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Why Should It Take Two Hands To Play Videogames?

Posted by simoniker on from the stand-by-for-hilarity dept.

Thanks to StatePaper.com for their article discussing a Nebraska radio talk show host's plans to create a one-handed game controller. The host, Mike Reed, "has learned to play many of the games using a controller with only one hand", following an accident which happened when "an acquaintance at a party pointed a loaded .410-caliber shotgun at Reed [and fired]", leaving him with very limited use of his right arm. He says that "many games are impossible to play one-handed", and has "designed a dual-motion game controller that consolidates all movement, button response and directional function into a one-handed video game controller", although he and his partners "haven't built a prototype yet." In the meantime, are there any existing console controllers that might work for those only using one hand?

4 of 125 comments (clear)

  1. Belkin Speedpad by vjmurphy · · Score: 3, Informative

    The Belkin Speedpad might be an option: it has a dpad built in, a scroll wheel, and several mappable keys. It is for right-handers only, though, at this time.

    Specs and Information on the SpeedPad.

    --
    Vincent J. Murphy
    Spandex Justice
  2. Why? by Kethinov · · Score: 2, Informative
    Why Should It Take Two Hands To Play Videogames?
    Is this a trick question? I'll answer this question with another question: Why does it take two legs to walk?

    A better answer to your question would be because we have two hands. What could you possibly want to do with the other one while you play a vid... wait don't answer that.
    --
    You're right, I wouldn't steal a car. But if it were possible, I sure as hell would download one!
  3. One handed R/C plane controllers ... by dougmc · · Score: 3, Informative
    One handed pilots have been a problem with R/C planes for a long time. People lose a hand, but don't want to lose their hobby ...

    The standard R/C controller has two sticks, giving you four axis of control (throttle, rudder, elevator, aileron) ... absolutely requiring two hands, unless you limit yourself to one stick and therefore only two channels. (Which is fine for some gliders, but is very limiting.)

    But people have made controllers where there's only one stick -- to access the other two channels, you rotate the stick and turn a small seperate knob on top of it. It's not as easy to use as the two stick version, but if you've only got one hand, it gets you back in the air.

    (You use a tray to hold the transmitter, so you don't have to use your hands to carry it at all.)

    I'd love to give a link to one of these, but can't seem to find one right now ...

    Aha -- found one! here's a picture and here's the page with more info. Looks like this one only has three axis on that one stick, but that's enough for the important controls of a powered airplane, and perfect for most gliders.

  4. Saturn analog by sofakingl · · Score: 2, Informative

    The analog controller for the Sega Saturn was made for one hand. It came with the game Nights, which required it.