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Whatever Happened To The Joystick?

Posted by Zonk on from the please-make-us-another-tie-fighter-title dept.

Ant writes "MSN UK has up an article that looks into the 'downfall' of the joystick: 'Sometimes technology disappears completely, but often it just fades into the background — still existing, still being used and sold and, occasionally, desired, but probably looking wistfully back on past glories. Which neatly described the joystick's steady slide away from its role as THE gaming peripheral to a fondly remembered also ran. But the joystick's tale is a long and convoluted one — and it is worth looking back into its often mysterious and ill-studied history before explaining why it will rise from the ashes like the mythical phoenix.' Seen on ClassicGaming."

5 of 421 comments (clear)

  1. What happened to the joystick? by suso · · Score: 5, Funny

    It broke after playing the 100m dash in Summer Games.

    1. Re:What happened to the joystick? by Notquitecajun · · Score: 5, Funny

      Now that we're done comparing each others JOYSTICKS....

  2. Re:Joysticks are everywhere. by Lust · · Score: 5, Funny

    > A true joystick is much bigger, and is grasped in your entire hand -- usually, fairly comfortably.

    That's what she said.

  3. Re:Good ones are expensive by gstoddart · · Score: 5, Funny

    Today's games require dual analog controllers and about 27 buttons. A decent joystick set that has all that functionality does exist - but it's primarily relegated to the flight sim community.

    And that, is why the Wii is selling more games.

    Most of us old geezers don't have the manual dexterity to run those damned controllers. Whereas we can whistfully waggle our Wiis nowadays whenever we wish. ;-) ducks

    Cheers
    --
    Lost at C:>. Found at C.
  4. Happy Memories by kieran · · Score: 5, Funny

    I was at some sort of huge fair along with my air cadet squadrons one summer many moons ago, and one of the other squadrons in attendence had brought along a 3/4 scale model spitfire, you could sit in it and everything.

    There was a breakfast television crew wandering around filming and some hot blonde TV presenter was being shown said spitfire and helped to climb into it. Upon trying to sit down down in the cockpit she suddenly finds her way impeded and asks the cadet sergeant "Oops! What's this between my legs?"

    Cadet Sergeant, with big grin: "That's the joy stick". Cue red-faced presenter and much laughter.

    I don't think that bit ever made it on the telly...