I want to build a custom PC controller that looks like a 2000s camera, with a screen on the back for looking at the menu, and maybe a transparent OLED as the viewfinder. I also have a game that has an "exchange battery pack" so I wanted to put some kind of switch or lever or aomething at the bottom that feels like switching our a battery
Custom PC game controller styled like a 2000s camera.
Rear screen for viewing a menu.
Possible transparent OLED used as a viewfinder; this is an optional concept, not a selected component.
A bottom-mounted switch, lever, or similar tactile mechanism that feels like exchanging a camera battery pack and triggers the game's “exchange battery pack” action.
Current state
No components or nets have been added.
No parts, display interfaces, mechanical dimensions, or game input mappings have been selected or verified.
Questions to resolve
Which game is this for, and does it accept a gamepad, keyboard/mouse inputs, or both?
Should the rear screen display an actual in-game menu, or a separate controller-local menu? Actual game im...
A removable dummy battery cartridge with a working latch would fit this idea well: release the bottom latch, pull out the cartridge, and push it back in to trigger the game’s battery-exchange action. Keeping that separate from the controller’s actual power would prevent it disconnecting mid-game.
I saved your concept in Controller Concept Notes, including the rear menu screen and optional transparent OLED viewfinder. No electronics or enclosure have been designed yet.
The key questions are which game this is for and whether the rear screen should show the actual game menu or a separate controller menu. Those determine the input and display approach. The transparent OLED also needs feasibility research before choosing parts.
Custom PC game controller styled like a 2000s camera.
Rear screen for viewing a menu.
Possible transparent OLED used as a viewfinder; this is an optional concept, not a selected component.
A bottom-mounted switch, lever, or similar tactile mechanism that feels like exchanging a camera battery pack and triggers the game's “exchange battery pack” action.
Current state
No components or nets have been added.
No parts, display interfaces, mechanical dimensions, or game input mappings have been selected or verified.
Questions to resolve
Which game is this for, and does it accept a gamepad, keyboard/mouse inputs, or both?
Should the rear screen display an actual in-game menu, or a separate controller-local menu? Actual game imagery requires a suitable video or software integration path.
Preferred camera size/style and required controls.
Whether a bottom lever alone is sufficient or a removable dummy battery cartridge is desired.
Wired USB versus wireless operation and power requirements.
Candidate direction—not yet approved
Consider a wired USB controller initially, with a camera-style enclosure and a removable dummy battery cartridge whose latch or insertion is sensed electronically. The cartridge need not be an actual power battery, avoiding unintended controller disconnection during the game action. Research transparent viewfinder display feasibility before committing to an optical layout.
Session limitation
Execution stopped because the account ran out of ACUs. No live research, schematic design, CAD, or verification was performed.