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!!!
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. ;-)