Hi all,
update. I haven't done much work on the controller. Actually, I have done zero actual work on the controller. One thing I have done is some design work in which I decided to connect the bottom together with an arm.
I was previously reluctant to connect the bottom together because it means more work and more materials. More materials means the device becomes just a little less sexy (i think it can actually be a very cool looking device once refined).
Ultimately however, I need to make some refinements to the device that will be assisted by connecting the bottom together. Also, and perhaps more importantly, I want to reduce the risk of dropping and breaking the device. With only the top as the connective tissue , so to speak, the design is too risky from a structural integrity standpoint. If I dropped it or maybe squashed the device in some kind of mishap, I could hear a crunch and find that I've got a couple hours of repair work to do. This kind of event could be pretty problematic if I'm traveling and don't have my workshop available, or if I have an important match coming up on the team I used to play and will hopefully play again.
So, I have sourced a chopstick that I think will make a good connecting arm and plan to pick up some Loctite gel superglue in the coming week to implement the connecting arm.
As for the reason why I haven't really done any actual work on the controller, it's because I've been using the darn thing daily to play league like a madman. Last week on Thursday I stayed up playing until 5 AM
Couldn't be happier
The controller just works so darned well. It really does outperform the orbeaver in terms of key pressability. I mean, think about it and picture a clarinet or saxophone. Fingers can press very nicely and comfortably in a curled position rather than laid flat out as is required to press in a standard typing positioning.
I'm experiencing the difference between the orbweaver and my controller every day because I still use the orbWeaver for a ton of PC shortcut hot keys (that's what became of the device a few weeks after i had to retire from using it in league). Like, all my movie playing, music playing, shortcut to the desktop… the list goes on and on. I've got nearly every key on the orbweaver along with an alt key map in use for daily computing.
When I hit the keys on the orbweaver, which i still love and recommend, I sometimes think to myself, "my God that took so much force compared to pulling keys on my controller".
And as far as the outside keys go, I am in disbelief that this is not a thing.
Hitting the outside keys is natural and darned near effortless. I don't think I'm some kind of ergonomics genius or natural talent. But for whatever reason, this is the only device I've seen with outside keys like this(i've scoured the Internet). And I'm certain that I'm not crazy or misperceiving how well the outside keys work. I'm not an expert on any of this stuff, but I am into health, fitness, and have even studied gerontology a little bit in part of one of my degrees. And together with over three decades of gaming experience, I'm certain that the natural and near effortless pressing of the outside keys is not my imagination. I'm using the outside keys in-game for important and time sensitive commands, and they really work well.
Anyway, as mentioned in my prior post, with you guys' recent help with adding a button to the code, I have been able to flash which allows me to play almost all aspects of the game. The only thing I'm not able to do now is smite which is required in order to play one of the five roles known as jungler. Other than that, I can play the actual game in all of its important functionality in the other four roles of top, mid, adc, and support. Although I can't dance, taunt, or any of that silly stuff, those activities are not included in commands that are necessary in order to play the complete competitive version of the game.
Late last week, I received the wonderful news from W11cE that he has completed the two additional PS Vita mods and planned to ship them later that week. Perhaps I will have them within a week or two.
Once I have implemented the additional PS Vita sticks, the controller will have what I expect to be zero compromises. At the moment, I have my items 1 through 4 on an alt key map for the single existing stick, which is a little wonky (that's how i ward and use health potions). Two additional sticks will resolve this and give me direct control of every aspect of the game along with what I believe will be superior usability to anything else available or thus far created for league or any other game I might get into such as overwatch or paragon.
Once again, I have to express my gratitude to everyone on this forum who continue to help me create this thing. I'm really grateful for the support and fun times