Called King's Assembly, it was created by designer Eric Charlton

Feb 18, 2014 09:57 GMT  ·  By

US-based engineer and founder of Solid Art Labs Eric Charlton has just created a product that brings together the three items that are most often used to play video and console games.

We would say that the new invention was inspired by that positively bizarre modular controller that Tivital launched last week.

Key word being “would.” After all, it is not really possible for Tivitas Sinister to have inspired the new King's Assembly, because the latter has been in the works for a long time already.

It isn't any less mind-blowing though. Well, it's not really all that modular, but it does use a different approach than the Sinister.

Instead of allowing you to choose which parts to put together, the King's Assembly is made of two parts, one for each hand.

Both have five keys, 2-axis analog joysticks (one each), and a contoured palm rest that will let you move the device around without having to use your fingers.

Cherry ML mechanical keyboard switches are used for the keys, and there's an Atmel AT90USB128 chip on each of the devices, which can store key maps and the like (up to 139).

Speaking of integrated circuits, a Pixart 9800 optical laser sensor is built into each unit, allowing both devices to control the same cursor on the screen.

Furthermore, the thumb joysticks can play the role of both standard analog joystick and vertical/horizontal mouse scroll wheel.

Not only that, but you can press a whole bunch of keys at the same time without the King's Assembly or system choking on too many signals.

Finally, teflon pads are built into the bottom of the device's two halves, allowing them to easily glide on the desk or table that your monitor is placed on.

The King's Assembly uses USB technology to connect to computers, so it doesn't have a battery. It also has a custom-built interconnect featuring a 4-wire cable and standard 2.5 mm plugs (lets the two devices act as a single peripheral as far as the PC OS is concerned).

Currently, the King's Assembly is still just a Kickstarter project, in need of a pledge of at least $200 / €146. If the $250K/ €183K funding goal is reached, a wireless version will be made.