The PC version was called the SpaceOrb 360. I had one, and it worked really well with a handful of games, including Descent and Quake 2. It also had configurable sensitivity on those platforms which mitigated the problems mentioned on the PS1 version. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceOrb_360
I was going to say the same. I had a test unit straight from the manufacturer. It was during that period of weird controller innovation in the late 90's. The only game that it ever was less than annoying with was Descent. The overall design was different for the original PC version. It did not have that more modern Batarang shape. It was just a single grip with a Ball on it. It was actually much better laid out then the one you have there.
LGR reviewed the PC model its based on the Spaceball input device used on SGI workstations for 3d modeling. The game controllers came out when the company was going under as the PC model required a Modem serial port and emilated the game port for joystick compatability as the mouse licenced models used Com and worked as a second mouse.
+Rerez I think the reason it is called the 360 is it is based upon the spaceorb 360. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceOrb_360 that is the computer version you spoke of.
The 3DS circle pad is better than any analog stick. It doesn't come out of the controller much, it offers resistance to movement for more precise control, and it feels really good using it.
I once played an FPS with this controller, or one very similar to it, on a computer on display in a PC store. I immediately clued in on how to use the ball, and it made the game a breeze and a joy. You can rock it like a joystick, slide it around like a mouse or trackpad, twist it like a paddle, and lift and lower it like a plunger, covering all axes. It may sound daunting, but anyone would catch on quickly. Its light touch, short throw, and rubber coating makes precise movements easy and greatly lessens hand fatigue. If I owned one, it would be the one controller you'd have to pry from my cold, dead hands before I'd give it up. It's a gem of an FPS joypad.
2:27 - Sorry to bother you, that funky cover of O Come All Ye Faithful in the back is really fun, who made it? : ) Honestly, I really love all the music in this episode, I'd love to know where it came from.
There's a non-controller variant. It was originally intended for silicon graphics machines, was sold under big names like hp, and was even supposedly used by NASA at one point.
The quality of the show is really well done, both in terms of video and audio. Your voice is very pleasant to listen to. In my opinion you sound like the narrator from the show Arrested Development, which is really great. Glad I found the channel +Newsubscriberino
The PC version is called the Space Orb, and it had a really steep learning curve, but for its time, if you got used to it, it was the awesome for its time. It also had sensitivity adjustments which makes it easier to use at lower skill levels. They're hard to find these days, but if you can find one, modern computers cannot use them without a special adapter called the "OrbShield". I think there might be another adapter called the "Orbduino" but I'm not certain.
It's not just the sensitivity, the controller hardly has any give to it. Very stiff and the texture on the orb is too smooth so you never feel like you have a grip on it anyways. Another reason why this failed is the orb position. Imagine the orb is a head, you'd think the face would be in the direction of the lead, it's not, it's at the bottom of the controller, meaning you push down on it to go forward and pull up to go back. It angers me because it has so much potential and yet it's wasted because of the bad heuristics.
Great concept but failed execution. However, this thing has an impressive premise and potential. I can see it used for a lot of things, even for those with physical disabilities. Just needs that refinement, and maybe even a seconds sphere.
Damnit man you have really dug up something niche and obscure as hell...and I NEED it! Nearly every google search result just reflects me back to this one video.
The PC version was called the SpaceOrb360 and it came with a full copy of Forsaken PC. It also has support (via a utility) for Quake and Quake 2. It could be made to work like a combined mouse+joystick, so it actually had quite a lot of support. It even worked in DOS. I still have mine, I'm going to try and set it up on a Windows 98 desktop tonight.
Great video as always, your video's are always high quality, which is pretty impressive when your computer is being crap at the moment. Also if I may suggest an OS that doesn't blow, Linux Mint 15 or Ubuntu 13.04.
From a design standpoint, the ball should have really been mounted further inside the controller, as its clear you have to alternate from standard dual grip and using your right hand on the ball. That change alone might have made this catch on more.
The navicon was a special racing controller from Namco for it Ridge Racer series. It has amazing control for it time but was only made for Ridger Racer (to my knowledge).
I have one called the Spaceball by connexion but it was made primarily for CAD , you used the ball to spin your model while drawing it. After alot of practice it was still easier to use a mouse.
question is. its better then analog sticks once you get good with it? i was tring overload [descent4] with gamepad and precision sucks [its comfortable] k+m is much better but less comfortable [ side mouse butons are for moving up and down] with better mouse.
Unfortunately it takes a lot of effort to make it work on Windows 7, but there is a way. Using a circuit board called the Orb Shield and a kit called the Arduino (if you do a Google search for "spaceorb360" and look for a blog post called "The Best Controller for FPS - A SpaceTec SpaceOrb 360 Controller ..." it covers everything) you can bring this amazing controller back to life :)
You can probably hook it up to your computer using a PS2 to Xbox 360 adapter. Obvs it would still work for a PS1 controller since it effectively is a PS controller port to a USB connection.
There's a similar PC controller called "SpaceOrb360" that I actually own. Ascii sphere 360 uses the same sensor and seems to be a little newer than SpaceOrb.
I've seen this for PC also, and it worked much better on that, with apparently mods/plug in for using it on modern PCs and games. Regardless, it was an interesting device and great for Descent, since it was made for that.
Yes, for the PC it's called a SpaceOrb 360. It can be used on modern PCs, but requires a small Arduino to convert the serial connector to USB. The SpaceOrb 360 is quite good. It also preceded this controller I believe.
I actually got one of these second hand at a carbootsale... Never did figure out what to do with it! Now it's just another interesting item in my weird Psone controller collection. Never did find the psone sandle controller but I do still have the motionsening glove. :)
I remember that thing, and I remember really wanting one. I also remember Forsaken. It was decent on the Playstation, but it was way better on the PC with a Voodoo3!
The pc version was called a spaceorb 360 and you bought it in a package with a game called Descent as I recall... it was a pretty awesome controller well suited to the game. I got pretty good with the orb 360 and half life, but you would never beat a competent moue and keyboard player!
afterburner94 I vaguely rememeber that the euro version of AC3 depicted compatibility with the ascii controler so it's very likely it was released there
The PC version was called the SpaceOrb 360. I had one, and it worked really well with a handful of games, including Descent and Quake 2. It also had configurable sensitivity on those platforms which mitigated the problems mentioned on the PS1 version.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceOrb_360
I was going to say the same. I had a test unit straight from the manufacturer. It was during that period of weird controller innovation in the late 90's. The only game that it ever was less than annoying with was Descent. The overall design was different for the original PC version. It did not have that more modern Batarang shape. It was just a single grip with a Ball on it. It was actually much better laid out then the one you have there.
LGR reviewed the PC model its based on the Spaceball input device used on SGI workstations for 3d modeling. The game controllers came out when the company was going under as the PC model required a Modem serial port and emilated the game port for joystick compatability as the mouse licenced models used Com and worked as a second mouse.
"The ball will know just how hard you are using it."
-Rerez
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH OMG THAT KILLED ME!! IM LAUGHING SO HARD!!!
lol
Gross.
"I don't know how distinguish fish."
-Tal Fishman
@@i.7rodriguez884 smells like sarcasm
this looks like something a speedrunner would use to pull off a really specific trick.
Glacier Nester what trick?
A lot of console game speedrunning leaderboards require standard 1st party controllers
@Aaron Bowersone of the retro tech channels had this thing and it barely worked.
Just found this at a Goodwill for $2 and than I watched this awesome video on what it was thank you brother.
Good call chief
damn xD i bought mine with box and all with training disc, not in sealed condition though for 10 dollars
"Will Microsoft finally make an operating system that doesn't suck the big one."
Hilarious.
shut up kid
totalgames2000 says a kid.
Nope.... currently disillusioned with Windows 10....
My iPads is amused, as am i
6 years ago
That mouse Nagy, was the Logitech MX 518 Optical Gaming Mouse.
***** The best work and gaming mouse to have ever been created! All Hail the mighty MX518!
***** Hey do you think it would Work on AREA 51 Arcade Playstation game? Please let me know or please test drive it?
+Rerez I think the reason it is called the 360 is it is based upon the spaceorb 360. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SpaceOrb_360 that is the computer version you spoke of.
The 3DS circle pad is better than any analog stick. It doesn't come out of the controller much, it offers resistance to movement for more precise control, and it feels really good using it.
+The Glitchy Gamer (AwesomAlec) the 3ds analog stick is not the best at all
A PlayStation product had "360" in the name? Trippy...
PLAYBOX U 720 CONFIRMEDED!!!
+.The Randomizers. i want the PLAYBOX U 720 more than ever, as it would justifiy the creation of the greatest game ever...of all time.
what game?
+.The Randomizers. my ultimate game...faith: blood phantoms. you will learn more about it when it is announced
ok cool
It's spherical. SPHERICAL!
@Mario Mario yes
I once played an FPS with this controller, or one very similar to it, on a computer on display in a PC store. I immediately clued in on how to use the ball, and it made the game a breeze and a joy.
You can rock it like a joystick, slide it around like a mouse or trackpad, twist it like a paddle, and lift and lower it like a plunger, covering all axes. It may sound daunting, but anyone would catch on quickly. Its light touch, short throw, and rubber coating makes precise movements easy and greatly lessens hand fatigue.
If I owned one, it would be the one controller you'd have to pry from my cold, dead hands before I'd give it up. It's a gem of an FPS joypad.
this channel deserves far more subscribers
2:27 - Sorry to bother you, that funky cover of O Come All Ye Faithful in the back is really fun, who made it? : ) Honestly, I really love all the music in this episode, I'd love to know where it came from.
O come let us adore him? Shane, you got caught using a Christmas Carol in a July release! Haha!
Haha, yup! Didn't even notice it when I used it!
*****
It's Christmas in July!
Joe Wall i couldn't focus on what he was saying that was all I could hear
There's a non-controller variant. It was originally intended for silicon graphics machines, was sold under big names like hp, and was even supposedly used by NASA at one point.
Christmas music in July?! Also, enjoyed the video, I'm surprised that ball is useful at all!
this concept should be explored again.
The quality of the show is really well done, both in terms of video and audio. Your voice is very pleasant to listen to. In my opinion you sound like the narrator from the show Arrested Development, which is really great. Glad I found the channel +Newsubscriberino
Tube City Haha, I've never heard anyone compare me to Ron Howard before! Thanks! :D
How random lol
Tube City still good in 2019
Love your Kramer painting in the background, I loved that episode of seinfeld :P
1:59 "You can push it, pull it, and even twist it" and I said to myself "Bop-it!"
S P I N I T
Good design solution at 3:00. Gaussian saves the day.
How are you so famous with 31 videos? YOU HAX! :P
The PC version is called the Space Orb, and it had a really steep learning curve, but for its time, if you got used to it, it was the awesome for its time. It also had sensitivity adjustments which makes it easier to use at lower skill levels. They're hard to find these days, but if you can find one, modern computers cannot use them without a special adapter called the "OrbShield". I think there might be another adapter called the "Orbduino" but I'm not certain.
I like the Jazzy Christmas song playing in the background of the video posted in July.
I would like to see a modernized take on this controller. Looks good for games that require precision.
Looks like ass to me
Am I the only one who noticed the jazzed-up version of oh come let us adore him? Also this was posted in July so Christmas in July anyone? LOL
It's not just the sensitivity, the controller hardly has any give to it. Very stiff and the texture on the orb is too smooth so you never feel like you have a grip on it anyways. Another reason why this failed is the orb position. Imagine the orb is a head, you'd think the face would be in the direction of the lead, it's not, it's at the bottom of the controller, meaning you push down on it to go forward and pull up to go back.
It angers me because it has so much potential and yet it's wasted because of the bad heuristics.
Great concept but failed execution. However, this thing has an impressive premise and potential. I can see it used for a lot of things, even for those with physical disabilities. Just needs that refinement, and maybe even a seconds sphere.
Anyone else notice the Christmas music in the background?
Yes it was The First Noel
Oh come let us adore him! Jazzy christmas music ftw!
These vids are great! Well edited and well executed. You should have way more views! I'm subscribed
that was one of the more creative intros ive seen so far
I hope this intro didn't go under appreciated, I think it's hilarious and unique!
Why is there a jazz version of "O Come, All Ye Faithful" in the background?
I really enjoy your narrations
Thanks!
Damnit man you have really dug up something niche and obscure as hell...and I NEED it! Nearly every google search result just reflects me back to this one video.
Now you know how I felt when trying to do research on the thing! Haha! :D
There is still one on amazon for like 30 bucks but how much would you be willing to sell it for?
That price is pretty good. I bought mine for about as much. :)
Currently binge watching your videos, you have a great channel. One of my favorites by far
is that o come let us adore him playing in this video?
What's with the jazzy Christmas song?
Christmas music throughout? Or is that song also used for something not Christmas?
Tyler Joseph Schommer It doesnt sound christmasey to me. It sounds mor orchestral
I figured it out: it's "Oh Come All Ye Faithful", which is a Christmas song, but the tune might be used for another song as well.
Anyone else notice the Christmas music...?
The PC version was called the SpaceOrb360 and it came with a full copy of Forsaken PC. It also has support (via a utility) for Quake and Quake 2. It could be made to work like a combined mouse+joystick, so it actually had quite a lot of support. It even worked in DOS. I still have mine, I'm going to try and set it up on a Windows 98 desktop tonight.
You know, I forgot why I subscribed to you. After watching this I know why I'll continue to be subscribed. Keep up the great work! :D
This video was uploaded in July... what is it with the christmass song?
I can't believe this... is that a weird version of "Venite adoremus" as the background music!? *LOL!!!!*
Yup, I didn't pay close enough attention to the song when I was editing the video. :P
Awkward and glorious choice there xD
Kinda sounded like a jazzy version of "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" there. Weird :/
Robbie Coyne Lol so glad I wasn't the only one to notice this. :P You've got a criminally underwatched channel, here, Rerez, muchos kudos. :)
noob
Was that Christmas music playing in the background at one point? 😂
+Ethan Brough Yes. I thought to myself "Boy! This song sounds good!" put it in the episode and didn't get it a second thought. *DURP*
+Rerez I see! Well it went well with it! 😂
I am actually surprised that you didn't make an Oddware video on it.
You ARE the king of weird.
Great video as always, your video's are always high quality, which is pretty impressive when your computer is being crap at the moment.
Also if I may suggest an OS that doesn't blow, Linux Mint 15 or Ubuntu 13.04.
What's up with the music? It was a Christmas tune!
Yup, honestly I just thought it sounded good at the time. Didn't notice until after the video went up. Oh well! :D
***** Just in time for the Holidays.
dat kramer picture frame tho XD
lmao Christmas music
From a design standpoint, the ball should have really been mounted further inside the controller, as its clear you have to alternate from standard dual grip and using your right hand on the ball.
That change alone might have made this catch on more.
I love the framed picture of Kramer in the background XD
4:26 Haha, the Kramer. xD
Kramer shows up in tons of episodes. I've never counted how many times it shows up to be honest. :)
*****
Oh okay haha. Your vids are still pretty new to me, as I've discovered them recently. :P
BOP IT! PULL IT! TWIST IT! etc
madcapoperator LICK IT!
noob kid
Fap it
The navicon was a special racing controller from Namco for it Ridge Racer series. It has amazing control for it time but was only made for Ridger Racer (to my knowledge).
What OS were you using at the time that you made this? Windows XP and 7 are pretty darn good.
I see you liked my comment, but really? Which OS are you using? and in another video it looked like you had a mac email
...is that christmas music? ...in a video from July? ...WTF?!
My eyes went right to the Kramer picture. I want one of those for my house lol
I have one called the Spaceball by connexion but it was made primarily for CAD , you used the ball to spin your model while drawing it. After alot of practice it was still easier to use a mouse.
question is. its better then analog sticks once you get good with it?
i was tring overload [descent4] with gamepad and precision sucks [its comfortable]
k+m is much better but less comfortable [ side mouse butons are for moving up and down] with better mouse.
I keep on hearing Christmas music XD
Unfortunately it takes a lot of effort to make it work on Windows 7, but there is a way. Using a circuit board called the Orb Shield and a kit called the Arduino (if you do a Google search for "spaceorb360" and look for a blog post called "The Best Controller for FPS - A SpaceTec SpaceOrb 360 Controller ..." it covers everything) you can bring this amazing controller back to life :)
Thanks to the intro, I almost thought I had opened the wrong video
I remember seeing these in magazines and video game stores back in the day. I always thought the ball was a microphone.
At around 5:12 that music sorta sounds like music from an Oceans (11, 12, 13) movie.
Anybody hear the Christmas music in the background during gameplay(Oh come let us ador him)
You can probably hook it up to your computer using a PS2 to Xbox 360 adapter. Obvs it would still work for a PS1 controller since it effectively is a PS controller port to a USB connection.
what's that closing song?!
How did you do that SNES transition on the intro? (What program did you use and what's the name of the transition)
There's a similar PC controller called "SpaceOrb360" that I actually own. Ascii sphere 360 uses the same sensor and seems to be a little newer than SpaceOrb.
Push it, pull it, twist it, bop it.
using that sphere with your right hand looks like itd be way to strange feeling lol
gotta love that intro.
I've seen this for PC also, and it worked much better on that, with apparently mods/plug in for using it on modern PCs and games. Regardless, it was an interesting device and great for Descent, since it was made for that.
Well the PC probably let's you change the sensitivity so obviously that makes all the difference.
Yes, for the PC it's called a SpaceOrb 360. It can be used on modern PCs, but requires a small Arduino to convert the serial connector to USB. The SpaceOrb 360 is quite good. It also preceded this controller I believe.
I just liked it for the PAD and button layout
Your painting is awesome.
WOW!
RIP to your computer!
But that IS a strange and interesting controller!
oh god that thing
I remember seeing that thing in the shops when it was actually a relevant product.
I actually got one of these second hand at a carbootsale... Never did figure out what to do with it! Now it's just another interesting item in my weird Psone controller collection. Never did find the psone sandle controller but I do still have the motionsening glove. :)
what happened to Rerez? he was so chill. now he just shows no mercy
I think it's because Microsoft still hasn't made the operating system he's looking for.
The ending pic of the controller looked like Pac-Man with a Brain Tumor. lol
Why Christmas 🎄 music? Lol
alright, with that intro ya got me. here's my sub.
Ganesha was a free pet for ghostbusters
wow that thing looks weird, seems like an awesome experience to play tough.
I remember that thing, and I remember really wanting one. I also remember Forsaken. It was decent on the Playstation, but it was way better on the PC with a Voodoo3!
Overly sensitive balls.
You can twist them in any direction, but the slightest movement will disorient you while playing.
noob
Good intro dude!
It's like a normal controller growing a tumor.
And the DPAD is the XBOX's DPAD but looks like the genisis genisis mega drives
What may be the song at the end, I have heard it from the Black Dynamite movie :)
Wow, this video is 5 years old.
I found this stored away, and I'm going to try and play games with it now.
The pc version was called a spaceorb 360 and you bought it in a package with a game called Descent as I recall... it was a pretty awesome controller well suited to the game.
I got pretty good with the orb 360 and half life, but you would never beat a competent moue and keyboard player!
RIP Ascii Ware
they made some really interesting controllers and gaming peripherals!!! during the ps1 era
Push it, pull it, twist it, bop it
YOU HAVE THE COSMO KRAMER PAINTING! XD
Indeed I do. :)
Where did you get it?
A friend of mine bought it for me as a gift years ago. :)
Oh... Well, then! Guess I'll go ask Google. By the way, your videos are pretty cool.
Thank you very much! :)
What mouse do you have?
I've heard people say that they liked the PC versions of this sort of controller. I think it was useful for FPS games.
So, how did you get this review out if your PC failed?
Wow, Such a discovery! Never heard of that controller before...I doubt it got ever relased in Europe, let alone France.
afterburner94 I vaguely rememeber that the euro version of AC3 depicted compatibility with the ascii controler so it's very likely it was released there
Is that Dexter Morrington doing the opening narration? He sounds familiar...
Grabbed one of these to see if the ball is interchangable.
Big band version of Adeste Fidelis? hilarious!
The PlayStation Ascii Sphere 360: The controller with a tumor.
I used to play Descent with the Spacenavigator on my old computer.