What Makes PC Controls so Great?

[V8 Ninja]

It's all about the options. You can rebind keys (most of the time), you can choose between keyboard & Mouse or gamepad, a mouse is much more responsive than two analog sticks (for FPSs).

 

[Hashime]

the mouse allows for quick, precise aiming, the keyboard has many buttons and is highly customizable. Macros can also be created for some keyboards and mice allowing for greater ease in repetitive tasks.

 

[ugle43]

Yeah, sure thats the reason, i guess thats why they had to heavily nerf key/mouse in shadowrun, and add auto-aim for joypads.

I just cannot see how poeple can belive this, all top level players in fps and rts on PC uses keyboard and mouse, do you really belive this is just preference or experience? That there was not a single one of this people who had used joypads for gaming quite a lot before?

Wait, what? I can't understand what you're saying. In your earlier posts you sounded like you supported console controllers being superior, now it looks like you're advocating keyboard/mouse. What?

Anyway, you don't see competitive console players using keyboard/mouse or competitive PC players using console controllers because they'd each want a level playing field with each other, so this exact kind of discussion wouldn't occur. "Haha, we won!" "Yeah, but that's because you used keyboard and we used joypad! Waaah, complain." "Pejorative affirmation about diminutive masculinity".

On an Xbox, you mostly use the Microsoft controller or its clones, on the Playstation you use Sony's or its clones, on the PC you use a keyboard and mouse. That's how people are used to playing games, so that transfers over to the competitive scene.

And, since each of our gaming platforms of choice is a matter of preference only (you don't choose Xbox over PC because it's "better", but because you like the games and the controls), the control setup of each one of us is a matter of preference as well.

Exactly, "level playing field", because if you used a joypad in starcraft you would get geaten hands down in every game, it might be seen as not following the game rules, but then only in the sense that you are not trying your best to win, since you are using a clearly inferior controller.

Do you think they use keyboards on the competitive car-game-scene on PC, because keyboard and mouse is the most normal?

Some control-setups are obviously better at some types of games, I just cannot see how people with a minimum of knowledge about gaming can claim otherwise.

 

[Tzekelkan]

No I wouldn't. You talk like design and engineering is all just the same and nothing really matters. Like whether we prefer decorative triangle designs on jars instead of squares. Some things are just better like 1.9 is a better answer to 1 + 1 than 1.6.

That which is "well designed" is that which is functional, comfortable and easy to use. But all that is pretty much convention. It's subjective. Not everyone is going to agree to all the same things. Sure, saying that glass makes for a better window than live horses is going to get many people to agree with you, but saying that playing a shooter with control-setup X rather than Y will make your statement seem a bit controversial.

And how can you compare the subjective things like handles and valves to mathematics?

Neither controllers or mouse/kb are good enough to allow realistic movements in games. Make no mistake, players in all games are stumbling around like clumsy superhuman robots. The differences come down how the different controls give the robots different levels of superhuman powers and different types of clumsiness.

What does this even have to do with the subject at hand? You're entirely right. I'm agreeing with you 100%. The thing is the humans controlling the robots also factor in: skill and a dextrous hand govern the different levels of clumsiness, not what's in the hand.

Of course, like I said: you don't play shooters with steering wheels.

 

[Bat Vader]

God, this really annoys me. No method of control is better than the other, it's just a matter of having gotten used to it. I've been gaming on my PC for twelve years and am therefore greatly accustomed to WSAD + mouse. However, I've never owned a console and therefore the controllers feel awkward in my hand. For a lifetime console gamer, I would imagine it's the opposite.

No control scheme is superior to any other, it comes down to preference, how hard can it be to understand this? There are people left and right who just "can't understand" each other's personal preference. Jesus, it annoys me a lot, I feel the need to rant. It's so goddamn pointless to be amazed that someone out there might have different preferences than you.

Its hard to understand, because its plain wrong, if it was only a matter of preference, why do competitive gamers almost exclusively use only one controller-setup? Becuase they are to stupid to understand thats it's only preference? Or could it be that that controller-method is actually better?

Does it really matter which method is better? If the people at gaming competitions use a certain type of setup than good for them. I don't care about which setup is better. I do however care about which setup I enjoy the most, and personally I enjoy the mouse and keyboard a bit more.

 

[ugle43]

God, this really annoys me. No method of control is better than the other, it's just a matter of having gotten used to it. I've been gaming on my PC for twelve years and am therefore greatly accustomed to WSAD + mouse. However, I've never owned a console and therefore the controllers feel awkward in my hand. For a lifetime console gamer, I would imagine it's the opposite.

No control scheme is superior to any other, it comes down to preference, how hard can it be to understand this? There are people left and right who just "can't understand" each other's personal preference. Jesus, it annoys me a lot, I feel the need to rant. It's so goddamn pointless to be amazed that someone out there might have different preferences than you.

Its hard to understand, because its plain wrong, if it was only a matter of preference, why do competitive gamers almost exclusively use only one controller-setup? Becuase they are to stupid to understand thats it's only preference? Or could it be that that controller-method is actually better?

Does it really matter which method is better? If the people at gaming competitions use a certain type of setup than good for them. I don't care about which setup is better. I do however care about which setup I enjoy the most, and personally I enjoy the mouse and keyboard a bit more.

Thats a fair opinion, which you are entitled too have. I have nothing against that opinion. However I will argue against the false claim that no setup is better. "I don't care which is better" is not the same as "no one is better"

 

[Tzekelkan]

Exactly, "level playing field", because if you used a keypad in starcraft you would get geaten hands down in every game, it might be seen as not following the game rules, but then only in the sense that you are not trying your best to win, since you are using a clearly inferior controller.

Do you think they use keyboards on the competitive car-game-scene on PC, because keyboard and mouse is the most normal?

Some control-setups are obviously better at some types of games, I just cannot see how people with a minimum of knowledge about gaming can claim otherwise.

I misunderstood what you said. I thought you were saying joypads are better all the time. Of course, I agree that keyboard/mouse is better for an RTS.

But the OP's question was "what makes PC controls so great?" as if he was saying that joypads bring you literal orgasms bathed in honey that was created by the sacred bees of God Himself. Of course, the games you play and the platform you play them on are a matter of personal preference and those games and platforms dictate the controls you'll play them with. That's what I meant by personal preference.

Also what I meant by personal preference: let's take a game like Mass Effect, for instance. Given the choice, I'd play it with mouse/kb. Others would play it with a joypad. Do you think we'd have different levels of fun?

Same thing for racing games. I don't play a lot of those, but I feel the mouse/kb a natural fit for me. I can't stand to move the car or the camera with my thumb, it feels very stiff and awkward after years and years of WSAD + right hand on mouse.

 

[Marter]

I actually would rather play with a controller as opposed to a mouse and keyboard. For me, it's just easier to play with, even if you have to sacrifice a slight amount of accuracy in shooters.

The only exception is RTS games. I hate trying to play them with a controller.

 

[derelict]

Not trying to start anything, but I just can't for the life of me figure out a way how PC controls are better than console controls (as I've been told by PC gamers.) So how is it better?

Far as I'm concerned, easier to aim for FPS'es. RTS doesn't really fit on a console either, it's just easier to use keyboard commands for that sort of thing. More keys to access and all.

 

[Sarahcidal]

i cannot stand PC controls
*hides from impending barrage of large rocks and pointy objects*

 

[Ghostkai]

Certain game genre's are almost impossible to play competitively with a controller (e.g RTS, and MMORPG's).

That said, it's just a matter of preference.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

However I will argue against the false claim that no setup is better.

Even on a purely hardware level, both set ups have their strengths and weaknesses.

 

[Abedeus]

Because I have a choice. I find Batman: Arkham Asylum and Assassin's Creed a lot easier with PC controls than gamepad (because it's more accurate and faster). But when I want a fast-paced game like Rayman or Devil May Cry, I want a gamepad. Not sure, why, but it's easier.

 

[ugle43]

However I will argue against the false claim that no setup is better.

Even on a purely hardware level, both set ups have their strengths and weaknesses.

Yeah and? Thats exactly what makes one setup better for a certain gametype.

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

i cannot stand PC controls
*hides from impending barrage of large rocks and pointy objects*

Can I save time and effort and just use a large, pointy rock?

 

[johnman]

Controlers confuse the hell out of me, you have 11 keys on the 360 controller (Which I also think looks like a childrens toy, but thats not relevant), 14 if the d-pad performs functions depending on direction. you use 3 different buttons to move, look around and shoot. My mouse does all three of those at the same time. Plus I can scroll though my weapons, aim down the sight, reload and meele (using Cod as an example on a 4 buton mouse).
In the end it all comes down to personal peference, I find keyboard and mouse infinatly easier and comfortable than a controller, but then its waht I use the most

 

[More Fun To Compute]

That which is "well designed" is that which is functional, comfortable and easy to use. But all that is pretty much convention. It's subjective. Not everyone is going to agree to all the same things. Sure, saying that glass makes for a better window than live horses is going to get many people to agree with you, but saying that playing a shooter with control-setup X rather than Y will make your statement seem a bit controversial.

It is not my fault if it is controversial but all the meaningful evidence says that a mouse is a lot better for certain tasks. Everything on the other side is anecdotal stuff like, "well I don't like using mice," or political stuff like, "they are both the same, agree with me or I will try to make you feel bad."

And how can you compare the subjective things like handles and valves to mathematics?

Data can be gathered in tests on things like time taken to open door, energy used to open the door, stress on joints, asking the door opener to rate their door opening experience, and so on. By deciding which factors are the most important you can build a mathematical model that tells you which method is better.

The thing is the humans controlling the robots also factor in: skill and a dextrous hand govern the different levels of clumsiness, not what's in the hand.

You didn't understand so I will try to say it again in a different way.

We don't have controllers that allow natural movement and this is not just because the games are not good enough or that players have not practised enough. Using the fine motor controls in your whole arm gives you more precision in control than using just your fingers and hands. This is a fact, not an opinion. Using your whole body, sense of balance, and other senses to move allows you to move naturally in a way that is not possible just by watching a 2d screen and controlling an avatar with your fingers. This is also a fact.

 

[Kajt]

The sheer number of keys, the positioning of them and keybinding makes PC controls better.

 

[Sarahcidal]

i cannot stand PC controls
*hides from impending barrage of large rocks and pointy objects*

Can I save time and effort and just use a large, pointy rock?

this would also be acceptable.. please make your blows precise and deadly with a minimum of pain

 

[TelHybrid]

It's a matter of choice. You can have keyboard and mouse for better aiming on FPS games, and more hotkeys for RTS, or you can use a controller if you want. Not to mention there's so many awesome steering wheels for PC, much better than ones you get packaged with special editions of certain racing games for consoles.