FPS games on Consoles
#1
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FPS games on Consoles
I am not trying to console bash here - or at least not any one console over another - but I really dont get FPS games on consoles.
Once you master WASD and a mouse, using a controller seems so awkward and stupid to me.
Dont get me wrong, I like consoles - I have all the 3 major ones and a dreamcast to boot, but FPS games just cant grab me.
For FPS'ing its all about the PC with BFnam, CS Source or FarCry.
Its not because I suck (a lot anyway) either, I can do it (well at least the original halo and a few others), but it just doesnt hold appeal for me.
Am I the only one?
Once you master WASD and a mouse, using a controller seems so awkward and stupid to me.
Dont get me wrong, I like consoles - I have all the 3 major ones and a dreamcast to boot, but FPS games just cant grab me.
For FPS'ing its all about the PC with BFnam, CS Source or FarCry.
Its not because I suck (a lot anyway) either, I can do it (well at least the original halo and a few others), but it just doesnt hold appeal for me.
Am I the only one?
#2
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I'm sure that's the case for a lot of people.
I really love Halo 1 and 2- other FPS games not as much. There have been other ones I can play through, but there are huge advantages playing a FPS with a PC, as long you have the right system.
For everyone else, there's the SmartJoy FRAG.
Good, but not perfect by any means, but a good option when you MUST have a kb/mouse
I really love Halo 1 and 2- other FPS games not as much. There have been other ones I can play through, but there are huge advantages playing a FPS with a PC, as long you have the right system.
For everyone else, there's the SmartJoy FRAG.
Good, but not perfect by any means, but a good option when you MUST have a kb/mouse
#3
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You're hardly alone. I've played probably over a hundred FPSes with a mouse in my right hand and my left hand around the left side of the kbd. (Rather than WASD, I use a rather wonky AZCtrlSpace combo. Same thing, except that LeftCtrl - and, if I really want, Shift - don't contribute to crappy Windows key-jamming.)
I got an N64 and tried playing through Goldeneye. Excellent game, really - huge fun - but I spent way too much time wrestling with the goddamn analog controller. With a mouse, I could've plonked Spetznaz troopers fifteen times, but instead I had to analog-stick around... it was awful, and I stopped playing because of it.
- David Stein
I got an N64 and tried playing through Goldeneye. Excellent game, really - huge fun - but I spent way too much time wrestling with the goddamn analog controller. With a mouse, I could've plonked Spetznaz troopers fifteen times, but instead I had to analog-stick around... it was awful, and I stopped playing because of it.
- David Stein
#4
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The most important thing is to have a high quality, high fidelity analog stick (or sticks) on your controller. The ms xbox controller gives you this, the sony dualshock not so much IMO.
Then as long as the single player game play is balanced for use of a controller (possibly with some subtle autotargeting - not like Halflife ps2, bleah) then I don't have a problem with it.
It becomes more of an issue in multiplayer, if you have a mix of kb+mouse players and those using a controller. Competitive balance becomes an issue then.
I don't doubt that the mouse is a more accurate aiming device than the controller, just that it's not an issue for me if the game has been appropriately balanced.
Some benefits of fps on consoles:
- a few games are exclusive to console (killzone, halo 2)
- typically the average living room setup is more comfortable than your computer chair
- maybe a bigger screen (although could be lower res)
- likely a much better sound system for the average percent
- multiplayer on the one console
Then as long as the single player game play is balanced for use of a controller (possibly with some subtle autotargeting - not like Halflife ps2, bleah) then I don't have a problem with it.
It becomes more of an issue in multiplayer, if you have a mix of kb+mouse players and those using a controller. Competitive balance becomes an issue then.
I don't doubt that the mouse is a more accurate aiming device than the controller, just that it's not an issue for me if the game has been appropriately balanced.
Some benefits of fps on consoles:
- a few games are exclusive to console (killzone, halo 2)
- typically the average living room setup is more comfortable than your computer chair
- maybe a bigger screen (although could be lower res)
- likely a much better sound system for the average percent
- multiplayer on the one console
#5
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FPS games on consoles have had horrible controls until Halo (IMO) and now it seems they are just getting better all around. We've got Unreal Championship improving and Ghost Recon and Rainbow Six are both great. Haven't played Killzone, but for the PS2 I know Area 51 is the smoothest FPS I've ever played with a PS2 controller... it changed my mind about the dualshock being a bad design for FPSers... Riddick and Doom 3 were also really easy to control. I think they got a handle on it really.
Games like Timesplitters 2 make me never want to pick up another console controller again.
Regardless, nothing will be able to replace a mouse/keyboard except a mouse and keypad sort of device.
Games like Timesplitters 2 make me never want to pick up another console controller again.
Regardless, nothing will be able to replace a mouse/keyboard except a mouse and keypad sort of device.
#6
Retired
They're really mainly for those of us that never got into PC gaming.
I struggle with the keyboard and mouse controls if I try to play a PC fps as I just never got used to those controls, and have been playing with console controllers since the Atari 5200.
I'm sure I could learn the keyboard and mouse scheme, and I see the benefits with faster aiming and what not, but I really have no desire as I don't like FPS's much in general and have no desire to sit at a PC and game after spending 40 hours at a computer at work all week.
I struggle with the keyboard and mouse controls if I try to play a PC fps as I just never got used to those controls, and have been playing with console controllers since the Atari 5200.
I'm sure I could learn the keyboard and mouse scheme, and I see the benefits with faster aiming and what not, but I really have no desire as I don't like FPS's much in general and have no desire to sit at a PC and game after spending 40 hours at a computer at work all week.
Last edited by Josh Hinkle; 11-16-04 at 11:33 AM.
#7
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I hate FPS on console for this reason. I can't make the change, nor do I really care to. Having the resolution break down because of size on screen and the controls is why I never got into them. I'm so used to the keyboard and mouse controls.
#8
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Glad to see i'm not alone.. I thought I was missing something - but I guess its just some peoples preference (that and the non-availability of certain titles on PC).
One reason I was wondering was because some people in the HL2 thread said they would wait for it on xbox - which totally blew my mind..
One reason I was wondering was because some people in the HL2 thread said they would wait for it on xbox - which totally blew my mind..
#9
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Originally posted by Chris_D
Some benefits of fps on consoles:
- a few games are exclusive to console (killzone, halo 2)
- typically the average living room setup is more comfortable than your computer chair
- maybe a bigger screen (although could be lower res)
- likely a much better sound system for the average percent
- multiplayer on the one console
Some benefits of fps on consoles:
- a few games are exclusive to console (killzone, halo 2)
- typically the average living room setup is more comfortable than your computer chair
- maybe a bigger screen (although could be lower res)
- likely a much better sound system for the average percent
- multiplayer on the one console
That being said, I would still like a mouse-keyboard combo.
#10
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Originally posted by Chris_D
Some benefits of fps on consoles:
- a few games are exclusive to console (killzone, halo 2)
Some benefits of fps on consoles:
- a few games are exclusive to console (killzone, halo 2)
- typically the average living room setup is more comfortable than your computer chair
- maybe a bigger screen (although could be lower res)
- likely a much better sound system for the average percent
- multiplayer on the one console
#11
Retired
Originally posted by Groucho
]Go out and buy a comfy chair for your computer. Problem solved.
]Go out and buy a comfy chair for your computer. Problem solved.
Originally posted by Groucho
Moot point. If I'm sitting across the room from a big tv it takes up less of my field of vision than sitting up close to a monitor.
Moot point. If I'm sitting across the room from a big tv it takes up less of my field of vision than sitting up close to a monitor.
#12
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my thoughts... i'm pretty proficient w/ the keyboard/mouse combo on the pc. when i tried playing halo on the xbox, i sucked w/ the gamepad.
so, for halo2, i picked up the smart frag keyboard/mouse adapter. it allowed me to play halo w/ my sanity still intact. but, it's not the greatest. the mouse is not sensitive enough and i'm picking it up and moving it to turn. and an optical mouse freaks it out so i'm using my old mechanical mouse w/ the ps2 plug.
my observation though, is that halo 2 is a different story. i can actually control it using the gamepad so i wonder if they made some tweaks. so, for halo 2, i prefer the gamepad.
i found out that bungie actually made an auto-targeting system so that it "assists" w/ your targeting.
--
as for the groucho/josh debate, i'm on the side of having a 19" monitor, stereo speakers and a desk setup for my pc. i'm too lazy to boot it up and then shut it down as well for games.
my console gaming setup is DD5.1, 34" widescreen, sofa setup... much more comfortable.
consoles have pretty much taken up my limited gaming time.
so, for halo2, i picked up the smart frag keyboard/mouse adapter. it allowed me to play halo w/ my sanity still intact. but, it's not the greatest. the mouse is not sensitive enough and i'm picking it up and moving it to turn. and an optical mouse freaks it out so i'm using my old mechanical mouse w/ the ps2 plug.
my observation though, is that halo 2 is a different story. i can actually control it using the gamepad so i wonder if they made some tweaks. so, for halo 2, i prefer the gamepad.
i found out that bungie actually made an auto-targeting system so that it "assists" w/ your targeting.
--
as for the groucho/josh debate, i'm on the side of having a 19" monitor, stereo speakers and a desk setup for my pc. i'm too lazy to boot it up and then shut it down as well for games.
my console gaming setup is DD5.1, 34" widescreen, sofa setup... much more comfortable.
consoles have pretty much taken up my limited gaming time.
Last edited by young; 11-16-04 at 02:14 PM.
#13
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I'm siding with groucho on the comfort level. Though it's all personal preference really. The split screen is what kills me about Console gaming. I hated it when people look at others screens when playing FPS at a lan. It would be considered cheating. Yet with four screens everyone knows where everyone else is at all times. Rather takes a way a lot of the hide and seek.
#14
Retired
That's personal preference too. I hate the "hide and seek" and having to have maps memorized to be good.
I'm not big on multiplayer gaming in general, thus the few times I do partake, I prefer pick up and play party games that anyone can jump right into.
Being able to see where each other is at creates a great party game as it's more action oriented and requires much less knowledge of the maps.
I'm not big on multiplayer gaming in general, thus the few times I do partake, I prefer pick up and play party games that anyone can jump right into.
Being able to see where each other is at creates a great party game as it's more action oriented and requires much less knowledge of the maps.
#15
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I guess we'll have to "agree to disgree" here and leave it at that. Although if I ever notice that you're attending a DVDTalk Meet somewhere, I'm flying out and kicking your ass.
#17
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Originally posted by Josh Hinkle
I don't think the best computer chair in the world can compare with an awesome couch with a nice ottoman to put your feet up on.
This makes sense, but just doesn't work for me. I still prefer a larger screen, even if I'm sitting futher away.
I don't think the best computer chair in the world can compare with an awesome couch with a nice ottoman to put your feet up on.
This makes sense, but just doesn't work for me. I still prefer a larger screen, even if I'm sitting futher away.
#18
Moderator
Once you master WASD and a mouse, using a controller seems so awkward and stupid to me.
#20
DVD Talk Hero
It's all what you first played a FPS with and what you learned with. Most people first played with a keyboard, so that's what they prefer.
I, myself, learned on the PS1 (dual analog, inverted), so Halo was easy for me to pick up.
Though, I'm totally retarded playing a FPS on a mouse/keyboard. Really.
I, myself, learned on the PS1 (dual analog, inverted), so Halo was easy for me to pick up.
Though, I'm totally retarded playing a FPS on a mouse/keyboard. Really.
#22
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Originally posted by Groucho
And many many more games are exclusive to PC.[/b]Go out and buy a comfy chair for your computer. Problem solved.Moot point. If I'm sitting across the room from a big tv it takes up less of my field of vision than sitting up close to a monitor. Or you could always get a projector. As for resolutions, until HDTV is replaced the best consoles will get is 1080i. A lot of PC gamers are already gaming at 1600x1200.Probably, but you can also hook up your computer to a nice sound system. Even to your HT setup if you so desireOkay, I'll grant you this one (even though I loathe split-screen gaming). [/B]
And many many more games are exclusive to PC.[/b]Go out and buy a comfy chair for your computer. Problem solved.Moot point. If I'm sitting across the room from a big tv it takes up less of my field of vision than sitting up close to a monitor. Or you could always get a projector. As for resolutions, until HDTV is replaced the best consoles will get is 1080i. A lot of PC gamers are already gaming at 1600x1200.Probably, but you can also hook up your computer to a nice sound system. Even to your HT setup if you so desireOkay, I'll grant you this one (even though I loathe split-screen gaming). [/B]
And many many more games are exclusive to PC.
If I'm sitting across the room from a big tv it takes up less of my field of vision than sitting up close to a monitor.
but you can also hook up your computer to a nice sound system.
I'll grant you this one (even though I loathe split-screen gaming).
cheers
#23
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Originally posted by Jackskeleton
I'm siding with groucho on the comfort level. Though it's all personal preference really. The split screen is what kills me about Console gaming. I hated it when people look at others screens when playing FPS at a lan. It would be considered cheating. Yet with four screens everyone knows where everyone else is at all times. Rather takes a way a lot of the hide and seek.
I'm siding with groucho on the comfort level. Though it's all personal preference really. The split screen is what kills me about Console gaming. I hated it when people look at others screens when playing FPS at a lan. It would be considered cheating. Yet with four screens everyone knows where everyone else is at all times. Rather takes a way a lot of the hide and seek.
I do kind of like the concept of a team of 2-4 on 1 xbox vs 2-4 on another xbox, but I've never bothered to try and organise an xbox lan (pc lans are still traditional round here).