Gaming keypad
Encyclopedia
A gaming keypad is a small, auxiliary keyboard designed only for gaming. It has a limited number of the original keys from a standard keyboard
, and they are arranged in a more ergonomic
fashion to facilitate quick and efficient gaming key presses. The commonly used keys for gaming on a computer are the 'W', 'A', 'S', 'D', and the keys close and adjescent to these keys. These keys and style of using a keyboard is referred to as WASD. A gaming keypad will not only optimize the WASD layout, but will often contain extra functionality, such as volume control, the Esc. key, and the F1-F12 keys.
are the mouse
and the keyboard. While both are integral in the interaction of the game, their evolutionary track has not been equal.
The mouse, over the years, has had better adaptation and incorporation into gaming than the keyboard has. This could easily be attributed to the fact that the mouse is a much more simplified device. The mouse has had many advances to make it a much more adapted device for gaming. It has been upgraded from a rolling ball to an optical sensor, and the optical sensor has been upgraded to a laser. The results of these progressions have allowed players increased sensitivity and accuracy while in a game environment. The mouse has also been equipped with increasingly more buttons. Starting with two buttons, the mouse can now be found with up to seventeen buttons. Buttons have also become programmable, such that the player can get exactly what they want from their mouse. Excellent examples include the Logitech G5 mouse
and the Razer Deathadder.
The keyboard has not seen as much advancement in terms of making it a formidable gaming device. The keyboard
is mostly viewed as simply a conglomeration of over a hundred keys that are placed and configured for typing efficiently, not for navigating a character through a virtual world. There have been some modifications made to keyboards to entice a gamer, such as adding macro buttons on the perimeter of the keyboard, or having keys that glow in the dark. Still today the shape and layout of a keyboard remains the same, optimised for word processing but not gaming.
Recently, certain companies have started to introduce mini-keyboards, or sub-keyboards, that are specifically designed to maximize the gaming experience. These are commonly referred to as gaming keypads.
), third person action-adventure
, and massively multiplayer online games (MMO
). In each of these styles of games, there is control over the movement of one character, and this traditionalling is done by the WASD keys.
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
, and they are arranged in a more ergonomic
Ergonomics
Ergonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows:...
fashion to facilitate quick and efficient gaming key presses. The commonly used keys for gaming on a computer are the 'W', 'A', 'S', 'D', and the keys close and adjescent to these keys. These keys and style of using a keyboard is referred to as WASD. A gaming keypad will not only optimize the WASD layout, but will often contain extra functionality, such as volume control, the Esc. key, and the F1-F12 keys.
Overview
The two primary, and most commonly used, devices for players to use when gaming on a computerPersonal computer game
A PC game, also known as a computer game, is a video game played on a personal computer, rather than on a video game console or arcade machine...
are the mouse
Mouse (computing)
In computing, a mouse is a pointing device that functions by detecting two-dimensional motion relative to its supporting surface. Physically, a mouse consists of an object held under one of the user's hands, with one or more buttons...
and the keyboard. While both are integral in the interaction of the game, their evolutionary track has not been equal.
The mouse, over the years, has had better adaptation and incorporation into gaming than the keyboard has. This could easily be attributed to the fact that the mouse is a much more simplified device. The mouse has had many advances to make it a much more adapted device for gaming. It has been upgraded from a rolling ball to an optical sensor, and the optical sensor has been upgraded to a laser. The results of these progressions have allowed players increased sensitivity and accuracy while in a game environment. The mouse has also been equipped with increasingly more buttons. Starting with two buttons, the mouse can now be found with up to seventeen buttons. Buttons have also become programmable, such that the player can get exactly what they want from their mouse. Excellent examples include the Logitech G5 mouse
Logitech G5
The Logitech G5 is a corded laser mouse produced by Logitech as part of its G series targeted at the gamer market.The G5 has a body almost identical to its 'sister', the G7, a wireless mouse. The G7 has a slot for its battery, and the G5 has a slot into which the weight caddy can be inserted. The...
and the Razer Deathadder.
The keyboard has not seen as much advancement in terms of making it a formidable gaming device. The keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
is mostly viewed as simply a conglomeration of over a hundred keys that are placed and configured for typing efficiently, not for navigating a character through a virtual world. There have been some modifications made to keyboards to entice a gamer, such as adding macro buttons on the perimeter of the keyboard, or having keys that glow in the dark. Still today the shape and layout of a keyboard remains the same, optimised for word processing but not gaming.
Recently, certain companies have started to introduce mini-keyboards, or sub-keyboards, that are specifically designed to maximize the gaming experience. These are commonly referred to as gaming keypads.
Benefits of gaming keypads
The benefits of having a gaming keypad over a traditional keyboard are many.- Reduced size - Whether the player is looking to free up desktop space while they are gaming, or are looking for a keyboard that is more conducive to resting in their lap while they sit back and indulge their gaming desires, a keypad can give them the option of something much more manageable.
- ErgonomicErgonomicsErgonomics is the study of designing equipment and devices that fit the human body, its movements, and its cognitive abilities.The International Ergonomics Association defines ergonomics as follows:...
design – Many of the new keypads have been designed such that they are as comfortable to use as possible while gaming. This reduces the amount of fatigue that the player's hand experiences while playing. It also reduces the possibility of hand injury that could occur from prolonged use of a keyboard. - More available keys – While most of the keypads do not invent new buttons, they do make more of the already existing buttons more accessible to the fingertips without having to relocate or move the entire hand. Some of them can almost double the amount of buttons that could be normally reached by the hand and fingers.
- Extras – for example; volume control, macro buttons, quick keys, USBUniversal Serial BusUSB is an industry standard developed in the mid-1990s that defines the cables, connectors and protocols used in a bus for connection, communication and power supply between computers and electronic devices....
ports, or headsetHeadphonesHeadphones are a pair of small loudspeakers, or less commonly a single speaker, held close to a user's ears and connected to a signal source such as an audio amplifier, radio, CD player or portable Media Player. They are also known as stereophones, headsets or, colloquially, cans. The in-ear...
ports.
Game genres
The genres of PC games that have been influence and affected by the development of gaming keypads are first person shooters (FPSFirst-person shooter
First-person shooter is a video game genre that centers the gameplay on gun and projectile weapon-based combat through first-person perspective; i.e., the player experiences the action through the eyes of a protagonist. Generally speaking, the first-person shooter shares common traits with other...
), third person action-adventure
Action-adventure game
An action-adventure game is a video game that combines elements of the adventure game genre with various action game elements. It is perhaps the broadest and most diverse genre in gaming, and can include many games which might better be categorized under narrow genres...
, and massively multiplayer online games (MMO
Massively multiplayer online game
A massively multiplayer online game is a multiplayer video game which is capable of supporting hundreds or thousands of players simultaneously. By necessity, they are played on the Internet, and usually feature at least one persistent world. They are, however, not necessarily games played on...
). In each of these styles of games, there is control over the movement of one character, and this traditionalling is done by the WASD keys.
Available keypads
| Supplier | Product(s) | Basic shape | Keys (x modes) | Wrist pad | Thumb stick | Backlit | Special features / Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wolfking | Warrior (stand-alone keypad) | flat | 55 | no | no | yes | Identical design also sold in Germany/Europe as "Ultron G1-Clawpad" by Ultron and "Zykon K1" by Zykon |
| Timberwolf (keypad/keyboard combination) | flat | 49+104+8 | no | no | yes | ||
| Warrior XXTREME (keypad/keyboard hybrid) | flat | 49+40 | no | no | yes | ||
| Steelseries | Fang (stand-alone keypad) | flat | 41 | no | no | yes | Symmetrical design suited for left-handers. Identical design also sold in Germany/Europe as "Hama CruX" by Hama. |
| Merc (keypad/keyboard combination) | flat | 34+104+11 | no | no | yes | Backlight only applies to the Merc Stealth. | |
| Zboard (keypad/keyboard hybrid) | flat | 27+79+17 | yes | no | yes/no | ||
| Ergodex | DX1 | flat | 25+ | no | no | no | Key layout freely configurable with movable keys |
| Sharkoon | Rush Pad | flat | 62 | no | no | no | identical with A4Tech X7-G100, which is even older product. |
| Cyber Snipa Cyber Snipa Cyber Snipa is a brand of specialised computer peripherals and equipment designed expressly for gaming. The brand originated in March 2004 when Flexiglow Hong Kong Pty Ltd introduced the Cyber Snipa Gamepad... |
Cyber Snipa Game Pad V2 | flat | 39 | yes | no | yes | |
| Revoltec | Fightpad Advanced Steel Grid | flat | 45 | yes | no | no | |
| Thermaltake Thermaltake Thermaltake is a manufacturer of PC cases, power supplies and cooling solutions. Its main headquarters is located in Taipei and Thermaltake has multiple manufacturing facilities on mainland China, including a major plant at Dongguan which is also ISO-9001 certified.Most of Thermaltake's production... |
Flare Board | flat | 44 | yes | no | no | Symmetrical design suited for left-handers |
| Belkin Belkin Belkin International, Inc., is a Californian manufacturer of computer hardware that specializes in connectivity devices, headquartered in Playa Vista, Los Angeles, California... |
Nostromo SpeedPad n52 Nostromo SpeedPad n52 The Belkin Nostromo SpeedPad n52 is a USB computer gaming peripheral designed for gamers by Belkin. It is likely named after the fictional starship Nostromo from the 1979 film Alien, which was in turn named after the 1904 novel Nostromo.... (old) n52te (new) |
curved | 14 (x3) | yes | yes | no/yes | Newer Tournament Edition includes back light. |
| Saitek Saitek Saitek is a designer and manufacturer of consumer electronics founded in 1979 by Swiss technologist Eric Winkler. They are best known for their PC gaming controllers, mice, keyboards especially the Eclipse series of back-lit keyboards, and their Flight Yoke System.- History :Saitek was founded in... |
Pro Gamer Command Unit (old) Cyborg Command Unit (new) |
curved | 21 (x3) | yes | yes | yes | Adjustable wristpad |
| Genius Genius (company) KYE Systems Corp. is a company founded in 1983, with headquarters in Taiwan and branch offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Hong Kong and China. It manufactures computer-related devices: keyboards, mice, graphic tablets, and game controllers. The company has over 3000... |
Ergomedia 500 | curved | 11 (x3) | yes | yes | yes | |
| Terratec TerraTec TerraTec Electronic GmbH is a German manufacturer of sound cards, computer speakers, webcams, computer mice, video grabbers and TV tuner cards.... |
Mystify Claw (old, discontinued) | curved | 6 (x4) | yes | no | no | |
| Idizm | Space Devil (old, discontinued) | curved | 25 | yes | no | no | |
| Microsoft Microsoft Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions... |
SideWinder Strategic Commander (old, discontinued) |
curved | 6 (x 3) + 4 | yes | no | no | Keypad/mouse/joystick hybrid with a stationary base and a movable top |
| Logitech Logitech Logitech International S.A. is a global provider of personal peripherals for computers and other digital platforms headquartered in Romanel-sur-Morges, Switzerland. The company develops and markets products like peripheral devices for PCs, including keyboards, mice, microphones, game controllers... |
G13 |
curved | yes | yes | yes | ||
| Razer Razer MTV2 is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel. MTV2 is a lifestyle and general entertainment channel aimed at youth and teen audiences, airing a mix of music video programs, drama, comedies, talk shows and more.... |
Nostromo |
curved | 16 | yes | yes | yes | Unlimited macro lengths and the ability to store up to 20 different profiles |