Why do PC Gamers Oppose Using a Controller?

[teh_gunslinger]

As it happens, I do own a joystick. One of those fancy HOTAS things, for all my flight/space sim needs. I also have a controller that I sometimes use for Euro Truck Sim 2, but I really should get a wheel for that.

That's it though. I use a controller for one game. Anything else I play, plays better with mouse and keyboard. It's also vastly more comfortable to use, has all the buttons I could need and offers greater control of fine movement.

I've owned consoles since the early 2000s but a controller is not second nature to me. It feels unwieldy and adds a layer of frustration between me and the game. Like playing with oven mittens on or something. Everything becomes clunky and soupy.

 

[Tactical Pause]

So I'm seeing more than a few responses here suggesting that the main reason for not wanting to use a controller is because of some sort of superiority complex that all PC gamers apparently have. Now, I know this may be the case in a few instances, but (as many before me have pointed out) there is a much simpler, and less hostile reason why many PC gamers prefer mouse and keyboard even for games where a controller is arguably better.

The reason is that I am familiar with the mouse and keyboard, and I am not nearly as familiar with a controller. It's that simple. I don't prefer M&K because I believe myself to be a god walking among mortals, I prefer it because I'm just not very good with a controller, and I find it distracting when I use one because I am not used to the feel or the control setup.

Honestly, why do so many people have to jump immediately to 'elitist' when there's a much more obvious answer right in front of them?

 

[RhombusHatesYou]

Reading and comprehension. Awesome

 

[Loop Stricken]

Why do PC Gamers Oppose Using a Controller?

The only time I've seen vehement opposition to controllers is when playing FPS games, because a mouse and keyboard is inherently and unarguably superior.

 

[miketehmage]

Because PC FPS games don't have an aim assist, and aiming without aim assist while using a controller when you are used to using a mouse is nigh impossible to do.

So for FPS games at least, most PC Gamers will cling to mice because they are more accurate.

As for other games, I don't really know. I'm a PC gamer but I actually prefer the controller most of the time now for racing games or things like assassins creed. That's probably because most of those games feel like they were designed with a controller in mind and with PC as an afterthought... but now I'm just starting to sound bitter.

 

[cikame]

Most PC gamers arn't, you just don't hear from them because they don't need to say anything, the ones who can't imagine playing games with one voice their opposition in forums and comments.
It goes both ways too, some people can't imagine using a mouse and keyboard to play certain games, just not as many.

 

[deathzero021]

i don't. only point-and-click games and FPS's work well with keyboard + mouse, and they just happen to be the most popular games on PC (for years) so that's probably why you hear people say it.

however now a days we got a huge mix of games on the PC, many which play better with a controller. i have a ton of PC controllers and i use them often, mostly for platformers and 3rd person games.

 

[Rad Party God]

I don't, I use my 360 controller most of the time, even in FPS games.

Definitely there are games that are impossible to play with a controller, like Tribes: Ascend or any game with RTS controls or most MMOs (The Secret World plays fantastic with a controller).

 

[Fleaman]

PC gamers do NOT oppose using a controller. PC gamers oppose using a controller for games to which they are unsuited, as the PC is miraculously blessed with the keyboard and mouse as a second option. A controller makes Assassin's Creed better, but Starcraft entirely unplayable.

 

[NathLines]

I love using my controller for games as long as they don't involve shooting. Though this is mainly due to me being a lazy bum wanting to sit back in my chair while playing. Anyhow, I don't have anything against controllers.

I actually want kind of a crossover between K/M and controllers. Replace the keyboard with a pad with an analogue stick and loads of buttons up and left of it, the other hand on the mouse as usual. Perfection.

 

[glider4]

I don't mind either but I would rather play a shooter with a mouse and keyboard anyday. I wasnt aware people were opposed to using a controller. Perhaps it's to go against the people that say "huh mouse and keyboard wasnt made for video games so they suck. And new players players can't use a mouse and keyboard cuz controllers are easier," even though pretty much everybody has used a mouse and keyboard but non gamers are unlikely to be familiar with a controller

 

[KarmaTheAlligator]

The only games for which I'd strongly recommend using a keyboard and mouse combo are FPS/TPS and RTS. Everything else is better with a controller, I think.

 

[WouldYouKindly]

We don't. Not for everything at least. Driving games for one are a pain in the ass to use a keyboard for. Basically, I support which ever allows me to get better performance. If I was against controllers, I wouldn't own the Xbox controller adapter for PC.

Mouse and keyboard allows for very precise aim in FPSs. It's the only way to effectively play essentially any RTS. Some third person games are easier to play with a controller and for driving and flying games a controller is all but necessary unless you want your choice of direction limited to either LEFT or RIGHT with no options in between. Essentially, I do not care whichever control system you decide to design your game for so long as it works with some control system.

I do wonder if you could design a pressure sensitive keyboard to combat this, but I've already got the controller, so I'll use it.

 

[SinisterGehe]

We are? Since when?
For me it just seems rather odd to have 2 input devices, then having to add 3rd to play... Why? We already got 100 (VARIATIONS ON DIFFERENT LAYOUTS!) keys and 3-6 on mouse. All in nice reach of fingers.

But I protest the mandatory use of controllers, because I have disability on my hand that prevents me from using more than 2 fingers properly middle finger works but slowly and rest I don't even bother trying to use.

Also they keep adding more and more buttons and modifiers to new console controllers, why? So they could get enough actions mapped on to it. We can already do that already on keyboard. I don't even know how many combinations there can be on modern PC keyboard.

But I like to have a key for each action.

 

[ultratog1028]

Controllers cost money. Having a game that needs to be played with a controller to be played effectively is like playing a console game that requires a not standard or included different controller. Imagine playing Guitar Hero, except it didn't come with the guitar controller, and the guitar controller wasn't standardized. you could play it on the regular controller but that is clumsy and unnatural as the game isn't designed for that.

THAT is why pc gamers hate controller required games. and don't get me started with ports of console games (halo 2) where they don't bother removing aim assist/ auto aim for the pc version.

 

[kingthrall]

1. A keyboard doesnt get sweaty in your palms like a controller
2. I can write whole essays and other things with a keyboard if I have work to do
3. Keyboard provide hotkeys which consoles do not provide giving stratergy games an edge
4. A mouse is much faster for scrolling with and more accurate stoppages when clicking on a targe in comparsion to a controller. Even if the sensitivity is turned up higher you got to scroll with your thumb pressed really firm aside where as you merly tap the mouse in comparison.

5. Controllers hurt my hands and I cant hold a cup of tea while moving my mouse in the other hand hahaha

 

[Seydaman]

Because of the variation in controllers that you use with a PC, and it's a chore to crawl under my desk to plug the thing in. It sits there like an irritating cancer when I'm not using it, which is 99% of the time.

Edit: I only use it for emulation (ps2/1, Gamecube/Wii & N64) and Dark Souls anyway.

 

[Muspelheim]

1: Oh, those elitist PC players don't like controllers.
2:Yeah. Dumb elitist.
1: More games should use controllers only. Take them out of their comfort zone.
2: Yeah, so they realize controllers is the superior alternative.
1: Stupid elitists.

Just use what you prefer, and what is available. Like most of the thread has already suggested.

 

[balfore]

I prefer a M+K for most FPS and all RTS. However for most games where you play in the third person I use an Xbox 360 Controller with my PC.

 

[masticina]

Do they?

Well I am a hybrid gamer [aaah it is the monster of frankenstein] and some games do need a keyboard. Not joking buying an RTS on a console.. good luck wished! Yet the console controller does add something great to gaming two, not one but TWO analoge sticks!

I have bought after hell I don't know how many years.. a wired xbox 360 controller for some games I bought on steam and. You know I like it! Again some games have no use for the controller but some games do come out from the multi platform world and yes you can use a controller. And actually that isn't so bad!

As long as a PC game isn't dumbed down, forced to a controller situation I think there is no loss for PC gamers. Okay what is a forced controller situation, that even though you don't own it the game excepts you to handle as if you do. Look down and notice F1 to F12, not only that also the 1 key to 0. Yes.. lets say we have a shooter and we have 8 weapons. A good shooter would allow on the pc to put weapon a to key 1, b to key 2 and so on. Quick direct access to your guns. A bad pc port would say "To change weapon press B then click with the mouse the weapon you want to use" .. ahum.

So yeah I can get the Ire if that happens. Just because you can port a console game doesn't means it has to be as limited as the console. there are many buttons on the keyboard for a reason.

So what I say is well.. game developers that make multi console games or port a console game to a pc. Please make it pc friendly! And to those pc games that own a controller like lets say the xbox 360 controller. Awesome, it is in certain games definitely a valid way of playing a game.

Not every PC game will be controller friendly cool. Not every console game [well about none] are keyboard friendly cool. But if you go in between offer both paths!