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Console games in need of a new form of control?

May 01, 2008 in Blog comments 10

If you have been a hardcore PC gamer, switching to a console may be tough. The reason? Controls! Think that you played all previous GTA games on PC. Then you switch to the PS3 or 360 to play GTA IV. You have a problem. You're not used to the controls. (OMG! I can haz no mouse!?) And think of when it comes to FPSes. Not that easy to play with a controller, eh?
That VideoGame Blog has thought of this, and is trying to shed some light on this factor.

A few days ago, fellow That VideoGame Blog editor Jason Cook wrote a preview for the upcoming Sid Meier’s Civilization Revolution, towards the end of which he said, “CivRev is grid based, so at the most elementary level the difference between selecting a square with a mouse and with the left thumbstick is quite noticeable. This was my only problem with the controls (and probably my time with the game in general) - when selecting squares, I felt the cursor jumped far too much in whichever direction I was moving it. After a while I got used it, but I hope the thumbstick sensitivity will be turned before the games July release.”

This comment got me thinking once again about something that tends to pop up in my mind when thinking about controls for console games, especially of the RTS variety. Why can’t we just use a keyboard and mouse with our games? Especially when it’s a game that’s on both PCs and consoles. It can’t be that hard to incorporate the data to do so into the console versions of these games. And both the PS3 and Xbox 360 are compatible with most keyboards (not too sure about mice though, but that could be easily fixed).

Now honestly not every game needs a keyboard and mouse. Most games will play great with a Xbox 360 or PS3 controller. But, there are certain games such as Command and Conquer Tiberium Wars, Universe at War: Earth Assault, Supreme Commander and Darwinia+ (when they come out) that would be more enjoyable with a keyboard and mouse. Notice that all the games pointed out here are all real-time strategy games. And I’ll be honest, I’m biased towards playing RTS games on the PC. But, the same could be applied to first-person shooters and MMORPGs.
StarJet via thatvideogameblog.com »
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  • 0
    Play ISDF May 2, 08
    I don't really agree with this much. Usually for the standard console game, you don't need more buttons, you have enough. If you need to use something quickly, then there's usually some form of quick menu system to access whatever, like Shadowrun or Mass Effect. You just pull a trigger or something, press a direction, press w/e and your done. It only takes about a second at most once your used to it. And as far as FPS games go...well I've owned plenty of computer players on my console and done better than them in general on my console games...it just takes some getting used to, that's all.
  • 0
    BANDITO ATTACK May 2, 08
    comp gamers are annoying in the sense that they always preach about how the PC is the superior platform for video games. then they bitch about how their xbox doesn't have a mouse and computer (LOL IT WOULD BE SO FCUKING PRACTICAL, RIGHT?!!?). just play your pc games, faggot.
  • 1
    Spazerman May 2, 08
    well pc's are upgradeable(+points for pc)
    • 1
      chautemoc May 3, 08
      Can be expensive to upgrade. -points for pc
  • 0
    Shadow of Death May 2, 08
    There is already (theorized) that relatively soon, consoles might go 'hands free'. There is that device that uses a person's brainwaves to control the character. In the Unreal Tournament 3 demo (used UTIII with the device), it worked well apparently. You need to use a mouse to aim, or shoot, can't remember which, but yeah...

    I hope that happens (and that it works with me)...
  • 1
    Slumpy monkey May 3, 08
    http://www.gamegrep.com/news/7546-neuroheadset_allows_handsfree_gaming/

    *cough*
    • 0
      StarJet May 3, 08
      Oh, yeah. And you can buy that for 50 bucks, can you?
      And who knows what that thing would do to your head? It won't be long before people like Jack Thompson start ranting "The Neuro headset is responsible for murders!!111!!1".
    • 1
      Shadow of Death May 4, 08
      I know, I already mentioned that tech, though I didn't provide a URL >_>

      And StarJet. It really shouln't cost all that much. Mass produced, it would probably be the same as a standard conroller, actually. Just because it is different, doesn't mean it is expensive....

      And as it stands, it only reads brainwaves, it doesn't input any data. It would have no more negative effect than putting a cap on your head.....I want them to release a Input-output neuro headset though. That would read brainwaves, and input visual data. No need for a TV and such. But that is probably 20 to 50 years away....
      • 0
        Slumpy monkey May 4, 08
        Or you could just hook it up to those projection goggle thingies.
        • 0
          Shadow of Death May 5, 08
          Not the same level of immersion. But that'll probably be the middle ground, which will happen first.

          Hope I can still afford consoles and have time to play them, when and if the VR+Hands free tech comes around to the gaming community world...

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