Analog stick
Sample_Analog_Stick.jpg
An analog stick, often mistakenly referred to as a joystick, is an input device for a controller, often a game controller, that is used for two-dimensional input. It consists of some sort of protrusion from the controller, and the input is based on the position of this protrusion. Unlike a joystick, an analog stick is physically small compared to the controller, is not a controller in itself, and is not handheld. The analog stick has greatly overtaken the D-pad in prominence and usage in console video games.
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Usage in video games
In video games, an analog stick is often used to move some game object, usually the protagonist. It may also be used to rotate the camera, usually around the protagonist. The analog stick can serve a great variety of other functions, depending on the game. Many analog sticks can also be pushed like other buttons on a controller.
Dual sticks
Sony_Dual_Shock_2.JPG
Following the adage "two of something are better than one", two analog sticks offer greater functionality than just one. On modern game controllers, the position of the first stick is where the left thumb usually rests, usually to the upper left of D-pad. (A notable exception being Sony's iterations of the DualShock controller where the D-pad and left analog stick are reversed, probably for reasons of symmetry. See the picture to the right.) The position of the right stick is usually to the lower left of the face buttons. Although this is a slightly awkward position for the right thumb, it understandable seeing as the buttons that normally appear on the face on the controller are used more often.
In most new games, two analog sticks are used. With genres such as action, adventure game, platforming, and shooting, the left stick normally controls the protagonist while the right stick controls the camera. The use of a second analog stick alleviates problems in many earlier platform games, in which the camera was notorious for bad positioning. The right stick not only allows for camera control in third-person platform games, but it almost essential for most modern first-person shooters like Halo.
The PSP has been criticized for the lack of a right analog stick. The reason behind this may have been the physical instability of the system that would result if the player were to use both analog sticks at the same time.
History
In 1982 Atari released the first controller with an analog stick for their Atari 5200 home console. However, the non-centering joystick design proved to be ungainly and unreliable, alienating many consumers at the time.
In 1996 Nintendo introduced the modern analog stick on their Nintendo 64 controller. Players discovered that the analog stick featured better control than the D-pad because analog control allowed for varying levels of pressure and 360-degree control, translating into more precise movements in games such as Super Mario 64. (Incidentally, when it was later ported to the Nintendo DS as Super Mario 64 DS, it was often critized for poor control due to the lack of an analog stick on the DS.)
Sega_saturn_analog_controller.jpg
Super Mario 64 was released in Japan on 23 June 1996. On 5 July 1996, Sega released NiGHTS Into Dreams for their Saturn console in Japan; bundled with it was the Saturn 3D control pad which featured an analog stick intended to give the player more fluid control over that game's flight-based gameplay.
Sony's response was to release the DualShock in 1998. In an effort to outdo Nintendo, the DualShock featured not one, but two analog sticks as well as two motors (one for "rumbling", one for "vibrating"). (Note: In 1999, Ape Escape became the first major video game to require the use of two analog sticks.)
Since then, all major video game console controllers have included two analog sticks, with the exception of the Sega Dreamcast controller.
Analog sticks and Mario Party
Main article: Mario Party series
Analog sticks are normally intended to be used with the players' thumbs. However, many people who played Nintendo's original Mario Party, in which many of the minigames required the player to rotate the analog stick as rapidly as possible, instead used their palm, which often resulted in blistering or other injury. As a result, Nintendo agreed to provide special gloves to owners of the game.
External links
- How Stuff Works articles on: