Okay, so by “controller” I just mean a specialized mechanical keyboard. Endless Sky is a spiritual successor to the Escape Velocity games. EDIT: I also realized this pic is from before I wired it up, but the only differences are four screws in the corners and the Micro USB cord from my long-gone Nexus 10 tablet semi-permanently coming out the back.
- Gateron Black for most of the keyboard switches
- Also got momentary toggle switches and a light duty aluminum push button, because Millennium Falcon and Top Gun.
- “DSA” and “F10” profile keycaps
- laser cut (painted Masonite) and 3D printed (PLA)enclosure
- Layout built around the in-cockpit control mapping
- Hand-wired (aka “Dead Bug”) keyboard matrix
- QMK/VIAL programmable firmware on my last Promicro with a Micro-USB cable.
- Dymo-style embossing tape labels!!!
Get on my level scrub.
No but seriously, nice work, it looks very clean. Maybe could have been more ergonomic, but if it’s comfortable without fucking up your wrists then maybe not.
must be tricky to hit all those center buttons under your legs like that
LOL. Possibly overkill for this:
I’ve been playing the game on normal keyboards for years, so any nods towards an ergonomic splay will be nothing but helpful. I suppose it’s ever so slightly closer together than a full size board, but toeing in the layout makes up for that. Wrist-wise, I hover. It’s literally the one good typing habit that “stuck” from when I was a youngling. I have never had any issues or needed wrist rests, so front-height being 7-12mm taller than most of my boards is not an issue.
If there is an issue it’s that the thumb keys are tucked in a bit aggressively to keep a 60% keyboard’s footprint, but since this is a very different control paradigm than an FPS or even a Minecraft, and definitely not for typing, it shouldn’t be significant problem.
Besides, ergonomic deficiencies play into the immersion and aesthetic. ;-)