PDP Victrix Interview – Fight Sticks, Arcade Controllers, Premium Prices, Hall Effect Sticks, and Much More – TouchArcade Leave a comment
Ever since I obtained into arcade sticks due to the 8BitDo stick I purchased again in 2022, I’ve been taking a look at completely different controllers throughout worth factors, types, and extra. When taking a look at what individuals advocate and speaking to pals, it at all times felt like the highest finish of the spectrum in worth was Victrix’s premium lineup of the Professional FS and the Professional FS-12 controllers. A pal of mine has been utilizing the Professional FS for nearly a yr and loves it. Having spoken to Razer concerning the Kitsune, I’ve been desirous to additionally chat with PDP concerning the Victrix controllers and the Professional BFG. Following EVO 2024, I had an opportunity to speak with Trevor Lehr from PDP/Victrix/Turtle Seaside concerning the firm’s controllers, arcade sticks, premium worth factors, group suggestions, doubtlessly increasing to extra platforms, and way more.
TouchArcade (TA): Inform us a bit of bit about your self and what you do at PDP.
Trevor Lehr (TL): I’m Trevor Lehr, Director of Product Administration at PDP/Victrix/Turtle Seaside. I’ve been with the corporate since 2015 and because the inception of the Victrix Model and its first product, the Professional AF ANC.
TA: How has it been for the group working beneath the Turtle Seaside umbrella?
TL: It’s been a clean transition up to now, with our shared expertise and experience within the gaming business, we’re capable of work and match collectively into the general Turtle Seaside imaginative and prescient.
TA: Having gotten into arcade controllers and sticks lately, it has been fascinating seeing the Victrix Professional line talked about on-line for its premium really feel and worth. I wished to know the way it has been for the group seeing the response to the Victrix Professional FS and Victrix Professional FS-12 during the last yr?
TL: The group may be very pleased with our merchandise, and it’s at all times nice seeing the optimistic response from clients and the group. Our merchandise are objective constructed, and the response from the group after they get their fingers on the Professional FS / Professional FS-12 for the primary time says all of it of their preliminary “wow” second.
TA: Alongside a golden age of preventing video games, we’re positively in a single for arcade controllers as nicely with so many choices obtainable throughout formally licensed ones, DIY controllers, and budget-friendly ones from internationally. What do you suppose units the Victrix Professional FS line other than the remaining?
TL: The Professional FS line was developed from the bottom as much as be the very best combat stick for the professionals and aspiring execs. From the burden of the Professional FS, the Sanwa Denshi elements, the aluminum shell, the Victrix Engineered PCB and firmware – every thing is constructed to ship velocity, sturdiness, and steady consolation for the lengthy hours of observe that go into preventing video games.
TA: I’ve not used the brand new Victrix Professional FS stick or leverless but, however what made the group resolve to make use of a single piece of aluminum versus one thing lighter?
TL: There was not only one issue that led to the choice to make use of a single-piece of extruded aluminum, as an alternative there have been many causes and advantages for this determination. Whilst you would possibly suppose aluminum is steel and subsequently should be heavy, aluminum is definitely one of many lightest metals whereas nonetheless offering excessive power and rigidity. You need your combat follow be planted in your lap with out shifting throughout a match, and also you don’t need it to flex or creak as you lean your palms into it. Aluminum additionally gives an unparalleled aesthetic and permits us to supply distinctive customized laser-engraving to our clients onsite at many FGC occasions.
Testaments to the power and sturdiness of the Professional FS:
Shoutouts to @VictrixPro for setting up a combat stick so robust that it additionally doubles as a seat that may stand up to my 255lb body as I look ahead to my subsequent ST match. pic.twitter.com/aGO5s5yLyV
— Alex Jebailey (@Jebailey) August 6, 2022
Buyer: How sturdy are your combat sticks? 🤔
Us: Sure. pic.twitter.com/5uJMkzCYU6
— Victrix by PDP (@VictrixPro) November 30, 2022
TA: The lineup additionally has current collaborations with Tekken 8 and The King of Fighters providing restricted version finishes and engraving. How has the response been to those and are there plans to do extra with different preventing video games?
TL: The chance to companion with the very best preventing sport firms on the planet is simply one other instance of the validity of our Victrix line inside the group and we’re tremendous excited with the launch of our Restricted-Version Professional FS collaboration fashions! The response has been positively overwhelming, and we offered out of all Tekken and The King of Fighters stock we delivered to EVO, protected to say they’re fan favorites. The King of Fighters Restricted-Version Professional FS assortment is sort of offered out and preorders for TEKKEN 8 is nearing promote out as nicely!
TA: Utilizing Sanwa Denshi elements is sensible given the recognition and reliability, however are there plans to supply fashions with Seimitsu’s Alutimo mechanical buttons or different mechanical buttons sooner or later?
TL: We use Sanwa Denshi elements as our commonplace to make sure velocity, high quality, and longevity. The Professional FS and Professional FS-12 are extraordinarily mod-friendly with the user-accessible again door to simply examine and swap in several buttons (just like the Seimitsu Alutimo), if the person chooses to take action.
TA: A pal of mine has the purple Victrix Professional FS and likes it loads apart from the cable storage resolution and the shortage of devoted L3 and R3 buttons. I do know you’ll be able to map it to 1 button on the highest, however has the group been taking a look at suggestions like this from gamers?
TL: The Professional FS and Professional FS-12 have in-built (and detachable) cable wraps on the highest of the aluminum that enables the cable to be wrapped up and clipped on when not in use for protected storing. The cable wraps additionally double as an attachment level to attach a shoulder strap for simpler transport between your matches. We’re at all times open to listening to our buyer suggestions and taking any ache factors or strategies into consideration for the long run.
TA: Most sticks today are black with a number of providing a white colour possibility. The purple colour may be very hanging, and I’m glad to see it obtainable. Are there plans to do extra apart from the restricted editions?
TL: Purple is a staple of the Victrix Model, and it solely felt proper providing that as a substitute for a extra impartial white. I can’t communicate to any future plans, however I at all times discover it fascinating listening to our followers’ “most desired” colours they inform us about at in-person FGC occasions all year long.
TA: We lately have seen a number of new entrants into arcade controllers providing nice skinny leverless controllers at low costs. I don’t count on you to touch upon worth factors of different producers, however how do you and the group reply to individuals mentioning the lower cost of the competitors in comparison with the premium costs right here?
TL: The market will at all times have merchandise obtainable throughout a broad spectrum of worth factors. That is nice for the patron and the business to make sure everybody has entry to benefit from the FGC. The Professional FS and Professional FS-12 are (often) not somebody’s first combat stick simply entering into this area; we provide a premium product for the devoted FGC buyer who understands the standard and advantages we offer, which comes with the premium worth.
TA: Are you able to touch upon whether or not the Victrix Professional FS or the Victrix Professional FS-12 has been extra common total from what you’ve seen?
TL: Each the Professional FS and Professional FS-12 have been extraordinarily profitable and common, it simply comes all the way down to the model of play the client is searching for. The normal joystick Professional FS won’t ever go away, there’s an excessive amount of nostalgia and video games that should be loved with a joystick. However the brand new model of play with the Professional FS-12 Leverless is to not be ignored, many execs use leverless now due to the velocity and precision benefits of button presses for instructions as an alternative of precise wrist/hand actions required on a joystick.
TA: Clearly PS5 is a precedence for sticks and controllers today, however I wish to know if there are any plans to work with Xbox or Nintendo on having official assist sooner or later for his or her platforms? I lately purchased an 8BitDo for Xbox simply to have a stick for the console whereas most of my leverless controllers work on Change out of the field.
TL: We provide fashions of the Professional BFG and the Gambit Prime controller for Xbox Collection X|S, Xbox One, and PC however with our dedication to the group, we’re at all times listening to what they’re searching for subsequent and an Xbox combat stick might or is probably not a future consideration.
TA: Earlier than discussing the BFG and controllers generally, I wished to ask concerning the detachable shaft. I lately put in one alone Hori stick, but it surely’s nice to see it obtainable out of the field right here. What kind of work went into this behind the scenes?
TL: A lot of work, time, and testing went into perfecting our patented detachable shaft. At the beginning, it must act and really feel identical to a standard joystick when put in and through regular use. You want to have the ability to maintain it and use it as you usually would with out feeling any bumps or ridges to distract your gameplay, and you could be assured that it’s safe and gained’t unintentionally come off throughout use. As soon as eliminated, you’ll be able to slide your Professional FS into the Victrix Event Backpack a lot simpler with out the joystick getting in the way in which, and with out the worry of damaging the joystick’s microswitches if the lever had been to get jammed in a sure place whereas transporting it.
TA: Did the group seek the advice of with any exterior gamers {and professional} rivals whereas designing the Professional FS and FS-12 along with ensuring it’s simple to mod?
TL: Sure, skilled and aggressive efficiency is a part of the Victrix DNA, we labored with execs in the course of the early concepting and all through the event resulting in launch of the Professional FS and Professional FS-12.
TA: How has the response been for the controllers exterior North America? Do you hear loads from gamers in Asia?
TL: Victrix may be very nicely acquired in Asia, and now we have fairly a giant presence and following in Japan. We sponsored and had been onsite at EVO Japan earlier this yr, and most lately sponsored and had been onsite at RAGE (a Avenue Fighter and Overwatch match) in Japan.
TA: My first style of Professional or Elite controllers was after I obtained the primary era Xbox Elite Controller and cherished it. I lately purchased a DualSense Edge and use it each day. What impressed me concerning the Victrix Professional BFG Wi-fi Controller, is the modular nature providing greater than what Sony and Microsoft provide on their professional controllers. Inform us a bit of bit concerning the thought course of behind the particular modules and instruments included within the field.
TL: Our purpose with the Professional BFG was to develop a product for the professionals and for the more-than-casual gamer at residence who can recognize the element, modularity, and efficiency provided. We wished the Professional BFG to be the go-to controller, whatever the style of sport being performed. We’re deeply ingrained within the FGC, so our 6-button microswitch fightpad module was a should. However we didn’t wish to pass over the FPS and RPG followers from this product, which is the place the interchangeable proper module got here into play to supply a regular analog stick/motion button module as nicely. And if we’re going that far, then we wished to handle these gamers preferring both an Xbox structure with offset analog sticks, or a PlayStation structure with side-by-side analog sticks and go away it as much as the person to resolve their structure, whatever the platform, with the 180º rotatable left module. Equally, we embody many interchangeable attachments (all enclosed within the included carrying case) to make sure the person has the precise D-Pad model, analog stick top, or analog stick gate (round or octagonal) to suit the sport they’re enjoying now, and match the completely different sport they could play tomorrow.
TA: I noticed the brand new Corridor Impact Module Pack for the PlayStation and Xbox branded controllers. I used to be really going to ask about corridor impact sticks earlier than seeing this, however it’s good to see it obtainable for current house owners as an optionally available buy. Are there plans to make these the usual going ahead for brand spanking new Victrix Professional BFG Wi-fi Controller fashions?
TL: We’re tremendous excited concerning the launch of our new Corridor Impact Module Pack! Whereas we are able to’t communicate to future plans, this is without doubt one of the advantages of the modularity of the Professional BFG controller, enabling clients to additional improve their controller with add-on modules after buy.
TA: Has there been something gamers have requested for through the years that you simply’ve not been capable of work with for controllers but?
TL: We sometimes get very distinctive and specialised requests for one-off controllers/options from our followers. Whereas we recognize the creativity and concepts, now we have to have a look at product improvement from a mass market perspective, which incorporates weighing tradeoffs to search out the very best total steadiness.
TA: The newest launch is the Victrix Professional BFG Wi-fi Controller Tekken 8 Rage Artwork-themed version. How has it been collaborating with the Tekken 8 group at Bandai Namco?
TL: Now we have an ideal enterprise relationship with Bandai Namco, and it’s been a really enjoyable and collaborative course of working with them on all 8 of our Tekken 8 SKUs (6 Professional FS characters, the Rage Artwork BFG, and the Tekken Backpack). The Tekken Professional FS fashions and Rage Artwork Professional BFG mannequin had been all showcased and obtainable for play testing on the Bandai Namco sales space at EVO Las Vegas final month.
TA: Hypothetical state of affairs: For those who may design a themed controller and a themed stick for any IP on the planet with none restrictions, what would you decide? This doesn’t must be restricted to gaming so go wild.
TL: That is powerful, understanding the chances are infinite. Stepping out of the gaming world, I’d most likely select a themed product primarily based on out of doors journey, offroading, and Jeep exploration.
TA: The Victrix Professional BFG Wi-fi Controller comes with a pleasant premium case, and I questioned if there have been plans to do an analogous laborious case within the field for the Victrix Professional FS controllers?
TL: The Professional BFG comes with many small attachments that want a house for storage when not in use, or throughout journey. The Professional FS is self-sustaining and its detachable shaft, mud cap, and USB cable can all be saved immediately in/on the product itself. We additionally individually have our Victrix Event Backpack, which was designed particularly to suit and carry the Professional FS (together with room and options to hold many different objects on the identical time).
TA: What ought to we count on from Victrix and PDP in 2024 following EVO 2024?
TL: Continued assist and involvement in the neighborhood.
Try the TEKKEN 8 panel occurring on the Group Stage proper now!
See how @ChipotleTweets helps you in your journey to be the very best, and hold an eye fixed out for codes in the course of the present to win some free Chipotle. https://t.co/pRm0CRum2y | #Evo2024 pic.twitter.com/e73naIdSqc
— Evo (@Evo) July 19, 2024
TA: How do you want your espresso?
TL: I like my espresso sizzling. I like my morning espresso (no less than 2 cups all through the morning) with some French vanilla cream. I choose my after-lunch espresso black with no cream or sugar to assist calm down after an excellent meal.
I’d prefer to thank Trevor Lehr and Eric Nielsen for his or her time and assist right here.
You may sustain with all our interviews right here together with our current ones with FuturLab right here, Shuhei Matsumoto from Capcom about Marvel Vs Capcom right here, Santa Ragione right here, Peter ‘Durante’ Thoman about PH3 and Falcom right here, M2 discussing shmups and extra right here, Digital Extremes for Warframe cell, Group NINJA, Sonic Dream Group, Hello-Fi Rush, Pentiment, and extra. As regular, thanks for studying.
Featured picture through Victrix Professional Twitter account.
