PC gaming with xbox 360 controllers

[TheAdvocate]

Bought a wireless adapter/connector for my PC today, so I can use my xbox controllers with it... for Battelfield 3. From what I understand, the headset works as well, so voice chat will work as well.

The goal here is to be able to sit on my couch and frag people on 64 player maps (PC version only) on my LCDTV...

Just wondering if anyone else has a similar setup? I know several people use medium sized TVs as desk monitors, but I'm talking about gaming on my PC with all the comfort of console gaming from your couch...

Thoughts? Caveats? Will I need key mapping software for my controller?

 

[Soundmanred]

47" at 5-1/2 feet, 1080p.
I use my PC for gaming, internet, video encoding, and all kinds of audio and video files.
There are people who will try to tell you that there's too much lag, ghosting and all kinds of other crap with an LCD TV, but it works perfectly and people are more often than not blown away by my setup.
HDMI audio direct to 7.1 reciever for multichannel sound.
I've never had to use key mapping software, but there are some games that would need it. Bioshock 2 and Mass Effect are a couple I can think of that are KB/M only without special mapping.
Most games these days have built in 360 controller support.
I'll never sit at a desk to play games again.

 

[Maximilian]

Bought a wireless adapter/connector for my PC today, so I can use my xbox controllers with it... for Battelfield 3. From what I understand, the headset works as well, so voice chat will work as well.

The goal here is to be able to sit on my couch and frag people on 64 player maps (PC version only) on my LCDTV...

Just wondering if anyone else has a similar setup? I know several people use medium sized TVs as desk monitors, but I'm talking about gaming on my PC with all the comfort of console gaming from your couch...

Thoughts? Caveats? Will I need key mapping software for my controller?

Good luck.... You will need it!

I only use the xbox controller for games that were designed with the console in mind, fallout 3 etc. Using it for a multiplayer FPS game is asking for an asskicking.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Please elaborate?

I am having a hard time understanding why it matters if you press the A button on a keyboard or a controller... I can understand precision might be affected vs a mouse, but that's about it.

Oh, and I only sit about 5 feet from my old 42" LCD. I debated just plugging my KB+Mouse into the front USB ports on my HTPC, but I'd rather sit back and game with a controller. Much more comfortable. Besides, my logitech G15 is enormous, and unwieldy on anything but a good sized desk.

If it doesn't work well, I'll go back, but like Soundmanred, I have surrnound (5.1 - it's plenty), 1080p on a much larger screen, etc... I just find the whole experience much more immersive. The only reason I can think of for having a keyboard is to type to communicate and I'd really like to use voice instead IAAP, because that's also more immersive, but with the power of current PC hardware behind it, not a 6 1/2 year old console.

As for the TV - it's my old one, I have a much nicer TV downstairs, but my Toshiba (42HL196 42" LCD TV - 1920x1080, 8ms) has always done just fine for console gaming. Do not see why it would be any different for PCGaming. The refresh is only 2ms slower than my Dell monitor (and it has a pretty solid game mode).

 

[ImpulsE69]

Good luck.... You will need it!

I only use the xbox controller for games that were designed with the console in mind, fallout 3 etc. Using it for a multiplayer FPS game is asking for an asskicking.

Just get a bluetooth wireless keyboard and mouse? I use that and do the same from my couch. I use a Logitech Trackball though - always have, always will. No need to move the mouse around with thumb control

 

[Dankk]

I can understand precision might be affected vs a mouse, but that's about it.

No, it doesn't sound like you understand.

Like Maximilian said, if you're using a gamepad to play an online competitive PC FPS, then you're pretty much asking to get your ass kicked.

Understand that you'd be at an extreme disadvantage by using anything other than a mouse or keyboard. It doesn't matter how proficient you think you are with a gamepad; when you're playing against people who are using incredibly accurate and precise 5,700 DPI laser mice with 1,000Mhz polling rates, a meager 360 controller with it's thumbsticks is not going to cut it.

I'm not saying this as a "PC elitist" douchebag. No, it's actually well-understood fact that playing a PC shooter is a totally different ballpark than playing a console shooter (where everyone is using a gamepad).

You can either heed my advice now, or learn the hard way. Bad Company 2 didn't have gamepad support, and for good reason. BF3 may have joystick support for jets and helicopters, but I'm not sure how fleshed-out it will be for regular gameplay.

 

[AstroManLuca]

You won't be fragging many people with a controller. It's much less precise than a mouse. It works if you're playing the game on a console where everyone has the same handicap, but against a bunch of PC gamers I doubt you'll be able to do much.

Keep a controller nearby for flying a jet, but use a keyboard and mouse for shooting.

Note: for single player games, controllers usually work fine. Especially third person action games and driving games, where a controller might actually be superior to a keyboard and mouse.

 

[Dankk]

I use a Logitech Trackball though - always have, always will. No need to move the mouse around with thumb control

Trackballs represent!

Edit: A good trackball might actually be a good alternative for the OP, since you get the same precision of a regular mouse, but you can rest it on your lap without using a desk. The only problem would be the learning curve.

 

[Barfo]

Hey guys, I think he wants the pad exclusively for flying jets, amirite OP?

 

[Nizology]

Hey guys, I think he wants the pad exclusively for flying jets, amirite OP?

Not so much. I think he wants to go full bore here.

 

[blackened23]

No, it doesn't sound like you understand.

Like Maximilian said, if you're using a gamepad to play an online competitive PC FPS, then you're pretty much asking to get your ass kicked.

Understand that you'd be at an extreme disadvantage by using anything other than a mouse or keyboard. It doesn't matter how proficient you think you are with a gamepad; when you're playing against people who are using incredibly accurate and precise 5,700 DPI laser mice with 1,000Mhz polling rates, a meager 360 controller with it's thumbsticks is not going to cut it.

I'm not saying this as a "PC elitist" douchebag. No, it's actually well-understood fact that playing a PC shooter is a totally different ballpark than playing a console shooter (where everyone is using a gamepad).

You can either heed my advice now, or learn the hard way. Bad Company 2 didn't have gamepad support, and for good reason. BF3 may have joystick support for jets and helicopters, but I'm not sure how fleshed-out it will be for regular gameplay.

Pretty much this. The thing with the gamepad is more often than not, in most games you're moving at a fixed and/or lower speed with less precision. With a keyboard mouse you can react / move faster, and aim more precisely.

I remember playing quake way back in the day and the keyboard only dudes would turn at a snail pace while the kb/mouse players could turn and react as fast as their dexterity would allow.

 

[Obsoleet]

I occasionally game on my plasma using the wireless 360 gamepad receiver. It works great. I focus on console games though, I'd never use it for a mouse/keyboard or competitive game.

 

[Arkaign]

Using the 360 controller as your heli/jet controller = win.

Using the 360 controller as your FPS controller = epic fail. You'll just get straight up murdered six ways to sunday. That is unless you're just talking SP. MP though, hooo boy.

It's okay when you're on the 360 and everyone is tied down to the same controller, but against KB/mouse people who've spent years getting that twitch aim down? It's gonna be oooooooooglay.

 

[TheAdvocate]

I cant find a single surface that is couch comfortable for my 21" wide G11 keyboard + G5 laser mouse. I've bought or looked at 5 of the biggest I can find, and none are even close. The so thought optimal couch gaming desk - the Ikea Dave - which I actually bought, is very nice, except it's too small.

So, I guess I am just going to be piling up someone else's kill count, because I'd rather play comfortably than hunched over a desk like a troll.

 

[heavyiron8]

Unless you got the skills of a god with a 360 controller, you'll most likely get out matched by people with mouse and keyboard if you decide to use a controller to play against other PC players.

 

[HeXen]

No, it doesn't sound like you understand.

Like Maximilian said, if you're using a gamepad to play an online competitive PC FPS, then you're pretty much asking to get your ass kicked.

Understand that you'd be at an extreme disadvantage by using anything other than a mouse or keyboard. It doesn't matter how proficient you think you are with a gamepad; when you're playing against people who are using incredibly accurate and precise 5,700 DPI laser mice with 1,000Mhz polling rates, a meager 360 controller with it's thumbsticks is not going to cut it.

I'm not saying this as a "PC elitist" douchebag. No, it's actually well-understood fact that playing a PC shooter is a totally different ballpark than playing a console shooter (where everyone is using a gamepad).

You can either heed my advice now, or learn the hard way. Bad Company 2 didn't have gamepad support, and for good reason. BF3 may have joystick support for jets and helicopters, but I'm not sure how fleshed-out it will be for regular gameplay.

I used to play BF 2142 with a gamepad for quite a while and did ok with it. not that i was ever that great with m/kb either but i seemed to do fine with it. I suppose the key for me was adjusting the sensitivity of the analogue and practice using it like that. i never ranked high on either method nor in BF2 but i never did any worse when during the time i used the gamepad either.

Lately the 360 pad is all i use for my steam games. i don't care to MP anymore

 

[Arkaign]

Unless you got the skills of a god with a 360 controller, you'll most likely get out matched by people with mouse and keyboard if you decide to use a controller to play against other PC players.

Yeah it just sounds like torture to me. OP is better off playing BF3 on a 360 by far, it looks pretty good going by the latest 360 gameplay trailer, and he'd at least be on a level playing field. I'm not sure if OP remembers BF2, but :

What's gonna happen is OP spawns. OP rolls out with the rest of the group. OP 5 minutes later ends up in a firefight after a very long walk/run. OP immediately gets annihilated by KB/mouse folks. OP respawns waaaaaaaaaaaay back at the next available spawn point. OP repeats massively long trip to the front line. OP gets killed immediately. Rinse/repeat.

With a 360 he won't have 64-player matches, or quite the level of upper graphical details, but it would be a lot more fun for a casual player.

 

[Barfo]

So, I guess I am just going to be piling up someone else's kill count, because I'd rather play comfortably than hunched over a desk like a troll.

I'd rather have fun playing video games than getting raped over and over because the other guy has the best input device. But that's just me.