Question for PC gamers.

[Matthewmagic]

Hey, I've been a console gamer most of my life and I have only recently moved into PC waters.

My problem is that I have trouble playing in the dark, and since my computer is in the bedroom if the boy is asleep the lights are off. I'm still so new too keyboard controls that while I understand some fundamentals I never understood why wsda moves.

How do you know your fingers are in the correct place to type? On most keyboards there is a nub you feel naturally on your index finger when your hands are in the correct position.

So why not have: edfs for movement instead? your hands find them vary naturally, the same amount of the keyboard is accessible and it may even open up more options with your pinkey now that if falls naturally on "A"

I know that in most PC games you can remap the buttons but I'm afraid I wont recognize something and end up opening up the map every time I want to move. So I guess my question is: Is there a good reason for the current control scheme? and If I'm not the first one too think of this is there some preset control scheme in most games I can goto?

Thank you!

 

[Keoul]

I suppose the reason for the wasd setup is because of 2 reasons, tradition and ctrl.
The "ctrl" key has been used for quite a while for crouching, a pretty useful thing in some games.
Then there is "tab" being used for scoreboard and "shift" for running (all varies on the game but you get the idea)
There's also "q" and "e" being used for weapon switch.

So your suggested "esdf" layout would require remapping a lot of keys and for everyone to have to re adjust to this change. But mostly the reason is tradition.

 

[Crises^]

Hello Matthew, on the issue of seeing the keys in the dark you can get things like these http://www.myglowkeys.com/

Also some gaming keyboards have the "wasd" keys slanted so its real easy to find your placing.

If your not looking to spend much I suggest the glow in the dark stickers however their are gaming keyboards with special keys or illuminated keys or anything else that might suit your needs. If your willing to give me a budget I can look for a solution for you.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

Hey, I've been a console gamer most of my life and I have only recently moved into PC waters.

My problem is that I have trouble playing in the dark, and since my computer is in the bedroom if the boy is asleep the lights are off. I'm still so new too keyboard controls that while I understand some fundamentals I never understood why wsda moves.

How do you know your fingers are in the correct place to type? On most keyboards there is a nub you feel naturally on your index finger when your hands are in the correct position.

So why not have: edfs for movement instead? your hands find them vary naturally, the same amount of the keyboard is accessible and it may even open up more options with your pinkey now that if falls naturally on "A"

I know that in most PC games you can remap the buttons but I'm afraid I wont recognize something and end up opening up the map every time I want to move. So I guess my question is: Is there a good reason for the current control scheme? and If I'm not the first one too think of this is there some preset control scheme in most games I can goto?

Thank you!

I don't know why it was WASD that was chosen back in the day. Probably due to CRTL, Shift, Tab, tilde and Caps Lock being near.

However after using it since Quake I now become flustered if I have to do anything else. Plenty of people use ESDF though, for precisely the reasons you mention, and there's no good reason you should now if you prefer the home key on F as a navigation point.

As for how my fingers naturally find WASD? Sheer rote muscle memory of using it for 18 years. That's it. I'm 30 by now and I really can't have any truck with switching to a new scheme. But I can certainly see the advantages of ESDF.

But my advice is that you try out using ESDF and see if that works for you. You really needn't be worried about anything. The worst that can happen is that you have to remap a bit more to make something work. In the end you'll find precisely the mappings that work for you and that's the important bit. Don't worry about anyone else plays.

 

[teh_gunslinger]

I suppose the reason for the wasd setup is because of 2 reasons, tradition and ctrl.
The "ctrl" key has been used for quite a while for crouching, a pretty useful thing in some games.
Then there is "tab" being used for scoreboard and "shift" for running (all varies on the game but you get the idea)
There's also "q" and "e" being used for weapon switch.

So your suggested "esdf" layout would require remapping a lot of keys and for everyone to have to re adjust to this change. But mostly the reason is tradition.

Nothing prevents OP from doing the remapping on his own though. Even if WASD is the default we're free to set it up as we like. I even know mad people who uses the num pad (a holdover from playing Descent). Madness I say! But more power to them.

And pox and curses on any developer who doesn't allow remapping of any and all keys! I'm looking at you, most console port devs! You're terrible people and you should feel terrible!

 

[SinisterGehe]

You just need to practice tbh, after a while you find the correct placement. It is just like piano/percussion/woodwind players, you fingers just start naturally finding their place. When you brain learn the correct distances from the static point that your fingers need to move in order to click the key, it becomes very natural.

Just practice or get a gaming keyboard with backlight.

 

[Bertylicious]

Half Life was the first game I saw that used the now ubiquitous WASD scheme. It was a nightmare before that, let me tell you. Why, in my day we couldn't even know what free-look was! You had to map a special button by editing the .cfg file and even then pushing the mouse moved you forward and back.

I'll tell you what used the middle section of the keyboard for turning though; Earthseige 2. That game was the dogs bollocks but it was a real ball ache trying to aim at the enemeies knee joints. The 90s were so shit. And all that dancing! Bleugh.

I would counsel moving the PC, if possible, so that you don't wake your boyfriend up when you're screaming "You ************, YOU ************!" at Dark Souls or snipers.

 

[Sexual Harassment Panda]

I use ESDF. The first few FPS games I played on PC were games that my brother had installed, and he re-programmed to ESDF. It just became habit from there.

I like to change crouch to the "a" button as well. That's very comfortable.

 

[DoPo]

But that's the whole point of remapping controls - so you don't have to use WASD if you don't want to. And once you get used to a control scheme, you can use it pretty comfortably in most games - whether it's WASD, EDFS, arrow key,s or whatever. I've even seen people use downright bizarre button mappings, I'm talking RMB to move forward, X and V for left and right, Space to shoot, Ctrl to reload and so on. Most games use the same scheme for basic operations - four direction for movement, jump, crouch (maybe), reload (maybe), run/walk (maybe), use (maybe). S once you get used to doing that in one game, you can just apply it to most other games and only define the extra few buttons buttons from there, so you're comfortable with them - say, use item, inventory and spell, or something. I do that all the time, and I'm using WASD - usually the axillary functions are not comfortable for me.

As for gow I find WASD - easy, it's right next to Tab/Caps Lock/Shift/Ctrl - the really big buttons on the keyboard. I know them by feel alone, and I know where to position my "movement" fingers so my pinkie lies comfortably on Shift/control and vice versa - when I have my pinkie there, I know where movement keys are. Or alternatively, just find Caps Lock, move one to the right and that's A, the rest is easy - it's not too different from finding F and then the rest.

 

[IndomitableSam]

I used to have a Logitech keyboard with lit keys... was awesome. I miss it dearly. Well worth the price, especially because you can set macros and such with some of the fancier ones.

After a while, your hands will naturally fidn the WASD keys anyway. Sometimes my hands fall to ESDF and I end up opening my inventory or interacting with something and readjust.

But, yeah, just ask for a light-up keyboard for Christmas. They're not terribly bright, but it makes a world of difference.

 

[Lugbzurg]

I suppose the reason for the wasd setup is because of 2 reasons, tradition and ctrl.
The "ctrl" key has been used for quite a while for crouching, a pretty useful thing in some games.
Then there is "tab" being used for scoreboard and "shift" for running (all varies on the game but you get the idea)
There's also "q" and "e" being used for weapon switch.

So your suggested "esdf" layout would require remapping a lot of keys and for everyone to have to re adjust to this change. But mostly the reason is tradition.

Ctrl for crouching? I use it to jump. Shift is my crouch button. I switch between run and walk with "?" and scroll through my weapons with the mouse wheel (or sometimes the number pad keys). That bit about the Tab button is the only one that actually matches my outlandish control scheme. I use "E" to interact with stuff, Escape to pause, and I don't even use the spacebar for anything!

My problem is that I have trouble playing in the dark, and since my computer is in the bedroom if the boy is asleep the lights are off. I'm still so new too keyboard controls that while I understand some fundamentals I never understood why wsda moves.

I always, always, ALWAYS use the arrow keys. I can't stand the "WSAD" controls.

 

[Christopher Fisher]

The best thing to do would be to find a keyboard that meets the demands you have. I personally use a Microsoft SidwinderX4 that has red backlighting (incredibly useful) and slight ridges on the W and F key. Other than that, I just know my keyboard layout very well (playing any MMORPG will do that for you, lol).

A great keyboard with rubberized WASD keys is the Corsair m60: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816001&Tpk=corsair%20k60

Another great Corsair keyboard with backlighting is the k90: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823816002&Tpk=corsair%20k90

Both of those are pretty pricey, so if you're looking for a cheaper alternative, get a SidewinderX6 or X4 if you can find it. I think the Corsair m60 would be best for you if you're looking for tactile feedback for correct hand placement, but honestly, just browse through the keyboard section and see which is best for you. Definitely get a backlit keyboard if you're gonna be playing in the dark though--NECESSARY.

 

[Gennadios]

The proximity to the function buttons that other people pointed out is pretty much the reason.

Most games nowadays use tab for menus, caps for run/walk toggle, shift for run, and ctrl for crouch.

It takes a while to get used to but I can't do it any other way anymore. Your hands just develop the memory overtime. I still have that problem with focusing on the screen, with my hand randomly centering around the 'e' key, but it takes under a second to figure it out and correct your hand position.

 

[Olas]

My keyboard has a little adjustable light that you can use in the dark.

Spoiler: Looks kinda like this.

Though most have lightup keys these days.

 

[Windcaler]

For me I know my hands are on the right places because if I move my pinky over just slightly Ill feel the longer caps lock key. However one of the great things about PC gaming is rebindable keys, if you're more comfortable with sdfe then set it up that way.

Something else you can do is buy a backlight keyboard. I have one and its really nice for when I have to play in the dark

What it comes down to is customization is king on PC use whatever hardware and setups your comfortable with

 

[Zeren]

I use a wolfking gaming keyboard and have memorized it's layout. I only look at it when keybinding things in a new game.

It's a shame they stopped making them.

 

[Zykon TheLich_v1legacy]

I use the arrow keys, with left ctrl, shift, enter and usually the keypad 0(ins) and 1(end), plus insert delete, home, end, Pgup and Pgdn. That's 11 other buttons in easy reach, usually enough for all the commands I need to access quickly. I can have pretty much the same function for each key in most games I play, it makes getting used to new controls a lot easier, although unfortunately some old games don't differentiate between keypad numbers and insert, end etc which generally has me getting mixed up as I'm so used to key X doing Y it takes time to de train myself.