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This thesis presents the concept and research on gamepad and it’s relationship to human hand ergonomics, through the support of established research documentations on gamepad evolution and ergonomics. Three experimentations were performed to observe and evaluate key influences for expert gamers'' interactions with gamepads. To begin with, the expert gamers'' performance is evaluated through observing gamers using gamepads with different control buttons. Experimental result shows that there is a positive correlation between the placement of control buttons and the distribution of human fingers. The control buttons on a gamepad allocates the responsibility each finger takes while gaming. With slight adjustments of button placements, the responsible area for each finger is better balanced, thus resulted in an improvement in key performances for expert players. Furthermore, the comfort and satisfaction of gamepad is observed by documenting different expert gamers’ postures while gaming. The observation shows that the three most commonly used postures for holding gamepads causes disposition for Radioulnar joint. Therefore, prolonged usage of gamepad may cause serious sport injuries. This observation also showed that the form of traditional gamepad do not fulfill current gamepad usage for expert players. To improve, a dual-bar gamepad was introduced to expert gamers for a play test. A dominant number of expert gamers commented positive feedback, favoring the dual-bar gamepad alteration. The feedback questionnaire proves that alteration to the traditional gamepad to be efficient and affirmative. Lastly, physical prototypes of gamepad handles were created to examine the best angle for ergonomically correct and confortable hand-held gestures while gaming. After comparing, the 15-degree handle seems to demonstrate best control, best stability for grip and best comfort out of all variations provided. In conclusion of the three experimentations stated, a final design is provided as an improvement for current gamepads on market, with the goal of efficiently achieving higher quality and elevating user experience while gaming.
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