Please save my right thumb!

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buziii

buziii

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buziii
For you X-mashing controller users...what ideas have you come up with to prevent excessive right thumb damage? Mine keeps cracking above the nail!

  • Band aids too bulky
  • Liquid bandage too messy and doesn't last
  • Changing throttle control not an option
  • Playing less GT5 not an option
 
i do sometimes get an arthritis-like feeling in my right thumb after too much GT5. I tend to do some oval track racing using my right index finger on the x button for a while when it happens. rest thumb, make money.
 
Just put down the controller and walk away... Physical injury is not worth a video game.

But if you are really that much into it, then get yourself a wheel.
 
A little difficult to explain, but here goes:

I hold my thumb, so it covers both the square and the X, in that way I can hit the brakes, without moving my finger, just a small tilt is nescesarry. This resulting in, it's the first knockle on my thumb, that is pressing down on X.

I hope this will help you in playnig full time, without injuries.
 
Or you can switch the brake and gas to the L2 & R2 triggers and save yourself the pain. 💡


EDIT: Ninja'd!
 
I used to race with the X and O buttons and I was running into the same type of repetitive stress fatigue on my right thumb... =(

My suggestion is to learn to use the Right Analog stick on the DS3 to race. Up to accelerate and down to brake. You can adjust how strong the throttle and brakes are applied too.

With practice you will probably pull better lap times where precision counts more than speed, like the GT Academy online challenge with the analog stick vs the buttons.
 
buziii
chadwick
Or you can switch the brake and gas to the L2 & R2 triggers and save yourself the pain. 💡
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I've thought about trying this and moving the gear-shifting to square and X, but I'm too set in my ways, and it feels awkward.
Click to expand...
It's a lot easier, trust me. Back with the old versions, I'd use the X and Square as my throttle/brake. You get use to it once you switch. Plus it's easier to tap the e-brake if you need a little correction.

Just go into the Practice mode and try it out for 5-10 laps.
 
As has already been stated, L2 and R2 not only allow much more control, but also feel more natural. I'd also recommend using manual gears with the right analogue stick up/down to change them.
You've got yourself some pedals and a sequential gearbox, all from the comfort of a conventional DS3 controller! It adds so much more driving pleasure and stuff... highly recommended.
 
PedanticNerd
As has already been stated, L2 and R2 not only allow much more control, but also feel more natural. I'd also recommend using manual gears with the right analogue stick up/down to change them.
You've got yourself some pedals and a sequential gearbox, all from the comfort of a conventional DS3 controller! It adds so much more driving pleasure and stuff... highly recommended.
Click to expand...

The L2 and R2 for the manual gearshift has always been awkward for me. I may try this setup for my a-spec sometime when I decide to use manual. Thx for the suggestion... :)
 
Somebody did a controller poll not too long ago. The most popular option was the left analog stick for steering and the L2/R2 triggers for throttle. The poll didn't get into manual shifting though.

I guess the primary options are right analog stick or square/X. I may give both a try in practice to see which one feels best.
 
Change can be a good thing, I'll also add my vote for switching throttle/brake to R2/L2. With the exception of a wheel, the best solution IMHO.
 
try pushing the button further down your thumb instead of using the tip. I push on it near the joint in my thumb.
 
L2 brake, R2 gas, [] ShiftDown, X ShiftUp, O E-Brake

That is the best option for the DS3 regardless of opinion
 
rileyra
L2 brake, R2 gas, [] ShiftDown, X ShiftUp, O E-Brake

That is the best option for the DS3 regardless of opinion
Click to expand...

I use the right stick to shift up and down, X for the RA menu and square for the headlights (in other words, pretty much unused). I think that's the best simply because the right stick is easier to flick quickly, and if your thumb hurts already it's much easier as you just have to knock the stick the slightest bit, otherwise you have to press a button... Also when I hold the controller my thumbs are naturally on the sticks.

Oh and it's kind of like a sequential shifter, which is great. Yeah.
 
neema_t
I use the right stick to shift up and down, X for the RA menu and square for the headlights (in other words, pretty much unused). I think that's the best simply because the right stick is easier to flick quickly, and if your thumb hurts already it's much easier as you just have to knock the stick the slightest bit, otherwise you have to press a button... Also when I hold the controller my thumbs are naturally on the sticks.

Oh and it's kind of like a sequential shifter, which is great. Yeah.
Click to expand...

Takes more movement to do that as opposed to resting your thumb on x and pushing the buttons, the square,x,o is the quickest hit option. That and I feel that you can be more precise with the R2 throttle control because you're able to grip the controller as opposed to resting your thumb on the stick which extends your fingers even further... At least for me this is the case but I don't have giant hands either
 
I have the same problem (although not quite as severe) with my left thumb; I've set R2 and L2 to throttle and brake and use the right-stick for shifting, but steering with the analogue stick feels bulky and unresponsive to me. If only there was a way to up the sensitivity...
 
I'm of the opinion that if you are playing with a DS3 and you use anything other than L2/R2 or an analog stick (even that is still a little strange) as your accelerator/brake, you are both backward and wrong.

Welcome to the Dual Shock 3: Proud purveyor of the pressure-sensitive trigger buttons.
 

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