Tag Archives: controller

Evolutionary History of Game Controllers

Nicholas Nova has collected some references about the history and genesis of game controllers.

Link: Evolution of Game Controllers” (liftlab.com)

Unusual game control schemes

“Some present their own standards in its place, due to their being well-suited to their style of game; the dual joystick (shooting) style has been used in a few games itself, from the old classic Robotron: 2084 to Geometry Wars. Others really have no chance of ever becoming a standardized control scheme, but are okay [...]

Groundbreaking game controller designs

Summary of the 11 game controller that have taken gameplay to new levels. Along with the most annoying interstitial ads I’ve ever seen.

“The Zapper shipped with the original Nintendo Entertainment System, bundled with seminal light-gun game Duck Hunt as its early companion. But it was games such as Hogan’s Alley, Gumshoe, and Operation Wolf that [...]

Limited interaction possibilities

Nicolas Nova comments on a column by Erik Holmquist on mobile interactions.
“Those who still worry about the “limited” interaction possibilities of mobile devices should note that all the applications mentioned above could be used on a standard mobile phone today (with small modifications). Yet at the same time they drastically expand the interaction parameters of [...]

Book: Mobile Interaction Design

From the first chapter of Mobile Interaction Design, by Matt Jones.
“Perhaps, though, the real issue is not whether mobile devices should focus mainly on communication or information processing. There is a broader concern – should one device try to do everything for a user or should there be specialized tools, each carefully crafted to support [...]

Design evolution of gaming controllers

John Siracusa takes an illustrative look at the (lack of) evolution of handheld game controllers.
“But let’s take a step back. These are handheld game machines. You hold them in your hand. How many years will it take before someone realizes that sharp-edged rectangular solids are not ideal for gripping? Again, I recognize the constraints here. [...]