Kinds of Joysticks

History

• The first joystick was actually created for controlling airplanes in the 1940s and later for controlling model airplanes. It began to be used in video games in 1967 when the Magnavox Odyssey videogame console was invented.

Significance

• Joysticks, including joypads, are a necessity for playing videogame consoles and certain types of computer games. The evolution of joysticks has greatly increased a user's ability to control a video game and maneuver through the interfaces and menus.

Function

• Joysticks connect to a computer or game console. Once the game starts, the joystick controls can be customized to the preference of the player. From then on, all actions in the game are controlled by the joystick.

Types

• There are three primary types of joysticks, each with modifications based on the brand name and game console: the standard joystick, the joypad and the arcade stick. Standard joysticks are generally used for flight games and simulations, which is close to what they were originally intended for; joypads, which are the default joysticks for game consoles, are good for a variety of games because the versatility of the design; and arcade sticks are modeled on the controls of arcade games and used for games that require simultaneous button pressing, like fighting games.

Features

• All joysticks have two sets of controls: one for moving the the characters or objects in different directions and buttons to execute certain actions. Standard joysticks are used primarily with one hand on the steering stick; arcade sticks have one hand on a smaller version of the steering stick and the other hand pressing the buttons, usually with a different finger; and joypads are held with two hands, but the buttons and directional pad or analog stick are controlled with the thumbs instead of an entire hand.

Identification

• Standard joysticks and arcade sticks feture a large shaft that can move in all directions from the base and buttons spread around the base. Joypads generally have a directional pad, with arrows pointing in all directions, and there are several more buttons for executing actions; however, many joypads now have analog sticks, which is a smaller version of the sticks of joysticks that can be used with a thumb.

Misconceptions

• For years, videogame joysticks have been said to be the cause of carpal tunnel and other similar injuries in kids. However, there is evidence that suggests that this may not be the case. Nevertheless, there is still concern that using joysticks can increase the chances of various hand injuries.