PC style gaming on a console

[mindcycle]

Some of you may already be aware of this but I thought i'd post it anyway. There's a device called the XFPS, which is an adapter for the Xbox 360 that allows you to hook up a keyboard and mouse to play 360 games. http://www.xcm.cc/XFPS__3.0_Sniper_Plus.htm

The problem is that it's basically junk. I got one and my Razer mouse didn't work, so I was forced to use an old ps/2 mouse. The sensitivity adjustment is crap. I tired playing Halo 3 and set the sensitivity to "Insane" in game, and also set the sensitivity dials on the XFPS all the way up. It was still sluggish and unresponsive. So I thought.. great, I just wasted $100.

Then I found a project called XIM, which hooks the XFPS up to your computer and allows you to use any keyboard and mouse as well as easily map keys for any button on the controller. It also allows you to finely adjust the sensitivity, which is what the XFPS lacks.

http://obsiv.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!948789BF56FAF394!282.entry

So last night I got it all up and running and was playing through Halo 3 with my gaming KB/Mouse setup and it was pretty damn awesome. It's not exactly like playing an FPS on a PC as there's still some jerkiness, but it's pretty damn close. The downside is you have to purchase both units. The XFPS is $60-$100 depending on which one you get, and the XIM is around $35-$40 to build or around $60 for a pre-built one. Oh, and then there's the cost of a 360 if you don't have one.. There is a new version of the XIM in development that won't require an XFPS, but it's not out yet. Apparently it works a bit better as well.

So was it worth it? I think so.. I can play through Halo and Perfect Dark Zero now the way they were meant to be played. It's a whole different experience for me as I've always been more of PC gamer and prefer the KB/Mouse to play games. So for those of you who have been reluctant to get a console because you'd be forced to use a controller, this might be your answer.

 

[GenHoth]

Just get the PC version if you want to use a Keyboard and mouse, let us that own consoles have our fun too!

 

[mindcycle]

There aren't console ports of some of the games like Halo 3, Perfect Dark Zero, or The Darkness. Those are 360 only.

 

[KlokWyze]

Originally posted by: mindcycle
There aren't console ports of some of the games like Halo 3, Perfect Dark Zero, or The Darkness. Those are 360 only.

Yeah a lot of great games are console exclusive so this may be a decent solution. On second thought, maybe playing Ninja Gaiden II with a kb & mouse isn't too hot. =)

 

[Ichigo]

I'm pretty sure games made for consoles were 'meant' to be played with controllers.

This does look cool, but I don't see the benefit besides creating an unfair level of control to people who spend some extra time and/or money (unless you play single-player, I guess).

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: Ichigo
I don't see the benefit besides creating an unfair level of control to people who spend some extra time and/or money (unless you play single-player, I guess).

Some of us simply prefer keyboard and mouse over controllers, choice is good

 

[AstroManLuca]

Wow, that thing looks like it was designed in the 80s. Gotta love the AT-style yellowish-beige casing. It simply begs for you to connect a Model M to it.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

I've really been looking forward to the Xim 2 for a while now, I may actually enjoy playing my 360 after getting it.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: Ichigo
I'm pretty sure games made for consoles were 'meant' to be played with controllers.

This does look cool, but I don't see the benefit besides creating an unfair level of control to people who spend some extra time and/or money (unless you play single-player, I guess).

Yes, I can see how it could be viewed as having an advantage. Thing is, i've been a PC gamer for so long that using a controller for a game like Halo 3 is almost impossible for me. I played it on xbox live a few times before giving up because I was so bad. There are those out there who are probably the exact opposite. ..and even with the mouse and keyboard I still get my ass kicked. So really, I think all comes down to what you're used to.

 

[Raduque]

Wow, that is one ultra ghetto way to use a kb/mouse on a 360. Here's a hint: Instead of stringing wires all over your damn living room/bed room/basement, learn to use a gamepad.

 

[BladeVenom]

Originally posted by: Raduque
Wow, that is one ultra ghetto way to use a kb/mouse on a 360. Here's a hint: Instead of stringing wires all over your damn living room/bed room/basement, learn to use a gamepad.

Using a console to play a FPS is even more ghetto. A gamepad is such a PoS compared to a mouse and keyboard for those types of games.

 

[imported_Imp]

While a controller is a POS compared to a keyboard and mouse, it is amazing considering the size and versatility. I've had my PS3 for half a year now, and am getting pretty good at aiming with the sticks. I can hold the controller in any position while sitting/lying in any position, and still get pretty good accuracy. With KBM, I need a desk or flat surface and can choose to sit up straight or sit up straigh with legs crossed. While choice would be nice, I'd still prefer if consoles designed everything with controllers in mind.

 

[AstroManLuca]

You know, I don't mind controllers at all for aiming now. A lot of games (in particular Halo 3) seem like they would be awkward to control with a mouse and keyboard. I'm not sure how you'd handle dual-wielding... normally left click = fire weapon, but what if you pick up a second gun? Does left click switch to firing the left weapon?

Also, since I got a 360, I'm starting to feel physically uncomfortable when I grip a mouse for gaming. My setup is pretty comfortable but I don't know, it just doesn't feel as natural as a controller.

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: Imp
While a controller is a POS compared to a keyboard and mouse, it is amazing considering the size and versatility. I've had my PS3 for half a year now, and am getting pretty good at aiming with the sticks. I can hold the controller in any position while sitting/lying in any position, and still get pretty good accuracy. With KBM, I need a desk or flat surface and can choose to sit up straight or sit up straigh with legs crossed. While choice would be nice, I'd still prefer if consoles designed everything with controllers in mind.

Just found this.. http://gear.ign.com/articles/799/799262p1.html

It's a mouse and "control pad" for the PS3. It's designed so you can have the whole thing sit on your lap for couch gaming.

I have my xbox 360 hooked up to my computer monitor at my desk, so no couch gaming going on for me. ..but I can understand not wanting to use a KB/mouse if you have your console hooked up in the living room. I still prefer the KB/mouse combo over a controller any day of the week. At one point I thought I had gotten used to the controller, then I got my XFPS/XIM setup and wondered what the hell I was thinking using a controller for FPS games..

 

[mindcycle]

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
You know, I don't mind controllers at all for aiming now. A lot of games (in particular Halo 3) seem like they would be awkward to control with a mouse and keyboard.

It's actually pretty damn close to gaming on a PC. I was surprised as well. If you read through the article on setting up an XIM, he goes over how the deadzone affects the use of a mouse, and how to overcome that problem. For those of you who don't know what the deadzone is here's a quote from the article.

"A dead zone is the area of stick positioning that doesn't register as actual movement within the game. Without it, the reticule would constantly drift as thumbsticks generally never settle to a rest position (and where they do stop is typically different every time). Resting your thumb on the stick also constantly moves it slightly off center."

Originally posted by: AstroManLuca
I'm not sure how you'd handle dual-wielding... normally left click = fire weapon, but what if you pick up a second gun? Does left click switch to firing the left weapon?

You can map any button on the controller to a key or mouse button. In Halo 3 I have the primary fire mapped to the left mouse button, and secondary to the right. So when you dual wield they are backwards. Not that big of a deal for me really. If you wanted you could map the primary to the right mouse button, and the secondary to the left so dual wielding would make more sense ..but that would feel weird to me if I just had a single weapon.

So it's a compromise, sure, as FPS games on a console are designed for a controller ..but the minor annoyance of things like dual wielding not matching up correctly with the mouse buttons is greatly outweighed by the fact that I can now play the game with a KB/mouse.