Anyone else irked by lack of gamepad support?

[KDub]

I use a logitech game pad and JoyToKey to set it up to replace the mouse and map some of the buttons to keys.

Keep the game in mouse mode and everything works fine.

[GSZX1337]

Today I think I am going to install Stalker: Shadow of Chernobyl what are the odds I will have zero problems?

[isiolia]

I assume it has to do with Windows Vista/7? Did Microsoft remove support for standard gamepads using a game port or USB? The last time I used a PC, my USB Saitek P880 gamepad was literally plug and play.

The issue, as it were, is that the 360 controller has its own library, XInput, which is also used for games on the 360. Supporting other gamepads means building in DirectInput support in addition to that.

Support wasn't removed, it's more that with all the cross-platform development, XInput is likely already coded in. They can happily stick the 360 controller supported logo on the box and call it day. Same as so many other options are slimmed down or no longer present in PC titles.

In fairness, as long as you don't hate the 360 controller, are fine with the default/available mappings, and are just playing 360 controller enabled titles, it really does work quite seamlessly.

The problem is more when you want to do something else. While the official 360 pad drivers support DirectInput as well, it's kind of lacking. Likewise, if you want a different pad, you may need to rely on something that emulates a different input method. XPadder for KB/mouse emulation via gamepade, x360ce (or the like) for XInput emulation, and so on.

[jfrost]

A lot of PC controllers nowadays are using the 360 scheme, so it doesn't make that much of a difference. I like having a standard controller. The Logitech controllers are mapped exactly like the official 360 one, even though they're shaped like the DualShock.

Games for Windows (not to be confused with Games for Windows Live) was largely a positive evolution for PC gaming. Now PC games are not so random in specifications and support, at least. That brings some negatives, though, like the worse support for other gamepads.

[Pulsar_t]

In other words consolifying the PC

[jfrost]

It's just some set of standards that aren't mandatory. The PC-ness of the PC is intact. Consoles, in my view, are more of a gated community, whereas the PC still isn't.

[Pulsar_t]

I might sound like a cynic, but I think we should forego the term PC and use Windows instead Let's face it, you cant play squat if your PC/laptop doesn't have Windows

[jfrost]

We might use the Rock Paper Shotgun terminology:

- PC
- Cultist PC
- Hippy PC