| >> Of course it is. The ergonomics of controller design are profoundly based on gripping the device with both palms while pushing buttons with the thumbs. Let's agree to disagree on that then. The Playstation 1 controller introduced the exaggerated grip design language. Look at the "Classic" controller for the Wii, which looks similar to the Super Nintendo controller. Rounded but no appendages. The original PS1 controller design has a flat backside that let people who were used to holding the old-style controllers (like me) to continue doing so. Believe me, the piano style of hitting the action buttons on a game controller predates the PS1. I basically hold PS1 controllers the same way I held Genesis/Super Nintendo/Saturn controllers. >> The buttons are too small and too close together to rest several fingers on, while the button groups are spaced too close together to fit both hands over. I have no problem playing piano style on any console controller of Japanese origin (that of course, excludes Microsoft's controllers). >> We're in the second decade of gaming keyboard design Again, the keyboard is a text entry tool that has been adopted by gamers. At its core, yes, it's a board covered in buttons. But, it's still designed for text entry. That is a PHP hammer (devil's advocate hat on), especially if you're using it to play Tony Hawk, a game originally designed for a console controller. >> It might be if there were something better. See links below: http://www.hitboxarcade.com/ http://shoryuken.com/2012/07/03/rts-x-fighters-check-out-the... |
Absolutely. We obviously have very different backgrounds, and I certainly don't want to seem like I'm telling anyone the right way to have fun :) If you'll indulge me for just one more point on keyboards, though:
> http://shoryuken.com/2012/07/03/rts-x-fighters-check-out-the...
Is this controller as effective as a good mechanical keyboard and mouse? Hell no, but that wasn’t the point!
That's an art project, not a gaming peripheral. A few companies do make more game-focused devices (https://www.google.com/search?q=gaming+keypad&tbm=isch), but they haven't seen wide adoption, partially because they look a bit silly, but mainly because one grid of programmable keyswitches is much like another. They just haven't conferred the kind of reliable advantage that a good mouse, or even a 120hz monitor do.