It would be a really bad move if it couldn’t even fit a JLF out of all levers, maybe it might even come with one and Sanwa buttons in order for them to raise the price. TE2 $200, last gen TE-S+ $150 and ‘budget’ Alpha stick with full Sanwa around $100 B)
If it came with no brand buttons and stick and sold for $60-70 and used QD’s that would be great to swap into a case of your choice without having to padhack much.
The problem is that we can’t see how deep the case is.
That said, I’m willing to be that it’ll probably use a mounting plate-less JLF like some old HRAPs.
So you can set a couple of empty buttons on the side, then mash them really hard and catch your opponent doing stupid shit cuz they heard you mashing really hard.
Seriously best uses you get out of buttons is for deceit in side-by-side play and being able to double tap 3P/3K or EX commands.
Nobody at the highest levels of play uses sound cues like that.
Ya know as annoying as that guy was i think he might be right on the very slight difference in the spacing of the lp and lk buttons. I wonder if that means you can fit screw ins with less hassle now? Either way, this stick seems to small for my oversized hands 
Tapping on a empty button to throw your opponent off sounds like a scrub level thing to do.
Your attention should be with the screen and game audio and not what the other player is doing, unless he has one of those weird 12 or more buttons on his controller/stick.
I still champion only 6 buttons, go button plug the last two holes. As that eliminates a button that can be used for plinks (select plink) or worst macros.
Also doesn’t work with a true tournament setting with a stage and a back to back monitor setup and headphones.
I like the 6 button as it reminds me of of the PSX Namco stick and DC Agetec Green Goblin stick. I think my prob will be it’s just too small. Still good for budget stick though, as we need those options for new players/stick users.
The button thing does happen at high level. Its why most of those king of fighters players at Evo bring their own stick tables at evo that have a wall to visually and audibly obscure their stick and movements. WolfKrone also mentioned this as a reason why he switched back to pad from stick. It’s probably a superstitious behavior but some players at high level do think this happens.
That looks more like a promotional opportunity to me. 
But like you said, it’s probably more superstitious or just habit… I can’t imagine with all the noise in a large venue like EVO that it would be that big a concern, no?
y’all are reading too much into this.
Really concerned with depth, weight, and PCB+USB cable right now. I really hope they don’t use the pro cables, but since it is a madcatz stick I wouldn’t be surprised if they did.
Honestly while I do love portable sticks, this looks almost too small and light for my tastes, but since it still is being developed I don’t want to write it off just yet. Won’t be too much of a problem when I play on a table or any other surface, but I think I’ll stick to my TE for lap play.
On a side note, while not high level play, I had some experiences playing at a local arcade where I could hear the guy next to me when he did mash specials. Even in the arcade it was still somewhat audible and easy to recognize in peripheral vision so it could happen. Then again I am a scrub playing a scrub so this could be written off as bs anyways.
I like the idea of Madcatz making a 6 button layout in a compact case. It may be a good way to introduce players to 6 button config. Hand/finger size of the individual would determine if the slanted corners were problematic. Pretty sure it would be PS3/PS4 PCB and some Xbox versions. If it’s a budget stick, I could see it being common ground.
Doesn’t look like a good lap stick unless a lap board was used or something. Having to lug a table around with you in order to use it could defeat the purpose of it being easy to bring with you. But if you use a table anyway… no harm done.
I have really weak hands so if it came with SE type parts, I’d have to switch them out so being able to easily mod it would be nice if they went the budget route. I can see people being creative with it similar to the Namco. It does look fun to use. I like the black color.
I hope to find out more about this little thing.
Might be a ‘LS-33 to the rescue’ scenario. Stick looks good if the price is fair.
But 7 button is trap.
Is there a touchpad button on this?
It doesn’t appear to have one on the photos, but we’re unsure and the photo is listed as a prototype.
I don’t like the button layout on the Joystick, I’m picky
I like the Sega Layout with the L1 & R1 on the Face of the Joystick
Hmm, new picture from TGS. Looks a little taller than the previous images have suggested:
Markman hinted at it being mod friendly, or at least mod friendly-ish, so I’m expecting something workable. Very curious about the price point mcz has in mind.
No game this gen uses that though. Street Fighter’s default layout has Fierce on R1 and Roundhouse on R2.