Hello batters,

As I was verifying runs today (incredible work by the way!), particularly ones by kana1, I had an idea of how the ergonomics of the runs could be improved. Bat spam is of course an integral part of the run, and can be straining if you use the same finger for repeated fast inputs. The buttons on the beatmania controller that kana uses are large enough that two fingers can be alternated to spam bat inputs. I have no issue with this, as it doesn't seem to give an advantage because there is still the cap to swing speed, but I thought it could be nice to extend this opportunity to use multiple fingers for strenuous inputs to more players.

I am opening this discussion because I want feedback on whether you all would like to allow keyboard players to do hardware-level rebinding of keys (qmk for example) or an AutoHotKey script to bind multiple keys to the same bat input.

The game has a toggle setting to allow IJKL to be used for bat inputs, but this does not disable the arrow keys from also providing inputs. My proposal is to allow rebinding of keys to make these inputs closer together.

Let me be clear on what would not be allowed:

Scripts that make multiple inputs in one button press (say, press a key and get both a crouch and left input to slide to the left).

Scripts that release the previous keypress to allow another one to go through (If j and u are my two left bat inputs, pressing u whilst still holding j must do nothing). The only purpose of this is to simulate larger keys so that multiple fingers can be used. If you press the spacebar with one finger and put another finger on it, that doesn't register another input, so the rebinding must not either.

If people like this idea, I will provide the AutoHotKey script. I will ask that you do not use any other AutoHotKey scripts or modify the one given in any way (other than changing which key gets each directional input) without permission. If we allow this, I would also encourage everyone who is able to add either a handcam or input display to their videos. This will not be required, but I appreciate the increased proof that these give that foul play is not occurring. I appreciate those that have already done this.

Unfortunately, it seems difficult to extend these ergonomic improvements to controller players. If any of you are controller players and have a suggestion, do not hesitate to reply. Thank you for your time.

I totally agree with your proposal. Since controller buttons can be easily rebound via Steam Input, it would be unfair not to allow keyboard players the same kind of flexibility.

In fact, I rebound a few controller buttons in my past Any% No SFA runs. Specifically, I mapped the B button to the Z key and set the X button to no action, both to prevent unintended bat swings.

With controller players already having easy access to this kind of remapping, I believe the rules regarding the prohibited configurations outlined in your proposal should apply equally to both keyboard and controller players.