8 replies to this topic

[JimboFBX]

Anyone else using it? To get it set up you just add an external game to steam, then select the mwo online shortcut. Then, you must start steam with admin privileges in order for the controller to work. Note that steam will complain about running it in compatibility mode, which you can just ignore.

Also the game needs to be full screen. If it's full screen window the task bar will be on top for some reason.

Surprisingly, I'm able to fit every button I could need on it by using the right pad click as a meta button for the left pad and the abxy buttons. To shut down, for example, I click in the right pad and press X. To toggle ECM, I click the right pad while pressing up on the left. For using jump jets, I have it set for when I point the controller up using the gyroscopic sensor.

Here's my setup:

RT - mouse click, set to fire primary group which is left as 1
LT - 2
LB - 3
RB - 4
LSqueeze - 5
RSqueeze - 6
Right pad - mouse, with low acceleration and a slight bump on sensitivity. Vertical sensitivy reduced and a slight angle on horizontal axis
A - show info (default Q key)
B - toggle zoom
X - map (not a metakey only because my 4 year old uses it liberally in training grounds)
Y - toggle arm lock
Left pad Up - ehanced zoom
Left pad left - first consumable slot
Left pad right - second consumable slot
Left pad down - override shutdown
Gyro - 4 direction, up set to jump jets
Left stick - analog movement (not 4 direction WASD)
Left stick click - target enemy
Right pad click + left pad up - toggle ECM mode
Right pad click + left pad left - night vision
Right pad click + left pad right - heat vision
Right pad click + left pad down - Coolant flush
Right pad click + X - toggle power down
Right pad click + Y - eject

I think the only thing missing are the MASC controls, which I haven't bothered with yet since I don't have a mech with MASC. I would probably replace coolant flush with MASC since that isn't really needed. There's still in theory 6 more buttons to I could assign without converting another button to a meta button.

One time things like setting up the fire groups can be done using the on screen keyboard. I don't actually bother with toggling from chain to all-fire, I use seperate groups for that.

Edited by JimboFBX, 15 November 2015 - 03:40 AM.

[sneeking]

Im thinking of getting one for my i7 surface pro3 , how do you find it in general as a game pad ?

Can it connect wireless without a usb dongle ?

Edited by sneeking, 15 November 2015 - 05:07 AM.

[zagibu]

I think the verdict is, that as a general gamepad, it is a bit worse than other gamepads, but works much better than those in games that are made for keyboard + mouse. At least that's what I got from reading several reviews and discussions on websites like RPS and Ars Technica.

BTW, Jimbo, you should probably share your config (if that is possible for non-steam games).

[JimboFBX]

I disagree that it's a worse gamepad. If you have a game made for an xbox controller and you already have an xbox controller and its not a first person shooter then arguably the xbox controller is probably an easier choice. Likewise, if your sitting at your computer desk with a keyboard and mouse then the keyboard and mouse is probably the better choice. My prior MWO setup was joystick, mouse, and keyboard, which meant I had to reach for some keys like toggling ECM or nightvision. My joystick started to malfunction with random times where the rotation axis (which I used for turning) would turn left without me actually doing that, so I needed a replacement. This actually feels like an optimal setup, although I'm still tweaking the sensitivity and getting used to it.

My prior setup was having the computer next to my big screen tv, and then using USB extension cords for the keyboard and mouse so that I'm not using an inferior mouse. I didn't have enough extension cords for the joystick so I just sat in front of the tv.

Now I can sit on the couch. Really, the biggest difference factor hindering my playing ability is that I'm further away from the tv so I can't see far away mechs as easily.

Playing Civ 5 hotseat is great though, passing a controller around is a lot easier than moving a mouse/keyboard. It's like the only game my wife will play.

I also purchased a steam link, so if my son is using the tv for his playstation games, I can play on the tv downstairs.

The steam controller has a publish functionality for controls, but it doesn't work for non-steam games. Likewise, it wouldn't matter here anyways because my prior controls were far from default and I set up my controller mapping such that I wouldn't have to change them.

My understanding is that the USB dongle is a bluetooth adapter with the controller already paired to it. I do not know if you can pair other things or use a different bluetooth adapter.

Edited by JimboFBX, 15 November 2015 - 10:50 AM.

[zagibu]

JimboFBX, on 15 November 2015 - 10:44 AM, said:

I disagree that it's a worse gamepad.

Well, what I have read is that the four classic buttons are too small and not optimally positioned, and that the left touchpad does a suboptimal job of emulating an 8-way digital input. It's claimed that it's not completely unusable, but worse than classic gamepads. Which made sense for me, since the steam controller has a different focus and obviously has to make compromises.

Some comments in those reviews often pointed out that a lot of the initial obstacles either go away after prolonged use, or can be removed by using different configurations.

Personally, I would buy one in the blink of an eye, if I had any intention of playing on my TV.

[wolf74]

But with the Comming Steam Invation we have to give the Newbie as much help as we can.

I had a Different build for My Steam Controler I have been refining.
Controller Config file that I use: http://home.grandecom.net/~gswolf/wolf74's%20mechwarrior.vdf

[sneeking]

Ok, thanks for sharing what you know about it anyway.

I'll have to keep researching on it 1st, not seen one in shops down here yet.

I should imagine valve will insist on some controller support from pgi when it launches.

[Anarcho]

I got mine today, played Day of Defeat and Geometry wars for couple hours. The controller is awesome. I was scared by the bad reviews, but the thing is so customisable that is just a matter of get used to the trackpad. It is not precise as a mouse, forget it to use on a quick fps, but, it 8s indeed much better than an analog stick for aiming.

[sneeking]

Apparently this controller is not sold in Australia due to ongoing legal issues between valve in the US and the Accc concerning valvs refund policies and Australian customers.

Looked on ebay but they all over priced with stupidly unreasonable postal fees.