version: "1.0.1" name: input-abstraction description: Design input around player intent and supported device families instead of hardcoding device-specific behavior everywhere. origin: everything-game-dev-code category: engineering-common

Input Abstraction

Purpose

Design input around player intent and supported device families instead of hardcoding device-specific behavior everywhere.

Use When

• multiple input devices are supported
• rebinds or accessibility matter
• UI and gameplay input are becoming tangled

Inputs

• action list
• supported devices
• UI flow
• accessibility requirements

Process

1. define actions by intent
2. separate raw device input from gameplay/UI action handling
3. document action states and context switching
4. support rebinding and persistence where needed
5. test edge cases around focus, pause, and overlays

Outputs

• action map
• context model
• device support notes
• rebinding requirements

Quality Bar

• gameplay consumes named actions, never raw device inputs
• rebinding, device switching, and multiple control schemes work without touching gameplay code
• input contexts (gameplay, menu, cutscene) are explicit, with defined push/pop behavior
• dead zones, buffering, and repeat behavior are configured per action, not hardcoded

Common Failure Modes

• raw key or button checks scattered through gameplay code
• input consumed by multiple contexts at once (menu and gameplay both react)
• device-specific assumptions that break on controller or touch
• buffering and coyote-time tuning embedded in mechanics instead of the input layer

Related Agents

• ui-programmer
• accessibility-reviewer
• gameplay-programmer

Related Commands

• ui-flow-review
• verify
• tech-design

Notes

• Keep this skill aligned with the relevant rules layer and current project documentation.
• If engine-specific constraints materially change the workflow, hand off to the matching engine skill or engine-specific reviewer.