Play video games with an open-source Arduino-based gun replica

If you regularly play both console games and PC games, you’ll likely be fully aware that one platform is much, much more suited to games that require you to precisely aim at things. Unfortunately, most console games do not support a full keyboard-and-mouse setup, so often times you’re left wishing the right analog stick would stop being so floaty. However, for certain console games, a light gun ends up being the true savior of aiming, but here in 2013, most games don’t utilize any sort of peripheral. If you long for the day when you could aim as well on a console as you do on a PC, a new Kickstarter project might be the answer.

The Delta Six controller isn’t just a light gun, but an extremely detailed, open-source, Arduino-based gun controller. Not only does the Delta Six ably perform the point-and-shoot duties of a light gun, but adds motion control and regular button-based movement into the mix so you can travel around a map.

The controller also incorporates some sensors and intelligently placed buttons to make you feel like you’re operating a real gun. To reload, you tap the gun’s clip, rather than press a standard controller’s face button. If you want to zoom in, you look down the Delta Six’s scope, and an IR sensor detects your presence and will cause the game to zoom. If you want to steady your shot while aiming, you can press a button on the butt of the gun into your shoulder, which will activate a breath-hold feature. In order to swing the camera around, you simply need to twist the gun left or right. Aiming is quite close to a 1:1 ratio.

The controller is compatible with the PS3, Xbox 360, PC (if you really want to give up that sweet mouse aiming), and will be compatible with next-gen consoles through a downloadable patch.

A minimum pledge of $159 will get you a Delta Six controller, which is estimated to be delivered in December of this year. A pledge of $225 will net you a limited edition controller, which features a camouflage pattern, as well as a personalized engraving. If you want a Delta Six dev kit, that’ll cost you a pledge of $500.

The controller is open-source using everyone’s favorite do-it-yourself board, Arduino, so if you want a controller that could be mistaken for an illegally owned firearm at a glance, you could use your DIY know-how and make it bend to your Arduino will. For more information regarding the Delta Six,