A modular bilateral symmetric controller design.

1. The Bandit
Created by Fantastic Four
Figure 1
Jeremy Dilts, Miles Von Schriltz, Doug Randolph, and Elizabeth Sine

2. Abstract
This presentation will look at the key design
components behind a one handed controller
design. It will cover design steps and reasoning,
and it will also defend the design assumptions
made during the creation of this controller.

3. Introduction
Usability is a topic that has been getting more and more
discussed lately, and it’s important that it is taken into
consideration for all design formats. The game industry has
a general standard for what controllers should look like and
how players should use them, but this does exclude users
who have disabilities from playing games.
In this presentation, we will be showing a controller design
with one handed use as the primary function of the
controller.

4. Design Purpose
The purpose of this design is to allow users with the
ability to only use one hand to play different kinds of games
on current generation consoles. With our design we hope to
allow those with the use of only one hand to easily access
games of many different kinds. Our modular design can be
customized to accommodate left or right hand users. It also
allows users to custom design the controller to a
configuration that they feel comfortable with.

5. Inspiration
The inspiration for my portion of our controller design comes from a gentleman who
wrote the book Beyond Boundaries, Miguel Nicolelis. In this book he describes his
research, as well as others, to create what he calls Brain Machine Interfaces or BMIs.
According to Nicolelis (2012), it is possible for a monkey to control a robotic arm with
only its mind and a BMI (p. 224). This fact has made me think very hard on subjects I
had no interest in before reading this book like biology and neuroscience. With this
inspiration I added the muscle sensors to the controller we are designing. While not
exactly a BMI the sensors allow the user to add the functionality of 2 more buttons.
Jeremey Dilts
Figure 5

6. Inspiration
The inspiration for my portion of our controller (touchpads)
comes from the Steam controller (“Pre-order Steam,” n.d.).
Thumbsticks have been a very popular design feature in
controllers and are easy to use. But for anyone who has played
enough computer games, you’ve realized that console controllers
just don’t offer the same amount of control. There are even
times during fast paced games where my thumb has slipped off
the thumb pad and cost me greatly in the game. That is why
when I saw the steam controller I knew that touchpads were the
way to go moving forward in controller design. The touchpads
not only offer the player more range of motion and control, but
also greatly reduces the risk of the player’s thumb slipping off of
the controls. I also believe that touchpads would be much easier
for a one handed player to use than thumbsticks which was the
main inspiration behind the design.
Miles Von Schriltz
Figure 6

7. Inspiration
The idea behind the use of an optical eye mouse for a
controller comes from my time as PC gamer who prefers a
controller. Having a set of buttons that can be programmed to
replicate any key on a keyboard allows for less movement and
more precision in key presses. The precision of the eye makes
aiming in most games easy while also being able to use other
inputs on the controller. Adding a joystick or other form of
keys for movement would make this ideal for players that have
to make due with the loss of an arm.
In a study conducted by the University of Grenoble “a
standard 2D mouse outperformed the 3D input devices”
(Gross, (2009).
Doug Randoph
Figure 7

8. Inspiration
Rumors about Google’s modular phone have been floating
around for a while, and it’s actually the inspiration for my key
design feature. (Mui, 2015) Ever since learning about the
project I’ve been fascinated by the possibilities of modular
technologies, and modular design seemed like the perfect
feature to allow for one handed usability of a controller
because it would allow users to set up the controller with the
layout that best suites the game they are playing and the hand
they’re using.
Modular Customization
Also as a gamer that sometimes struggles with the use of both of my hands, I wanted to
focus on making a controller that could be very easily adapted to being used by either
hand.
Elizabeth Sine
Figure 8

9. Design Method
The Fantastic Four had some fantastic individual ideas
about how to combine four very different design concepts
into one innovative controler. We proposed ideas to the
team and decided to vote on which base idea we wanted to
move forward with as a team.
Figure 9 is a top down view of a portion of one of these
initial ideas. It was a joystick that could move across a
trackpad that would control camera functions and player
movement. It also utilized biceps and abdominal sensors
and featured total modularity for button placement on the
joystick.
Figure 9

10. Design Method (cont.)
The team as a whole voted on a design though we
all saw the value of the other designs. The base
idea we took into consideration was a modular
controller that utilized trackpad and optical laser
for player controls, and a bicep sensor for added
button control.
Modularization seemed like the easiest design
concept to start with, so the controller would focus
strongly on customization for the user.
Figure 10

11. Design Method (cont.)
The next feature to incorporate was trackpads as a feature for user control. A trackpad
was added into one of the modular sections in place of an analog stick to represent user
movement control.
The third feature added was the optical laser. The initial idea posed used a motion sensor
that could be attached to a headset, glasses, or a provided headband. The team found this
idea to be an issue for new users who may have to look down or away and cause issues
within a game. We next discussed using technology to track eye movement to control the
camera, but we figured this too would cause too many issues for the player who much
look around the screen, but may not wish to move the camera.
To the left is the first proposed use of the
optical laser, a motion sensor to clip onto the
player (right) and the motion sensor bar to
go with it (left).
Figure 11

12. Design Method (cont.)
The team finally came up with the best way to incorporate the optical laser. We chose to create a
mouse that is strapped to the foot and used in conjunction with a mouse pad to control the camera or
left analog stick in traditional controllers.
The final design to ensure full controller functionality was the abdominal and bicep sensors. We chose
to remove the abdominal sensor, but did use the bicep sensor as a trigger button.
To keep in line with the main idea behind the controller,
customization, we chose to include a switch on the main controller
that would switch the bicep trigger and the trigger on one of the
modular sections. We wanted to focus on allow the user to chose the
layout as much as possible to make gameplay most comfortable and
the control as usable as possible for his or her play style.
Figure 12

13. Schematics
Figure 13

14. Schematics
Figure 14

15. Schematics
Figure 15

16. Defend Design Assumptions
I think those who would have problems with the muscle sensors I have added to the controller will find
fault with the location of the sensors. The bicep of the arm that is using the rest of the controller isn’t
the best spot to put a sensor because the flexing of the bicep will cause the hand to come off the
controller. I would counter that this is not true due to the fact that one can flex the bicep with little to
no movement of the hand or arm. This, according to Hermens et. all, requires a little bit of training but
nothing that can’t be done in an afternoon or two (p. 365). The sensor on the abdominal muscle would
require less training than the bicep sensor.
Jeremy Dilts
Figure 16
Detractors might also say that the person would get tired of
contracting the muscle so much during play. I say that this is true
but only to the extent that it takes a bit to train the muscle to not
fatigue as fast. Also the muscles in the hands, at first, are also
fatigued after a lot of playing. This does not stop users of the
controllers to stop playing altogether.

17. Defend Design Assumptions
The reason that I incorporated touchpads in my design
is because of the amount of precise control it provides
the user. Not only can a touchpad sense where the
finger is and how it's moving, it can also sense the
amount of pressure that the user is applying. (Pepper,
1981) I feel that a touchpad offers an amount of control
for the user that a controller with thumbsticks can’t
even come close to. While a thumbstick can be pressure
sensitive, it just doesn’t have the same precision control
and range of motion that a touchpad provides.
Miles Von Schriltz
Figure 17.1
Figure 17.2
Figure 17.3

18. Defend Design Assumptions
The use of a mouse is standard for everyone, even if they are not a
gamer. Mice are used as an everyday item in today's world. This
design will come naturally to most users, and should take only a
small amount of use to get used to the product. While implementing
the mouse input on the user's foot the player can focus their
attention to other inputs and it should come naturally with some
time.
While there are more suitable styles of controllers for many tasks,
most users prefer simplicity to complexity in the way they control
various objects. (Gross, (2009).
Doug Randolph
Figure 18

19. Defend Design Assumptions
The core design assumption that I made was that modularity would be the key to providing the most
usability to the largest audience. By choosing a layout that would allow users to map keys and
functions how they desired, I believe that controllers are better able to rapidly adapt to the needs of the
user. (Keates & Clarkson, 2003)
Elizabeth Sine
Beyond the design and production costs, there are very few negatives to
modular controllers. Users would have major options for playing how they
want to play any game. They could easily switch to different layouts for
different games.
Modular design would also allow for producers to provide different
functions to the same base product as well. This would provide users with
even more functionality.
Figure 19
from Elizabeth’s week one
Discussion design

20. The Witcher III :
Wild Hunt (RPG)
The Witcher III: Wild Hunt is a role playing game. It is a
story driven game set in a vast and beautiful world where
the choices you make have real consequences.
The controller is designed to be customizable to each
player’s playing style. By having a foot pedal to control the
player’s movement it really reduces the workload on the
player’s hands and makes the controller very easy to use
with one hand. The ability to change controls around to
best suit the individual, this controller is great for any type
of role-playing game.
Cast Sign Arm-band
Quick Access Item Left Bumper
Strong Attack Y
Fast Attack, Dive, Stop/reverse boat X
Climb/Dodge/Jump, [Hold] Dismount; Surface B
Interact; Run/Sprint/Roll; Canter/Gallop; Swim Fast; Accelerate
Boat
A
Game Menu Start
Camera; [Press] Change Quest Objective [Press] Lock On
Target
Left Touchpad
[Up] Consumables Slot 1, [Down] Consumables Slot 2, [Left]
Draw/Sheathe Steel Sword, [Right] Draw/Sheather Silver Sword
D-pad
Pause Menu Start Button
Movement, Steer Horse, Steer Boat, [Press Twice] Call Horse Foot Controler
Quick Access Menu Right Bumper
Witcher Senses, Parry/Counterattacke Left Trigger

21. Call Of Duty: Advanced
Warfare
Call of Duty : Advanced Warfare is a first-person
shooter set in the future. A private military is trying to
take complete control of the world and the player,
upon discovering the intentions of their employer
must do everything they can to save the world. By
having the foot controller to move the player and the
touchpad to aim, it is very easy to navigate the game.
By allowing the player to customize the layout of the
controller to their liking, it makes the controller very
easy to use for first-person shooters as they can
arrange the buttons they use must in the most easily
accessible way to their playing style.
Switch Weapon Y
Crouch/Prone/Slide B
Use/Reload X
Jump/Mantle A
Melee/Change Zoom Foot Controler
Inventory D-pad
Sprint/Hold Breath Left touchpad
Tactical Equipment Left Bumper
Aim Down Sight Aim Down Sight
Objectives/Menu Start
Fire Weapon Arm-band
Throw Frag Grenade Right Bumper

22. Rory McIlroy
PGA TOUR
Rory McIlroy PGA Tour is an EA Sports golf game. The player can
create their own golfer and play through an entire career. By having
the swinging motion mapped to the foot controller it makes the rest of
the controls very easy to use with one hand. This is a slow paced game
where the player doesn’t have to access many buttons quickly, so any
control layout they choose will be easy to use for this game.
Aim shot D-pad
Shot Shaping Left touchpad
Zoom to target Y
Focus on Arc (after zooming) Left bumper
Return to address (after zooming) B
Change shot type X
Reset Shot X
Change golf club Left Trigger and
bicep sensor
Toggle Practice Mode Right bumper
Toggle cameras Left touchpad
Backswing Foot Controller
Forward swing (only after
backswing)
Foot Controller
Power boost (during swing) Left trigger/ X
(tap repeatedly)
Hole Map Options
Main Menu Start

23. Prototype
Prototyping did prove to be more of a
challenge than we expected because
translating the dimensions of the
controller discussed and designed on
paper is much more difficult judging
and building the prototype.
Figure 23

24. Prototype (cont.)
Front Profile View
(Figure 24.1)
Bicep Sensor Arm Band
(Figure 24.2)
Trigger Orientation
Switch
Side Profile View
(Figure 24.3)
Foot Controller Closed
(Figure 24.4)
Foot Controller (open)
(Figure 24.5)

25. Playtest
The play tester is familiar with and proficient in the use of many different
controllers. He most commonly plays FPS games, so we asked him to imagine
using this controller to play an FPS. Here are a few key points he made during
testing.
❏ He wouldn’t be able to use this playing in bed or reclining on a couch.
Also, not being able to stand up without removing the foot mouse could
be a source of frustration in the future.
❏ He liked the customization of the controller, and thought that being able
to change button layouts and which trigger used the bicep sensor would
make learning to use the controller easier.
❏ He liked the size of the main controller for playing in a chair or on a
couch because if fit well and worked better on his lap like that, but it was
large and inconvenient when placed on a desk to be used.
Play Tester Thomas F. using
The Bandit
Figure 25

26. Post Mortem
What went wrong - During the planning stage of development the dimensions of the
controller were never decided. This led to confusion and trial and error during the
prototyping of the product. There was some confusion about what each module would do
in the final design.
What went right - The most important thing for us that went right was the ability for
the team to find acceptable conclusions for all of the problems we had. By combining
different ideas and aspects of all of the ideas we all came to a conclusion that was
acceptable and approved by everyone.
What should be done differently next time - One of the most important things we
will do next time is better planning for the prototype. We will figure out all of the
dimensions of the controller and make sure everyone knows what all of the components
do and how to label each one.

27. References
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EA Tiburon. (2015). Rory McIlroy PGA Tour. [Playstation 4, Xbox One]. Florida, USA: EA Sports.
Gross, T. (2009). Human computer interaction - INTERACT 2009 12th IFIP TC 13 international conference, Uppsala, Sweden, August 24-28,
2009 : Proceedings. (pp. 400-414). Berlin: Springer.
Hermens, H., & Freriks, B., & Disselhorst-Klug, C., & Rau, G. (2000). Development of Recommendations for SMEG Sensors and Sensor
Placement Procedures, Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, Volume 10(5), pp. 361-374 retrieved from
http://www.jelectromyographykinesiology.com/article/S1050-6411(00)00027-4/abstract
Keates, S., & Clarkson, P. J. (2003). Countering design exclusion: bridging the gap between usability and accessibility. Universal access in the
information society, 2(3), 215-225.
Lende, Daniel (March 2011). Miguel Nicolelis & Beyond Boundaries. Picture retrieved from
http://blogs.plos.org/neuroanthropology/2011/03/16/miguel-nicolelis-beyond-boundaries/
Mui, Chunka (January 2015). “How Google’s Modular Phone Threatens Apple and Samsung” Retrieved from
http://www.forbes.com/sites/chunkamui/2015/01/20/how-googles-modular-phone-threatens-apple-and-samsung/
Nicolelis, Miguel (2012) Beyond Boundaries. New York, New York. Henry Holt
Pepper Jr, W. (1981). U.S. Patent No. 4,302,011. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
Pre-Order Steam Controller. (n.d.). Retrieved August 14, 2015, from http://store.steampowered.com/app/353370/
Sledgehammer Games. (2014). Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare. [Playstation 4, Xbox One, PC].California, USA: Activision.