Poll: Screw WADS

[Amphoteric]

If you are using WASD then you have the number line just above your right hand, you have the letters QERTZXCVFG in close proximity, you have left control, shift, caps lock, tab and space.

I don't need anything else...

Also I've been using wasd for over a decade. Damn if I'm changing.

 

[Azure-Supernova]

What? WASD is near perfect, at least for my hand and fingers. Usuall I'm primed on W,A,D and Shift when moving or if I need to run. From them on my ring finger manage Caps Lock and Tab, Q and Z while my index finger manages X, C and V. In the event I need to use a hotkey I just shift my hand all the way up to find the key.

Maybe it's just cause I'm used to it though, I will suggest that a manufacturer could make a bit of cash selling alternate, comfortable rubber keys for diffeent keyboards.

 

[royohz]

I would love it more if they added a numeric pad to your standard mouse, I think that might have increased my overall mmo/rpg efficiency. Yeah.

EDIT: And before you link me some cheap office shit, I would have it optimized for gaming so that I essentially don't have to move my right index and middle fingers.

 

[Zeren]

Spoiler: Spoilered for size

I use this for all my PC games. It's a Wolfking Warrior and you can get them for about $80. I have more buttons than I could ever need for keybinding.

I would love it more if they added a numeric pad to your standard mouse, I think that might have increased my overall mmo/rpg efficiency. Yeah.

EDIT: And before you link me some cheap office shit, I would have it optimized for gaming so that I essentially don't have to move my right index and middle fingers.

Spoiler: Razor Naga

 

[royohz]

Spoiler: Spoilered for size

I use this for all my PC games. It's a Wolfking Warrior and you can get them for about $80. I have more buttons than I could ever need for keybinding.

Damn, I have to say that looks very comfortable and efficient.

 

[Zeren]

Spoiler: Spoilered for size

I use this for all my PC games. It's a Wolfking Warrior and you can get them for about $80. I have more buttons than I could ever need for keybinding.

Damn, I have to say that looks very comfortable and efficient.

IT helps to have long fingers. Some of the buttons can be a little hard to reach, but other than that it's an excellent game pad.

 

[mew4ever23]

Nah. Most people's fingers automatically jump to WADS for movement already, so what's the point.

 

[Quellan Thyde]

Perhaps the reason WASD is so prevalent is because it works. That's just what I think.

 

[RagnorakTres]

There is an alternative to WASD. It's called ESDF. Easier to find since most keyboards have a little raised bump on the F key to help you orient to the home row. You can still reach the Shift and Z keys with your pinkie easily and A, Q and W can all be used for other actions. T functions as reload, R functions as whatever E was doing beforehand (usually "use" or "knife," depending on the genre). The number keys can be shifted over one so switching weapons is as easy as it was before.

Honestly, ESDF is just better than WASD. >_> I've been using it for ages now.

 

[teisjm]

I have no problems with WASD whatsoever, it seems natural, unless the keyboard ot too small.

IF i had a better option avalible, and wouldn't have to fork over too much cash, and wouldn't have to set up a controll scheme for every single game i installed, which might become hard, cause some games requires a shitload of buttons to be near WASD, or it's successor, and woudln't have any otehr trouble with it whatsoever, sure.

 

[BodomBeachChild]

Do you ever go to the options menu in yer games and just remap yer keyboard? WASD is super natural. Just use a 360 or PS3 controller on yer PC if it's that bad.

 

[Your Fearless Captain]

I'm fine with WASD but what would be better would be something like the Wii nunchuk with more buttons.

 

[Polock]

Although WASD does seem stupid, I love it. I would play every game with a keyboard if I could. I play piano and have longer fingers, and so QWERTY ASDFGH ZXCVBB and any keyes near them are fair game for customizing. No problem here.

 

[Lenderian]

WASD is actually quite fine, if you really have problems with it a smaller keyboard/higher raised keys could help even out the discomfort. It becomes easier to use WASD if your keys can easily be felt so a little space between your keys could help a bit.

 

[SangRahl]

I was once a die-hard Arrow Key user. If a game required use of WASD, I'd remap the buttons... all of them, if need be.

Then I stopped playing MMOs... EQ and WoW helped drive in the concept of using many keys at once, but I'd either used the Arrow Keys, or eventually the Mouselook Movement options (Hold Right Button to turn + Hold Left Button to run) to move around in the world, leaving my left hand to dance about and play Whack-A-Mole with my hotkey activations.

Then I leave that all behind (money issues, and easier to give up the monthly fees for cheaper bargain box games) and was thust into the world of WASD movement... and haven't looked back, since.

But, if you're looking for options for "unique" control options, I was a total convert to Belkin's Nostromo N52 after I tried it out once. D-Pad thumb movement under a big red thumb trigger button, keyboard-style finger layout, index finger mousewheel placement, and a thumb "slap pad" button (think: "spacebar" placement, but placed perfectly under your thumb)... all completely programmable and customizable with 3 possible Modes to flip between on the fly. Add in my ancient MX500 mouse (when this thing finally craps out, I'm going to be lost), and I had enough buttons avalable that I only ever had to touch my keyboard to type in chat.

Sadly, mine has seen better days after years of use before my retirement from online play, and I heard that they'd stopped production a year or two back.

EDIT: Upon looking, it seems that Razer has picked up the Nostromo product name and is continuing production. ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004AM5RB6/ ) If I get pulled in to SW:TOR, I may have to look at my budget about replacing my old Belkin.

 

[VladG]

They are the standard because in time they were proven to be the best. In the very old games you will notice that they are not used by default. In time players kept re-binding keys to WASD because it's a lot more comfortable and it gives you better access to the rest of the keys. With the arrow keys you only have access to 4 buttons, severely limiting your gaming ability.


They are very easy to find since they are next to the shift/tab/caps keys that have a very different shape. Also no PC user could ever complain about this problem. All keyboards have markers on certain keys to make sure you can find your position without looking down.

Also all games come with a key remap option. It's there for those who are for some reason uncomfortable with the standard WASD. Also there are keyboard that have keys on the left side of the qwerty block.

 

[RicoADF]

I find WASD controls problematic because they are so unbelievably commonplace almost to the point of an unmodifiable standard. If it were easier to get your fingers oriented around WASD buttons from touch I wouldnt have nearly the issues.

So, It got me to thinking that a solution for this would be to modify keyboards. If you moved the arrow keys to the left side of a gaming keyboard and make a more ergonomic 1 hand control layout around that set of arrow keys, it would alleviate many issues that are created with WASD configurations like tying up text capabilities with movement mapping

TL;DR: Would you use a keyboard with a specialized set of control keys to the left of the letter keys if available, over standardized WASD controls?

I'd find different controls more anoying, I'm use to WASD and its how I like them.

 

[Woodsey]

WASD is the most natural position on the keyboard for my hand to rest. Both my arms are parallel and sit at the same length when I'm not using anything. And for gaming the position is buried in a good central position to easily let you move across to other keys.

You know, they do let you reconfigure your keys. Why don't you just do that?

 

[The_root_of_all_evil]

Pffft...I grew up with 5678, or 8642. WASD is heaven compared to them.

 

[TastyCarcass]

You need analogue. I use a pro gaming command unit, or an xbox 360 controller in my left hand with a mouse in my right. Works well