A Lefty’s Perspective: Rethinking PC Gaming Keybindings

Growing up left-handed, I’ve become accustomed to the challenges that come with it—from struggling to find left-handed scissors and desks in school to using quick-drying ink and adjusting my hand position while writing on paper and whiteboards. Almost my entire nuclear family is left-handed, meaning I grew up in an environment with all the right tools.

Left-handedness isn’t common. About 10% of the US population is left-handed, and no single factor explains why an individual becomes a southpaw. Historically, it’s been discouraged; I remember stories from my grandfather (also a lefty) about the nuns in his school trying to force right-handed writing. Most modern technology understandably favors right-handed users, so modals and phone pop-ups tend to place actions on the right-hand side. However, I’ve experienced the issues this poses regarding PC games.

In most PC games, controls are centered around two focal points: the mouse and the W, A, S, and D keys. As a foundation, RPGs like Mass Effect and Skyrim place camera swiveling and primary actions on the mouse and then use the keyboard for movement actions. While this works for most users, this layout can become difficult for a left-handed player for several reasons:

• Posture: When the mouse is on the left and the right hand is on the keyboard, a player’s shoulders roll inwards. This can lead to a more hunched posture and general soreness. 
• Keyboard Layout: With the right hand on the keyboard, W, A, S, and D, paired with other controls, can be difficult for the right hand. The most dextrous digit (the thumb) is now limited to the edge of the keyboard, while the pinky is responsible for all keys beyond the left-side home row. For games like V Rising, the primary interaction key (F) is controlled by the weakest (sometimes stiffest) finger.
• Pattern Destruction: Most adults in the US are familiar with the home row on the keyboard. The WASD layout can disrupt a left-handed player's established mental patterns by forcing the right hand to sit on the “wrong” side of the keyboard.

Are there measures the player can take? Of course. Players can adjust their desk layout to account for the physical strain, but the real challenge is re-binding the keys. It’s time-consuming and often requires trial and error with each new game. For some users, the better solution is not to play.

Like creating left-handed desks and scissors, left-handed keybindings should be considered an accessibility concern. There are more left-handed people in the US than color-blind individuals, and the gaming industry has begun making great strides to accommodate its color-blind player base. PCs are considered one of the top gaming devices, and with more companies adding alternate bindings for performance, taking the time to research and create left-handed bindings would be a small step toward creating a better experience for all players.