Standard Edition GameBall Gaming Trackball Finally Arrives

[TheLostSwede]

Not everyone likes using a mouse and a trackball can be a viable option, depending on your preference. However, most trackballs aren't suitable for gaming and a company called Blue Sun Innovations (BSI) set out to design a trackball to meet the demands of gamers. The product is simply called the GameBall and has been five years in the making. The company launched a limited edition back in June, but now BSI has launched what it refers to as the Standard Edition.

The GameBall features a PixArt sensor that supports resolutions from 400 to 3,00 DPI/CPI and it features button switches from Omron. As it's a trackball and won't be moved around the desk, BSI went for a wired design using a standard USB interface with a supported polling rate of up to 1,000 Hz. Other niceties include ceramic bearings, an "innovative touch scroll pad", six buttons and an ambidextrous design. As this is a gaming mouse, it does of course also feature some RGB lighting. The GameBall is compatible with all recent operating systems and can be ordered directly from GameBall's website for US$148.



View at TechPowerUp Main Site

 

[Space Lynx]

this could be neat for some very niche type games. but most games no. still glad to see industry caring about niche in this world of short term greed

 

[TheLostSwede]

this could be neat for some very niche type games. but most games no. still glad to see industry caring about niche in this world of short term greed

That was a lightning fast comment. Do you sit and press F5 on TPU waiting for new content?

 

[Space Lynx]

That was a lightning fast comment. Do you sit and press F5 on TPU waiting for new content?

actually I just got home from a 15 min drive, took my Dad to work and got biscuits and gravy. my timing was just good I guess. LOL

 

[TheLostSwede]

actually I just got home from a 15 min drive, took my Dad to work and got biscuits and gravy. my timing was just good I guess. LOL

I didn't know the US had a "Bring your dad to work" day. Is he having a good time?

 

[Sithaer]

Excuse my ignorance but how does one use this thing efficiently?
Trackballs always looked alien to me and I assume that I couldn't even open my browser and TPU with it let alone game.

I don't mean to diss on the product its cool to have variety I'm just wondering.

 

[Vayra86]

But... how the hell do you make a trackball gaming oriented. Its not like its not going to aim even slower than an analog stick, right? I mean... 1000 hz polling won't make it NOT suck and it won't make you slow down time either so you can get the crosshair in the right place.

I suppose for turn based gaming? But if you really care about ergonomics, you can even use your forehead in that case.

 

[Oberon]

But... how the hell do you make a trackball gaming oriented. Its not like its not going to aim even slower than an analog stick, right? I mean... 1000 hz polling won't make it NOT suck and it won't make you slow down time either so you can get the crosshair in the right place.

I suppose for turn based gaming? But if you really care about ergonomics, you can even use your forehead in that case.

I mean, I was in the top ten globally for the Ultra Renegades mod in Tribes when I was younger, and that was with a track ball. It just takes some practice, just like using a mouse.

 

[TheLostSwede]

Excuse my ignorance but how does one use this thing efficiently?
Trackballs always looked alien to me and I assume that I couldn't even open my browser and TPU with it let alone game.

I don't mean to diss on the product its cool to have variety I'm just wondering.

You move the ball with your fingers. The issue is obviously using the buttons at the same time, which ends up being limited to your thumb most of the time, which isn't ideal, although others depend on your thumb to move the ball, which at least in my experience is even worse. Sadly all the current designs are giving me RSI, which they're meant to prevent.
Logitech had a nice model back in the day called the TrackMan Marble FX that you held between your thumb and index finger that worked a lot better than the current crop of trackballs, but it seems like they're not having any plans on bringing that design back.

But... how the hell do you make a trackball gaming oriented. Its not like its not going to aim even slower than an analog stick, right? I mean... 1000 hz polling won't make it NOT suck and it won't make you slow down time either so you can get the crosshair in the right place.

I suppose for turn based gaming? But if you really care about ergonomics, you can even use your forehead in that case.

There are some reviews out of the limited edition. Apparently it's better than regular trackballs and not everyone can or want to use a mouse so...
I guess it'll be plenty of fine for non FPS games.

 

[Vayra86]

I mean, I was in the top ten globally for the Ultra Renegades mod in Tribes when I was younger, and that was with a track ball. It just takes some practice, just like using a mouse.

Cool! It was around that time when I had the occasional trackball in front of me too, but I sucked so hard at it, and always had aching hand afterward. Always missed the mark with my pointer.

 

[Space Lynx]

Excuse my ignorance but how does one use this thing efficiently?
Trackballs always looked alien to me and I assume that I couldn't even open my browser and TPU with it let alone game.

I don't mean to diss on the product its cool to have variety I'm just wondering.

Have you never played Katamari Damacy? This would be excellent for that type of game. Like I said, I only see very niche games being able to use this well.

I didn't know the US had a "Bring your dad to work" day. Is he having a good time?

He just finished his first 3 day weekend in over 10 years, so yeah he is actually. LOL

good ol America, brainwashing their workers they have to work 24/7, if only they knew about those people living in the UK, all promised 28 days off a year...

 

[Oberon]

You move the ball with your fingers. The issue is obviously using the buttons at the same time, which ends up being limited to your thumb most of the time, which isn't ideal, although others depend on your thumb to move the ball, which at least in my experience is even worse. Sadly all the current designs are giving me RSI, which they're meant to prevent.
Logitech had a nice model back in the day called the TrackMan Marble FX that you held between your thumb and index finger that worked a lot better than the current crop of trackballs, but it seems like they're not having any plans on bringing that design back.


There are some reviews out of the limited edition. Apparently it's better than regular trackballs and not everyone can or want to use a mouse so...
I guess it'll be plenty of fine for non FPS games.

I had a Logitech Trackman Marble which had the ball on the side that you moved with a thumb only and three mouse buttons on the right that you'd use as with any other mouse. I wasn't old enough for RSI to really be a concern, but I remember it being quite comfortable.

 

[5 o'clock Charlie]

Excuse my ignorance but how does one use this thing efficiently?
Trackballs always looked alien to me and I assume that I couldn't even open my browser and TPU with it let alone game.

I don't mean to diss on the product its cool to have variety I'm just wondering.

It takes a lot of practice. One of my friends prefers this type of input device over others. He also games with his trackball, and I am not talking about just solitaire (well yeah he does that too ). He played FPS games with ease. It amazes me how responsive he is with it. So in the end, the more you use it, the more dexterous you get like any other. I think he uses one as he prefers to move only his fingers instead of his whole hand.

 

[TheLostSwede]

I had a Logitech Trackman Marble which had the ball on the side that you moved with a thumb only and three mouse buttons on the right that you'd use as with any other mouse. I wasn't old enough for RSI to really be a concern, but I remember it being quite comfortable.

Yeah, I've tried a couple of the other Logitech ones, they're just not very good imho. I was having issues at one point and decided to try a trackball instead, but it only made it worse...
The thing that helped me the most to reduce any problems was getting a new, taller chair so my arm is more level with the table, rather than at an angle upwards.

 

[Ferd]

I see a potential for this mouse , 2 in 1 mouse and massager

 

[P4-630]

can be ordered directly from GameBall's website for US$148.

Personally I'm fine, and not in need of RGB Gameballs..

 

[Sithaer]

You move the ball with your fingers. The issue is obviously using the buttons at the same time, which ends up being limited to your thumb most of the time, which isn't ideal, although others depend on your thumb to move the ball, which at least in my experience is even worse. Sadly all the current designs are giving me RSI, which they're meant to prevent.
Logitech had a nice model back in the day called the TrackMan Marble FX that you held between your thumb and index finger that worked a lot better than the current crop of trackballs, but it seems like they're not having any plans on bringing that design back.

I see, I guess at most I can imagine the finger controls and thumb buttons but even then that would take a serious ammount of practice for someone like me.
Tho thats coming from someone who still can't use a controller properly for anything other than fighting/walking simulator games.

Have you never played Katamari Damacy? This would be excellent for that type of game. Like I said, I only see very niche games being able to use this well.

Nope, had to google it now to see whats that.

It takes a lot of practice. One of my friends prefers this type of input device over others. He also games with his trackball, and I am not talking about just solitaire (well yeah he does that too ). He played FPS games with ease. It amazes me how responsive he is with it. So in the end, the more you use it, the more dexterous you get like any other. I think he uses one as he prefers to move only his fingers instead of his whole hand.

And thats why I mentioned that its good to have variety in case its good for some ppl for any reason they might have. 'those cut in half weird keyboards also look alien to me'

 

[ZoneDymo]

Excuse my ignorance but how does one use this thing efficiently?
Trackballs always looked alien to me and I assume that I couldn't even open my browser and TPU with it let alone game.

I don't mean to diss on the product its cool to have variety I'm just wondering.

its honestly not difficult, dont be afraid to try something new and commit to it,I have been using a thumb trackball for years now and its great, good for the wrist etc.
I am interested in this product but I know there was a slight design flaw where the ball can "hop" up a bit, this could be mitigated with some teflontape at the front but I rather it just be fixed in the design.

this could be neat for some very niche type games. but most games no. still glad to see industry caring about niche in this world of short term greed

There is actually nothign niche about it, instead of moving a sensor over a surface, you move a surface over a sensor, the principle is completely the same and works as such.

 

[Ferd]

instead of moving a sensor over a surface, you move a surface over a sensor, the principle is completely the same and works as such.

Except now you have less fingers to work with
Imagine trying a drag shot In FPS games using this mouse

 

[Sybaris_Caesar]

But... how the hell do you make a trackball gaming oriented. Its not like its not going to aim even slower than an analog stick, right? I mean... 1000 hz polling won't make it NOT suck and it won't make you slow down time either so you can get the crosshair in the right place.

I suppose for turn based gaming? But if you really care about ergonomics, you can even use your forehead in that case.

From the reviews I've seen so far, NOT every type of genre is possible or feasible. But having an option is always a good thing imo.

Though customisability of the buttons should've been nicer. Seems like you need a third party software that according to the manufacturer not officially supported.

edit: so timestamps still don't work. the relevant part starts at 2:43

And before @TheLostSwede aks no, I haven't been looking at reviews after seeing this post 3 minutes ago. I'm just subscribed to the youtubers and watched the videos in recent memory.

 

[Space Lynx]

its honestly not difficult, dont be afraid to try something new and commit to it,I have been using a thumb trackball for years now and its great, good for the wrist etc.
I am interested in this product but I know there was a slight design flaw where the ball can "hop" up a bit, this could be mitigated with some teflontape at the front but I rather it just be fixed in the design.



There is actually nothign niche about it, instead of moving a sensor over a surface, you move a surface over a sensor, the principle is completely the same and works as such.

I mean for games where you are playing a ball like in Katamari Damacy or that bowling game called Rock of Ages, this would be fun actually, cause you get to pretend like you are the ball as you play the game.

so I disagree with you 100%, its just for very niche games like that only.

 

[TechLurker]

I've used trackpads (laptop) and trackballs (both thumb and middle finger types) for FPS gaming before, and didn't have issues in mid-tier competitive before I mostly quit those types of ranked PvP games some years back. Obviously, they will be a detriment for serious, high-tier competitive FPS games. The main issues are mainly the eventual finger exhaustion one would get from extended use of those compared to using a proper regular mouse, the inconvenience when needing to use both L/R click buttons for certain bindings, and cleaning out the sensors when the inevitable build-up of dust and dead skin cells occurs.

But as far as trackballs specifically, they were great for quickly turning around with a quick spin, although precision aiming was a matter of training and sensitivity adjustment.

That said, I wonder how this compares to a Logitech Ergo MX and an Elecom HUGE. And given the price, against a 3DConnexion SpaceMouse (Compact), which was something I saw a buddy of mine using both for CAD and for gaming.

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I havent used a trackball in a long time, I'd like to give this thing a ride. Trackballs are not for everyone, they do ok in non-critical or slow paced games. The higher polling rate should make this as accurate as a mouse. But, it does take time to get used to but once you do, you'll see the differences are minor compared to a mouse.

 

[TheDeeGee]

I think the most difficult to get used it is having to left click with your thumb.

 

[lowrider_05]

I´ve ordered one of the first Limited Edition Gameballs when they got available. It is a very expensive trackball but in such limited quantities and such a special niche of users, its OK I think.
I mainly use it for more casual games like RPG´s etc. because for me its much more comfortable then a mouse. For shooter games i still use a regular Razer mouse.

I use Trackballs since the Old C&C Days, i think 1997/98: