How far off are custom designed 3D printed game controllers? - General Discussion

#1 Posted by Nonapod (125 posts) - 3 months, 24 days ago

I’ve been wondering recently, with services like Shapeways that can create custom 3D printed items to order, why are there not yet any companies that can create game controllers, mice, keyboards and the like custom built to order? Sure, you have companies that can do custom graphics for consoles and gamepads (like gamingmodz.com), but why isn’t there yet a service that lets you configure the button and control stick layouts online? The one hangup seems to be producing a “one-off” logic board cheaply. Although I’ve heard that producing a printable PCB probably isn’t too far off.

#2 Posted by Morningstar (1089 posts) - 3 months, 24 days ago

Would be pretty cool.

#3 Posted by triviaman09 (511 posts) - 3 months, 24 days ago

Really really far off. That technology won't be in people's homes for decades. Even then, I'm not sure you'd want to utilize it immediately. Think about it. There's something to be said for picking up a controller and knowing how it feels, where the buttons are, etc. Imagine if you had to relearn that for every single game you played. Worse still, imagine if you had to find an old controller or print a new one every time you wanted to switch between games or play an old game from your library.

#4 Posted by NinjaBerd (187 posts) - 3 months, 24 days ago

Is there demand for such a thing? I think most people are happy with regular ass controllers.

#5 Posted by Hugh_Jazz (274 posts) - 3 months, 24 days ago

I could see a business taking molds of peoples' hands and creating custom controllers, for a premium fee. I've got some pretty expensive custom made inserts for my shoes that were made specifically for my feet, taking over-/underpronation and difference in leg length into account.

If people spend a lot of time playing games, I could see them wanting something that fits just right.

#6 Posted by egg (894 posts) - 3 months, 24 days ago

@triviaman09 said:

Really really far off. That technology won't be in people's homes for decades. Even then, I'm not sure you'd want to utilize it immediately. Think about it. There's something to be said for picking up a controller and knowing how it feels, where the buttons are, etc. Imagine if you had to relearn that for every single game you played. Worse still, imagine if you had to find an old controller or print a new one every time you wanted to switch between games or play an old game from your library.

I think OP meant for it to be optional. And why would you need to re-learn for every game? I think most people would use a standard controller and not print their own unless they had a reason for it. (such as making a 6 button pad for fighting games)

#7 Posted by triviaman09 (511 posts) - 3 months, 24 days ago

@egg said:

@triviaman09 said:
Really really far off. That technology won't be in people's homes for decades. Even then, I'm not sure you'd want to utilize it immediately. Think about it. There's something to be said for picking up a controller and knowing how it feels, where the buttons are, etc. Imagine if you had to relearn that for every single game you played. Worse still, imagine if you had to find an old controller or print a new one every time you wanted to switch between games or play an old game from your library.
I think OP meant for it to be optional. And why would you need to re-learn for every game? I think most people would use a standard controller and not print their own unless they had a reason for it. (such as making a 6 button pad for fighting games)

Yeah, that's probably a more realistic use case. Still a long way off though.

#8 Posted by Brodehouse (7124 posts) - 3 months, 24 days ago

The spread of 3D Makers are going to be the biggest technological revelation since the Internet. After that it's everything we can gain with genome sequencing and DNA design.

Contrary to what you may have been told about the downfall of Western civilization, the future is brighter than it ever has been. You are living in the greatest period of human history. Fuck despair.