When 3D Printing Meets Gaming
Whether on the computer, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, phone or other device, never before has video gaming been so dynamic. Indeed, the global video game market size is expected to reach $334B by the end of this year according to Statista, showing the health and importance of this particular industry. And given its size, it goes without saying that 3D printing is also increasingly being used by both casual users and professional video game companies. From 3D printed costumes included in Just Dance 2023 to better keyboards for gamers and everything in between, we have compiled a list of some of the most exciting projects in the field to help you learn more about what exactly is available.
Official 3D Printing Projects
Open Source 3D Printed VR Visor
An interesting ongoing project that will appeal to gamers is that of the Somnium VR1 virtual reality (VR) visor. Somnium Space, a leading virtual reality company, has partnered with Vrgineers, Inc. and Prusa Research, a Czech 3D printer manufacturer, to develop a state-of-the-art open-source virtual reality visor. The device will be either wired or standalone and aims to change the restrictive supply in the virtual reality market. The idea is that 3D models of the visor’s parts will be available and usable in an unlimited fashion, so that any user with access to a 3D printer can print them. Any user will then be able to customize, repair, and improve the purchased visor at any time, thanks to 3D printing!
Photo credits: Somnium Space
A Customized 3D Printed Gaming Mouse
Canadian start-up Formify has created a customized ergonomic mouse in collaboration with printing company Hubs, using Multi Jet Fusion technology. The Formify mouse stands out for its customization: gamers capture an image of their hand, which Formify uses to create a tailor-made mouse, optimized for their morphology. The software determines the most ergonomic position for the player’s hand, preparing the model for 3D printing with Hubs’ 3D printing technology. In collaboration, the two companies chose an ultra-light nylon, cutting the mouse’s weight in half compared with a conventional model, from 100 g to just 55 g. What’s more, the mouse’s texture offers improved grip and a unique look. The mouse is also equipped with the PixArt Sensor 3389, recognized as one of the most powerful on the market.
Photo credits: Formify
Custom 3D Printed Controllers
The market for custom console controllers has been growing steadily for the past decade. Initially, they were controllers with two levers simulating buttons, whose purpose was to allow gamers to perform button sequences simultaneously, thus giving them an advantage over others. Today the market has evolved, to the point of having professional controllers for competitors, with interchangeable buttons, more sensitive triggers, and up to 6 levers on the back. Battle Beaver Customs is one of the brands in this market that goes further than its competitors. This company equips its engineers with in-house 3D printers, including Formlabs’ SLA Form 2 and SLS Fuse 1 printers. The reason Battle Beaver Customs does this is to print custom controller housings and buttons, saving time and money. Thanks to the Fuse 1 printer they have been able to print internal parts of the remotes in record time, being able to supply their clientele efficiently and with a highly customized end product.
Photo credits: Battle Beaver
In-Game Costumes Made With 3D Printing
Ubisoft, the giant of the video game industry, has a wide variety of sagas under its name. One such popular game series is Just Dance, which has had countless sales since its first release in 2008. As its name suggests, the game consists of dancing by replicating the dance steps seen on the screen. Although it may seem strange given the advances in technology, the game is not entirely made by computer, but the people. Those who appear dancing the choreographies on screen are real people who have recorded in-studio on a greenscreen. If anything characterizes the dancers, it is the intricate designs of their costumes, and this is where 3D printing comes in. In the latest edition of this video game, the villain’s costume was created with a 3D printer. The materials that were used were malleable and assembled in pieces so as not to harm the dancer, given that this costume had been made by traditional methods, it is possible that it would have hurt her given the complexity of the costume. Although it is not known for sure, it is suspected that the technology used was SLA or material jetting.
Photo credits: Ubisoft
3D Printed Steam Deck from Valve
Valve has released a CAD file for 3D printing its popular portable gaming system, the Steam Deck. To be more precise, it is only the facade, the outer casing of the Steam Deck, as the internal components are not included. Although we have not reached the stage of printing and playing games straight out of a home 3D printer, this marks an interesting point for the gaming giant. With this release, Valve is explicitly targeting makers and hobbyists from the community who are interested in creating their own machines or potentially creating custom replacement cases for their Steam Deck hardware. The company even offers technical support and instructions for printing. The file is available in STL, STP, and PDF formats. For a true-to-the-original version in 3D, you’ll need an FDM or resin printer. If you want to print the model 1:1 like the original, it would be 298.3 x 118.11 x 49.8 mm, however, the size can be flexibly adjusted and adapted to the respective size of the printer’s printing platform. Even if the dimensions are based on the original, the model may turn out less authentic, because it would need a high-precision multicolor printer to achieve the same results as Valve.
Photo credits: Tom’s Hardware
Do-It-Yourself 3D Printing Projects
A Gaming Keyboard Designed for Left-Handed Users
This keyboard specifically designed for left-handed users, presented by maker ivanricci on Thingiverse, is made from 3D-printed parts and a control board taken from an old standard keyboard. On the model, the designer has customized the keyboard base to accommodate his control board. However, he points out that by removing certain parts of the model, it can be used to accommodate other types of control boards as well, according to your preference. He also points out that he uses cherry blue key switches, while the black ones are more suitable for gaming. The models available include a keyboard base, connector, key frame and wrist and hand supports.
Photo credits: ivanricci on Thingiverse
Custom Homemade Computer Cases
In the world of PC gaming, having a personalized desktop computer can be a hobby, a passion or even a rite of passage. From the hardware components that go into the box, to the cooling, lighting and little touches to give it a personal flair, the PC gaming setup is ready to expand to new creative heights thanks to 3D printing. With a 3D printed computer case, such as this example from user Empiricus on Thingiverse, PC gamers are able to fully customize their rig to allow for the perfectly sized spaces for specific graphics cards, cooling units, and hard drives. In addition, the 3D printed case is not limited to four rectangular sides, but can open into abstract, open designs or even take the shape of fictional objects from your favorite games.
Photo credits: Empiricus on Thingiverse
3D Printing Retro Video Game Consoles
Though it is undeniable that gaming has only gotten better and better in recent years, nostalgia for older, or ‘retro’, games and consoles is still very present. And while they may be hard to find in real life, luckily now with 3D printing, anyone can make their very own mini arcade video game console to revisit those years. The STL file from GabrieleDaghetta can be found for free on Thingiverse along with instructions on how to create the arcade. It should be noted that while the plastic cabinet parts will be made with a 3D printer, a Raspberry Pi 2 board with 7″ display and a suitable shield for button management is necessary for the lights and to make it actually work. Try it out and soon you will be playing classic games like Pac-Man right in your own home.
Photo Credits: GabrieleDaghetta on Thingiverse
3D Printed Gaming Accessories
To many, playing a game with simply a controller or keyboard and mouse is fine, but why stop there when you can increase your immersion and give yourself a new challenge at the same time? Accessories for games such as different-shaped controllers have existed for almost as long as video games themselves. From a special gun-shaped controller for Duck Hunt, to a full steering wheel or flight stick for your favorite simulator games. However, with 3D printing, it has never been easier to find and print helpful tools from the comfort of your own home. With items such as this miniature 3D printed steering wheel that can snap onto your controller, you can beat your best time, improve your accuracy, or hone your virtual golf swing with a few pieces of extruded filament!
Photo credits: Gonzalor on Cults
Which of these 3D printed peripherals are you most interested in? Let us know in a comment below or on our LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter pages! Don’t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter here, the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox! You can also find all our videos on our YouTube channel.
