Keyboard/Mouse vs. Console controller which do you think is faster

[DC 10]

Hey Folks,

Just wondering what you thought was faster Keyboard/Mouse vs. Console controller - which a lot more people are turning to these days rather then the good ol fashion Key/mouse combo -

Any thoughts -

:$

 

[blake0812]

For RPGs I use controller, for shooters I use KB+M. Anything else is what I feel like using. That's the formula I've used for years and it's never failed me.

 

[AznAnarchy99]

Mouse/KB all the way. Although some games like Batman I've considered buying a 360 controller to play with.

 

[blackened23]

You're going to get a lot of noise on this one. Lots of "PC master gaming race" people will swear by KB mouse.

KB mouse is great and works great for a lot of games. The 360 pad is also great as well. Bottom line is that both have merits and both work for different types of games. So neither is ever better than the other - one game might benefit KB mouse, while a controller would be superior for other games. Dark Souls 2 in particular, due to the independent camera and movement aspects, is just better on the controller. There are other games which are also better on the 360 pad for me. But, I suspect you'll get a high signal to noise ratio with this question. Just use whichever you prefer really. If you prefer MKB, use that. If you prefer controller, use that. Personally I use both just depending.

 

[Fallen Kell]

Some genre of games are better with a controller, but FPSs are not one of them. Microsoft did an experiment a number of years ago using Halo I believe in which they connected both PC and a console users into the same multi-player matches. The PC players absolutely destroyed the console players. I mean, it wasn't even a competition. Kill: Death ratios of the PC gamers where something like 20:1 vs the console players.

MS wanted to bridge the marketplace, boost gaming on Windows PC as well as their consoles, but the complete domination of the PC players over the console players prevented them from even thinking about it again for competition based FPS games. The keyboard/mouse controls simply completely outclassed the gamepad (twitch 180's are an easy motion on a PC for a competent player, but on a gamepad, it is just not something that can be done).

 

[Red Storm]

Completely depends on the game/genre. Sports/racing games are better with a controller, FPS is better with KB&M. For RPGs depends on how "actiony" it is. RTS games are the keyboard's domain. 3rd person games vary, some are better with a controller (GTA games), while something like Mass Effect is better on a KB/M. This is all my opinion.

 

[PhatoseAlpha]

As a rule, I use KB/M except for 2-d platformers and fighting games. The extra situational awareness of the mouse vs. an analog stick for looking around pushes them towards KB/M, and fine control of the camera is nearly equivalent to analog sticks for movement - except for fine speed control, which I've never found very useful. Plus, digital control on movement means no "2 degrees to the left of straight, off the wire, oops" I sometimes encounter there.

That's assuming the game doesn't do something awe-inspiringly stupid with it's kb/m control. Like Dark Souls' reverse mouse acceleration. Or Dark Souls 2's "delay to detect double click" madness.

Admittedly, having a mouse with 6 extra buttons (4 on the side, plus left and right mouse wheel tilt) really helps. And I'm never going to try to play Street Fighter or Megaman with a KB/M.

 

[Dankk]

It depends entirely on the game. Some games work better with a keyboard and mouse. Some games work better with a gamepad.

I would elaborate, but this argument has been pounded into the ground so much at this point that I don't feel like I need to. It's beating a dead horse.

 

[sweenish]

Some genre of games are better with a controller, but FPSs are not one of them. Microsoft did an experiment a number of years ago using Halo I believe in which they connected both PC and a console users into the same multi-player matches. The PC players absolutely destroyed the console players. I mean, it wasn't even a competition. Kill: Death ratios of the PC gamers where something like 20:1 vs the console players.

MS wanted to bridge the marketplace, boost gaming on Windows PC as well as their consoles, but the complete domination of the PC players over the console players prevented them from even thinking about it again for competition based FPS games. The keyboard/mouse controls simply completely outclassed the gamepad (twitch 180's are an easy motion on a PC for a competent player, but on a gamepad, it is just not something that can be done).

Shadowrun. It was a retail release.

 

[lupi]

There's no question as to which is the superior combo. Whenever a dev has tried to implement a cross platform product in a competative environment, the plan was scrapped as the console/controller control scheme couldn't keep pace to the keyboard/mouse.

 

[MongGrel]

I like keyboard/trackball

 

[BSim500]

About the only thing controllers are better at are some sports (especially Wii style games) & "beat 'em up" fighting games. Maybe some platformers too. Joysticks are probably still better for flight sims. Steering wheels for racing games. Everything else (FPS, RTS, RPG, point & click adventures, most puzzle games, etc) it's 100% keyboard + mouse all the way.

Some genre of games are better with a controller, but FPSs are not one of them. Microsoft did an experiment a number of years ago using Halo I believe in which they connected both PC and a console users into the same multi-player matches. The PC players absolutely destroyed the console players. I mean, it wasn't even a competition. Kill: Death ratios of the PC gamers where something like 20:1 vs the console players.

I remember that. You can easily tell which is which on Youtube vids too. It's the sluggish panning whilst moving that gives it away:-

Deus Ex Human Revolution Mission 2 - Manufacturing Plant:-

XBox gamepad (from 2m 16s) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2hGGlfJ5tk

PC Mouse (from 5m 16s) : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=donHeoa2HVY

You see the same thing in game after game, when it comes to rapidly "looking left / right", the gamepad is sluggish at turning like you've got a neck-brace on that slows everything down vs a "twitch" of the mouse. Same with doing a rapid 180 degree turn - it's like night & day.

 

[slpnshot]

Faster? Talking purely from a FPS standpoint, you'll never be able to compare the reaction/accuracy of a KB/mouse with a controller.

CS:GO has the option of playing with a controller input, and it's pretty apparent who they are after a round or two.

 

[Aikouka]

Eh, I think just asking which one is faster is only looking at one aspect of the input method. For example, one of the benefits of a keyboard and mouse vs. a controller for a game like a MMO is just the sheer difference in buttons available for mapping. Also, in a social game like a MMO, being able to type is a huge advantage when voice chat may not be available. Controllers don't necessarily make 2D platformers easier, but they do help remove unnecessary "clutter" from your input device. Why do I need over 100 buttons when all I do is move 4 ways, jump and attack? Also, a mouse is normally unnecessary in these games.

 

[lord_emperor]

My PC has a keyboard, mouse, joystick and controller...

 

[Hinda65]

I am actually thinking about getting an xbox controller this week to play dark souls (the first one). I somewhat dread the thought as the last time (and only time) I've ever used an xbox controller was 4 years ago when I visited my buddy in California and he was ragin me in COD on his xbox....it was like the first time I ever ate with chopsticks.

 

[TheSlamma]

have your controller buddies turn off aim assist and then report back.

Sorry but that aim assist in BF4 on the PS4 is almost as good as an Aimbot on PC.

 

[KentState]

Mouse pad has a huge foot print compared to the 1/2" or less of movement you have with a thumbstick. On the other hand, the WSAD buttons are digital and don't give the analogue feel of a thumbstick plus most controllers have analogue buttons and triggers. A combination of both would be ideal.

 

[VenBaja]

I think people are getting off track and starting to talk about which one they think is "better". To the question of which is faster, the keyboard and mouse any day of the week and twice on Sundays. You can't get an analog stick to turn your character nearly as quickly as you can with a mouse.

 

[toughtrasher]

It all depends on what you mean by faster. Obviously, for FPS games you'd use keyboard and mouse, just because it's easier and faster to look around and more accurate to aim.

But for racing games or 3rd person games (at least for me), I prefer controllers. It's faster to navigate controls in an RPG and it's simpler.

 

[StinkyPinky]

The only thing I use my controller for is sports games. Otherwise controllers are just slow and lack precision.

 

[AdamantC]

It depends entirely on the game. Some games work better with a keyboard and mouse. Some games work better with a gamepad.

Exactly. It's all about using the right tool for the job. In things like GTA/Just Cause/Saints Row I switch between KB+M for on foot and my 360 pad for vehicles.

 

[VulgarDisplay]

I used to use a fragfx v2 on the PS3 in call of duty and MAG. It was hilarious how much I absolutely destroyed any game I played in. I'm talking having like 30 more kills than everyone else in the server because of it.

 

[steve wilson]

The only time I have found a controller better than a KB+mouse was playing the force unleashed on the wii. I don't know if it's just cuz I've used KB+mouse for so long or not, but I would always pick KB+mouse.

Playing an FPS I can't imagine someone with a controller being able to beat me with a Keyboard and mouse.

 

[xantub]

Faster? KB/M, no arguments there.
Better? depends on the game. Basically games where constant and variable movement is involved, controller is more 'natural': you can push the stick more or less and keep it there with your thumb, but W in a keyboard is either pushed or not pushed, and there is no 'center' in the mouse, so it's not as natural, for example, for flight simulators and what not.