Steering wheel (game controller)
A steering wheel serves as a game controller for controlling racing simulations . Usually the device consists of a large rotary control designed as a steering wheel and is used together with pedals for accelerating , braking and sometimes clutch actuation. In addition, there are sometimes various switching elements (mostly buttons), which are usually attached to the steering wheel console. Such a peripheralis intended to give computer players a realistic driving experience by analogously controlling the steering angle and operating the pedals. The relatively large angle of rotation enables more precise control than would be possible with a keyboard or mouse. Computer steering wheels are available for arcade games , game consoles , computer games and also for professional driving simulators .
development
The first such steering wheels started out as simple plastic wheels attached to a rotary potentiometer . In order to simulate the resistance when hammering in, these were provided with torsion springs . Later, instead of springs, electric servomotors were used to obtain a more realistic force ( force feedback ). This technology first appeared in the Sidewinder Wheel from Microsoft . There are also systems for the pedals that generate a realistic path-force curve. Manufacturers of steering wheels for computer games are u. a. Fanatec, Logitech , Microsoft and Thrustmaster .
Common components
(Steering wheel) base
The thick housing, to which the steering wheel itself is connected through a hub, is the (steering wheel) base. In this base are one or more motors that exert a force on the steering wheel. This is how the so-called force feedback effects are generated. This means that the steering wheel base determines how strong the force feedback effects are. The steering wheel itself only has an impact on how well these force feedback effects are transferred to the steering wheel. Because of this, the force feedback effects feel more detailed on some steering wheels than on others, although the basis is the same.
Pedals
Can to the base gas -, brake - and clutch pedals are connected with the clutch pedals are optional. However, if the clutch pedals are not included, you can also use the steering wheel itself. There are so-called shift paddles on the steering wheel for this.
Usually there are either pedal sets with two pedals (gas and brake pedals) or with three pedals (gas, brake and clutch pedals).
Gear lever
A gearshift lever is recommended in conjunction with a clutch pedal. It can be used to change gears in racing simulations . As with the pedals, the gearshift lever is usually connected directly to the steering wheel base.
Racing seat / wheelstand
Often the steering wheel base combo is attached to a table top with the help of clamps . However, it can also be attached to a racing seat device or to a so-called wheel stand. Both offer mounting options for the steering wheel (base), pedals and gear lever . The difference between a racing seat assembly and a wheelstand is that a wheelstand does not include the seat.
A wheelstand is often bought to save space and money. The advantage of a racing seat, however, is that you have the optimal position - just like in a real car .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Mauricio Orozco, Juan Silva, Abdulmotaleb El Saddik, Emil Petriu: The Role of Haptics in Games . In: Abdulmotaleb El Saddik (Ed.): Haptics Rendering and Applications . IntechOpen 2012, ISBN 9789533078977 , p. 224. doi : 10.5772 / 32809
- ↑ a b Additional gaming steering wheel components - Frequent extras. In: Gaming steering wheel experts. June 2, 2020, accessed on June 26, 2020 (German).