[causality0]

I was a bit disappointed at how limited the linked Gamasutra's article was. For example, it didn't even mention helical keyboards that arrange letters and numbers into a 3D helix that allows very fast character selection. For example, when you can immediately see that the character you need is one and a half loops away ending on the 3 o'clock position, twirling your analog stick to that position takes a fraction of a second.

[imtringued]

You mean this type of keyboard? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euquOpUmUyk I had so much fun playing beyond good and evil on the PS2!

It's not the best but it is both easy and fun to use so if you want to avoid frustrating your players it may be the safest choice.