DIY VP-controller for desktop use (example)

[Calafati]

Hello everyone,

 

After starting this project some days ago I now have some photographable stuff together 😁

My goal as momentary-desktop-only-player was simply to realize a little more haptic feeling while playing, this with little or reasonable effort and with as simple handling as possible. The first step with mounted shakers hidden under the desktop already results in a more and clear tangible gaming mechanic, you can feel now what you see on the screen and hear through the speakers.

 

But as playing with my keyboard is still a bit disturbing, I played with the idea to build a controller giving me also the buttons and a more realistic feeling for the handling of my virtual "machine". I am fully aware that such projects are not new and I learned much from other projects seen on YT. On the other hand I would be happy in case

I can contribute one or the other alternative respectively addition.

 

1) First of all I decided to work with a slanted front, this has the advantage, that - comparing to a box -

- you do not have (in case the box is higher) to lift or let float your arms but can leave them laying on the table surface*

- in the same way you do not have to angle or bend your wrists and forearms too much which leads in total to a more comfortable gaming posture

- this imitates a little more the feeling to stand BEHIND the machine as in reality

*for my setup this is also very important because of the fact, that the shakers are mounted under the desk, so you can feel the vibrations really good only in case you have wrists and forearms directly on the desk...

 

2) as the shakers dont need to be part of my controller anymore, it is a real lightweight. To make the feeling more stable in general, I first installed a mounting device by simply drilling two (additional) holes in my desk 😂. As the substance of these IKEA-desktops is not very solid after piercing it ( I would like to avoid, that the surface bursts) I glued on two flat washers to make the surface a little more stable. The controller itself has two counterparts, so that you can fix the whole controller onto the desktop using two long screws and nuts. Now you can lean a little against the controller which you normally do on a real machine, too. When dismantled, the two washers do not disturb normal keyboard use.

 

The key assignment is as follow (additional functions in brackets in combination with JoyToKey Software by also pressing SHIFT-button):

FRONT

left row from bottom to top = SHIFT / coin button / start button

middle = Pause/Reentry (Exit / Reset)

right = plunger button (lockbar action)

SIDE

below = magnasave-button

middle = nudge button (Volume + and -)

above = flipper button 

 

I placed the buttons respectively the marks for the buttons a little to the middle to allow a sufficient thumb rest on the front. Since I have slightly curved my fingers in a natural hand position to press the flipper buttons, the nudge buttons disappear into the hollow of my palm almost without contact until I hit them.

 

So much for the theory, I'll get back to you as soon as the buttons are mounted, of course I'm open to any good advice 👊😎

 

Cheers

Klaus (& greetings to deadmanworking for his always useful advice!)

 

 

For the moment I have renounced of the real plunger, but as the front is slanted anyway, you cannot really use that on this construction. This should be the third modifiaction of my desk, but this is a later step 😂

 

Edited May 20, 2025 by Calafati

[Calafati]

The controller is ready now and survived the first tests and gaming sessions

👊😁👍

Have all a nice Weekend

Klaus

Edited May 10, 2025 by Calafati