A question for PC gamers.

[Nemu]

I enjoy the interaction with players. (at least, I prefer the gateway, no pun, of using a comp versus a console to interact.)

Broader gaming possibilities (IE: toon creation, story progression, locales, server options)

More gameplay options: movement/attacking preferences have a wider potential, et al.

Keyboard > Controller

I can listen to music better.

I can have ESPN (or wotever else I'm in the mood to watch/listen to)on in the background.

etc

 

[Rattler5150]

a wired xbox 360 controller will work on a pc, you just have to download a driver from microsoft. if your looking for old school controllers, there are usb versions of NES and SNES controllers on amazon,

there are ways of playing old school arcade and console titles on pc.

 

[Sterling|D-Reaver]

I was a PC only gamer until about 2 weeks ago when my brother got an xbox 360 (for sports games mainly) so I'm having just about the opposite problem. My suggestion is to just keep playing for a little while with the mouse and keyboard you'll get more proficient, don't worry plus there are others out there who can aim to save there life (literally) so you won't be alone in your struggles.

My favorite things about PC gaming...

Mods, Custom Maps.

Dedicated servers. (great for clans)
Teamspeak/Ventrillo. (kind of goes with above)

mouse and keyboard.

customization.

Let me give you an example of why mods and dedicated servers are so awesome.

I've spent 25+ days of time in 'vanilla' COD4, but I spent over 50 days worth on one mod, specifically one clans server. In one week I had 78 hours on their server. . . I joined after that lol xD That server had a map rotation containing around 30 professional quality maps. several of the maps were made by a guy who now makes maps for treyarch.

The mod was awesome because it put all the weapons at military specs made you slower with bigger weapons and faster with smgs. . . shottys had decent range but lower power the farther away you were.
well this post was sufficiently long I think

 

[Deguasser]

I'm kinda mad right now about PC gaming, Valve banned me because they thought I was cheating.

OT: You'll get used to it over awhile, right now I'm so used to a mouse and keyboard I suck at Console shooters now.

You can send a support ticket to Valve to try and appeal the ban, and try to prove to them that you wern't cheating.

tried, told me all bans are permanent.

 

[Continuity]

I feel im missing out on alot of great PC games but I cant help get rid of the feel of a console controller. RTS, Sims and other point and click games Im ok with but things that require you to shoot and run I find to be alot more difficult. If you could can you explain if there is is an easier more enjoyable way to play PC games, or do you just have to tough it out?

EDIT: I would also like to know what makes you prefer PC over consoles?

Shoot/run game are much better on the PC. Sure learning the controls will feel alien at first but I strongly recommend you tough it out, the rewards are worth it. To be fair learning PC controls isn't any harder than learning console controls but you have to bear in mind that the controls won't be homogenous like a console controller. What I'mtrying to say is that you need to calibrate your mouse sensitivity, it's quite possible - especially if you have a high dpi gaming mouse - that your in game sensitivity (sens) will be way too high.
A good medium sens is 10" per 360, I.e. To turn your avatar 360 degrees you move the mouse 10 inches on the mat. Many serious players will play at a much lower sens than this even, say 15" per 180. At any rate I recommend you don't play at a higher sens than 5" per 360 or you will just be making things hard for yourself.
Plus once you have a sens you like you need to alter I. Game settings for each of your game to achieve a uniform " / 360 across them All. Also where ever there is an option turn off things like mouse prediction, mouse smoothing, or mouse acceleration.

 

[Crazyjay]

i suggest getting used to a good mouse, i was a console gamer myself for a while before i finally committed to PC. I would way the razor mouses would be the best to get.

 

[Cronq]

I played the classic consoles in my younger years (NES, SNES, 64, PS1), but then my friend introduced me to LAN games and RTS's and I switched. I think switching to the PC platform should be easier now days as more and more people are comfortable working on PC's. Sure you're not used to the mouse and keyboard as gaming input devices, but I promise you will adjust in a few short weeks.

The biggest advantages I enjoy are the far superior graphics: PC games run at full 1080p with as many frames per second as your machine can push (unless it's a bad console port *cough TFU2*). I enjoy the additional mod support and customization available for games. There's also a larger library of independent games and genres that are not available on consoles, and are usually cheaper than console games.

If you decide to give PC gaming a try, put in your best effort to cut the cord on the controller for FPS's and such. You can use them for games they are designed for but it is absolutely impossible to be competitive using a controller in FPS's in the PC online community.

 

[x0ny]

If you're finding it hard to aim using mouse and keyboard, just practice. In fact, I've recently been training myself to use a controller in FPSs, it was such a nightmare and so demoralising at the start, but I'm slowly getting better. Play single player games first, set game to normal/easy, set mouse to a low sensitivity, and away you go.

And get a nice gaming mouse, something with higher than 800 DPI. I'm using a Logitech MX518, it's not the best on the market, but it gets the job done, and it's at a bargain price now.