to and then select the top of the two circular buttons on the left to select the quadrant of the board that the square you want to place your piece is in. Then use the bottom circular button to select it. You then use the same buttons to scan through and select the square itself within the quadrant.  

KEYBOARD - The Arrow keys navigate and highlight the onscreen targets and the Enter key is used to select one, when highlighted. 

To place your piece, navigate to and then select the top of the two circular buttons on the left of the board to select the quadrant of the board that the square you want to place your piece is in. Then use the bottom circular button to select it. You then use the same buttons to scan through and select the square itself within the quadrant.  

GAME CONTROLLER - The Left Stick, Right Stick or D-Pad is used to navigate the onscreen targets. Any of the face buttons or triggers on your Android compatible controller can be used to select an onscreen target, when highlighted. 

To place your piece, navigate to and then select the top of the two circular buttons on the left of the board to select the quadrant of the board that the square you want to place your piece is in. Then use the bottom circular button to select it. You then use the same buttons to scan through and select the square itself within the quadrant.  

SpecialEffect is a registered UK charity (1121004) that helps physically disabled players to access video games. Please visit https://www.specialeffect.org.uk/ for more information.