Your mention about the game controller shows how permeable to "the news" the public is. It makes people feel better to know there is something to blame for. I find that outrageous.
If this company would have developped their own joystick, you would have seen the same article ending with "...despite the custom designed joysticks that costed millions in R&D".
I don't see the issue using a game controller in there. Airbus uses Joysticks in all their planes... I just hope that systems in general, are redundant as they should be.
I hope these folks are hanging on and can be rescued.