So here's an idea...

[djeeten]

I'm sure some company must have already made something like this but I have this idea that might improve pc gaming a lot. Basically it's a keyboard with pressure sensitive keys. You would be able to run or walk with your character depending on how hard you press on the keys. I recon it would be great for driving games too. So anyone no of a keyboard that has this feature? Would you be interested at all in something like this?

 

[ThePlasmatizer]

No thanks,

I'll let you take all the credit for this.

 

[Caliostro]

Pressure sensitive only REALLY means you'll have to punch, and consequently destroy, the keys to get the full effects of the "press".

Don't see much use for it tbh. But it's a valid idea.

 

[Ralackk]

I don't think keyboard keys allow for a large enough range of motion for a key press. It would be really hard to do anything other then pressing a key all the way down or only slightly, all the middle range of movement would probably be an exercise in frustration when trying to play a game.

 

[SmugFrog]

I think at that point it would just be a gamepad. I do enjoy the analog controls of the console at times - GTA is great being able to regulate speed rather than tap and release on a "gas" key.

I enjoy the keyboard and mouse too, though. I'm not biased towards either (though I hate heavy "auto-aim" in console games that can make players claim it's better than a mouse). I play my console games WITHOUT auto-aim on.

I don't think there is an "optimal" controller for the PC yet. That would be a nice revolution, but it would be hard for it to catch on.

 

[ace_of_something]

pressure sensitive?

you mean like these? that they've been releasing since the early 90's?

 

[Ralackk]

pressure sensitive?

http://www.besportier.com/archives/fanatec-porsche-911-turbo-racing-wheel-wireless-pedals.jpg

you mean like these? that they've been releasing since the early 90's?

I think you missed the point hes talking about a pressure sensitive keyboard.

 

[ace_of_something]

edit: nevermind I don't want to start an argument over my intent

 

[ace_of_something]

wouldn't that eventually hurt your hands/wrists and all that too? Seeing as the keyboard is set up for a human being not to press hard.

 

[djeeten]

pressure sensitive?

http://www.besportier.com/archives/fanatec-porsche-911-turbo-racing-wheel-wireless-pedals.jpg

you mean like these? that they've been releasing since the early 90's?

Not I meant a regular keyboard with pressure sensitive keys. I checked and there are some on the market but they are not specifically aimed at gaming. There's a patent on it as well so there go my dreams of being a millionaire . Oh well...

 

[Piemaster]

Yeah, I think pressure sensitive controls only work on gamepads, not keyboards.

 

[ace_of_something]

pressure sensitive?

http://www.besportier.com/archives/fanatec-porsche-911-turbo-racing-wheel-wireless-pedals.jpg

you mean like these? that they've been releasing since the early 90's?

Not I meant a regular keyboard with pressure sensitive keys. I checked and there are some on the market but they are not specifically aimed at gaming. There's a patent on it as well so there go my dreams of being a millionaire . Oh well...

They have pressure sensitive keyboards: an ex-coworker of mine had one cuz she had cerebral palsy.

 

[Anton P. Nym]

A pressure-sensitive keyboard would be horribly expensive to make... look at how expensive the good synthesiser keyboards are, and those have like 88 keys instead of 102. I also don't think they'd be terribly comfortable to use, and probably would be difficult to use for precise movements.

I think you'd be better off creating a second analog input, like how the old Thrustmaster joysticks could add an optional second gadget to give you analog control over the throttle in flight sims... or going all the way over to a dual-analog controller, which Microsoft certainly sells these days given that the conversion of Xbox 360 wireless controllers to PCs with Bluetooth is fairly straightforward.

-- Steve

 

[djeeten]

Analog gross movement isn't useful for FPS gaming, despite what all the pro-dual analog people will tell you.

Yeah it's not ideal for FPS gaming. You basically have to run all the time in those. I would buy one if it had the option to turn the the pressure pads to digital and if I could set the sensitivity. I have a music keyboard that works like that to set the 'aftertouch'. I got the idea while playing around with that.

 

[SmugFrog]

I can't imagine it being useful on a FPS - but it was a pain playing Metal Gear Solid or Splinter Cell on the PC after playing it on a console with analog control. Having to press a key to toggle between stealth and run is ridiculous.

I imagine it would be nice to have for stealth / action / RPG games, and it could probably be worked into mouse control pretty easy. That would be a pretty kick ass mouse.