The sphere of computer games is expanding every day. More and more new and complex projects are entering the market that allow you to plunge into fantastic worlds, visit fictional places and become anyone. Some video games require a special controller, the joystick, to complete the dive. This allows you to feel the whole dynamics and get new emotions. But not everyone understands the features of controls and very often confuse them.
Joystick or gamepad
The joystick is very often confused with a gamepad, although these devices have completely different structure and purpose. The gamepad is a push-button control panel. Game heroes are manipulated by pressing the keys, rotating special “sticks” and even changing the position of the manipulator. The equipment presented is used in all modern game consoles and is universal - it allows you to enjoy any games.
In turn, the joystick is a device for entering information into a gaming device. It is a handle swinging in two directions. It very much resembles the helm of modern fighter aircraft, therefore it is used to play flight simulators. It is impossible to enjoy a project normally without it.
The main differences
The main difference between the gamepad and the joystick is in appearance - everyone can distinguish them. Moreover, the second manipulator is more massive, it requires a stable control stand (tabletop, smooth floor), on which it is fixed with special mounts. Game consoles are placed in the hands.
The second difference is in the way of management. It takes only one hand for the video game object to perform the actions that the joystick gives. This is very convenient and is often used together with additional controllers: pedals, gear shift knob.
To play with the gamepad, both hands are required: one directs the movement, and the other - the review and other actions on the main character. The same device performs a feedback function - when certain game events occur, vibration appears.
Another important difference is the type of projects for which these types of controllers are intended. The gamepad can be used for any games, but the joysticks are designed specifically for simulating control of spaceships, submarines and aircraft.
Reasons for confusion
Confusion between the devices arose during the advent of the Nintendo game console - NES. The joystick is the main manipulator that was used in the "primitive" computer games, and the Japanese company introduced a completely new kind of controllers - gamepads - and managed to popularize them. But then gamers were accustomed to call everything "joysticks."
The second reason for the confusion is the buttons located on the game console. As noted earlier, sticks that rotate in several directions are used to control visibility and movement. In their outline they resemble the “helms” of airplanes, joysticks. Soon they began to be called so, and with them the controller.
Controllers for modern games
Now in the market for modern devices you can find both a joystick for PCs and consoles - XBOX 360, PS3 and other representatives. The most common devices for personal computers - they have a universal USB plug, are suitable for most machines and have an affordable price.
The price of joysticks for modern game consoles is much higher than the previous representatives, but they do not require additional manipulations by the user: installing drivers, configuring, assigning keys. Moreover, the Xbox 360 joystick is also suitable for personal computers.
What to stop at?
Choosing a controller for yourself, determine the number of games that you can play with this device. Gamepads will allow you to enjoy most modern games, it is especially nice to play slashers and fighting games with them, but in shooters there will be some difficulties with aiming.
If you want to realize a childhood dream and become a pilot, at least on a computer, then your choice is obvious - choose a joystick. PS3, XBOX and PC games allow you to ride a dragon. For other projects, it is better to limit ourselves to more traditional manipulators.