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Case Study

Alt Game Controller

ProgrammerArtist

  • Flex Sensors
  • Accelerometer
  • Hardware Prototyping
  • Soldering & Wiring

    • Overview: A wearable glove-based game controller built to simulate the accessibility challenges faced by disabled gamers. By deliberately designing an unconventional and uncomfortable input device, the project builds empathy among players and developers for the importance of inclusive design in gaming.

    Assembled Alt Game Controller glove

    Demo Videos

    Key Features

    • Accessibility-awareness design
    • Flex sensor input mapping
    • Accelerometer joystick control
    • Iterative hardware prototyping
    • Live game validation

    Gallery

    Early concept sketch for the Alt Game Controller glove layout Alternate concept sketch for the Alt Game Controller glove layout Early hardware prototype of the Alt Game Controller glove Alt Game Controller glove worn on the hand Flex sensor and wiring detail on the Alt Game Controller glove Alt Game Controller glove, breadboard and sensor mounting detail Alt Game Controller glove, finished build detail

    Contributions

    Art & Design

    • Designed and iterated on multiple controller layouts, narrowing from a two-handed full-button scheme down to a focused 3 flex sensor, 2 button, and accelerometer configuration.
    • Physically constructed and reworked the glove, securing breadboards with Velcro and hot glue, and stabilizing flex sensors with sewn wire supports and finger sleeve covers.
    • Refined sensor consistency by adding sleeve covers that held flex sensors in place, improving input reliability.

    Development

    • Integrated flex sensors onto the center three fingers, mapping bend input to ABXY and Start buttons.
    • Mounted an accelerometer/tilt sensor to the top of the hand for left joystick control.
    • Tested and validated the controller in a live game environment, successfully completing a level in Duck Game.

    Impact

    • Took the project end-to-end from a paper concept to a controller validated in a live game, iterating on the physical build through multiple hardware revisions.
    • Built firsthand empathy for accessibility challenges in game input design by deliberately designing around discomfort and constraint.