Yet Another Mobile Game Controller
Joining the ranks of many other mobile game controllers, which have followed in the success of the iControlPad, the Evolution Controllers Arduino based DRONE™ controller has crept up on us along with an accompanying KickStarer project aiming to secure the $60,000 needed for injection moulds, manufacture and testing.
It is, by far, the prettiest such controller I’ve seen yet, but it looks like they may have a tough battle with the iCade Mobile, SteelSeries ION and Gametel also seeking a chunk of this market. They’ve got Aces up their sleeves, though, as the DRONE™ is the first “Open Source” controller of its ilk; based upon the Arduino platform. This means that it’ll come functional out of the box, but will be programmable by those who are familiar with the Arduino platform to do whatever it is they like; emulating the iCade, for example, should be a cakewalk and thus this controller can change and evolve to include compatibility for any device you might want to use it with. I see its open nature making it a great compliment to the Raspberry Pi, which will almost certainly gain a spate of classic console emulators and perhaps even native games.
To secure your own DRONE™ you’ll have to pledge $50 or more to their KickStarter project, the estimated retail value of the controller is over $75 which would seem to fall around the price of the iControlPad. The slightly wealthier gamer can opt to drop $3,500 and will receive a 24 Karat Gold leaf controller.