So, I like using key/mouse for gaming, however I ABHOR using the "WASD" keys. As a result, I move the keyboard to my left and use the arrow keys and the associated keys surrounding them.

Recently, there are games that use more keys than I can comfortably reach with this setup and I find that I still have to reach left to access the other keys on my keyboard.

"So, what's the big deal?", I hear you ask. Just reach over and use the keys you need. Well, normally yeah no biggie, but I live in a motor-home and my computer table is only 24" square. Half of the keyboard hangs off into space while I am gaming.

Inevitably, I need to hit a key on the left side of the keyboard and that usually causes the keyboard to upend!

So, long story longer....I see all these "gaming keyboards" made and they really are just standard keyboards but with different paint jobs and lights. "But this keyboard has the fastest clicking mechanical red switches!", you say.

Big deal. Doesn't help me at all.

What I'd really love is something like this:


This isn't an actual thing. Obviously I just did a half-@$$ed job of copy and paste to create this. But, that not withstanding, this is the piece of hardware I dream of.

Now...to the reason I'm here. Is there anyone out there who has the knowledge/desire to help me design/make something like this that would function as a game controller on a Windows PC?

Obviously, the case wouldn't necessarily come out like this, probably more of a homemade plexi-sort-of-a-thing.

I would also appreciate hearing if this would be impossible to implement, due to some Windows stumbling block or other insurmountable obstacle.

Thanks for reading!

Yeah, I've seen things like this. Not really what I'm after. A huge bank of buttons doesn't really lend itself to being user friendly. Could you game with this? I couldn't. Besides, none of the ones I looked at had the arrow key configuration I am after.

Thanks for the reply forrest74. If you look at my OP, I mentioned I ABHOR the WASD config. A big reason for this is that, just like this PinPie rig, there is no way to index where you are on the keys. It's just too easy to get your fingers on the wrong keys without having to look.

With the arrow keys, it's very tactile, similar to having the bumps on the "f" and "j" keys. They let you know where you are. I can locate my hand on the arrow keys just by feel and thereby also know what keys are surrounding my fingers.

I've looked and have seen all the "one handed keyboards" the internet has to offer. I really have been looking for quite some time. I even toyed with trying to use 2 num pad keyboards and combine them with an arrow key pad, but couldn't make it work out.

So I've come to the conclusion that I am going to make this. What I require is someone with the expertise to assist.

Hi Timeless,
Unfortunately, it isn't just the WASD keys themselves (which also suck due to the "w" not being above the "s"....but maybe that's my OCD), it's that my computer table is small and it would help to have more room to move the mouse during gaming.

Also, if you notice on the setup I wish to build, I would have easy access to 42 keys, not including the arrow keys. That's something you just can't get on the WASD end of the keyboard.

Good luck and if you do get it built or find what you look, come by and show us. It is an interesting concept. 

Sorry to read about your health. Hope you have a solid recovery. 

Edited by hoserator - 15 Oct 2021 at 2:35am

I, too, appreciated that didactic stuff. I just didn't realize it in the moment. I should strive for greater sentient vigilance.