Computer games and non-standard inputs?

Cafe Society
1

I know there’s an ex game tester or two on the board, so I’m hoping you can give me the Straight Dope.

When testing and developing games, how much thought is given to non-standard (but not unusual) input devices? For instance, I’m having issues with the Crysis demo with my trackball. (I use a trackball and not a mouse because I don’t want RSI). Another example: in Unreal Tournament, I was a dab hand with using a trackball in one hand and joystick in the other.

GQ, CS, or IMHO? Let’s try CS to start with.

2

What’s the issue you’re having with Crysis with your trackball?

I’m not a dev, but I use a trackball (when I can remember/be arsed) and to me it seems that all of my games and apps just treat my trackball as a normal mouse in terms of responses.

3

In Crysis you have a super-suit and you manage its special functions using your pointing device. It’s a right pain with a trackball.