Summary
A functional prototype for a controller designed for first-person shooters and other mouse-centric genres has recently circulated on social media, offering gamers a glimpse into what might be the next big breakthrough in gamepad design. Despite how console manufacturers have introduced a host of new features into game controllers this generation, gamepads have remained largely unchanged since Sony introduced the DualShock three decades ago.
The PC peripheral space tells a different story. The mouse market alone has made massive strides in the last few years, with Logitech establishingthe new standard for gaming mice with its G PRO X Superlight. Comparatively, the gamepad market has remained stagnant for enthusiasts, as gamepads truly purpose-built for FPS titles have yet to make any real headway into the market.
In a video published by PyottDesign on YouTube, the creator shared the design, prototyping, and manufacturing process for their “ultimate FPS” controller. With some 3D modeling, sculpting, printing work, and salvaging electronics from a trackball mouse and a third-party Xbox controller, the creator made a “true” mouse-controller hybrid.
UnlikeValve’s reliance on trackpads in its hybrid controller designs, PyottDesign’s controller features a trackball in place of a right analog stick. This is intended to provide gamers with the advantages of mouse aiming and analog movement in one compact package. It also features dedicated mouse buttons and a scroll wheel readily accessible with the user’s right hand.
The Promise of Performance
As innovative as the design is, it would make little sense for any manufacturer to pick it up if it didn’t actually offer pad players similar performance to their peers toutingthe best mouse and keyboard setups. That’s what makes PyottDesign’s controller so promising. After tweaking the trackball’s acceleration curve with software, PyottDesign managed to get up to 93% of his performance with a mouse and keyboard onAim Lab.
Despite the novelty of PyottDesign’s trackball controller, numerous hybrid-style controller setups are already available to consumers today. For instance,Valve’s Steam Deck features touch-activated gyro controls, a feature so unique it warranted a patent. Paired with its trackpads, it should be able to match the functionality of a mouse and keyboard on the go. Aside from that, gaming keyboard manufacturers have been going all-in on analog switches, which effectively give keyboards full analog stick functionality and a rapid trigger feature that makes tap strafing in tactical shooters a cinch. Whether trackballs go mainstream or not, there’s no denying that the spirit of innovation is alive and well in the gaming peripheral space.
