It's not about the best

[Nonomori]

(Sorry if some parts doesn't make sense. I'm still learning English. Reading is easy, writing, not so much.)

I have been playing games since forever and the majority of my games are on PC, but I'm one of those who prefer gamepads. People always say "it's the superior controller" and "you will get used in no time", but it never works well for me.

It's very precise and allows great customization, but it's hard to ignore that I'm controlling a 3D character with 4 directional buttons, the uncomfortable position of my hands, the loud "clicks", the absence of vibration etc. Well, I don't know how to put it... it's "impersonal". I don't feel like playing at all, interacting with the game don't have the same satisfaction.

I can play games like Amnesia or Portal with some patience, but the keyboard and mouse ruins the experience of action or fast-paced games for me, including shooters. I remember being really bored with Half-Life 2 before trying the magic words "exec 360controller". It's not because the gamepad made the game good, but because being comfortable with the controls is a very important part of the experience. Of course, it's also irritating when the kb/m controls are bad implemented (I'm talking about you, Dark Souls).

I respect the preferences of other people, but some frequent arguments against gamepads (and console gaming, for a lesser extent) are really absurd. John Marston doesn't come out of home without 30 guns, knife, lasso, tomahawks and dynamite. With good controls and interface, you can switch weapons with ease. What I'm trying to say is that you don't need 109 buttons to create a complex, interesting gameplay, and the idea that gamepads are "toys" is beyond my comprehension.

God knows I tried for years. I probably will never finish Mass Effect and I'm afraid of wasting money with Bioshock 2. There are programs like Xpadder, but without the right interface/sensibility, it's really awkward. I would love to have fun, but after some time, my hands will be again begging for mercy.

So, you feel more comfortable with kb/m, controllers or doesn't make difference? There are enough PC gamers who prefer gamepads to justify including the option? And why developers justify that don't have time or resources for gamepad support when it's already done in the console versions? It's serious, I really can't understand why it's so hard.

 

[Aris Khandr]

I prefer controllers. I make a lot of subtle movements when I play games, that keyboards don't really account for. I'll use a controller for any game I can, with the exception of flight games, where I must use a joystick. I'll use a mouse and keyboard if I have to (like in ME3), and some games really do work better that way (RTS, The Sims), but anything actiony, I want my gamepad.

 

[skywolfblue]

I prefer controllers. Mostly due to ergonomics reasons. Keyboard and Mouse can really strain my hands after a while, even on "ergonomic" keyboards and mice.

I do wish controllers had more buttons sometimes though.

Even though I'm an Xbox gamer (well aside from a spattering of RTSs), I still support PC guys who want to use a controller instead of a keyboard. It is a shame that support for controllers is often so terrible.

 

[Dragoon]

I try to use a controller whenever possible while playing on my PC, just vastly prefer them to a keyboard and mouse unless I'm playing a strategy game which I rarely do anyway.

 

[Pink Gregory]

I like to think about it like this, mostly in first person games; the mouse is like moving your eyes, a controller is like moving your head.

Must admit I do prefer controllers in that there's much more control over the speed of movement (thought it doesn't matter all the time), that and I usually play PC in the dark and it takes a crucial second to search for the hotkeys (I'm terrible in something like S.T.A.L.K.E.R, not that I don't still enjoy it)

 

[Full]

I like KB/M a lot better, but I can't use them for longer than about an hour unfortunately. It pinches my nerve in the and then my arm starts to fall asleep. However I like laying back with a controller as well, so I'm not bummed by it.

 

[Bertylicious]

I like to think about it like this, mostly in first person games; the mouse is like moving your eyes, a controller is like moving your head.

That's a really neat and concise way of putting it, kudos!

Controllers are better for combinations of inputs whilst mice are better for precision and keyboards better for complexity. I would personally say that there are different games tailored to different hardware, but we should all really be honest with ourselves and admit that none of them are good enough.

We need a device that performs in all 3 of these areas.

 

[Nazulu]

It's very precise and allows great customization, but it's hard to ignore that I'm controlling a 3D character with 4 directional buttons, the uncomfortable position of my hands, the loud "clicks", the absence of vibration etc. Well, I don't know how to put it... it's "impersonal". I don't feel like playing at all, interacting with the game don't have the same satisfaction.

It's perfectly precise, allows any customisation, the WSDA keys and the mouse spins quicker than any controller I've used, I do find it more comfortable than most controllers (especially crap like the Wiimote), the clicks I'm used to but you can get a silent mouse and keyboard if required and I prefer not to have vibration. I find it far superior with most games, those same games with a gamepad feel like half the game is missing.

However, games like Super Smash Brothers Melee I couldn't imagine playing on keyboard, I'm sure there are other examples but I can't think of any right now.

 

[Danceofmasks]

It's all about the best tool for the job.
Yes, I said it. The best.

For fighters, I'll use a fightstick.
For flight sims, I'll use a joystick.
For racing games, I'll use a wheel.

That's why, for shooters, I'll use a mouse.
And for Assassin's creed, I'll use a controller.

The bottom line is: How effective the device allows you to translate your intent into results.
That means, if you can't use a keyboard + mouse for shit, it doesn't actually translate intent into results well, does it?

So whichever input device you use for a game, it's about what's best for you in order to get the job done.

 

[StriderShinryu]

For me, I can certainly appreciate the fact that KBM controls are faster and more precise when playing a FPS.. but that's actually what I don't like about them. When playing a FPS with a mouse, it feels more like I'm just in a point and click shooting gallery. It's too fast and precise to approximate any sense of actually using a weapon. The quick tracking speed and pinpoint precision actually hurts the experience for me.

 

[Eclectic Dreck]

In some games there is a legitimate need for a greater variety of inputs. Some games rely on novelity of complex control above all else. Making a realistic modern military flight simulator requires ready access to dozens of buttons at least and hopefully a quality joystick, throttle and rudder pedal set though the latter are negotiable. Steel Batallion was a game that traded almost exclusively on the complex interface - without it, that game would be in the running for worst of a generation.

In other cases, a control mechanism offers a theoretical advantage. Any game that needs a constant analog input benefits from a joystick which is readily housed in a controller. Any game that relies upon rapid and precise response benefits from a pointing device. This isn't to say that one cannot become proficient in the use of a joystick to play a shooter - simply that reaching the same level that is possible with a mouse will require some level of artificial assistance.

Like anything else, it generally comes down to design. In most cases it is possible to modify a game to work with joystick or mouse without undermining anything fundamental. In some, however, the input device is critical to the game itself. Most of the time then you'll find that it is simple preference.

 

[teebeeohh]

i prefer k/m and i hate that the number of multi-platform games that allow me to take advantage of having more buttons , why am i limited to 4 quickslot items in ass creed 3? i have at least ten number keys i can use for that.

however there are some situations where pads are as good/better than m/k, namely dark souls, dmc and the helicopter missions in gta4

 

[Vern5]

The best kind of interface you should use with a game is highly dependent on the game itself. I use keyboard and mouse for most shooters because I play the kind that don't have regenerating health (because I'm awesome) and every added bit of accuracy can mean the difference between life and death. Also, games with high amounts of optional content or require hotkeys of some kind demand the use of a keyboard and its endless buttons.

On the other hand, a game that requires dexterity rather than a diverse set of controls is more suited towards a simple controller. I've never played a fighting or racing game without a controller because, while they are less suited towards complex commands, they are perfectly suited towards rapid input.

 

[Vault101]

I'm a diehard K/M person...in fact in alot of cases I really hate gamepads, I can only tolerate them if it requies absolutly no aiming

I remember playing one of my first FPS games (Bioshock) and it was keboard and mouse...I realised "holy shit..now THIS is how you do it" having only played/seen Goldeneye and halo before

other than that K/M for EVERYTHING

For me, I can certainly appreciate the fact that KBM controls are faster and more precise when playing a FPS.. but that's actually what I don't like about them. When playing a FPS with a mouse, it feels more like I'm just in a point and click shooting gallery. It's too fast and precise to approximate any sense of actually using a weapon. The quick tracking speed and pinpoint precision actually hurts the experience for me.

I find auto-aim does the same thing

if all I have to do is "hold-realease" the "aim" button/trigger and it will fix upon an enmy itself...well thats just silly..not to mention if I'm not doing that it feels (quite literally in the original meaning of the word) retarded...I'm being held back, like using mobile phone keyboard to type rather than a real one..its just frustrating

 

[bafrali]

Yeah it is about the best. You use the best tool you can find for the job.

For shooters and strategy games it is Mouse and keyboard.

For action, sport, racing games it is gamepad.

It is all about choosing the right tool to get the most fullfilling and elaborate experience.


See what happens when you get limited by the controller.

 

[Jenvas1306]

Shooters were never viable for me on consoles, only on a pc with a mouse. While other games just crave for a proper controller.
Well my Wii solved that with console shooters, but on the other hand, some games there just need a GC-controller plugged in.

 

[bemusement]

The gamepad is the best all round tool for the job and most comfortable. But for RTS's only a mouse/kb is sufficient.

 

[Razputen]

For me it depends entirely on the game I'm playing because I've grown up using both. For shooters I use a K&M, for fighters I use a gamepad and I tend to use both everyday.

I find the PC gamer elitism tedious, because in my view they are both perfectly valid control schemes for most types of games, it's just an 'Apples vs. Oranges' issue in the end. It's entirely a matter of personal taste the way I see it and people should just use what they are most comfortable with.