So with all this technology, how come we can't get a console w/native KB+M support?

[Corporate Thug]

it seems like a lot of my (and a lot of other people's) gripes about console gaming can be resolved w/ native KB+M support. How is it that sony/MSFT/whoever hasn't been able to implement this tech?

 

[Anubis]

all consoles have it (well maybe not the wii)

devs just dont use it

 

[Corporate Thug]

all consoles have it (well maybe not the wii)

devs just dont use it

naturally, my follow up question would be why don't devs utilize it?

 

[chorb]

naturally, my follow up question would be why don't devs utilize it?

because its more time/money spent implementing it into the game

because using KB/M may not make sense in the control scheme of the game

because in online play KB/M may have an advantage over those using controller

because its a console and not a computer

 

[blurredvision]

because its a console and not a computer

This was all you had to say.

Consoles are designed to be used in the living room where a keyboard and mouse aren't easily or comfortably used. If you want a kb/mouse, then play on the PC.

 

[Pia]

all consoles have it (well maybe not the wii)

As far as I know, that's not accurate, 360 has no mouse or keyboard support. PS3 has both. The only game I know of where the devs used it is Unreal Tournament 3.

 

[dougp]

As far as I know, that's not accurate, 360 has no mouse or keyboard support. PS3 has both. The only game I know of where the devs used it is Unreal Tournament 3.

360 supports keyboards, you can use them in chats. You can assume they can use mouses also, but there's no need. The primary use for the mouse in a PS3 is the web browser or UT3.

 

[Ross Ridge]

As far as I know, that's not accurate, 360 has no mouse or keyboard support. PS3 has both. The only game I know of where the devs used it is Unreal Tournament 3.

Microsoft lets developers use keyboards in Xbox 360 games, they even sell a thumb keyboard you can attach to your controller. They don't seem to allow mice however.

There's no technical reason why any game on any of these consoles can't use a keyboard and mouse. Even when they're allowed to, like on the PlayStation 3, most developers simply choose not to.

 

[Drako]

As far as I know, that's not accurate, 360 has no mouse or keyboard support. PS3 has both. The only game I know of where the devs used it is Unreal Tournament 3.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...8QGZXF8341V97G

 

[trmiv]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...8QGZXF8341V97G

See that would be awesome if some devs would support it. I don't care about it for FPS games, but I'd love something like that for Dragon Age or Oblivion to be able to hot key spells.

 

[sigurros81]

Because black ops players using the controller will be totally dominated by players with M+KB.

 

[purbeast0]

most people dont give a shit about kb/m on a console. the only people you hear cry about it are pc fanboys who don't want to learn the different input method, and are vastly in the vocal minority, and then cry about it because it is hard for them and they get owned.

 

[slayer202]

Because black ops players using the controller will be totally dominated by players with M+KB.

I believe this is the reason. People using KB/M on any fps game would completely dominate, and since most people would be using a controller(which they also rape you with prices on), they don't let you use em

 

[purbeast0]

Microsoft lets developers use keyboards in Xbox 360 games, they even sell a thumb keyboard you can attach to your controller. They don't seem to allow mice however.

There's no technical reason why any game on any of these consoles can't use a keyboard and mouse. Even when they're allowed to, like on the PlayStation 3, most developers simply choose not to.

this is not true 100%. MS does not allow devs to use kb/m for in game controls ... it is only allowed for entering text data.

 

[I4AT]

Microsoft caught flack for the original Xbox being "too much like a PC". They're trying to establish themselves in the console sector, so they want to deviate from everything PC as much as possible.

 

[zerocool84]

I'm copying this from the same thread we have over in PC gaming:

Because there's no need to. Console's are about everyone having the exact same playing experience and no need to code differently which makes it cheaper to code for. Why put in the extra work for an extremely small minority??? I certainly don't want to be playing on my couch with a kb/m. If it was so important, more console gamers would cry over it but they don't so it's not important. The ones that it's important to will buy the XIM.

 

[Deeko]

Unreal Tournament 3 for the PS3 has keyboard/mouse support - and its awesome. I wish more games did it.

 

[CountZero]

KB/M would be awkward in the living room for most people. However for games that are available on the PC with KB/M support the only reasons I can imagine not supporting it is because console makers don't want it (it breaks perception of what the console is) or because it would break balanced gameplay for online games.

I prefer KB/M but even if it were available I would likely not use it for gaming on my PS3 in the living room.

 

[tdawg]

This was all you had to say.

Consoles are designed to be used in the living room where a keyboard and mouse aren't easily or comfortably used. If you want a kb/mouse, then play on the PC.

Came in here to say this, but you beat me to it. Probably did it more eloquently than I was going to as well.

 

[simonizor]

This was all you had to say.

Consoles are designed to be used in the living room where a keyboard and mouse aren't easily or comfortably used. If you want a kb/mouse, then play on the PC.

That's not the way it has to be, though. Pretty much any monitor you buy now has HDMI in, so you could easily put your PS3/360 on your desk hooked up to a keyboard and mouse if the developers enabled it. It'd be great to see a game come bundled with a keyboard and mouse to get things rolling. That way, the argument of they mouse and keyboard having an unfair advantage would go right out the window.

 

[darkswordsman17]

Plus, if they keep developing the motion controllers they can offer improved accuracy with more immersion (in an FPS you'd actually be pointing something where you're shooting).

Leveling the playing field isn't a big issue as its not like it'd be difficult for them to be able to discern what control you're using, then they could just put people with similar controllers against each other.

Likewise, there are a ton of people that have their game system setup right next to their PC, connected to the same monitor, so there's plenty that aren't of the "sit on the couch relaxing" mind.

 

[BD2003]

That's not the way it has to be, though. Pretty much any monitor you buy now has HDMI in, so you could easily put your PS3/360 on your desk hooked up to a keyboard and mouse if the developers enabled it. It'd be great to see a game come bundled with a keyboard and mouse to get things rolling. That way, the argument of they mouse and keyboard having an unfair advantage would go right out the window.

Why would it go right out the window?

 

[blurredvision]

That's not the way it has to be, though. Pretty much any monitor you buy now has HDMI in, so you could easily put your PS3/360 on your desk hooked up to a keyboard and mouse if the developers enabled it. It'd be great to see a game come bundled with a keyboard and mouse to get things rolling. That way, the argument of they mouse and keyboard having an unfair advantage would go right out the window.

Desk? Who has a freaking desk sitting in front of their couch? Those who clamor for kb/mouse support on consoles are those who have their console at a desk. The rest (and majority) of us play in the living room as consoles are intended to be used. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with playing at a desk, but the living room is the natural habitat of modern consoles. It's not viable to place a keyboard in your lap and use a mouse on the couch cushion, which what developers would have to ask of the majority of people if they added it, since it would almost be required to stay competitive in online games.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Microsoft caught flack for the original Xbox being "too much like a PC". They're trying to establish themselves in the console sector, so they want to deviate from everything PC as much as possible.

Um, I think they have that covered already.

 

[Raduque]

I don't know about you, but it's all kinds of awkward to kick back in my reclining chair with a keyboard and mouse to play a game. So much easier and comfortable to lean back and put my feet up w/a controller and relax.

I've noticed when I play console games and PC games w/controller, I'm way more relaxed than I am when I play PC games w/keyboard and mouse. Why is that I wonder?