Poll: Screw WADS

[viranimus]

I find WASD controls problematic because they are so unbelievably commonplace almost to the point of an unmodifiable standard. If it were easier to get your fingers oriented around WASD buttons from touch I wouldnt have nearly the issues.

So, It got me to thinking that a solution for this would be to modify keyboards. If you moved the arrow keys to the left side of a gaming keyboard and make a more ergonomic 1 hand control layout around that set of arrow keys, it would alleviate many issues that are created with WASD configurations like tying up text capabilities with movement mapping

TL;DR: Would you use a keyboard with a specialized set of control keys to the left of the letter keys if available, over standardized WASD controls?

Edit:

Read before quoting

 

[Miles000]

I'm fine with it as it is.
It's how I've learned, and it works.

 

[Furioso]

Nope, I find the WASD keys to be perfect for the way my comp/keyboard/hand size/etc is set up, but I wouldn't have a problem if someone invented a new, non standard keyboard for people who had issues with the norm

Captcha: Rolfs fromyri


Who is Rolf, and why does he feel the need to tell me hes from yri?

 

[LookingGlass]

Perhaps what you need is one of these bad boys:

In case those pictures aren't clear, you can move the keys around to wherever you see fit.

 

[blaqknoise]

Nope, I think it's fine as is.

If it ain't broken, don't fix it.

 

[Dimitriov]

No sir. I like me my WASD.


I can certainly find those keys by touch without looking, been using them for games for well over a decade now.

 

[oplinger]

WASD is my natural keyboard stance..

However it's not unmodifiable, if I need more buttons I just use ESDF.

 

[KefkaCultist]

No... WASD works perfectly fine because where you hand rests on the keyboard in that position you have easy access to other keys for other functions, like Q and E can be used as strafing, space bar with your thumb for jump, caps locks to activate a voice chat function, tab to open inventory, number keys for abilities, ctrl for crouch, and etc.

PC gaming with a keyboard does take some getting used to if you use a controller mostly, but after your used to it it becomes pretty proficient in all it can do as is and doesn't need to be modified. All of this is IMO of course.

 

[Capt. Crankypants]

The only thing I'd really want to change about WASD isn't even about the keys themselves, is the stupid key limit that you can press. For example, a lot of driving games wont allow you to press W (accelerate), D (turn right) and Ctrl (boost or whatever) at the same time, so you end up boosting yourself straight into the oncoming wall. I never got the point of that key limit, especially when it works with some key combinations and not others.

 

[tombman888]

WASD is fine for me, It's just what i'm used to (well, its QWER now that i've been playing LoL too much)

 

[Signa]

It took me years to break free from the arrow keys, just because it was too cluttered by WASD. Some games I still have to use the arrows because of the way they are organized. Keep in mind that the ins-del-home-end-pgup-pgdn keys needs to be arranged in the standard configuration for me to have it work at all. Games like Thief required separate run and walk buttons, and also used lean left, right and forward. Those keys above the arrows are well suited for all those functions.

I eventually ended up with a Zfang, which offers the best of the Arrow keys and WASD for me. Still useless for Thief though.

 

[LookingGlass]

The only thing I'd really want to change about WASD isn't even about the keys themselves, is the stupid key limit that you can press. For example, a lot of driving games wont allow you to press W (accelerate), D (turn right) and Ctrl (boost or whatever) at the same time, so you end up boosting yourself straight into the oncoming wall. I never got the point of that key limit, especially when it works with some key combinations and not others.

The best one is when you press shift too many times in quick succession and the game alt-tabs out so that Windows can tell you how much it disapproves of your actions.

 

[Aris Khandr]

I would. WASD gaming was clearly never intended for girls. Oh, you should see the gouges I have on those keys from trying to find a comfortable, but dependable way to press those buttons with my nails. For obvious reasons, the W key has it the worst.

 

[crudus]

I don't know of any problems with it. I got through 6 years of WoW with it so it should work pretty well. I will admit the scheme assumes your mouse is on the right side. If my mouse isn't on the right side I just use the arrow keys.

I would. WASD gaming was clearly never intended for girls. Oh, you should see the gouges I have on those keys from trying to find a comfortable, but dependable way to press those buttons with my nails. For obvious reasons, the W key has it the worst.

That sounds like a problem with you physiology and the keyboard rather than the setup itself.

 

[EdwardOrchard]

Really? You've never seen this before?

Well, allow me to introduce you to the beautiful Steelseries Merc Stealth. Ive had it for about a year now, love it. Had a Zboard before this one, but I find this one to just feel better.

Oh, the Zboard -

Really? Never seen these? Seriously?

 

[Drexlor]

I would never change WADS, it's perfect for me since I'm left-handed.

 

[Baneat]

Perhaps what you need is one of these bad boys:

In case those pictures aren't clear, you can move the keys around to wherever you see fit.

Got the name of this device?

 

[Akytalusia]

i'm usualy in WASD even when i don't need to be. it's just natural.