Fine, I'm converted! [Controller discussion]

[Mánagarmr]

So, I've always been part of the "PC master race" part of the community where I'd blatantly state that Mouse+Keyboard is always superior in every way and always. But you know what? Back inte 90's and late 80's, I had a Joystick for many of my games. Racers, flight sims and even a few platformers.

So I got myself an XBox controller. Now I use it for pretty much every game that supports it. Here's a list of games I used to play KB/M but now use controller for

 - Super Meat Boy (Precision platformer)
 - Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams (Precision platformer) (kickstarter backer preview)
 - XCOM: Enemy Unknown (Squadbased tactical TBS)
 - Carrier Command: Gaea Mission (Errr...strategy?)
 - Nitronic Rush (Arcade survival racer)

I'm officially converted. I admit, there are times when a controller and analogue stick is clearly superiour to keyboard and mouse. That said, I wouldn't touch an FPS (such as Tribes) with a controller, neither a fast paced RTS such as Starcraft or Supreme Commander.

Right tool for the right job!

[madcow]

Welcome to the coven!

I agree that whenever possible I use my gamepad over keyboard/mouse with a variety reasons as to why.

[LaughingThesaurus]

I agree to a lesser extent. Controller's better for, say, any situation where you don't have to aim.  Though, I must say regardless of the strategy game, I need a mouse/keyboard. I pretty much only use the controller to play platformers and bad ports and the occasional console game.

[Mánagarmr]

XCOM works extremely well with a pad, and I was surprised at just how well it works. But as I said, I wouldn't want to play StarCraft with a pad

[madcow]

Xcom was likely also designed with consoles in mind. Starcraft or the like, yeah no go. I should say when possible and -reasonable- I prefer controller over keyboard/mouse, even sometimes if it's at a disadvantage (I play awesomenauts with a controller, even though keyboard/mouse has better aiming).

One of the other big reasons is, I don't feel sore after using a gamepad. Playing a game with lots of mouse movement/clicking gets uncomfortable for me, especially if I use my trackpad on my laptop. It's nice to sit on the sofa with my laptop and play something

[LaughingThesaurus]

I don't know about x-com since I don't have it/can't afford it/don't know if it's my kind of game. However, what I do know is when I play any kind of tile-based strategy game, it irritates me to no end when my controller accidentally doesn't select the right tile. If I can just click on the tile it's fine, but if I end up accidentally scrolling past what I want, it wears on me ever so slightly. So, even for something slow paced, I just really like precision and that's my way of handling controller choice. If I can't be precise, then I can't play. That's why I have a small stack of wii games, and I only ever play the ones that use gamecube controllers. Why? Because the wiimote handles precision like somebody with mittens cooking italian cuisine. So... that's my preference. Not gonna say controllers are worse, because sometimes I really do wish I could game while hanging back, which I just can't do. My preference in terms of gameplay outweighs the desire to hang back.

[Mánagarmr]

I can definitely relate. I've found though that I "miss" about as often with my controller as I misclick with my mouse these days. I think it's more of a "getting used to" kinda thing. But I agree, that did grind on me as well at first.

[LaughingThesaurus]

To me it just happens any time that I happen to have an off gaming day. I never really feel like I forget how to use a mouse and keyboard though.
And, I never forget how to platform on a controller, of course!

[Bossman]

That said, I wouldn't touch an FPS (such as Tribes) with a controller,

Controller's better for, say, any situation where you don't have to aim.

Care to explain these stances? I've used both KB+M and controllers for FPSes, and I find they're equivalent in ease of use.

[Mánagarmr]

Yes. It's rather easy. Try playing Tribes Ascend using a controller. Let me know how that works for you. Or give CS:GO a whirl against KB+M players.

[Mánagarmr]

Autoaim easy mode single player FPS isn't what I was referring to when I meant FPS. Frankly, I wouldn't play those either with a controller. When it comes to pinpoint accuracy the KB+M is studiply superior to a controller. Not to mention you aren't locked to a set turn speed.

[keith.lamothe]

I wonder if anyone's tried to rig a touch-screen input setup for an FPS where you just tap on their head to headshot them

(obligatory kids-in-the-hall reference left as an exercise to the reader)

[Coppermantis]

For shooters and strategy games I prefer Keyboard and Mouse because it's easier to aim/control, plus games like Starcraft are actually impossible on a controller. You need far too many buttons than a controller can offer.

For platformers and racing games, I can see how a controller would be good but I don't own one.

[LaughingThesaurus]

Also, you always turn off aim assist, auto aim, mouse acceleration, etc. Those are nightmares to deal with on KB/M. They are requirements for controllers. Those kinds of FPSs have generally copious amounts of aim assist to compensate for the lack of precision.

[Mánagarmr]

Also, you always turn off aim assist, auto aim, mouse acceleration, etc. Those are nightmares to deal with on KB/M. They are requirements for controllers. Those kinds of FPSs have generally copious amounts of aim assist to compensate for the lack of precision.

Thank you. This was pretty much what I was trying to explain above, but completely failed to