"I think modern thumbsticks are better suited for flight controls than the mouse ever was."
"I think a good space combat game can be made without that same density of inputs."
No, and absolutely no. Okay, thumbsticks are probably better than the mouse for that kind of input, though it depends on exactly how it was handled - Starglider 2 on the old Amiga had a lovely comfortable way of controlling the ship via mouse that I have never since seen matched. But for a game like X-Wing vs TIE Fighter, you buy a joystick. There can be no argument there. These kinds of games are joystick games and if you play them with a different input you're doing it wrong.
As for the density of inputs - that was half the point! I don't want my favourite style of game, that I have been hoping for more of for over a decade now, dumbed down and simplified. I might as well be playing some crappy shooter for all the satisfaction that would give. Flying a starship is not meant to be a simple experience, there is (and should be!) a lot of stuff to control and be aware of. I want to be forced to use every goddamn key on my keyboard, plus the joystick, plus the joystick's myriad of buttons, plus (at times) the mouse too!
"I think a good space combat game can be made without that same density of inputs."
No, and absolutely no. Okay, thumbsticks are probably better than the mouse for that kind of input, though it depends on exactly how it was handled - Starglider 2 on the old Amiga had a lovely comfortable way of controlling the ship via mouse that I have never since seen matched. But for a game like X-Wing vs TIE Fighter, you buy a joystick. There can be no argument there. These kinds of games are joystick games and if you play them with a different input you're doing it wrong.
As for the density of inputs - that was half the point! I don't want my favourite style of game, that I have been hoping for more of for over a decade now, dumbed down and simplified. I might as well be playing some crappy shooter for all the satisfaction that would give. Flying a starship is not meant to be a simple experience, there is (and should be!) a lot of stuff to control and be aware of. I want to be forced to use every goddamn key on my keyboard, plus the joystick, plus the joystick's myriad of buttons, plus (at times) the mouse too!
