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Reference.org
Analog stick
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<p>An analog stick (analogue stick in British English), also known as a control stick, thumbstick or joystick, is an input method designed for <a href="/facts/Video_game/vmTdNASJ">video games</a> that translates thumb movement into directional control. It consists of a protruding stick mounted on a pivot, with movement registered through continuous electrical signals rather than discrete switches, allowing for greater nuance than traditional digital inputs. </p><p>Unlike <a href="/facts/D-pad/rA3C2xT0">D-pads</a>, which rely on fixed electrical contacts, analog sticks use <a href="/facts/Potentiometers/UtTC1Nvj">potentiometers</a> to measure their position across a full range of motion. Many models allow the stick to be pressed down like a button, allowing users to execute commands without removing their thumb from the stick. Since its introduction, the analog stick has largely replaced the D-pad as the primary directional input in modern game controllers. </p>