Joysticks are used in video games.
Joystick is a term from the English language that the Royal Spanish Academy ( RAE ) does not include in its dictionary, but which is frequently used in our language anyway. A joystick is an instrument used to control a system or device .
Generally a joystick is a lever that has a base and can perform a certain range of movements. Also known as a joystick , it usually has buttons that allow the user to give instructions or perform actions.
Vehicles and other machines with joysticks
In an aircraft, the joystick is the most important control element inside a flight deck . There are side control levers and central control levers and many have additional switches to manage different issues.
Other machines, such as surveillance cameras and cranes , are also controlled via joysticks. When the operator moves the joystick to one side, the device performs the same movement: if the joystick linked to a camera is moved from the control center to the left, the camera will point to that side, for example.
Likewise, there is also the hydraulic joystick , which is the one used for certain heavy work machinery, and the specific joystick for controlling drones.
The characteristics of the joysticks evolved over the years.
The video game controller
Joysticks became popular around the world thanks to video games . These button-equipped levers connect to the computer or console and allow the digital characters to be moved. In a tennis video game, for example, the player will use the joystick to move the virtual tennis player around the court, using the buttons to hit the ball.
When we talk about video games, we can establish that there are basically two types of joysticks:
-The analogues , which are characterized because they indicate the displacement in each direction. They have in their favor that they are very precise and, it is common, that they also usually incorporate what are accelerators. Hence, it is very common to find them in simulation games in which the player has to drive a car, a motorcycle or an airplane, for example.
-The digital ones, which only indicate the combination of directions that is being pressed or in which direction.
Assist joysticks
However, in addition to those used for playing, the vocal joystick must be highlighted. This is what people with physical disabilities use to, for example, use a computer and surf the Internet.
It should be noted that there are other specialized joysticks that help people with disabilities interact with others or operate various devices. Electric wheelchairs , in this framework, have a joystick.
More information of interest
-The joystick is considered to have its origins in the early 20th century, which was when it was developed for missile control and even for aviation.
-When this type of device began to be used for video games, it was common for it to have a special connection so that it could be used on computers, for example. However, over time it has evolved and now has a simple USB connection, like many other peripherals.