Electrically the design is simple whether you use strain gauges, optical rotation sensors, etc. What really needs to be considered is whether the mechanical design is practical.
Real joysticks used for machine control have a mechanical arrangement that provides for a centering force. What this means is that a certain critical force (torque) must be exerted before there is any output from the sensor, after which the output is linear with deflection. Check out radio control joysticks, especially the high end ones, aircraft side-sticks, joysticks for cranes and hoists, coal mining machines, etc.
The problem with simple force sensors on fixed sticks is that there is an output for any force. A tiny force yields a tiny output and the practical reality of this is that it is almost impossible to control anything with it.
This is why non-gymbal joysticks are NOT used for machine control.