History Main / SymbolDrawingInterface

* The PC-version of ''{{Fahrenheit}}'' replaces control stick motion patterns of the consoles with tracing the same patterns with a mouse, effectively making it this.

** ''NinjaGaiden'' game uses this for the [[FunctionalMagic ninpo]] spells.

* ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'' allows the player to draw symbols on the screen to represent spells.

* [[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSDbBavHSSg Descension: Depths of De'Mae]]. You draw rune shapes over an area, and a spell is cast on that area. For Lightning spells, the bottom tip must touch the foe, while foes within the area of a triangle spell will take damage.
* A very simple variant appears in TheWorldEndsWithYou; certain pins with [[ShockAndAwe Spark Core]] or [[DishingOutDirt Apport]] psychs require the player to draw a circle on the screen.

* ''VideoGame/{{Myst}} V'' had you draw symbols on a special slate in order to command the strange creatures that inhabited the worlds you visited. Noted for being frustratingly buggy; it often took several tries for a symbol to be recognised, and it was easy to accidentally draw the symbol that would [[GameBreaker take you to the end of the level]].

* An InUniverse example in ''HeavyRain'': Although this interface is not used by the player, Norman Jayden's ARI does have a consistent motion-control interface.
* ''MetroidPrime'' has another in universe example; using the X-Ray visor (or paying attention to the icons on the weapon display) indicates that Samus switches between different functions and fires her ArmCannon via hand gestures.

* ''ArxFatalis'' used this for its magic system.
* ''{{Myst}} V'' had you draw symbols on a special slate in order to command the strange creatures that inhabited the worlds you visited. Noted for being frustratingly buggy; it often took several tries for a symbol to be recognised, and it was easy to accidentally draw the symbol that would [[GameBreaker take you to the end of the level]].

** ''{{Castlevania}}: DawnOfSorrow'' required this to finish off defeated bosses.
** ''TraumaCenter''
** ''{{Scribblenauts}}'' gives a type 3 RealityWritingBook to the player, which can be toggled between this and a keyboard.

A VideoGame interface (or part of it) based on drawing symbols on the screen with your mouse or controller, usually to cast FunctionalMagic.

* The ''HarryPotter'' video games use this method for spell-casting.

* ''{{Sacrifice}}'' allowed you to navigate through the tactical menus with this, although clicking or using keyboard shortcuts was usually simpler.

* ''PokemonRanger: Guardian Signs'' allows you to draw symbols that summon Pokémon you've encountered, particularly Legendaries.

* ''BlackAndWhite'' uses an interface where you perform miracles by drawing corresponding symbols on the ground.

** ''LostMagic'' makes you cast spells that way.

** ''TheLegendOfZelda: PhantomHourglass'' and ''SpiritTracks''

A SubTrope of SomeDexterityRequired. See also GeometricMagic.

* In ''MontyPythonsMeaningOfLife'' the LicensedGame, in the section "Live Organ Transplants" you as a surgeon have to cut into a body. It starts out with simple lines, then gets more complex and the last one you have to do is in the image of {{Gumby}}.

* Early versions of ''{{VideoGame/Darwinia}}'' used this system to summon units. This was replaced by default with a menu-based system in later versions.

** ''{{Scribblenauts}}'' gives a type 3 RealityWritingBook to the player.

* In ''{{Turgor}}'', you do pretty much everything except walking and talking by drawing symbols on the screen and feeding them with energy.

* The gameplay of ''{{Okami}}'' and ''{{Okamiden}}'' revolve primarily around the Celestial Brush Techniques, requiring the player to "paint" symbols on the screen to create various effects such as, among other things, making the sun rise.

* Early versions of ''{{Darwinia}}'' used this system to summon units. These were replaced by a simpler interface in later versions.

** ''PhantomHourGlass''
** ''SpiritTracks''