Every time someone brings up a controller vs mouse and keyboard, most of if not all comments will push towards the OP to “switch to mouse and keyboard” because “it’s better!”

In my eyes, the person is already accustomed to controller, they’re used to the sensitivity, and if not it’s a quick change.

If they’re going to get used to mouse and keyboard they need to:

  • find a reasonable mouse

  • find a reasonable mousepad for their situation

  • find out if they’re a wrist aimer or an arm aimer

  • make sure their windows mouse sensitivity is set to 6/11 for some reason otherwise everything else will be messed up

  • find their “optimal sensitivity” many of which tutorials are (subjectively) hard to find (the good ones)

I’m both a controller and mouse and keyboard user but I find it easier to aim with a controller. It feels natural.

  • southsamurai
    10•11 months ago

    Dang! You nailed the unpopular part!

    And you managed to explain your stance in a great way, so kudos!

    I will say that your reasoning goes both ways though. And it misses a key component.

    Once you’re used to m&k play, you’ve got the same muscle memory built up that controller players get on their preferred interface. So, in that regard, neither is inherently better. What you practice most is going to be what ends up working best for an individual, even if there is a definitive superior choice in some quantifiable criteria (this doesn’t just apply to gaming. Look at how much better the design of dvorak layout is vs qwerty, and then look at how few people are willing to retrain to use it).

    I will say that the list of things you gave as drawbacks to m&k play aren’t necessarily drawbacks. You listed a great set of things that mean m&k play is highly adaptable. You tweak the controls to what you want, but you have the ability to use what comes out if the box. Controllers don’t have nearly the same degree of customization. Thus, if a controller doesn’t match your needs, you’re fucked if that’s all you can use (which is why some folks can’t play on consoles.

    You closed with the statement “… I find it easier to aim with… It feels natural.” That’s a very subjective statement. You’re talking about feeling and your personal take on what is easy/natural.

    Which isn’t disagreeing! You’re still dead right that controllers of any given type are a good choice to have for players. Why fix what ain’t broken, if that’s what works for you, just because it’s a different platform? I’m just pointing out some difficulties in the presentation of your opinion.

    On a personal note, I wish like hell it was easier to use k&m on consoles. My arthritis makes controllers awkward and inhibit what, how long, and how well I can play. It doesn’t help that I have to get used to whatever console it is when I switch between them. Going from a sony layout to a Nintendo one makes for a good bit of sub-optimal play that’s also below the sub-optimal play I already have from my hands not working right, until I readjust. I don’t play competitively at all, even on a casual level, but FPS games are rarely fun until I’ve done that adjustment, and that time cuts into how long I can play total because it just hurts.

    But I’m damn glad PCs allow for controllers for those that prefer them :)