For those of you who've been aware, I am now, after a more than three year absence, able to play Freespace again! Back in late 2007 to 2008, my wife and I were expecting our first baby, and occupied with many associated RL concerns, including preparing to move to a new and larger apartment. Once we moved however, I left my Saitek X52 in its box and focused my attention on completing setting up the new apartment, becoming accustomed to a new store (after the transfer went through) and of course, taking care of our newborn. My stick has remained to this day, packed away. These days I keep it packed away because I don't want our now (near) 2.5 year old girl from turning it into an expensive paper weight. I may have paid only $99.99 (can.) for it, vs. the typical price of $129.99, bit it was still a fair investment that I don't want it damaged.
Then yesterday, I was over at Value Village with my baby, dropping off some of our infant support accessories that she's too old for now, and I decided to go in and see what I could find. While I was in, my jaw dropped when I saw a fully intact (no box, manual or driver disk, but it was undamaged) Saitek Cyborg Evo, for just $4.99. After a few seconds of contemplation, I snatched it and headed to the cash. Last night, I downloaded the drivers, software, and manual, then installed it, and tested it with the software. I then made sure that my FS install was up to date with latest MVPs, antipodes, and Port install, and gave it a whirl. It works! I still have to get accustomed to the button layout, and make a few changes to my bindings, but I think that I found my FS salvation. The best part is, if my little girl ends up damaging it, it only cost me five bucks. There are a few quirks with it however, such as one of the stick buttons that sticks if you touch it to far to the left, and a not-entirely-accurate-centering, but otherwise it works.
I still may end up being an evenings and weekends player, but as the title said, I'm back in the game! I've now got to re-play the Port, ST, and FS2, then try out ST:R, and the new TVWP (since I haven't played any of their previous releases), then maybe even BP:AoA and WiH-1. After that... back to my old projects!
