Computer Game Controllers

The computer game controller, a seemingly simple item, but for anyone who has been gaming on their computer with any enthusiasm, it is anything but simple. It can be the difference between a good player and a great player.

Depending on the game, and the player, there is a vast array of choices for controlling the gaming experience, from basic joystick controllers and gamepad controllers, to equipment that can be worn and customized, and some with onboard memory and storage.

Gamepads / Joypads

This is the most common type of computer game controller. It is often bundled with a lot of different game systems, and they can often satisfy most basic game controller requirements. They fit well in the hands and can employ all digits for extended controller functionality, and generally speaking, are relatively inexpensive when compared to less mainstream game controllers.

Both Playstation and Microsoft, and other PC game controller manufacturers, have developed gamepad and joypad game controllers with additional functionality, such as plugging a gaming headset into the device, and also making them cross-platform. this is an area where Microsoft has a great deal of experience since they make both the PC Computer and many of the games on the platform, but also the XBox gaming console.

Steering Wheel Game Controllers

The only way to truly get the racing gaming experience is to use a steering wheel, a manner of game controller that just begs to be used and the wise choice for serious racers. Depending on the brand, the prices can be quite varied as some come with more features than others, and some certainly come with a better build quality. the weight of the unit is important since you don't want it moving under heavey game play, in addition to the way it is held or mounted when used.

Joysticks

Another game controller with a fairly obvious application, Flight Simulators. It works well for this because it mimicks the controls found in many aircraft, as most operate in a 2 axis motion, some in three, adding a twist of the joystick to the mechanism. Since the joystick is connected to a base unit, the controller will often have a number of controls in addition to the stick, such as a throttle, and other funtion keys and buttons. Some good joysticks come with a thumb control on the top of the joystick, although for flight simulators and the like, it is used mostly for seperating look directionality from motion.

Pedal Game Controllers

The natural compliment to a Joystick game controller, or a Steering Wheel game controller is a set of Pedals, since both aircraft and cars have foot controls, operating either the gas / brake combination or the rudder controls. The Pedals complete the virtual mainstream experience of operating either vehicle.

Mouse

The idea of the mouse is to extend the movement controls to a dedicated game controller device, the mouse, and leave the left hand free to access function and control keys on other devices, usually a keyboard.

Motion Sensor

Both the Wii and the Playstation have made motion sensors a mainstream application of game controllers. Wii introduced the wand, or the Wii Remote, which uses a radar-looking device which sits, most advantageously, atop the screen, and it monitors the controllers position in 3D space. It also detects acceleration through that space.

Playstation developed the Playstation Eye and incorporated motion control into the Sixaxis gamepads. The Eye does virtually the same thing as the Wii Remote, and the Sixaxis detects movement from center for rate and degree of tilt, dive or turn.

Game-Specific Game Controllers

A brilliant new element to the gaming world is the introduction of Guitar Hero, a gaming system that adds to the breadth of activities available for not only the PC, but for gaming consoles too. The point of the game is to play the music using new instrument game controllers developed specifically for this game. The number of controls required on each controller is actually fewer than those required to play almost any other game, yet entire new controllers that mimick musical instruments from the real world were developed.

The gamer can play the guitar using the guitar game controller which only has four buttons to simulate the function of the strings, or the drums which has four purcussive style pads to hit, or the cool microphone which doesnt really have any buttons to use but monitors pitch in the voice.