FPS controls on PC versus controller

[Erik_Twice]

Personally, I much prefer a controller in my hands.
I was a PC gamer before, but come on, as soon as you grab that mouse you turn any game into a point and click.

Isn't that quite the point?

For first and third person shooters, RTS and other strategy games as well as graphical adventures the mouse is the best controller. For the rest an arcade stick is more confortable than a controller so I use it.

I did that, way back, when I first graduated from trying to use the arrow keys. At the time I had a vanilla 3 button mouse - no scroll wheel/etc. It took a couple iterations, but I eventually wound up using WSAD and liking it better than my custom setups. Can't say I've tried ESDF, but it does seem like it'd have merit as well.

At the end of the day, WASD is the best standard for right handed people. Unlike the arrow keys or other combinations you have your two "bad" fingers over big keys instead of normal-sized ones, which is more confortable. (Pinky on shift/control to crouch, thumb on space bar to jump).

[isiolia]

At the end of the day, WASD is the best standard for right handed people. Unlike the arrow keys or other combinations you have your two "bad" fingers over big keys instead of normal-sized ones, which is more confortable. (Pinky on shift/control to crouch, thumb on space bar to jump).

Could depend on hand size or something. ESDF is essentially using the standard left hand "home" position for typing (index finger on F). There's little difficulty in hitting shift/control from there - for some it may even be more comfortable. As a benefit, you have more keys under that hand you can readily cover without shifting your hand.

Main reason I stick with WSAD is because it's the default for most games, and remapping tends to be a cascading issue. Rolling with the standard setup keeps things simple.

[CRTGAMER]

I use the Arrow Keys for moving and strafing, easier to locate. I just move the keyboard to the left a little so the arrow keys are at a comfortable spot. The mouse buttons and CTRL ALT Keys handle shooting and jumping, the Mouse Wheel if it works or the Space Bar become weapons select. In a battle frenzy I hate hitting the wrong key with my clumsy fingers.

[isiolia]

I use the Arrow Keys for moving and strafing, easier to locate. I just move the keyboard to the left a little so the arrow keys are at a comfortable spot. The mouse buttons and CTRL ALT Keys handle shooting and jumping, the Mouse Wheel if it works or the Space Bar become weapons select. In a battle frenzy I hate hitting the wrong key with my clumsy fingers.

Doesn't take long to get accustomed to other parts of the keyboard, and some games benefit from having more keys around. Can depend. I use the "full" keyboard layout for FFXI, which puts movement on the numpad and camera control on the arrow keys (which I use my thumb for). I don't use the mouse at all for that though.

[Jungell]

Isn't that quite the point?

For first and third person shooters, RTS and other strategy games as well as graphical adventures the mouse is the best controller. For the rest an arcade stick is more confortable than a controller so I use it.

I really can't agree with you, though.
Sure, the mouse offers greater precision, because it's made for other things. But the mouse and keyboard just hasn't got any level of comfort, at all. If you also work in front of a computer, this can even be dangerous. I can agree that RTS would benefit from a mouse and keyboard because of the complex controls. But with all other types of games there's really nothing that beats a good controller. Lean back, relax and enjoy your games!

[sabrage]

As far as I'm concerned, the modern controller was invented for the 3D action/platformer and that's about all it's good for.

[Jungell]

It probably all boils down to if you're a PC gamer or not.

I haven't played anything on my PC in years. When I first started playing FPSs on my xbox, it took a while to get used to it, but after a few hours there was no going back. Third person shooters, first person shooters, platformers etc. It just runs more fluently with a good controller. The experience is just so much more immersive when you can't turn 180° and pull of a clean head-shot in under a second. I'm not looking for precision, I'm looking for the most enjoyable and immersive experience. I don't want to be üb3r 1337 (do they still talk like that?), I just want to have some fun. Comfortable fun.

That's my opinion.

[sabrage]

I wouldn't play games at all if I didn't have a PC, I suspect.

[Ack]

Isn't that quite the point?

For first and third person shooters, RTS and other strategy games as well as graphical adventures the mouse is the best controller. For the rest an arcade stick is more confortable than a controller so I use it.

I really can't agree with you, though.
Sure, the mouse offers greater precision, because it's made for other things. But the mouse and keyboard just hasn't got any level of comfort, at all. If you also work in front of a computer, this can even be dangerous. I can agree that RTS would benefit from a mouse and keyboard because of the complex controls. But with all other types of games there's really nothing that beats a good controller. Lean back, relax and enjoy your games!

You know, I once developed a terrible twitch in my right thumb due to console controllers and a game bender. Both computers and consoles are dangerous when taken to excess. The nice thing about the keyboard and mouse combination is that there are actually a wide variety of choices available to help give you a more comfortable experience. Ergonomic keyboards, plain keyboards, varying materials, trackball mice, laser mice, a wide variety of joysticks in case you want them...there are options for PC gamers to try.

That said, if you prefer console controllers, that's cool. For FPS, I will always prefer my keyboard and mouse combo, but things like fighters I can't play without a controller. It comes down to the player, not necessarily the perception of the game.

...though I must admit, all an FPS is really is you lining a cursor of some kind over a box and squeezing a trigger or pressing a button to register an on switch on top of said box that has been assigned a certain numeric value. It is a point and click interface, regardless of whether it is a mouse or a joystick moving the cursor.

[Anapan]

I have been known to play PC shooters with a Dualshock in my left hand and a 10-button mouse in my right. There's always that.

Being a controller hoarder, this is news to me. Can you tell me more or post a pic? 2 of these would totally kill dual analog (That is, if I could chew bubblegum and walk at the same time...)