FPS controls on PC versus controller

[Erik_Twice]

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.

The mouse is made for poiting and clicking, which is what those games need.

I have yet to see a controller more confortable and with a more relaxed position than a good mouse.

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 think not being able to turn around because the controls don't allow it is the less enjoyable and inmersion-breaking experience. Not being able to turn around is something so silly it pains me. If you are not mordibly obese you should be able to turn around in less than a second.

It also produces uninteresting gameplay but that's pretty self-evident. If the game rewards your precision and you can't be precise because the controls don't allow it, it's not a fun or interesting experience.

But with all other types of games there's really nothing that beats a good controller. !

As I said before, I would rather take an arcade stick since it doesn't need to be held, it has all digits over the buttons instead of just two and those digits are more agile than the thumbs you have to use with a controller.

I don't scoff at controllers but I have to admit that I see very little reason to use them over a joystick.

[Jungell]

...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.

Yes, of course! But it's just more obvious when it's with a mouse, since we use it to click on things all day.

It's interesting that people who are ultimately looking for the same thing, feel so differently about that it is and how it feels. A lot of you guys obviously prefer the mouse, to me that is very strange since I and the people I play games with could never consider the mouse as an option when it comes to gaming peripherals... To me it breaks the illusion and for you guys it enhances it!

[ZeroAX]

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!

Have you ever thought that the reason the mouse is the best input method for those games is because they were designed in the first place for mouse and keyboard?
Platformers == D-pad
Fighting games == Arcade Stick
FPS == Mouse and Keyboard
Strategy == Mouse

Dangerous? Not comfortable? Dude, get a good office chair (mine is to die for. It's more comfortable than my couch) and a good computer desk (so the height of the mouse/keyboard isn't uncomfortable) and you are set.

[CRTGAMER]

Does anyone else like the Remote on the Wii or PS3 Move as an FPS controller? I think it beats the mouse in accuracy and instant aim.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

Does anyone else like the Remote on the Wii or PS3 Move as an FPS controller? I think it beats the mouse in accuracy and instant aim.

I certainly don't think it beats a mouse but it sure as hell beats a thumbstick.

I seriously can't stand FPS on console, to the point now where if it's only on console I just wont play the game and save myself the frustration.

[isiolia]

Does anyone else like the Remote on the Wii or PS3 Move as an FPS controller? I think it beats the mouse in accuracy and instant aim.

Not as accurate (realistically, you're not going to get pixel-level precision waving a wand at a TV from across the room), and probably subject to far more aim correction than thumbsticks to make it enjoyable. A mouse is a flick of the wrist, even to spin around, with less fatigue over time.

[J T]

One thing about PCs is that you need to make sure you have a good mouse and that you have your sensitivity settings set to be fast, but not loosy-goosy.

You shouldn't have to double drag your mouse to do a 180 turnaround. You also need a mouse that isn't going to catch, jitter, or stutter when you drag it quickly in a straight line. Those kind of annoyances are forgivable in MS Office, but you will die many times in an FPS if your mouse sucks. I also recommend having a wrist rest because you can use that to anchor your hand, then if your mouse sensitivity is up high enough, you can make the subtle twitch movements you need to compete.

The mouse is designed for precision pointing. If you have the right mouse, the right settings, and you know how to use it, then you can really excel at FPS games beyond what you could possibly do with a controller. You can get good with a controller, true, but you eventually hit a ceiling. In FPS games, the top players with a mouse will always be better than the top players with a joystick.

[Hobie-wan]

One thing about PCs is that you need to make sure you have a good mouse and that you have your sensitivity settings set to be fast, but not loosy-goosy.

Indeed. My desktop is set to 1600x1200. I have the sensitivity cranked up and only takes about an inch to move the pointer from one side to the other, even with that many pixels to traverse. I cringe when I see someone (with lower resolution and smaller screens even) have to pick up their mouse one or more times just to get the pointer all the way across the screen.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

One thing about PCs is that you need to make sure you have a good mouse and that you have your sensitivity settings set to be fast, but not loosy-goosy.

Indeed. My desktop is set to 1600x1200. I have the sensitivity cranked up and only takes about an inch to move the pointer from one side to the other, even with that many pixels to traverse. I cringe when I see someone (with lower resolution and smaller screens even) have to pick up their mouse one or more times just to get the pointer all the way across the screen.

Lower sensitivity = better accuracy.

In game, I like it to take about 4 or so inches to do a 360.

[MrPopo]

One thing about PCs is that you need to make sure you have a good mouse and that you have your sensitivity settings set to be fast, but not loosy-goosy.

Indeed. My desktop is set to 1600x1200. I have the sensitivity cranked up and only takes about an inch to move the pointer from one side to the other, even with that many pixels to traverse. I cringe when I see someone (with lower resolution and smaller screens even) have to pick up their mouse one or more times just to get the pointer all the way across the screen.

Lower sensitivity = better accuracy.

In game, I like it to take about 4 or so inches to do a 360.

But again, it should not require you to pick up the mouse multiple times.