Is MiniStick the Cure for WASD Phobics? Tech-Gaming

PC gamers often espouse the advantages of a mouse and keyboard control method. Yet, for players accustomed to the ergonomics of a console controller, using a piece of equipment intended for crafting memoranda can create an unwieldy experience capable of negating any possible benefits. For those daunted from directing characters around with either cursor controls or the WASD keys, a possible solution may exist in the MiniStick -

[JRPGLuva]

Interesting idea. Too bad it's held together by Velcro.

[Bloodraid]

It's definitely not going to work for anything other than simple arcade games.

I've noticed that the images had the device on the arrow keys rather than the WASD keys. Not only would the shape of the device partially cover the Q and E keys, but it'd make them harder to reach as well.

There's no way that this garbage could improve your play in any real game. Many games use Q, E, Z, X, C, R, F, T, Y, V, 1-5, Tab, Shift, Ctrl, Alt, and Space as well, and this would do nothing but get in the way.

Also, can you imagine trying to type with something like this attached to your keyboard?

[HammadTheBeast]

You could buy this and have decent maybe even somewhat useful controls. Or just fork out 15-30 bucks and buy a controller, hell, just pick up a console one if you have it.

[richierich]

I dont think that pressing WASD keys on your keyboard is rocket science

[RaptorMan]

Sometimes, my fingers slip over one key. But you can fix that by etching a dot into the W key.

Total cost: $0.00
Totals needed: kitchen knife
Time needed: two minutes.

[richierich]

Your fingers are slippery? You need to stop watching porno my friend

[mediastudies]

Porn makes them extra sticky. Watch more!

[JRPGLuva]

TMI, dude, TMI.

[rainslacker]

I'd say put the etch on the D key since that's where your index finger rests. The F key has a raised bit on most keyboards since you can use it as reference for those good enough to type without looking at the KB. Just my 2 cents.:)

[Capt-FuzzyPants]

I tried playing PC games and I still find it very hard to use a mouse and keyboard. It's not rocket science, but for me it's very uncomfortable and very different to what I'm accustomed to. When I try to play a shooter it feels weird when i'm moving. I feel limited in the directions I can go.

[Somebody]

What you just said but change the device with a console controller. It all depends on the person's preferences. I'm so accustomed to the keyboard and mouse that I find shooters with an X box controller feel cumbersome. There are games and times when I switch between those devices but keyboard is my preferred weapon of choice.

Prime example I 'm playing Borderlands with the X box 360 controller and it was enjoyable sitting back in a relaxed position. Then a super badass Skag with glowing elemental power would appear and I immediately throw the controller away and fumbled for the mouse and keyboard back. Happens each time a powerful mini boss or the Boss itself in a lot of games, especially those with glowing weaknesses that inexplicably doesn't allow auto aim like on a lot of "explodey" monsters in Dead space 2.

Walking around, trolling the low level minions- I would use the controller. The boss or high level monsters appear, it's back to the keyboard (well, it's the mouse's precision that actually need).

[Welshy]

If you don't have one, get a PS Move navigation controller.

I have that hooked up to MotionJoy with all the key bindings set to the buttons.

The benefit of fluid 360 degree analog movement with the accuracy of aiming with the mouse =)

I'm new to PC gaming, but using my Nav has helped me adapt to gaming much more, i don't get why the keyboard is still used for games tbh, i know you have commands/text chat etc but the clash of unrivaled accuracy of the mouse and clunky all or nothing 4 way movement on a keyboard just seems silly and outdated.

[rainslacker]

It's just a matter of repetition really. When I first played a game long ago that used WASD layouts it was very hard to get accustomed to it. But the more you play the easier it gets until it becomes second nature just like a controller.

[Welshy]

@rainslacker

You must agree though, no matter how used to WASD you get, 360 degree pressure sensitive movement is substantially better than 4 way all or nothing movement.

I enjoy the blend of analog stick and mouse, seems like the perfect control scheme for PC to me at least.

[madmad]

I could see myself picking up one if I could get it for $5 and no shipping. It seems like a good impulse buy or at computers shows.

[CharmingMan]

Kind of a cool idea.

[sharpsword]

Junk.

[BattleAxe]

This wouldn't work very well, since your hand would not be in position to hit other keys.

[masa2009]

It's good in theory but unless you have a gaming mouse with a huge number of buttons, there's always gonna be some functions that won't fit on the mouse, and you are going to have to map them to the keyboard.
In that case, pressing keys with the Ministick already in hand doesn't look super practical.

There are some more expensive, full blown gaming keyboards designed for one hand, like the Logitech G13.
It's still not ideal, especially since the stick can be hard to map on some of these devices, but that's probably as good as it gets.

[Freakazoid2012]

LOL they actually use to make these for the NES controllers. It's funny nobody thought to translate it over to PC sooner..

I'm a lefty so maybe I am in the minority here but don't most right handed people mouse on the right side? That's going to make for some tight gaming having both hands so close to each other IMO. I'd prefer something I could put over the WASD keys so I can keep gaming in my comfort zone.

Also it doesnt really make up for WASD because most games that use WASD for movement use Q,E,R and F for reload etc, this set up doesnt

On second though, just buying a controller would be far easier than the trouble you'd go through making this practical for gaming

[ATi_Elite]

The Glorious PC Gaming Master Race
1. PC Gamers (including myself) use all kinds of controllers.

I use KB/m for most of my games but I break out my Wheel n Pedals, Dual Shock 3 Controller, Wiimotes, Sega Genesis Arcade 6 stick, or flight stick for certain games to get the control i want depending on the game.

If you think i play GTAIV or Street Fighter 2 with a KB/m then YOU my friend need therapy!

2. That crappy little thing shown is well just that, CRAP! I would never waste my time or money on that.

3. RTS, RPG, Mobas, and FPS are games that PC Gamers prefer the KB/m for the shear ease of use and maximum accuracy! Controllers have 16 buttons MAX while many PC titles use over 20 buttons.

but like I said earlier i can push a button and send my PC video out to my Big Screen wirelessly, grab one of my wireless controllers, and play with my feet up from the couch.

[InTheLab]

Push a button to send video to your big screen? Please explain...