Preferred Key Controls

Following a discussion on RGRD, I am attempting to collate a list of preferred keyboard controls for RL games.

Movement

When it comes to movement keys, there are two main camps of preference: the ViKeys supporters and the NumPad supporters.

The arguments for ViKeys are:

• They are familiar to users of Vi(m) (a text editor with many fervent supporters)
• You don't need a num-pad to use them
• (any other reasons?)

Counting against vi-keys are:

• They won't work on some keyboard layouts (Dvorak for example (incidentally, how many people actually use Dvorak?))
• They reduce the number of keys available for other functions
• They introduce the possibility of pressing 'y' or 'n' in accidental response to a prompt.
• To non-vi-users they are not obvious.
• Not so easy for left-handers?

Arguments for NumPad are:

• They have a layout that matches the movement directions - they are obvious
• You don't lose any letter keys on the keyboard (unless using a laptop keyboard)

Arguments against:

• They take away a lot more keys when on a laptop in NumPad mode