Pointman - A Device-Based Control For Realistic Tactical Movement

Pointman (TM) is a new virtual locomotion control that uses a conventional dual joystick gamepad in combination with a tracked head-mounted display and sliding foot pedals. Unlike the control mappings of a conventional gamepad, Pointman allows users to specify their direction of movement independently from the heading of the upper body. The motivation for this work is to develop a virtual infantry training simulator that is inexpensive, portable, and allows the user to execute realistic tactical infantry movements. Tactical movements rely heavily on the ability to scan while moving along a path, which requires the ability to independently coordinate course and heading. Conventional gamepad control mappings confound course and heading, and facilitate moving sideways and spiraling toward or away from targets. Pointman was derived from an analysis of how people move and coordinate actions in the real and virtual worlds.