Controller for PC help?

[Strazdas]

Im really curious on how you would bind the keys on Dark Souls to make it a confortable game to play on the PC, its not about the fact that it was poorly ported.

There are more keys on a controller than a keyboard? are you seriuos? controllers are often flamed for their lack of ability to bind shortcuts.

No, its because the controls on Dark Souls were made for the controller in mind, the left bumper and left thrigger are the the controls for the left weapon and the right bumper and right thrigger are the controls for the right weapon. There are four buttons for the attack/defend functions and deppending on what you take it can also be four buttons just for the attack functions, while it is certainly possible to play it with keyboard and mouse I dont see it being better then with a controller because the game mechanics were very fine tuned for the controller from the start (and actually never intended to be played with anything else).

PS: I never said anything about the controller having more keys then a keyboard, I asked about how could Dark Souls be confortable to play with a keyboard, its a very different thing. Just because a keyboard can do all the actions it doesnt mean that its confortable.

well slashers need no aim or pointing and the mouse buttons can work the same as controller buttons so there is no instant gain beside the easy camera movement (something games nowadays make impossible anyway, curse you automatic cameras), but it wont be somehow uncomfortable.

 

[Ringo_Plumen]

Edit: I also should point out I like emulating older consoles which is where a gamepad is easier to use.

Depending on what you're emulating and all that just remember the 360 D-pad is bad. If it's older stuff that doesn't support the analogue sticks it's something to be aware of, I find that it's still perfectly playable but annoying none the less, it may not be a problem for you though if you're already used to using it.

Something like that Razer Onza mentioned earlier would probably make stuff like this play a lot better, but you did mention price matters and it is discontinued in favor of the much pricier Sabertooth.

 

[Doom972]

An Xbox 360 controller will do the trick (not sure about the wireless kind). If you prefer the Playstation layout, go with a Logitech gamepad - but make sure that it's one of the newer ones that support X-input. You can tell that it does by the colored X-box buttons. If you want the best, Razer has a gamepad that has full support for both X-input (for newer games) and DirectInput (for older games).

In case that was unclear: X-input is used for newer games, and is meant to be used only with the X-box 360 controller layout, while DirectInput is is used with older games and fully supports every PC controller layout except for the X-box 360 contoller layout.

 

[Lockling]

If youre going to be playing fighting games, youre better off with a PS3 controller(better D-Pad).
If not, i suppose the 360 is superior as youre already used to the controller.

 

[SSJBlastoise]

Depending on what you're emulating and all that just remember the 360 D-pad is bad. If it's older stuff that doesn't support the analogue sticks it's something to be aware of, I find that it's still perfectly playable but annoying none the less, it may not be a problem for you though if you're already used to using it.

Something like that Razer Onza mentioned earlier would probably make stuff like this play a lot better, but you did mention price matters and it is discontinued in favor of the much pricier Sabertooth.

I mostly emulate SNES and N64 stuff which can be really annoying with a keyboard because of the original controller's layouts. I wish my laptop could handle gamecube games but they usually run very poorly.

 

[Idlemessiah]

Wired xbox controller. No installation required and any game supporting controller use will already have the buttons mapped.

This all over. It's literally plug and go. Plus you can use it for Steam's Big Picture mode.

 

[Headdrivehardscrew]

Hey there.

The least hassle and working straight OOB solution would be to go for a (wireless) XBOX360 pad.

Thing is, I hate them. I abhor them. They fill me with misanthropy, rage and utter blood lust. They are no good for me.

The XBOX360 controller does not make sense for my hands or my brain. In my books, it's just a desecrated PlayStation controller, ripped apart and screwed together upside down and otherwise mutilated, so Sony couldn't sue Microsoft for infringing upon their patents. So, I am not the most neutral person on the subject.

I am very fond of the Logitech Cordless Rumblepad II, since they are rather similar to the more symmetrical layout of the PS3 controllers. In fact, I/we use 1-4 of them when playing just about anything. There is absolutely no problem with emulators or most PC games that I know of. Each controller comes with its own USB receiver, setting it up is a blast.

BUT...
Since Microsoft expects you to use an XBOX 360 controller, though, you would have to get fixes/patches for every game so the buttons match the layout of the Logitech controller. Also, the more current games will display XBOX controller buttons on-screen, which takes some initial getting used to, as you'll have to brain-map everything before it's stored in the auto-correct subsystem of your brain.

If that does sound awfully complicated to you, it's got to be the 360 controller. Since you already own an XBOX, and probably have less issues with the controllers than I do.

You could just use the wired controllers you already own with your PC. Not sure if that would be an option. I don't like cables and wires much myself.

To be able to connect a wireless controller, it is suggested you use an 'Xbox 360 wireless gaming receiver'. That's probably easiest.

I have tried to connect PS3 controllers, and I succeeded, but it felt clunky and very... unsatisfying to me. I haven't tried that for years now, since I'm happy with my Logitech setup.

Helpful Microsoft/XBOX entry on the topic: http://support.xbox.com/en-GB/games/xbox-controller-for-windows-setup

Contrary to what some people say, Microsoft strongly suggests to install the appropriate drivers BEFORE connecting the XBOX 360 controller(s) to your computer. Now knowing about your PC/computer/problem solving smarts, I'd want to agree and just go with that.

 

[Something Amyss]

I thought so - I just haven't tried one myself but based on experience with the wired one this is exactly what I expected. So it's a matter of which one you can get cheaper - the receiver or a wired controller. And maybe which one you prefer, if any. I'm too lazy to look up prices but I'd suggest going for the cheaper option.

Yeah, I suppose it depends. It was cheaper to use the wireless receiver for me because I got a good deal and already had wireless controllers for my XBox.

Though I now have a wired controller, which I sort of prefer. I don't need wireless when I'm like 3 feet away from my PC at max.

 

[teqrevisited]

I've got a wired 360 controller that I use for the majority of controller-type games. The D-pad on it is arse though. I've also got a PS2 adapter that I use for older games or games that play better with the D-pad as opposed to the analog sticks.

I noticed when I had a go with my brother's wireless 360 controller that the D-pad feels as if it's a bit better than the wired one but whether that's because he hasn't used it as much I don't know.

 

[Ickorus]

I know the 360 controller is the popular choice here, and one I've been considering for a while. Has anyone had any experience with hooking up a PS3 controller to their PC? Is it fairly simple as well or should I just go for the 360.

Most games default to the 360 control scheme, it can be a real hassle to get all your games running the PS3 setup.

 

[ThePuzzldPirate]

Im really curious on how you would bind the keys on Dark Souls to make it a confortable game to play on the PC, its not about the fact that it was poorly ported.

There are more keys on a controller than a keyboard? are you seriuos? controllers are often flamed for their lack of ability to bind shortcuts.

No, its because the controls on Dark Souls were made for the controller in mind, the left bumper and left thrigger are the the controls for the left weapon and the right bumper and right thrigger are the controls for the right weapon. There are four buttons for the attack/defend functions and deppending on what you take it can also be four buttons just for the attack functions, while it is certainly possible to play it with keyboard and mouse I dont see it being better then with a controller because the game mechanics were very fine tuned for the controller from the start (and actually never intended to be played with anything else).

PS: I never said anything about the controller having more keys then a keyboard, I asked about how could Dark Souls be confortable to play with a keyboard, its a very different thing. Just because a keyboard can do all the actions it doesnt mean that its confortable.

well slashers need no aim or pointing and the mouse buttons can work the same as controller buttons so there is no instant gain beside the easy camera movement (something games nowadays make impossible anyway, curse you automatic cameras), but it wont be somehow uncomfortable.

I suggest playing the product in question before passing judgment. Yes I can blame it on a bad port, even with mods, it's only putting a bandaid on a wound that needs sticthes. Kb+m is out of the question. The game only registers three buttons on the mouse and leaves some of the keyboard un binadable. The mouse is useless anyway considering that the mouse doesn't work with menus and is extremely stiff even with mods to fix it. This leaves you trying to control 2 types of controls(movement and camera), four buttons of attacks with separate buttons for item/spell. Did I tell you that this game isn't just a game that you run around with sword and "slash" and requires timely input and full control of your character to survive? KB+m isn't always the best awnser and luckily for PC users, we have options which includes a use of a controller. Your not offering help with what the OP is asking so just leave.

OP: 360 pads are the way to go, you can get them rather cheap and most games support it.

 

[The Artificially Prolonged]

I know the 360 controller is the popular choice here, and one I've been considering for a while. Has anyone had any experience with hooking up a PS3 controller to their PC? Is it fairly simple as well or should I just go for the 360.

I have. Before I got my logictech controller I was using a PS3 controller along with the Motioninjoy program to emulate the xbox controller. Works perfectly, although connecting the controller through bluetooth can be very fiddly, nonetheless it's perfectly serviceable option if you have a PS3 controller and don't want to spend any more money or like me, don't really like the xbox controller layout.

 

[PoolCleaningRobot]

I have a 360 controller with the receiver for my laptop which was good but the fucking receiver was on a cord that's like 2 feet long making it pointless cause my hands are right on next to my ports on my laptop. I'd buy a wired 360 controller. Its mostly helpful because almost all games are compatible with it.

Of course, if you're feeling more adventurous, I'd recommend a ps3 controller and either xpadder or motionjoy. Motionjoy is what I use the most because it has a 360 emulator and I can map keyboard keys and mouse functions to my controller so I can use it with games that aren't normally compatible (like the Cry of Fear mod or some older pc games). Motionjoy also can connect through bluetooth but it totally overwrites your computer's bluetooth drivers, but I never used it anyway. But motionjoy must be online and the interface can be slow. Xpadder on the other hand doesn't need online and it basically works with any controller/input device and can map keys and the mouse to the controller. But its a paid program (not that you have to *wink*), I don't think it can emulate 360, and it can't use bluetooth