Why Are Game Controllers So Expensive? 2 Superb Reasons Why It Expensive

Why are game controllers so expensive? It’s often said that game controllers are the most expensive piece of equipment for gamers. Some people argue that it is due to the highly-specialized materials and design, and others say it is due to the high price tag from brand name companies like Razer, SteelSeries, Mad Catz, etc. However, in some cases this may not be entirely true. We’ll look at what factors contribute to such a high price tag for game controllers. In this blog, we also have an article about ipega game controller brand review that you might want to read about it.

A game controller, gaming controller, or simply controller, is an input device used with video games or entertainment systems to provide input to a video game, typically to control an object or character in the game.”

Wikipedia.org

What is game controller

Game controllers are the devices that allow you to play video games. The gaming controller is also called as a joystick, which is used to control the movement of the character in the game. Game controllers are widely used in modern video games, as they allow you to move the character in the game with much ease. With the help of these controllers, you can easily navigate through different levels in the games to reach your objective.

The input device used to control a video game. Controllers have evolved from a single joystick with one button to devices with joy sticks, pedals and dozens of buttons. ”

PCmag.com

Types of game controllers?

There are two major types of game controllers — the wired and wireless ones. Wired game controllers come with connectors, while wireless ones do not require any wiring. They work on infra-red signals. There are various types of wired and wireless game controllers available in the market like joysticks, steering wheels, trackpads, etc., and each one has their own pros and cons. Below are some things that you should keep in mind before buying a game controller:

1) Controller size & weight

The size of the controller will depend upon the type of console (e.g. Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, etc.). Generally, the bigger the controller, more responsive it becomes. It’s recommended that you buy a game controller that fits comfortably into your hand.

2) Inputs

If you’re playing a multiplayer game then the number of inputs should be considered carefully. You need to know how many buttons there are on the controller. For example, if you have five analog sticks, four face buttons and two shoulder triggers, you’ll get eight input buttons total. Of course, this means that all controls must be mapped to those six buttons, but it shouldn’t cause too much trouble for most people.

3) Battery life

The battery life depends on the type of game controller you’re using. While some game controllers use rechargeable batteries, others use disposable or non-rechargeable batteries. If you’re planning on carrying your game controller around with you when you’re playing, pay attention to its battery life because it won’t make sense to carry around something which doesn’t last long.

4) Durability

This goes without saying, but the durability of your game controller is very important. Most wired or wireless game controllers are manufactured from plastic and metal materials. In case of a damaged game controller, it may affect the quality of your game experience.

5) Compatibility

Most game consoles support multiple kinds of game controllers. However, since every model of the same console supports different controllers, it’s always good to check out compatibility details before purchasing.

6) Price

Price can be an issue especially if you’re going to purchase a particular game controller for a single purpose. Most of the time, you don’t want to spend too much money on such products. So, it’s wise to go with the cheapest option that suits your needs the best.

7) Warranty

The warranty period varies from company to company. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty whereas others provide only 1 year. A longer warranty period can prove useful in case of accidental damage to the product.

History and the evolution of game controller

A game controller of the late 1900s was essentially a joystick with one or two action buttons. These controllers were most often encountered on arcade games. Then there was the first PlayStation. The original PlayStation controller lacked joysticks, instead relying on four action buttons, a d-pad, and two front bumpers. It was groundbreaking at the time.

 

Fast forward a few years, and the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360 were released, each featuring two joysticks, four front bumpers, and a fresh and easy method to enjoy gaming. Since the release of the PlayStation 2 and Xbox 360, there hasn’t been a significant shift in the look of the gaming controller. The software has enhanced the controller’s appearance and smoothness. The inclusion of a touchpad and wireless controllers has been the most significant changes since then.

 

Who knows what the next generation of gaming controllers will look like. Controllers as we know them may become obsolete, replaced with artificial reality and headgear. Until then, we’ll have to make do with the controllers we’re used with.

Why Are Game Controllers So Expensive

So, why are game controllers so expensive? Here are the breakdown for it:

  • The expense of designing and manufacturing a new game controller might be too expensive. To begin, you must spend a significant amount of money merely designing and developing a new and superior controller. One of the most difficult issues that firms have when developing new gaming controllers is determining what is visually beautiful while still being functional.
  • Second, corporations will need to engage test groups to get input and thoughts on their new controllers. This may need dramatic adjustments in order to delight and suit their users. These adjustments imply that additional money will be spent developing and modifying the controller until the consumers are satisfied with the final result and it performs as planned.

Most controllers have the following components:

  1. There are two joysticks.
  2. The d-pad
  3. At the front of the controller, there are four trigger bumpers.
  4. four activity buttons
  5. Buttons for the menu
  6. Battery
  7. Port for charging
  8. Printed circuit board
  9. The power button
  10. Speakers (optional)

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