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NightlyPoe said:

Like I said, it's probably just because you're used to it.  Symmetry doesn't really mean anything unless you're actually looking down.

Pi-guy made a joke about the 40 vs. 80 degree as if it doesn't make a difference, but it does.  The original Playstation controller was specifically designed so that the average person's thumb would naturally rest on the D-pad.  Goodness knows how much ergonomic testing went into having the average person's thumb be as comfortable as possible.

The analog sticks, not so much.  They are where they are out of pure 1997 necessity.  They require reach and a less-than-ideal adjustment of one's grip.  For you, you've probably adjusted so that you don't notice it.  But for someone such as myself, when I use Switch or 360 D-pad, it's legit awkward and uncomfortable because my use of the D-pad is relatively rare and I don't practice it.

I'd also note that I think the default design of controllers has evolved into a pretty awkward setup, but that's another story (and one I'm not sure how to fix).

To me the symmetry is very important, more than just because I am used to it, but that point you made about using the 360 controller makes sense.  I think you find the D-Pad on the 360 awkward because you rarely use it.  Ergonomics can be more than just initial comfort, often it is about stress on the body based on repetitive use.  

I don't know if there is in fact any major differences in hand stress if either the d-pad or the analog stick is in any particular position.  It may very well be that where the d-pad is or the analog sticks are may have zero actual ergonomic benefit beyond what your hand muscle memory is used to.  What I do know is that most used vs least used is a major factor for me.  I find I use both analog sticks the most and the d-pad and 4 input buttons the least.  My default resting position is on the analog sticks.  I do not want one hand vs the other hand inverted in most used inputs vs least use inputs.  They should have the same default resting positions.

If both the analog sticks were in the top position I might try that, but based on decades of hand muscle memory I feel like it would get extremely hard to get used to and would have no ergonomic benefits.

I have used both playstation and xbox controllers since they existed.  I have always found the xbox one the most awkward.



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