The "Stickless Arcade Stick" Thread

[xpsg]

Just finished my build. Used a sixaxis pcb with the axisdapter, which mean that this controller can be used wirelessly

http://photos-h.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/s720x720/226090_10150257811976232_641551231_7950669_720301_n.jpg

[Rufus]

Here I was thinking keeping a traditional stick and adding some directional assists to the lay out, still debating placement.
…

You could also make an external box for the directionals and run a cable out of the stick. It’s a bit more work, but gives you more layout options.

[Jimbo13]

You could also make an external box for the directionals and run a cable out of the stick. It’s a bit more work, but gives you more layout options.

I discovered you can assign directional to buttons 7 & 8 and that gives me the quicker dash I was looking IF I go back to stick. I got off my main last night and tried some fresh characters and stickless is starting to feel a little more natural.

[Novan_Leon]

I put my first impressions of the HitBox in the “official” HitBox thread but I thought I’d crosspost here for people’s benefit.

I just received my HitBox in the mail yesterday. Here are my initial thoughts after several hours of play with the PC/PS3 version of the HitBox:

Payment and Shipping
[LIST]
[]Payment via the website was a little confusing until I realized I needed to create a user account on the hitbox homepage and sign in before clicking the payment button in the email, after that it was easy as pie.
[]Shipping was fast
[/LIST]
Quality and Appearance
[LIST]
[]The structure and quality of the buttons are top notch and I couldn’t find anything to complain about. The device itself is rock solid and the length of the USB cable should be able to accommodate any player’s needs.
[]The device looks sharp, although I would have loved to have more colors for the buttons to help sharpen the look and differentiate between the different button types. My version only had two button colors, blue for the left hand directional and black for the right hand buttons.
[/LIST]
Ergonomics
[LIST]
[]I like the small buttons and the more compact formation that covers less area. This makes it very easy to access the buttons for both hands without having to shift your hands around in any way, everything is just right there and easy to access.
[]I found the size of the HitBox to be rather uncomfortable for my left (directionals) hand. The HitBox isn’t large enough to rest my left wrist on, so it usually ended up bent and in an awkward position with my lower palm resting against the relatively sharp bottom edge of the plexiglass top. In order to find a comfortable position I had to either set the HitBox down on a table and play with it that way, or use a pillow to prop up my wrist while it was sitting on my lap. Even so, my wrist still got tired sitting in that position and I had to take a break. One way to fix this would be to add an inch or two to the inward length of the HitBox chassis (the side facing you) to give your wrist something firm to rest on, or perhaps just make the chassis larger overall so it fits better on your lap and gives both wrists a solid resting surface. As it is, the small size and minimal surface harms the overall ergonomics of the HitBox.
[/LIST]
Performance
[LIST]
[]Once you get the hang of it, input is much more consistent with the HitBox than a stick or pad (this coming from a stick player). On a stick or pad you’re using a single input device (stick or pad-plate) with multiple directions, so anytime you input directional commands you run a certain risk of “overflowing” onto a directional input that was unintended. On the HitBox you have separate input devices (buttons) for each direction, so you only use the buttons for the directions you want and leave the others alone. A good pad or stick player will probably be on equal ground with a HitBox user, but a HitBox user will usually achieve the same consistency much earlier and without needing to train as hard.
[]Once you get the hang of it, input speed is extremely fast. Again, a good stick or pad player will probably be on equal ground with a HitBox user, but the HitBox user will almost definitely be faster with less training or experience under their belt.
[]Getting accustomed to the HitBox doesn’t take long and most people should be able to pick it up within an hour of playing around in training mode, with one major caveat: the jump (up directional) button. It could just be me but I’m still having trouble getting used to the placement of the jump (up directional) button near the bottom and using my thumb to operate it. This seems rather unintuitive and I keep instinctively wanting to use the duck (down directional) button to jump. I may play around with this some more and if I can’t get used to it, perhaps try reversing the inputs so the thumb is duck and the middle finger is jump to see how it works.
[]I have yet to see any advantage to having the jump (up directional) button accessible by the right hand, but I guess it’s always nice to have the option.
[]The key to executing directional motions with the HitBox is timing. Since each diagonal direction is a simultaneous press of two buttons, your timing has to be smooth in order to perform that 1-button -> 2-button -> 1-button transition. If you can get this down you’ll do fine.
[]One interesting note is that while I found almost every other directional motion easier to perform consistently with the HitBox than with a stick or pad, I found the DP motion (foward, down, down-forward) more difficult. This is probably due to the 1-button -> 1-button -> 2-button scale which is different from the other “piano” scales. I imagine this will change with practice but it’s worth noting.
[/LIST]
Summary
[LIST]
[*]Overall my first experience with the HitBox was good, not great, but good. With a few tweaks and perhaps a little more time with it I think it could shine. It’s definitely different from an arcade stick, but luckily it doesn’t take long to adapt and it definitely has some advantages. As of this moment I still prefer the stick but I’m going to keep trying it out and see if I can get used to the odd placement of the jump (up directional) button and some of it’s ergonomical quirks.
[/LIST]

I’m interested to hear other people’s first impressions of playing with the HitBox style layout. For me the most difficult part is adapting to the strange jump (up diretional) placement.

[Rufus]

I put my first impressions of the HitBox in the “official” HitBox thread but I thought I’d crosspost here for people’s benefit.

I’m interested to hear other people’s first impressions of playing with the HitBox style layout. For me the most difficult part is adapting to the strange jump (up diretional) placement.

I definitely noticed the lack of resting surfaces. I think I would have liked larger buttons. I only tried it for a few moments, so not a lot of comment on the training/learning stuff.

[abandonist]

For the people talking about wanting a way to flip between stick and button: Project Gloom Stick/less

[Tyleratron]

I see there’s a way to mod a TE stick into the hitbox layout, but what about for the SE?

[Rufus]

I see there’s a way to mod a TE stick into the hitbox layout, but what about for the SE?

Probably requires heavy surgery. The SE has a significantly smaller area.

[Tyleratron]

Probably requires heavy surgery. The SE has a significantly smaller area.

That’s what I figured but I was throwing that question out in hopes that someone had done it and had some tips on doing so lol Perhaps I’ll give it a shot one day. Either that or buy a new box and transfer the insides of my SE stick into the new box with stickless layout. Assuming that’s possible.

[Mad_Mistress]

Someone did do it, but I don’t have the link. They put the jump button on the slant and used the joystick hole for the down button.

[Novan_Leon]

I know some of you are still waiting for a chance to buy one of the official Hit Boxes. I just thought I’d let you know there’s a new Hit Box for sale on eBay if anyone is interested.

[sin7]

I modified an SE to the Hitbox layout. It was a TvC stick that I found pretty cheap. I was going to replace all the buttons with Seitmitsu buttons and the stick with Sanwa buttons. After I finished, I wished for an Astro city layout instead, so I took out the buttons and placed the originals back in their place. I’m just waiting for Lizard Lick to get more PS3 Cthulhus before I begin work on my next one. I already pre-ordered the PCB.

I placed the down direction where the stick used to be. First, I removed the metal that was holding the stick. Bought a step bit, expanded the stick hole, and made the other three holes. The jump button is on the slanted edge. It feels ok there. I wish I would have put it a little lower and placed the left direction between the button rows.

[Tyleratron]

I modified an SE to the Hitbox layout. It was a TvC stick that I found pretty cheap. I was going to replace all the buttons with Seitmitsu buttons and the stick with Sanwa buttons. After I finished, I wished for an Astro city layout instead, so I took out the buttons and placed the originals back in their place. I’m just waiting for Lizard Lick to get more PS3 Cthulhus before I begin work on my next one. I already pre-ordered the PCB.

I placed the down direction where the stick used to be. First, I removed the metal that was holding the stick. Bought a step bit, expanded the stick hole, and made the other three holes. The jump button is on the slanted edge. It feels ok there. I wish I would have put it a little lower and placed the left direction between the button rows.

What was your wiring like? When I looked inside my SE it looked like the pcb would be in the way of putting the up button there. I’m very interested in how to do this. It would save me the cost of getting a new case with the stickless layout.

[sin7]

The SE must be different from the TvC stick because there was nothing in the way of the up button on the TvC. I did have to make some cuts on the plastic, but nothing drastic like moving the pbc.

[Rufus]

The SE must be different from the TvC stick because there was nothing in the way of the up button on the TvC. I did have to make some cuts on the plastic, but nothing drastic like moving the pbc.

That’s one of the Xbox/PS3 differences.

[Inconnu_nom]

(blah blah blah) I ordered a used TE (it’s in the mail right now). I’d like to change it to a hitbox style layout. I would need the 4 leads for directionals and a daisy chained set for the commons correct? What about the main input buttons? Would it be 8 leads and a daisy chained common as well? What is a cheap solution for SOCD? (blah blah blah)

It’s been a few days. Still wondering if anyone could help out.

[Rufus]

I would need the 4 leads for directionals and a daisy chained set for the commons correct?

The stick cabling already has 5 wires, though you may want to get some quick disconnect clips or some other stuff to make it work more nicely. Regarding SOCD I’ve posted some simple transistor circuits somewhere, and a quad NAND gate solution as post 63 in this thread.

[Inconnu_nom]

The stick cabling already has 5 wires, though you may want to get some quick disconnect clips or some other stuff to make it work more nicely. Regarding SOCD I’ve posted some simple transistor circuits somewhere, and a quad NAND gate solution as post 63 in this thread.

Ahh I see. Yes, the NAND makes a lot of sense. I remember reading it but I think I dismissed a little too quickly, due to the freehand drawing.

What about the buttons? To your knowledge are those typically done with a common as well?

[Bush]

I have my cardboard hitbox built and started messing around on it tonight. It feels kind of natural for me to play on after 30 mins in training but I havent tried a match yet.

[Rufus]

What about the buttons? To your knowledge are those typically done with a common as well?

Most sticks are common ground. You’ll have to 1-4 the ground line - people usually do it as a chain.