67 replies to this topic

[ice trey]

I have been using the Keyboard and Mouse tandem since Mechwarrior 3. I haven't owned a joystick in some time, now. For some reason, my father kept getting me horrible logitech wingman gamepads, though.

I'll consider getting a joystick for MWO if there's a lot of emphasis on using one - especially if there's a partnership with some company to make an MWO-edition joystick - but Joysticks are kind of an underused thing for me. The age of the sim seems to have died out ever since people gave up on the idea of virtual reality, and with it, the need for a Joystick.

But heck, I've invested $1200 in a laptop specifically so that I can play MWO, what's an extra 60-100 for a joystick?

[Kharrn]

ice trey, on 03 January 2012 - 05:24 AM, said:

I'll consider getting a joystick for MWO if there's a lot of emphasis on using one - especially if there's a partnership with some company to make an MWO-edition joystick - but Joysticks are kind of an underused thing for me. The age of the sim seems to have died out ever since people gave up on the idea of virtual reality, and with it, the need for a Joystick.

But heck, I've invested $1200 in a laptop specifically so that I can play MWO, what's an extra 60-100 for a joystick?

Hmmm "the age of the sim seems to have died out" ???
and what about DCS (Digital Combat Simulator)? I know the community is not that big, but well...i rather take a small nice and friendly community
And without a HOTAS the A10C is very hard to fly. I only own a Wingman Extreme 3D Pro and i had to invest lots of hours till i got the keys right to fly this can.......... a HOTAS now is on top of my list for the "next bigger PC related purchase" hehe.


What will i use:
- Joystick(with throttle) for sure, maybe HOTAS
- Keyboard for every stuff that doesn't fit on the Stick / Hope to use my little Touchscreen with Touchbuddy (or else) to get a nice MW:O Profile (with buttons for Radar, Sensors, etc etc)
- if possible Mouse for "arm movement"/targeting.....or if possible a Joystick "shift"-key which alters the controller axis

Edited by Kharrn, 03 January 2012 - 07:19 AM.

[Sam Slade]

wake up and smell the plethora of options: not in controls but in games.

You want a good sized dev team and quick support then you'll be advocating as simple a setup as possible, with options for greater complexity. What the hell is a HOTAS anyway? (no need to answer, casual money spending gamers don't care)

[Skwisgaar Skwigelf]

I'll start with keyboard and mouse then maybe move up to full joystick/throttle/pedal setup depending on how the game "moves".

[fallonsky]

lol most people went with mouse and keybord and so did i jest because not a lot of people actualy have other stuff XD

[CeeKay Boques]

Joystick Left Hand
Mouse Right Hand
Pedals

Is that other? I guess its other. Its really fun to do it, its immersive, active, and accurate.

[CyBerkut]

For MW4, it was a Saitek X52. A keyboard and mouse for the pre-drop stuff, but pretty much just the Saitek HOTAS for in the drop.

Currently on hand, to choose from as appropriate for MWO:

Saitek X52 Pro
Saitek Combat Rudder Pedals
TrackIR
3 of the Acer T230H touchscreen displays
Logitech G510 keyboard.

I anticipate that the keyboard & mouse will once again set idle during drops, but hope to employ the other items (with the possible exception of the pedals... the jury is still out on that.)
--------------------

Having said that... whatever someone can get the job done with is cool. Like some others, I remain doubtful that a gamepad controller will be sufficient... but if someone can streamline their control scheme enough, maybe it will work for them. Just as long as the publishers don't dumb down the game to accomodate that (which doesn't appear to be what is going to happen, thankfully).

[Dragon Lady]

I've always used a variety of controls when I've played the Mechwarrior computer games:

Primary Controls: Joystick, Throttle, and Footpedals (Torso Twists)
Secondary Controls: 2 MFD displays
Tertiary Controls: A mouse for sniping, and a keyboard, since it's attached to my computer anyway...

I've never taken my controls (both Battlemech and flight sims) as seriously as this, but I've come close ;

[Gremlich Johns]

I went ahead and added the gamepad, but I am not sure how programmable it can be. Until you actually try a PC mech game, like MW:LL which does allow for a gamepad, you reserve judgement about how good a console player with play a PC game like this. There is a software package on MS' site (watch steam for crysis warhead/wars for the $10 sales)

@Gunman5000 - I hoped the "other" option would suffice for something like you suggest (all of the above and foot pedals, too)

I am sure the devs will be watching this thread to figure what can be accomplished to facilitate as much variation in control setups there might be.

[Volume]

I've only really used a keyboard and mouse for playing seriously. I remember using a Joystick with MW2:Mercs but I ended up performing better with the keyboard anyway, so I just used that.

I would love to give a joystick setup a shot, but I don't really have any modern joysticks at the moment. Maybe I'll get the MWO Collectors Edition that comes bundled with a Logitech flight control system shipped to my house.

[Phelank24]

I use Joystick, KB + Mouse. However, i am considering to replace the keyboard with a touchscreen solution such as razer's or one of Saitek's.

I am wondering if I could take an ipad or android tablet and make an app to be used as the dashboard (additional) controls for MWO or even MWLL? That wopuld be great, especially if multiple can be used.

[Blackfire1]

Adridos, on 03 January 2012 - 01:51 AM, said:

Well, there was one Mechwarrior game played with consoles in mind. It was called Mech Assault. Do you understand why console controllers can't work, now?

*hasp* (herniated-gasp) How dare you mention the MechAss games. >.<

[Kristov Kerensky]

As with the previous BTech games, the ones that allowed it all..kb, mouse, joystick, throttle and pedals. kb/mouse is mainly during non-combat/text chat, the rest for combat.

As to the console controller thing..you really don't want to use those with a PC game. There's no autoaim in PC online games for starters, and before you say "I don't use that when I play X online", sorry but you do, it's an automatic setting you have no control over. Without it, you wouldn't be able to hit anything most of the time in a console game online. Know how you can tell without any doubt that it's enabled automagically and you have no control over it? Ever notice the 'last kill' reruns? Ever notice almost every time, that guy getting the last kill did NOT have his ret on the target? That ain't lag like everything says it is sunshine..that's autoaim..the guy was NOT on target, he really wasn't on target when he got the kill. MS did do that testing..please note that even now, they don't allow cross platform gaming on XBox Live with any of the FPS games that are on XBox and PC..keep in mind that MS controls Live totally, make the money from it, it would really be in there best interest to allow PC and XBox gamers to play each other, just to get the PC players ON the Live payment plans. And yet..they don't..

[Gremlich Johns]

Bump

[nad2357]

cyborg x with keyboard

[Ceefood]

I wouldlove to use my joystick & game controller - keyboard for stuff I would use rarely - (amazed how many people dont have a decent joystick? since the cost so little for a reasonable one)
also looking to get a set of pedals maybe Saitek combat pedals

below is my sim cockpit setup before I added my pc (apologies for photo quality took it with my old phone camera) - it currently has surround sound with sub under seat - single screen although I have the availability to multi screen with the new PC I will build later
I use it for my racing sims, flight sims & general gaming - I just swap out the steering pedals system with my flight systems or general gaming equipment

Edited by Ceefood, 10 January 2012 - 05:43 PM.

[Morashtak]

While looking for some old OEM disks ran across my Logitech Freedom 2.4 and after downloading the latest, albeit old, driver will prob go keyboard and stick. Just can't seem to find the correct mouse button when it's needed in combat. Mouse for all non-combat actions, 'natch.

[MacKoga]

I might do best using a mouse, but would probably have the most fun using a joystick. I.e. I'd be happiest if the devs provide some great joystick support.

...although, historically, the most fun mechwarrior experience I had was when my friend and I teamed up on one computer running mechwarrior 3, with a keyboard and mouse, with a designated pilot and a designated gunner. Because what beats 20 fingers at the controls?

[80sGlamRockSensation David Bowie]

Am I the only one who picked gamepad? Ouch.

I always thought the two thumbsticks with a keyboard allowed for easier 'mech control and still gave me full function control over everything else that was inconvient or impractical to put on the gamepad. It made controlling light and meds (esp. with JJ's) seem almost completely natural. Much easier to multitask as well (i.e torso twising with one stick, jj's with one trigging, firing with the other, selecting the target under crosshair and changing the pitch with the other joystick), much easier than with a HOTAS, anyway. But apparently that is entirely my opinion under a unique experience .

[Stahlseele]

Mouse and Keyboard all the way baby