The X-Box thread brought up the topic of preferred controller setups. I was just wondering what people use?

I never really took a liking to console controllers for FPS games. I think it's because I don't have enough thumbs. (Two isn't enough!) I mean, how are you supposed to circle-strafe? The analog stick takes some getting used to.

I much prefer my keyboard/mouse setup. I've taken to using WASD for translational movement, and the mouse for rotational movement. In Spector-class games, Q and E are mapped to lean left and right. CTRL and ALT are crouch and jump because they're right there, and my pinky and thumb aren't otherwise occupied.

- Alan

Keyboard and mouse rules for FPS, RTS. For third-person action games, I think the gamepads are better.

That's why there really aren't a lot of crossover hits between PC and console. The games are just different.

I only have the use of one hand so I tend to use jusat the mouse. (a mouse with LOTS of buttons)

I always felt like the N64 controller lent nicely to circle-strafing. The analog stick gives you the forward/backward and looking left/right, with the yellow (C) buttons for strafing left/right and looking up/down. (Yeah, that does seem a little backwards, now that I think about it. It just seemed so natural until I questioned it...)

You guys are doing a good job of converting me, though. I don't think I'll ever completely drop the N64 controller, for Perfect Dark's sake alone, but I'm warming up to the keyboard/mouse idea.

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Keyboard and mouse rules for FPS, RTS.

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I use WASD for movement. Shift for sneak/walk, space for jump, Ctrl for crouch, q for last weapon, e for use, and various others depending on the FPS. I don't play a lot of RTS but I use a similar setup for Sacrifice with A and D being the turn left and right buttons since there is no strafe.

Dave and I threw down about the MSSC before so I will keep this brief. I would have to say I don't think it is cheating. You can create the same effect using a macro program and binding the things to keyboard keys. If you consider that cheating that is cool but I don't see how it is any different than a rocket jump macro. :)

/me dons his flame retardant suit.

Murph: I always felt like the N64 controller lent nicely to circle-strafing. The analog stick gives you the forward/backward and looking left/right, with the yellow (C) buttons for strafing left/right and looking up/down. (Yeah, that does seem a little backwards, now that I think about it. It just seemed so natural until I questioned it...)

When I played Goldeneye, I used the stick for looking (left/right/up/down too), and the yellow buttons for movement (strafe left/strafe right/forward/back). I mean, using both hands to aim? That would drive me nuts!

- Alan

"When I played Goldeneye, I used the stick for looking (left/right/up/down too), and the yellow buttons for movement (strafe left/strafe right/forward/back). I mean, using both hands to aim? That would drive me nuts!"

Yeah, Alan, the more I think about it, the more I wonder why it's never bothered me before. It is a pretty ridiculous control scheme. But I've gotten used to it now, so I suppose that I'll probably keep using on the N64. I do like it that you can customize the controls to suit your needs, though. That's one thing that might keep consoles in competition (bring it on Wumpus!) with PCs when it comes to FPSs.

"That's one thing that might keep consoles in competition (bring it on Wumpus!) with PCs when it comes to FPSs. "

Pffft. When it comes to control and FPS games, it's not even in the same league. Even after all this time, I still think Goldeneye is a brilliant game.. with crappy controls.

Perfect Dark was almost as good but had some severe framerate issues. Not like I can run out and upgrade or anything. ;)

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

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Perfect Dark was almost as good but had some severe framerate issues. Not like I can run out and upgrade or anything. ;)

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"Perfect Dark was almost as good but had some severe framerate issues. Not like I can run out and upgrade or anything. ;)"

Perfect Dark was in many ways superior to Goldeneye. I swore I'd never say that, being into the classics and all, but PD is totally customizable. You can select which weapons you want and which you don't -- something I always wanted to do in Goldeneye.

They're both great (perhaps in spite of controls), but I spend a lot more time with Perfect Dark nowadays...

"They're both great (perhaps in spite of controls), but I spend a lot more time with Perfect Dark nowadays... "

Enjoy your 10fps! :P Did I mention that my N64 would actually overheat and lock up while playing that, too? I am _not_ joking.

wumpus http://www.gamebasement.com

"Did I mention that my N64 would actually overheat and lock up while playing that, too?"

Really? That's odd. I haven't had that problem -- yet -- even after eight straight hours of use. I have had it freeze up on me before, though. (Actually, wait -- maybe it has happened once with that game.) Usually it's during a completely non-cool game, though. (My wife's favorites are Monopoly and the New Tetris. It's happened to her during both of them.)

Anyway -- back on topic, I'd like to see PD on the PC. Always have, just so during mulitplayer games there would be no screen-looking. That would also help to get a feel for whether one system's controls really were superior. Granted, ports between the PC and consoles often don't go well, but I'd like to know for sure...