What is a joystick?

In gaming circles, disputes about what is better - a keyboard with a mouse or a joystick have not ceased for a long time. This topic is almost as relevant as the bickering of adherents of consoles and PCs. However, many gamers do not realize that they are using the wrong name of their favorite controller. After all, a joystick and a gamepad are two different things.

The joystick is not at all a familiar gaming manipulator with two sticks, bumpers and four buttons. What is mistakenly called a joystick is actually called a gamepad or joystick. But what then is the joystick?

Description

The joystick is an input device, it looks like a movable vertical handle. It looks more like a gear lever or an aircraft control stick. Most often, there are buttons, sliders and switches on it. They are located on the top of the handle and on a stable base. Some models are attached to the surface using suction cups or just hold on to their weight.

This type of controller is divided into three categories:

• One-dimensional. Designed to control on one axis "x" or "y".
• Two-dimensional. They can receive data on movements in two coordinate axes at once.
• Three-dimensional. In addition to the x and y axes, they are also able to read the coordinates of the z axis.

Joysticks are also divided into analog and discrete. Analogs are designed for finer control, and therefore can evaluate the force of pressing. Simply put, the more the lever is deflected, the greater will be the speed or angle of inclination when moving. Discrete ones can receive a signal only in the form of zero or one, that is, “on” or “off”. Due to its imperfection, analog controllers are practically not used.

Purpose

The first joysticks were used in stationary arcade game machines or as an additional controller for home consoles. In those days, games were much simpler in their mechanics. Management in them most often required only movement on one or two axes and a pair of buttons for simple actions, such as shooting. Therefore, such controllers were quite common.

Over time, games became more difficult, but the need for joysticks did not disappear. Despite the fact that keyboards or notorious gamepads are suitable for any games, it is preferable to use joysticks in certain genres. Most often, this genre is a variety of flight simulators or races. The control levers are used in them for more realistic and convenient operation.

Sometimes pedals and an additional lever are used in connection with the joysticks. A bunch of such manipulators with virtual reality glasses also had some popularity. Using all this equipment, gamers can achieve the most realistic sensation of controlling vehicles in games.

Where does this name come from

Many gamers are wondering - why is this of the manipulators called that way? Of course, you can refer to the direct translation of the English name. Joystick literally translates as "stick of joy" (joy - joy, stick - stick). However, this does not clarify anything.

For the first time this word was used among aviators to indicate the control wheel of some aircraft. It is not surprising that it was he who gave the joystick a characteristic shape and structure. However, the etymology remains unknown. This word was simply begun to be applied without any explanation of its structure or origin.

The two most common versions of the origin of the name revolve around the name of the inventor and the joy of flying. The first assumes that the device was originally named "George stick", in honor of the inventor Arthur George, and then slightly changed the name. The second is based on the fact that the pilots were just happy to fly.