Use mouse? You don't want to let users play 'Twister' with there fingers anyway

Other possibility is maybe using a key to change the modus/effect of the keys. Like that the user can press spacebar to toggle the effects of pressing some keys. That way you can add multiple effects to one key in a certain modus. Tricky to get the overal feel right though but maybe worth a shot?

Thanks for your suggestion Reconnoiter, but I was really hoping to use the arrow keys and WASD keys at the same time for two different players.

Using the wasd and a joy_stick is achievable. Xbox 360 for windows or something. Also I believe 2 joysticks is achievable.

Thanks for your suggestion malice. I've considered that, but I'm trying to keep it on the keyboard

and on a regular keyboard, WASD / IJKL doesn't work either. so numpad is only way to go.

how many people on the forum here have a numpad?

-1

There is honestly no guarantee for it to work with the numpad on all keyboards. But for the record, I don't have one on any of my keyboards or laptops.

Maybe redesign your game to use the local LAN or use gamepads or something?

The purpose is to control two characters with one keyboard that work together, without swapping between them. It would be nearly impossible to control them without using the keyboard with both.

Hey sid, just out of curiosity (since your the guru ) why wouldn't that work for all numpad keyboards?

I'm not Sid, but I assume it's about the device buffer. But hopefully Sid will give a better answer.