The Game Controllers That Shaped the Way We Play

An anonymous reader writes "Neal Stephenson's ambitious sword fighting Kickstarter Clang has run into financial troubles, and part of the reason is down to new controller that was required — the extra investment reportedly scared away investors. Sometimes though, games can help usher in a whole new type of controller, and create new ways to play. From Pong's easy dials, which helped bring the video game into the home, to Ape Escape's twin thumbsticks and Doodle's Jump savvy use of the accelerometer on the iPhone, some games have hit the critical mass necessary to establish a new input as a way to play. So what's next?"

Comments

Wii or a Kinect?

[angel'o'sphere]

What is wrong with Wii as a controller? Or a kinect and youse a real sword (wooden sword)?

As someone who has kenjutsu experience I really wonder how a sword fighting 'game' should work at all.

E.g. without something that has the weight and feel of a sword in your hands, and nothing to actuall block your blow etc.

To have a sword fighting game you would need a robot, at least with a sword arm and a torso to hit at.