Fightstick

As a big fighting game fan, I've wanted to make my own stick. I want it to be modular so parts can be swapped out easily and for it to have swappable plates with different layouts. The main reason for this is so that I can change between a traditional stick configuration and the relatively recent 'hit box' style controls. In addition, I'd like to be able to change button layouts as there are a few styles, each one useful for different games.

A fairly standard configuration in US cabinets. The buttons incline slightly to accomodate the shape of the Human hand.

The precise layout used in Japanese Astro City cabinets manufactured by Sega. For someone like myself whose middle finger is far bigger than their index and ring finger, this is an ideal layout.

It's no just layout that needs considering, these sticks are very complex things with a variety of components that all affect the feel of the controller. Other things that will need to be considered are:

• Actuators. The part that actually presses the microswitches in the stick.
• Spring Tension. The part that affects how much pressure is needed to move the stick.
• Buttons. Different buttons have different travel, sensitivity, resistance and feel.