The following photos show the ways in which the Prism is ergonomically superior to traditional flat digital fightpads.
By rotating the interaction surfaces inward and upward, we eliminate the need for ulnar deviation and pronation. Eliminating ulnar deviation helps prevent carpal and cubital tunnel, as well as pain in the thumb from reaching the C right and C up buttons. Eliminating pronation allows for the muscles and tendons in your arm to remain neutral and along straight paths helping prevent fatigue/tension in the forearms. Essentially, the controller shape allows for your hands to interface with the switches while maintaining a neutral wrist angle, and minimal muscular tension.
The entire playing experience can be much more relaxed, allowing for longer sessions which aids in flow state and natural skill progression. It also helps improve reaction times by not requiring the hands to be constantly tense. Constant tension fatigues your muscles and decreases their ability to react quickly on a biochemical level. The design also very slightly promotes an inward yaw or proximal rotation of the hands, which helps maintain space in the carpal tunnel by actively discouraging distal ulnar deviation.
Bolster Usage
As shown here, the Prism is designed to be used with a rear bolster to support the LEFT hand and the rear of the controller (floating right hand is best practice). While it was designed with the intention of using a standard size hand towel for accessibility, anything of similar size and shape, or any other collection of fabric can make do. Many people use half of a standard size bath towel
The benefit is that this rear bolster can be modified, recreated, and adjusted easily. Additionally, this bolster can be wrapped around the prism for transport to aid in protecting it. A standard sized backpack should comfortably fit 2 Prisms wrapped up in towels of moderate size.
Additionally, note that the Prism sits out towards the knees, and the hands come in at an angle while allowing the elbows and upper arms to remain relaxed. It is also important to have good sitting posture to maximize the ergonomic benefits offered by the device.
Hand Positioning
Note how a flat hand posture, as is commonly used on flat rectangular fight-pads, does not allow the hand to fit comfortably on the Prism layout. This is very intentional as a flat hand is a tense hand, and a tense hand is prone to RSI.
The proper hand posture for using the Prism is one where the fingers and thumb are relaxed into their natural curved state.
This positions the fingers over the home row, and the thumb over C-up and A. Note that the thumb tip is used for c right left and up, and the middle knuckle of the thumb is used for A and c down.
You should not have to move your hand or bend your wrist to access these keys separately, bending the thumb should provide adequate range of motion to access the lower right action cluster. The bottom knuckle of the thumb also hovers over C-down to allow access to ASDI down at all times.
Preventing Ulnar Deviation
In this first image, we can see that the wrist is turned slightly outward, bringing the pinky off of Analog Up and shifting the thumb away from the home row position. It also forces a 90 degree curl of the index finger. This is not correct. This is known as ulnar deviation and as previously stated is a key cause of RSI.
Relaxing the fingers further and allowing the arm to pronate outwards (rotating towards the pinky) brings the keys back into homerow position and straightens out the carpal tunnel. There should be little to no bend on the outside of the wrist. Also note how the index fingers first knuckle is the high point, and all fingers are in relaxed positions.
This is one of the key aspects that allows for the Prism to excel ergonomically. It is subtle, but with thoughtful practice and this guide, these methodologies should become second nature and allow you to excel!
If you have any further questions or suggestions, please feel free to reach out on discord, or email me at shae@wunvzn.com
Good Luck, Have Fun!