I've been using one trackball or another, usually a Kensington Orbit since they became available, for the majority of three decades; the only times I've had to buy a new one were when I needed more for extra computers or when new technology became available (such as when optical became a thing). I've never had a trackball ball wear out or even show signs of wear.
Actually, that's not 100% true. I did have one Orbit just stop consistently responding to input. The ball was fine, though; in fact, I'm pretty sure I still have the mouse and could just put the ball in a new unit.
If the cat is on your wrist and not really on your fingers those will work, but if the cat's on your fingers then you're just as SOL. Even then you still need a bit of palm movement.
Sadly, not the Steam version. I hope we get all the keyboard controls back eventually. I think the mouse controls are great for some tasks, but it's objectively worse for many others that still aren't available in the Steam version.
Gothic 1 was designed without mouse controls in mind. A fact that made it clumsy to control even back when it was new. But for this it's great. You can play it comfortably with one hand on the keys.
Why do I have to immediately think of the "dancing mat Dark Souls" someone did? You for sure don't need your hands to play when you can just use your feet.
i loved that game so much. it's incredible how it slowly trains you to do better by like .02 seconds at a time. shout-out to chipzel for music that still bangs around in my head from time to time.