PC gaming: what kind of controller do you use?

Ethan Merrill · 2013-03-29T06:18:29

Hey, I'm in the process of designing a game for PC (which we might later move to consoles if it does well) and I ran into an interesting problem. I have no idea what PC game pads are like these days, and I only have a GameStop XBOX controller because at one point I was working with XNA and needed a testing controller. I'm really passionate about making our game controller-compatible, since I personally believe gaming feels best (probably just my nostalgia boner) when played on a real, bonafide game pad. PLEASE NOTE: a keyboard layout will be the default, I'm not stupid. Every computer USUALLY has a keyboard, so that way it will definitely be playable by everyone. But just for people who feel the same way I do, or in the event that local multiplayer is included, I wanna make sure I have the most popular game pads in mind when designing a control scheme. Any input would be appreciated, and if you DO happen to have a controller in the "Other" category, if you could link a pic or amazon listing for it that'd be awesome. Thanks again~

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Started by AniMerrill February 26, 2013 02:34 AM

33 comments, last by Cod 11 years ago

boolean

1,830

March 25, 2013 10:12 PM

With Steam Big Picture being pretty easy to get running, I've been contemplating getting a good controller for the TV. I was watching the Giant Bomb guys play through Miasmata last night and it seems like a great fit for the TV, especially as it will allow a second person to watch. The game moves slow enough I won't mind the lack of mouse and keyboard. I also picked up "They bleed pixels" last night (DAMN YOU STEAM SALES) which seems to just demand a controller.

While I use mouse and keyboard for all my games on the PC, with all the good platformers and arcady games coming out on Steam it seems like getting a controller is more and more worthwhile. It seems like more people have their PC connected to their TV these days, but I might just be bias. Anyone have any idea on where data on this would be? I wonder if Steam tracks it.

swiftcoder

18,997

March 25, 2013 10:17 PM

I wonder if Steam tracks it

They didn't in the last version of the hardware survey, but I'm guessing that with the advent of Big Picture, they will in the next.

Tristam MacDonald. Ex-BigTech Software Engineer. Future farmer. [https://trist.am]

AniMerrill

227

Author

March 27, 2013 06:40 PM

With Steam Big Picture being pretty easy to get running, I've been contemplating getting a good controller for the TV. I was watching the Giant Bomb guys play through Miasmata last night and it seems like a great fit for the TV, especially as it will allow a second person to watch. The game moves slow enough I won't mind the lack of mouse and keyboard. I also picked up "They bleed pixels" last night (DAMN YOU STEAM SALES) which seems to just demand a controller.

While I use mouse and keyboard for all my games on the PC, with all the good platformers and arcady games coming out on Steam it seems like getting a controller is more and more worthwhile. It seems like more people have their PC connected to their TV these days, but I might just be bias. Anyone have any idea on where data on this would be? I wonder if Steam tracks it.

Since the likelihood of getting a license to produce for a console is pretty slim, this is pretty much my biggest hope and also one of the reasons I'm trying to pay attention to what people have for PC gaming. Also can't wait to see what Steam Box can offer for my game, that should be pretty sweet.

AniMerrill, a.k.a. Ethan Merrill

blueshogun96

2,267

March 28, 2013 07:09 AM

I use my 360 gamepad when possible, but still use my keyboard and mouse when I feel it's most suitable.

One game that I absolutely cannot play without both is Sinistar: Unleashed. Using the keyboard/mouse to steer the ship is painfully uncomfortable. Plugged in a USB controller or the 360 gamepad and that problem is eliminated. Still, the controller isn't enough. In order to use your inventory, you'll need to use the keyboard. Would have been nice to have the option to toggle though inventory using the POV and selecting it with one of the few unused buttons. Oh well, that game was released in '99 anyway. How I miss the good old days of PC gaming...