For anyone looking for a hobby
Here’s the idea: A stenographers’s keyboard has about 19 keys (different configurations exist), and some of those are the same key repeated over on the other hand:
With this limited set of keys, and a couple of neat tricks, a speed of over 300 words per minute can be reached.
My theory is that a game controller is created to be more ergonomic, more comfortable to hold in position for over an hour at a time… So perhaps similar speeds can be reached with your favorite game controller even though there may be fewer buttons, and my hope is that this could help prevent/reduce repetitive strain injury. → (Disclaimer: This is not studied on my part, though I suspect a lot of money went into the design of many game controllers to prevent said types of injuries)
A large chunk of the challenge is that you need to create or learn a chained-keystroke dictionary. It is like learning to spell and write your own language all over again, so it will take a while before you reach professional speeds.
I have my own day-one prototype code “working” though it’s in a very primitive stage. It’s not at a point that I might want to share the code.
Having said that, it’s an interesting project. I’d really recommend it as a fun experiment for anyone with the time on their hands.
Alright. I made an account just for this.
I’m happy to say, controller steno already exists and I know somebody that uses it to type over 100wpm! Somebody made open-source steno software called “Plover” like the bird. Somebody else made a plug-in for Plover that handles controller input. You have a great idea (and it’s a great learning challenge that I’m not telling you to stop) but enough people have already thought about it that a usable product is out there ready for you to download and use.
The second part of this is the steno theory. You actually use all 23 keys. Your image seems to have lost left hand S- as well as right hand -D and -Z. Those are actually essential. Steno is (mostly) phonetic, with word endings being on the right hand side, so words like “studs” would be STUDZ. You also don’t seem to count either the # or the *, both of which have very important uses. I keep getting different numbers when I google it, but the standard right now is 21 letters, #, and *. But some people split the left hand S- or the asterisk for bonus buttons.
The controller steno theories that are already made don’t just use a 1:1 button layout, there’s a whole system from swiping the control stick to add or remove buttons from your final chord. Here’s a write up from one about it. plover-controller · PyPI
I suggest you join the Plover discord if you plan on anything related to steno, they have a ton of information about everything related to steno, traditional or otherwise. It’s probably the best steno resource on the internet. Tell them ChaoticKreg sent you 
Plover
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