Help Changing from Console to PC

[Ben90]

For reference, to move my mouse in Windows from one side of the monitor to the other, it moves about 3" or less on a 1920x1200 monitor.
I have about the same sensitivity in games as I do for my desktop, so to turn doesn't require a huge amount of movement.

You really shouldn't be moving your mouse all that far to turn/etc in games.
Try upping your Windows sensitivity/movement speed if it's low, that way you will be able to get used to a higher sensitivity more quickly.

I think it depends on how far he wants to go with it and what type of games he is playing. I can't think of a single scenario in counter-strike where you have to turn your mouse more than 130* if your cordinated with your team. As such *most* players that play in leagues for a living use extremely low sensitivities. I don't want to say that you should drop your sensitivity as to where it is uncomfortable as ultimately you should'nt let other peoples settings affect whats good for you. There are plenty of amazing players classified under high sensitivity, and even some use mouse accel! Unfortunately it looks like Source might be dead competitively now with the new OJ box update.

I can't believe how terrible that engine is. It doesn't even use direct input, what a POS. I was about to say don't change your windows mouse speed because it will mess shit up, but any game that doesn't use direct input isn't worth playing.

Anyways, just use what is comfortable for you as thats what matters, don't worry about other peoples settings.

 

[0roo0roo]

Most people don't play in leagues.
People sneaking up on you in games is always a problem. Being able to check your six esp in faster paced shooters is important, whether its team fortress2 or left4dead2
so yes, 180degrees is totally necessary

 

[Elcs]

I agree that being able to do a full 180 in a small space is a necessity. When I was FPS gaming I would regularly just 180 spin to see what was around me and especially with certain corners or sharp bends, an instant 90+ degree turn is often a lifesafer (or lifetaker if you're accurate and sharp on the trigger).

I move my mouse approximately 4 inches to encompass a full screen at 1920x1080 which means I only use about half of my mousemat.

As for advice to the OP, get comfortable with how moving the mouse affects what happens on screen and work on your basic control (which from what you are writing, I feel you are lacking and is something which I could say everyone posting here already has). In my opinion the best way to do that is to play an FPS in single player on Easy mode so that it is not fast paced and not very difficult. That will give you time to feel your way into it, it will become as natural as a console controller is given time.

Once you are happy with the responses you are getting there, increase your sensitivity until the point whereby you feel uncomfortable then back off a bit.

Then, start playing on large multiplayer servers where you will die lots and lots. This might sound bad but you don't have to worry about letting anyone down and you will be in constant action, thus improving your manual skills and learning the play/map/game at the same time.

The worst thing you can do is become disheartened and frustrated. I know my method in the early stages sounds dull, boring and probably condescending but from your posts (which is all we have to go on), it sounds like the best course of action to me, trying to avoid the disheartening and frustration which is not only an enjoyment killer but also a game/genre killer.

 

[postmortemIA]

Well here's one more game to practice with: Serious Sam. They have whole bunch of enemies at any time anywhere on screen.

 

[hiddensniper11]

Play one of those dash games, it will help a lot in your hand eye coordination.

Yes, I am serious and this is not a joke. After about 2 weeks of those, you will have no issues using and aiming with the mouse. Part 1 done, now what games out there could help you in using the WASD keys?

 

[CPA]

Play TF2 where accuracy isn't the be all end all.

 

[Dranoche]

Sounds like your sensitivity is a little low if you're having to pick up the mouse to pan around, though most people do wander over to the edge of their pad eventually. Shouldn't have to reset constantly. How you flip 180 is a personal preference. Some people like high sensitivity and dpi settings so the movement required to get around 180 is minimal, but depending upon your comfort level with those settings it might feel too jumpy for precise aiming right in front of you. Some people prefer to keep the settings somewhat moderate to low so that a decent flick across the mouse pad will turn you 180, but aiming in general may be easier. And then some people actively cycle those settings on the fly for different conditions. And make sure mouse acceleration is off, mouse movements will be more predictable. Also can take some time getting used to the movement and aiming mechanics of each individual game.

 

[edro]

I grew up on Quake, Unreal, Counter-Strike, etc.

How the hell do you go from a mouse (wrist / fingers) to 2 tiny joysticks (consoles) for your thumbs!?!?
It is unpossible!

I am horrible on consoles.

 

[Ika]

DPI is BS is you ask me.

I turn my 2000DPI mouse down to 650dpi, and I'm better than 95% of the people playing FPS games.

yep, same, except I have mine down to 800dpi. default sens. in Windows, 3.3sens in CS:Source. before that I used a generic Dell/HP optical mouse, I was okay but not great, but that was probably also the computer more than anything.

As long as your mouse doesn't absolutely suck and is wired, mouse choice really shouldn't matter that much at first. Just get whatever feels comfortable.

 

[Whirlwind]

Set you mouse to its highest DPI.....then lower the mouse sensitivity to your liking.....get a nice twitch shooter, like any of the Unreal Tournament games and practice.....you will be fragging pretty good in no time.

Good luck and I think you will be glad you changed over from the console.

 

[heat901]

Practice and a comfy chair.

 

[ToBYourself]

THE game that helped me make the transition to mouse and keyboard was the original CoD demo.

In the demo, you had a squad with you that kinda took their lead from you.

Because I had a support squad, I didn't always immediately die.

That allowed me to get comfortable with my character movement without the frustration of dieing almost every step.

Got comfortable wiith using cover, running, ducking, leaning.

Worked my aiming/shooting skills into it as I got better.

It allowed me to learn the level it had.

Plus, as I got better, I reduced the number of squad mates until I was by myself.

I do remember killing my squad mates so I had a better gun.

But I don't remember if I reduced my number of squad mates by killing them, or if there was an option to set the number of them that spawned.