Controller vs Mouse

S

Spiritus_Mundi

Guest
Hi,

I just picked up a copy of Half Life 2 and I'm wondering what people are generaly using as a controller. I'm used to using a console controller, and I have a Mad Catz Controller Pro USB which I'd like to make use of. Unfortunately Mad Catz don't seem to offer an application to map keystrokes like Logitech and others do. The controller is working, but there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to map it to Half Life 2.

If possible I'd like to avoid getting an RSI from excessive mouse use!

Rob :)
 
I use an ergonomic optical mouse.

And I find a comfortable position to use it. I don't really like controllers, I don't think they're very precise in aiming compared with a mouse.
 
okay...well about 90% of people here who play HL2 use a keyboard and mouse, it makes sense, its much easier, and if you wanna play pc games well, and fps games you'll have more fun with a mouse and keyboard. Consoles and controllers go together. Most people here would tell you the same thing. I think there is a way to use a controller, you can use a joystick for sure, so it would make sense.

My advice would be to learn how to use a keyboard and mouse for games in the future. You will find it easier/more fun and fufilling. I dont think think its easy to get RSI from using a mouse unless you are smacking it back and forth at the speed of light for 24 hours a day, so no worries. Sorry thats all i can say, just advice!
 
Keyboard and mouse here too. They rock the socks of a controller for a FPS no questions asked!.
 
It depends how you just like to play the game. If you play better with the gamepad then no problem. But most people just use keyborads and mouse, cause they are much more accurate than gamepad and easier to handle to most people.
 
The one thing that turned me off of GTA on PS2 was having to use the controller to aim, that's why I buy them on PC (roll on June 10th for SA!).

Anyway, as long as your arm is relatively straight when using a mouse i.e. not crooked or at an angle, there's no reason you should get RSI. A good guide is to play the game for a good session (maybe a couple of hours) and see if your wrist hurts - if it does then move your chair and mousemat til you're comfortable.

Do you think you can get RSI from a controller? I know for a fact that after monster gaming sessions some of my joints ache - ooh I'm getting too old for this! =o)
 
the best fps gamer i know uses a trackball. im not sure how he does it but hes amazing
 
I recommend a logitech mx 510 (wich I have myself) its insanely precise and very nice to hold in your hand, for me, or a mx518 wich should come soon and have even greater precision. I have tried controllers, joysticks and trackballs and they are incredibly inprecise!

As a keyboard just get whatever u feel is right.

Hectic Glenn I think the number is closer to 99 % :)
 
The only controller that's even worth a shit with FPS games is the venerable N64 controller, no matter how long they last (or don't, I should say :stare: ).
 
RSI forces me to use a joystick. I have tried lots of different models and the only one that I think does a halfway decent job with games (and saves my forearms from killing me) is the Microsoft Dual Strike.

You can't buy the Dual Strike retail any longer, but if you look up Dual Strike on eBay, you will see lots of listings.

It is a lot harder to use a joystick than a mouse, your accuracy is compromised, and the speed at which you can do anything is definitly slower, but if you practice (as with anything) you will get decent with it.
 
Wow, thanks for all the replies! Ok, all the information you've all given me is food for thought. Perhaps I should give the mouse a try before dismissing it out-of-hand. Any mouse faves? Are multiple on-mouse buttons of any use?

Thanks all!

Rob Yale :cheers:

added soon afterwards-----------

OK, I just noticed the post about the MX510. :eek:

What about the MX518 or the MX1000?
 
I'm currently using the logitech mx-1000 laser optical mouse, which has a gobsmacking 800dpi resolution, and twelve assignable buttons, although you'll have to make different keymaps for cruising windows and playing fps.

3 buttons on side, left right mouse buttons, up/down cruisecontrol buttons inbetween and in between that is a mousewheel/3rd mouse button, with a left/right tilt switch on the wheel...12 buttons...it's mad I tell you. Cordless too so no cable drag when moving.
 
Mouse and Keyboard is far, far, far better than Controller for FPS games. There's really no debate about it - why else would all Console FPS games require a certain degree of autoaiming to make it easier for the player too shoot? Why else do Multiplayer FPS games on consoles shy away from "Z Axis" fighting (vertical spaces that require you to look up and down a lot)?

The only issue is whether you're patient enough to adjust to using Keyboard and Mouse. In the long run though, it's a control method that has far more potential....
 
Shooters designed for the pc really need to be played with a mouse and keyboard. You'll find a mouse is far easier to aim with than a joypadd. A keyboard provides more than enough keys for movement and binds etc too. Unfortunately it only allows digital movement (which sucks balls compared to analogue)

So - easier aiming and more keys than you will need, but worse movement.

(I prefer a joypad for slow paced shooters, but prefer a mouse for anything speedy, especially online)
 
I'm currently using a budget optical mouse from Game. I think it cost me £15 max. I bought it to replace my ageing Micro$oft Opti which died after about a year.

To be honest it does everything I want from it. 2 Buttons and a wheel is all a Zen gamer, like myself, needs ;) We prefer an uncluttered interface - Fire, Alt Fire and Zoom - there is nothing more and we wish for nothing more......12 buttons you say? Well...what are they all for? You what?....map one to quicksave and one to quickload? Well that does sound quite useful maybe I should...no...no....it betrays my heritage, I refuse.

Hey, anyone remember the days before Scroll wheels? And when Floppy Disks were ACTUALLY floppy!

*Corky mumbles something about Commodores and slips quietly away*
 
Warbie said:
Shooters designed for the pc really need to be played with a mouse and keyboard. You'll find a mouse is far easier to aim with than a joypadd. A keyboard provides more than enough keys for movement and binds etc too. Unfortunately it only allows digital movement (which sucks balls compared to analogue)

So - easier aiming and more keys than you will need, but worse movement.

(I prefer a joypad for slow paced shooters, but prefer a mouse for anything speedy, especially online)
Click to expand...

Interesting. My only experience with FPS games is Rainbow Six on Xbox, and I found the controller to be fine. OTOH, I used to play Descent3 on PC, and absolutely had to use a joystick.

My experience with this kind of game is, so far, quite limited! But I was at the GDC last week (I'm a composer moving into game audio), and watched a documentary on HL2 in the show theatre - I was blown away. Haven't stopped thinking about checking this game out since!

Rob Yale
 
Good to hear it, there was a stage when everyone saw it first time and was wowed over. Then we got it delayed for a year, so we were ripping our hair out. But you've just discovered it and you can buy it now, assuming your pc is good enough. If you want the best experience, including with the gravity gun and aiming rockets from the RPG...you'll need a mouse. Take our advice. If theres a game to learn to use it, its Half-life 2. Welcome aboard if you are gonna join us.
 
I cant even find a way to use my controller to move (halo style) in hl2. All the buttons seem unbindable except looking around.
 
I couldn't even imagine trying to play HL2 or CS:S or any PC fps game with a gamepad. Just recently I decided to play through Goldeneye for the N64 again and it's so damn awkward aiming with a controller. :/
 
I bought a dual analog stick controller to use with HL2.

Much to my dismay, analog sticks were not supported at all :(

I only wanted to use it with the buggy/airboat.
Thumbsticks will never deliver the precision and accuracy of an optical mouse for First Person perspective.
 
Again, thanks for the advice!

So get this: I immediatelly popped out to Staples to pick up an MX510, and they're selling them for $18!!!! Or actually $26 minus a ten buck rebate. I guess they're blowing them out in anticipation of the MX518.

I now have another question if I may:

I decided to pick up a DX 9.0 video card, and saw an Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 for $129. It wasn't until I got home that I realized that it's a PCI version. Is this a bad thing, or should I take it back and get an AGP version?

Thanks,

Rob
 
corkscru74 said:
I'm currently using a budget optical mouse from Game. I think it cost me £15 max. I bought it to replace my ageing Micro$oft Opti which died after about a year.

To be honest it does everything I want from it. 2 Buttons and a wheel is all a Zen gamer, like myself, needs ;) We prefer an uncluttered interface - Fire, Alt Fire and Zoom - there is nothing more and we wish for nothing more......12 buttons you say? Well...what are they all for? You what?....map one to quicksave and one to quickload? Well that does sound quite useful maybe I should...no...no....it betrays my heritage, I refuse.

Hey, anyone remember the days before Scroll wheels? And when Floppy Disks were ACTUALLY floppy!

*Corky mumbles something about Commodores and slips quietly away*
Click to expand...

I don't use em all in HL2, but some games, a la Battlefield, they can be quite usefull for things like the extra controls in helicopters/planes that you can't cover with your left hand on the keys
 
im using keyboard+mouse, keyboard you get many more options on how you wanna play which keys to bind and imo you get more control over a mouse cause your using your wrist and hand, compared to using maybe your thumb to contoll crosshair.
 
Spiritus_Mundi said:
I decided to pick up a DX 9.0 video card, and saw an Nvidia GeForce FX 5200 for $129. It wasn't until I got home that I realized that it's a PCI version. Is this a bad thing, or should I take it back and get an AGP version?
Click to expand...
Do not buy a FX5200. Go ATi if you cannot afford Nvidia's 6x generation. Especially for Source. Nvidia's 5x series are all a somewhat slow on Source, and that 5200 is terribly slow. Get a comparably priced ATi 9600-9800. And yes, make sure that it is AGP.

Always research video cards before you buy, and check sites like Egghead.com for prices. The right videocard is a good investment, because the wrong one will need to be replaced sooner.

Welcome to the wonderful, but small, world of PC FPS's. :p
 
You can pick up a 9800pro for around £120 now (not sure what they are across the pond - probably the same $120 coz of rip-off britain!). 9800pro will run HL2 just splendidly with a bit of AA and the other one :) Used to have a 9600pro (which is now around £70) and that ran it good enough - 1024x768 with no AA and a framerate of around 50+.

But yeah, research your components! That's the best bit of advice I could ever give. Ask on forums, read customer reviews etc. And don't buy budget!
 
Spiritus_Mundi said:
Hi,

I just picked up a copy of Half Life 2 and I'm wondering what people are generaly using as a controller. I'm used to using a console controller, and I have a Mad Catz Controller Pro USB which I'd like to make use of. Unfortunately Mad Catz don't seem to offer an application to map keystrokes like Logitech and others do. The controller is working, but there doesn't seem to be an obvious way to map it to Half Life 2.

If possible I'd like to avoid getting an RSI from excessive mouse use!

Rob :)
Click to expand...

I remember when I first tried using a Mouse and Keyboard for Quake 3 on my dear ol' Dreamcast. It was a pain for the first 2 or so months, but you DO get used to it, and once you do, you'll be able to play all other FPS games as well with no problems. My advice is to persist with the KBAM and forget about using a controller.
 
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