UniTHOR - a new joystick is coming up

Ijon_Tichy · 24 December 2021, 02:43

Hi folks,

We've developed a new joystick for retro computers - with a solidly performing and tested prototype, we're ready to present it to the world.

In a nutshell:
1. It's not available for sale yet - we have 20+ 3D-printed prototypes.
2. It will come in two versions - with DB9 and USB connector.
3. Nicely clicking, durable microswitches.
4. There will be two variants - Basic (coming first) and Assembler (custom model).
5. We'll be launching a Kickstarter campaign - aiming late February 2022.
6. Price hasn't been set yet. If we were to sell today, it would prolly be 60 EUR per piece, but you know how things are these days (inflation, supply chain bottlenecks...)

More info can be found on our website (it may still have a few navigation glitches that we'll iron out asap - we're more into joysticks than websites ;-).

Meanwhile, you're welcome to have a look at the first promo vid, freshly posted on YT.

[ Show youtube player ]

Solo Kazuki · 04 January 2022, 12:29

Just mentioning that more details about special version of UniThor with three independent buttons, which was mentioned in this poll should appear here.

PixelsAtDawn · 05 January 2022, 16:04

Nice to see some joystick variety since pretty much everything other than the Competition Pro remake are arcade-style sticks, which isn't what I used back in the day. There's some real quality stuff out there these days, exciting!

DisasterIncarna · 05 January 2022, 17:45

looking good.

mr_magnell · 05 January 2022, 18:51

The base button should be in the front of the joystick!

Then it would be a buy from me

AC/DC HACKER! · 11 January 2022, 05:50

A "Santa"..?? Yuletide with a perverted American Santa (from original German tradition)?? Hmm.. Anyway, I still adore the Atari 2600 Joystick, so I was excited to see it - maybe a Cool Atari update of sorts? Sorry, but I don't use "hand grasping the controller". I find those to be very challenging to play with. I find it much easier to have my right thumb atop of the Atari stick, and fingers below meeting left hand, and left thumb on the fire button.

For those that dig this kind of design, I'm sure you'll really dig it. I'm glad people are still attempting great ideas.

Mixel · 11 January 2022, 08:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ijon_Tichy

Hi folks,

We've developed a new joystick for retro computers - with a solidly performing and tested prototype, we're ready to present it to the world

This looks amazing! The base.. Not sure i think that looks comfortable? But I'm sure you've tested so i guess it must be.

Really dig the colour choices.. This sort of design used to be my favourites a lot of the time in the past, I dunno if i'll get on with them now, all my old quickshots eventually broke, I think.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AC/DC HACKER!

A "Santa"..?? Yuletide with a perverted American Santa (from original German tradition)?? Hmm..

Guy talking about the law of attraction and the Anunnaki in his bio has something to say about perverting tradition!

Ijon_Tichy · 15 January 2022, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mixel

This looks amazing! The base.. Not sure i think that looks comfortable? But I'm sure you've tested so i guess it must be.

Really dig the colour choices.. This sort of design used to be my favourites a lot of the time in the past, I dunno if i'll get on with them now, all my old quickshots eventually broke, I think.

We've already learned that people have so different gaming styles that they're all but mutually exclusive in terms of joystick design.

We're working on placing the third button in the base.

Meanwhile a follow-up to the original news - a YouTube video showcasing Assembler version of UNITHOR joystick in action:
[ Show youtube player ]

Hope you find it interesting.

Romanujan · 15 January 2022, 20:01

The link is broken.

Ijon_Tichy · 15 January 2022, 20:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romanujan

The link is broken.

Hmm how come? I tried it before posting and it works for me now. Try copy-pasting this:

youtube.com/watch?v=tMi6I377e9E

kriz · 15 January 2022, 21:07

Link works fine here.. Is a really cool feature, hope this will be some standard that several games will support !!

Kefir · 16 January 2022, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ijon_Tichy

[ Show youtube player ]

The controll is very easy by setting the appropriate pins 5 or 9, using one MOVE instruction to write POTGO register ($dff034). When the high state of the pin 5 is present the leds are ON. However, it requires a customization of an game source code.

Ijon_Tichy · 04 March 2022, 20:03

Hi folks, a small update on the development. While rubber pads actually do their job, in response to the feedback we've modified its base so that it's optionally possible to install classic suction cups. The cups will be available for the Assembler (customizable) version of the device (or a separate DIY kit for either version originally equipped with the pads).

And just like in the old days, window pane tests have been performed as well.

Ijon_Tichy · 12 April 2022, 20:36

In line with the wider plans, we're also venturing into the realm of more contemporary gaming:

[ Show youtube player ]

By the way, I wish there was an Amiga port! After all, they did a C64 version.

BlaCkAdDa · 18 April 2022, 01:23

looks sweet, has anyone done a tac-2 replica, that was my go to joystick on amiga. These pistol grip one's were ok for driving / space games but not for beat'em ups, platformers and speedball etc.

Ijon_Tichy · 15 June 2022, 09:37

Hey people! UNITHOR has passed a major checkpoint - our Kickstarter prelaunch page is already in place. Actual campaign start date will be announced very soon - please help us make this project happen! If you're interested, sign up and follow the project - the launch date largely depends on that counter.

There's going to be a discount for first-day backers, so it may be a good idea to be well informed when the project kicks off.

And here's the [ Show youtube player ].

blade002 · 24 June 2022, 16:09

I've backed it, I'm the guy who said I'll have some explaining to my wife to do

your meat tenderiser Unithor video response was priceless

kriz · 25 June 2022, 10:11

Wow looks like a lot is backing this !

Ijon_Tichy · 25 June 2022, 10:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by blade002

I've backed it, I'm the guy who said I'll have some explaining to my wife to do

your meat tenderiser Unithor video response was priceless

Haha, hope you can find an excuse - if not, you can put the blame on us.

But more seriously, I'd like to thank you for your support.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kriz

Wow looks like a lot is backing this !

True, but still the progress bar has quite a lot of blank space to conquer. Also, let's not forget certain add-ons will get activated beyond the default funding goal.

lyzanxia · 11 July 2022, 11:12

Looks great, having a look to back it too..

24 December 2021, 02:43	#1
Ijon_Tichy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Poland Posts: 12	UniTHOR - a new joystick is coming up Hi folks, We've developed a new joystick for retro computers - with a solidly performing and tested prototype, we're ready to present it to the world. In a nutshell: 1. It's not available for sale yet - we have 20+ 3D-printed prototypes. 2. It will come in two versions - with DB9 and USB connector. 3. Nicely clicking, durable microswitches. 4. There will be two variants - Basic (coming first) and Assembler (custom model). 5. We'll be launching a Kickstarter campaign - aiming late February 2022. 6. Price hasn't been set yet. If we were to sell today, it would prolly be 60 EUR per piece, but you know how things are these days (inflation, supply chain bottlenecks...) More info can be found on our website (it may still have a few navigation glitches that we'll iron out asap - we're more into joysticks than websites ;-). Meanwhile, you're welcome to have a look at the first promo vid, freshly posted on YT. [ Show youtube player ] Last edited by Ijon_Tichy; 24 December 2021 at 17:42. Reason: Syntax error :)

04 March 2022, 20:03	#13
Ijon_Tichy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Poland Posts: 12	Hi folks, a small update on the development. While rubber pads actually do their job, in response to the feedback we've modified its base so that it's optionally possible to install classic suction cups. The cups will be available for the Assembler (customizable) version of the device (or a separate DIY kit for either version originally equipped with the pads). And just like in the old days, window pane tests have been performed as well. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Ijon_Tichy; 12 April 2022 at 20:10.

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04 January 2022, 12:29	#2
Solo Kazuki Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Poland Posts: 1,301	Just mentioning that more details about special version of UniThor with three independent buttons, which was mentioned in this poll should appear here.

05 January 2022, 16:04	#3
PixelsAtDawn Amiga Addict Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire/UK Age: 42 Posts: 253	Nice to see some joystick variety since pretty much everything other than the Competition Pro remake are arcade-style sticks, which isn't what I used back in the day. There's some real quality stuff out there these days, exciting!

05 January 2022, 17:45	#4
DisasterIncarna Registered User Join Date: Oct 2021 Location: England Posts: 1,171	looking good.

05 January 2022, 18:51	#5
mr_magnell Registered User Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Sweden Posts: 35	The base button should be in the front of the joystick! Then it would be a buy from me

11 January 2022, 05:50	#6
AC/DC HACKER! Registered User Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Earth Posts: 883	A "Santa"..?? Yuletide with a perverted American Santa (from original German tradition)?? Hmm.. Anyway, I still adore the Atari 2600 Joystick, so I was excited to see it - maybe a Cool Atari update of sorts? Sorry, but I don't use "hand grasping the controller". I find those to be very challenging to play with. I find it much easier to have my right thumb atop of the Atari stick, and fingers below meeting left hand, and left thumb on the fire button. For those that dig this kind of design, I'm sure you'll really dig it. I'm glad people are still attempting great ideas.

15 January 2022, 20:01	#9
Romanujan Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Szczecin/Poland Posts: 424	The link is broken.

15 January 2022, 21:07	#11
kriz Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: No(R)Way Age: 41 Posts: 3,185	Link works fine here.. Is a really cool feature, hope this will be some standard that several games will support !!

12 April 2022, 20:36	#14
Ijon_Tichy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Poland Posts: 12	In line with the wider plans, we're also venturing into the realm of more contemporary gaming: [ Show youtube player ] By the way, I wish there was an Amiga port! After all, they did a C64 version.

18 April 2022, 01:23	#15
BlaCkAdDa Zone Friend Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Adelaide / Australia Age: 47 Posts: 214	looks sweet, has anyone done a tac-2 replica, that was my go to joystick on amiga. These pistol grip one's were ok for driving / space games but not for beat'em ups, platformers and speedball etc.

15 June 2022, 09:37	#16
Ijon_Tichy Registered User Join Date: Dec 2021 Location: Poland Posts: 12	Hey people! UNITHOR has passed a major checkpoint - our Kickstarter prelaunch page is already in place. Actual campaign start date will be announced very soon - please help us make this project happen! If you're interested, sign up and follow the project - the launch date largely depends on that counter. There's going to be a discount for first-day backers, so it may be a good idea to be well informed when the project kicks off. And here's the [ Show youtube player ].

24 June 2022, 16:09	#17
blade002 Zone Friend Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Australia Age: 50 Posts: 2,616	I've backed it, I'm the guy who said I'll have some explaining to my wife to do your meat tenderiser Unithor video response was priceless

25 June 2022, 10:11	#18
kriz Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: No(R)Way Age: 41 Posts: 3,185	Wow looks like a lot is backing this !

11 July 2022, 11:12	#20
lyzanxia Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 54	Looks great, having a look to back it too..

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