Descent Controller Concept

[sdfgeoff]

I haven't yet figured out the best controller for descent-like games (ie retrovirus, descent, DEEP Space, Forsaken etc) My reasoning is this:

1) Keys give a rough movement, making it harder to aim. While I have grown used to this I still do find it a little annoying
2) Joysticks never have enough buttons to cover all the weapon systems and movement axis.
3) Dual shock/joypads are uncomfortable to use for more than 15-20 minutes (my thumbs get tired).

So, on a spur of the moment test I coupled the dual-shock and the joystick.
The joystick is controlled by my right-hand. The most accessible buttons cover primary and secondary weapon functions. If I had a three axis joy it would control bank as well. As it was the bank was one of the dual-shock axis, which was a little awkward.
The dual-shock is on my left. Instead of using the thumb(s) to control the mini-joysticks I use my second and forth finger. No buttons are used.

Over all this was a successful test. I quite like the combination.
Positives:
- Good aim provided by the joystick
- Fast response time for movements (due to the movements on the dual-shock being small)
- Every axis is proportional.
Negatives:
- Lack of buttons available for ships functions (especially in D2)
Interestings:
- I over shot on most movements, particularly strafing. I think this is because of the small movement size on the dual-shock, and I have little sideways control over my forth finger.
- Dodging was plain amazing. Zoop and the bullets missed. Normally I'm pretty average at dodging.
- My flying was pretty in-precise, due to it being the first time I've used this arrangement.

I think I'm going to modify the dual-shock so I can fit some of it's buttons in a position where I can use them when using it in this (odd) manner. I'll also move the axis closer together too so I can use my second and third fingers, which I have much better controll over.


Why did I post this? I'm not too sure, but let me know what you think.

[Alter-Fox]

I will just say one thing:
I have a perfect control setup which lets me hang with the best even though I can't trichord, and it doesn't involve any sticks at all.

[sdfgeoff]

Thought of a better way to describe it:
3x 2 axis joysticks.

And yes, I forgot to mention mouse-flying.

[Isaac]

made this a while back in 3dsmax as a concept for a game controller for descent.


If I were to redraw I'd increase the range of motion on the thumb track-balls, that go back to 0,0 position when released, and remove the cord, making it wireless.

Image 1: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yesM ... top0rl.jpg
Image 2: https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-G_4Y ... opy0zu.jpg

Those two track-balls on the top should have the range of a normal joystick, so they should be made bigger. They also should spring back to the center when released by the thumb.

[Tunnelcat]

My favorite is 2 joysticks, one with a stiff internal spring and mounted horizontally to use in my left hand like a helicopter collective (with no twist function) and the other mounted normally (with a twist function) to use with my right hand. I use the collective for up and down and sideways strafing, the other to turn or change pitch up and down and the twist part to rotate on my axis.

[Burlyman]

mortals and their joysticks heh

if you can't trichord, you're flying handicapped.

[Alter-Fox]

If you think that, I challenge you to prove yourself right.
100 kill killgoal, and you're not allowed to let me kill you more than five times. If you pull this off I'll actually tell you you're right (and then I'll just keep telling everyone else the same thing I said before).

And if I actually win the game... woe betide you. But you'll probably win because even save trichording you've played for much longer than me -- that's why you need to win so drastically.

Pick a 1v1 server and let's go (I'll be available in 8 hours, give or take).

BTW -- I'm literally flying hadicapped anyway, because of my coordination disability. That's why I can't trichord in the first place. I use other tricks to make up for it -- I have tons of deviousness hidden in my fur. And all you have is trichording.

[Grendel]

2) Joysticks never have enough buttons to cover all the weapon systems and movement axis.

This works well for me along with a G13.

[sdfgeoff]

I think you have a better joystick than me...

[Foil]

My setup:

+

N52te + 3DPro = plenty of axes and buttons, all of which I can use without re-placing fingers or key/axis conflicts.

[Isaac]

Here's mine

I become the ship when I use it. No buttons needed, because you can assign any finger gesture as a key combination. I shape my arms like wings in the way I want the ship to fly. With the vr goggles I don't feel human any more. I feel.... totally full of crap.

[Alter-Fox]

And that feeling is right about you. Yer so full of crap yer eyes are brown.

[Isaac]

I actually use a Playstation 2 controller. Though, I haven't since I've come to linux. I should reinstall D2 again. And yeah, I was deadly with one of those. I'd shoot the fleas off a fox.

[Alter-Fox]

hehehe don't try it
Wait...
ARE YOU CALLING ME FLEA-RIDDEN, you mangy physicist?

[roid]

Isaac and VR Technology.
<3
I SHIP IT

I become the ship when I use it. No .... need..... you can ....any finger .....combination. ...shape.... my arms ..... I want ........... With the vr goggles.... I don't feel human any more. I feel.... totally full....

[Sirius]

With the vr goggles I don't feel human any more. I feel.... totally full of crap.

Good line.

Keyboard and mouse: it does the job. Really!

[roid]

Keyboard and mouse: it does the job. Really!

YOU JUST TTRIGGERED MY TRAP CARD

[Sirius]

I'm going to have to ask you to explain the joke. I know it's an M:tG term but I'm not sure what the relevance is.

[roid]

oops i was kinda "friday night ★■◆●!" drunk.
what i mean is, that statement makes me angry.
i'm all for change. When people are all like "nah we don't need change, change is dumb" i'm all like HRRRNNNGGGG

[Alter-Fox]

No, it isn't an M:TG term and if you said that on an M:tG board you'd get flamed to hell.

[BUBBALOU]

Dbl post

[BUBBALOU]

My Controller setups have too many keys. Only odd bit... in descent i have to use twist for bank(roll) and instead of pedals i use the joy X-Axis for yaw

CH Pro Throttle in left hand - M$ Sidewinder 3D Pro in right hand

[Foil]

Only odd bit... in descent i have to use twist for bank(roll) and instead of pedals i use the joy X-Axis for yaw

Same here.

[Sirius]

what i mean is, that statement makes me angry.
i'm all for change. When people are all like "nah we don't need change, change is dumb" i'm all like HRRRNNNGGGG

I see. I'm not anti-change, though; it's just that my reaction to all these hilariously complicated control setups is "save your money, you don't really need it".

No, it isn't an M:TG term and if you said that on an M:tG board you'd get flamed to hell.

That sounds kind of fun, maybe I should try it.
It's some kind of CCG. Hell knows what, I don't care very much. I just presume everything CCG comes from M:tG and come back to survey the collateral damage later.

[Isaac]

I'm going to write a program that assigns notes and chords to keys, so I can fly the ship with my guitar.

[sdfgeoff]

I like the sound of that Isaac....

[roid]

yes it plucks my fancy