Low tech idea to improve analog control

[Acert93]

From: http://forzamotorsport.net/devcorner/pitpass/pitpass25.htmhttp://www.forzamotorsport.net/
http://www.kontrolfreek.com/

"Everyone knows it can be extremely difficult to control a racing simulator with a gamepad. One thumb, a three centimeter thumbstick and about one centimeter of travel just doesn’t provide as much fidelity as a steering wheel. It takes a lot of manual dexterity to precisely modulate such a small control -- especially when controlling a simulation engine like Forza Motorsport 2 with its physics running at 360 frames per second. Most players are reduced to tapping the control, thereby reducing the control to little more than a digital gamepad. Can you imagine driving your real car at high speeds using only digital inputs – full lock right, full lock left, wide open throttle and pedal through the floor braking?

"Recently Che gave me an odd-looking piece of plastic that snaps onto the Xbox 360 gamepad thumbstick head. This accessory for your accessory is meant to increase the controllable surface area of the thumbstick. Basically, it’s a better lever. While I "got" the theory immediately, I was skeptical about how effective it could really be.

"After using it for the better part of the afternoon, I’m convinced. While it’s no replacement for a good racing wheel, it’s a remarkable improvement over an unaltered thumbstick. I’m able to roll my thumb across the control and use the raised walls to manipulate the control much more precisely. It just feels natural. I’m always struck by how some of the most meaningful innovation is often the most low-tech improvements on an old idea.

"It’s a shame about the bright green color. The Xbox 360 controller is a nice piece of industrial design. Pardon the pun, but this thing sticks out like a sore thumb.

"Here’s the bottom line. This thing is cheap and small. If you don’t mind looking like a dork using it, it will make you gamepad racing experience much better and probably drop your lap times as well."

So there you have it folks. Turn 10's audio test lead and racing cockpit afficionado probably won't be trashing his setup any time soon, but this is pretty cool. Something to pick up for a stocking stuffer perhaps, or even for yourself if you're looking to improve your analog stick experience.

And they review these: http://www.kontrolfreek.com/

Interested in seeing their FPS product.

 

[nintenho]

Awesome idea. Hope for new colors and that it's a pack-in.

 

[LunchBox]

Kewl!

Nice post!

How much will it cost?

more surface area = better control

 

[Mintmaster]

One of the problems with these things is that there's a dead-zone on the sticks -- at least I know there's a huge one on the PS2 DualShock. I really notice it when playing GT3. Is it true for the XBox controller also? From a manufacturing persepective it makes sense because it's won't drift, but it sucks for fine control.

I was actually going to make a little jig to attach a wheel to a PS2 controller (just for the sake of a project), but the dead zone put a dampener in my plans.

The little plastic thingy would also prevent you from releasing the stick by just lifting the thumb a millimetre. I find that very crucial for control in racing games, as instantly makes the steering neutral if you think you may have turned a bit too sharp.

 

[aselto]

One of the problems with these things is that there's a dead-zone on the sticks -- at least I know there's a huge one on the PS2 DualShock. I really notice it when playing GT3. Is it true for the XBox controller also?

No, dead zone on analog stick is much smaller in the Xbox controller and overall precision is much better.

BTW Anyone heard about this?
http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=131158
Sounds really good, though I haven't try this on my 360 controller yet (I go my console on Thursday).

 

[Fafalada]

at least I know there's a huge one on the PS2 DualShock.

Actually no - DS2 sticks have no deadzone to speak of, the deadzones you see are entirely a result of a specific implementation of each PS2 game.

And GT3 (and most other driving games using "realistic" physics) in particular have no direct mapping between wheels and analog control anyway - steering speed, max wheel angle, and response will change depending on how fast your car is going.