Modern games and Xbox controllers

[NerfedFalcon]

There are a lot of PC games out there that have gamepad controls, and some even recommend using a gamepad over a keyboard. And, yeah, I'll admit, some genres work better with a gamepad, like how some work better with a mouse and keyboard. Here's the only problem, though: for some arcane reason, most modern games only allow you to use an official licensed Xbox 360 controller, or else mess with your joystick polarity or button layout if you use a generic. Could someone please tell me what's up with everyone insisting on me using an Xbox controller (Christ, they're even bigger purists than the so-called PC Gaming Master Race!) and, if possible, how to make a generic look like a 360?

(I use Windows 7, don't know if 32- or 64-bit.)

 

[Grygor]

360 controllers and PC gamepads have different programming interfaces.

An important question, though, is what kind of gamepad you have - some gamepads, like my Logitech F310, can be toggled between 360 and PC modes (if you happen to have this model of gamepad, look on the back - there'll be a switch with one side marked "X" and one marked "D". Put the switch to "X", and it'll function like a 360 controller.)

 

[Owyn_Merrilin]

360 controllers and PC gamepads have different programming interfaces.

An important question, though, is what kind of gamepad you have - some gamepads, like my Logitech F310, can be toggled between 360 and PC modes (if you happen to have this model of gamepad, look on the back - there'll be a switch with one side marked "X" and one marked "D". Put the switch to "X", and it'll function like a 360 controller.)

Yeah, generic game controllers use Directinput, while Xbox controllers (both official and third party) use Xinput, only having Directinput support for backwards compatibility. There's third party drivers that improve Directinput support on the 360 controller, but I don't know what there is the other way around. There's a set of drivers for the PS3 controller called "Motion Joy," which add Xinput support to that. I don't know if they work the other way. Also, I guess it's possible that the XBCD drivers (the third party ones for the 360 controller) work both ways. I doubt it, but it's possible.

 

[NerfedFalcon]

360 controllers and PC gamepads have different programming interfaces.

(Put the switch to "X", and it'll function like a 360 controller.)

I guess it's possible that the XBCD drivers (the third party ones for the 360 controller) work both ways. I doubt it, but it's possible.

I don't remember when I bought this controller, or what model it is, but it's a Logitech Dualshock and it doesn't have any kind of switch except for "sport mode" (swapping the D-pad and analog sticks).