Mouse and keyboard are my preferred input devices, both for work and for gaming. For the latter, aiming with a mouse is superior to any controller (without aim assist). The mouse also has enormous advantages in strategy games. The keyboard scores points with its large number of keys. Controllers usually offer around 16 keys, on the more expensive models. Standard controllers have 12 keys, including Start and Select. That’s not enough for me; you often have to press some kind of combination, which is annoying.
On the other hand, the keyboard also has its disadvantages. The keys aren’t made for gaming, not even on gaming keyboards, really. You put significantly more stress on a few keys than on the rest, which affects the typing feel over time. Additionally, having lots of keys is nice, but they are also spread far apart and not very comfortable to reach with one hand. You get used to it, but you still have to contort your hand. Azeron promises a solution with its Azeron Cyborg controllers. As you can see in the post’s image, it’s a large palm rest with keys at the fingers and a stick for the thumb. The idea is to replace WASD with the stick and then be able to press the keys with your fingers without having to twist them. Without any real movement, at least three keys per finger are reachable, which already gives you 12 keys. Other keys require a bit more movement but are still within easy reach.
The problem with the Azeron Cyborg? The base configuration already costs €282.00 (as of June 24, 2024) on Amazon, and with more adjustment options, you’re quickly looking at over €350.00 on the manufacturer’s site, including shipping and taxes. That doesn’t exactly fall into the bargain category and is also too expensive to just try it out. According to their homepage, you can test the controller for up to 60 days. But in that time, it would get so dirty, at least for me, that I wouldn’t send it back. Besides, it would probably take longer to get fully used to it. So far, I haven’t been able to bring myself to buy one.
A few weeks ago on Printables, a site for 3D printing models, I stumbled across the MyGamepad. It’s not a complete copy of the Azeron Cyborg; the key layout is quite different and it has a display, but it’s still quite similar. Instead of microswitches, the MyGamepad uses actual keys arranged in a curve. It’s more reminiscent of a spaceship’s controls. Maybe not as quick to reach, but a bit more distinct. The display simplifies its use, as you can use it to switch profiles directly and also see the current key bindings - a good idea.
The only catch is you have to build the device yourself. I have a 3D printer, so that’s not a problem. But I’m missing a soldering iron, as well as knowledge of electronics. And a lot of parts. Apart from the special components, I also lack the basic electronics equipment: connectors, wires, heat-shrink tubing, screws, and what have you. All in all, I’d have to spend well over €300. You buy many parts in larger quantities than are needed for one controller. If I were to build five of them, the material cost per unit would drop to €180. Still expensive, and who are the other four people who would buy one from me? And in the end, I’d be screwing something together with no clue what I’m doing. Oh well, I guess no game controller with a mouse for now. A shame.