omg X360 controller makes PC gaming amazing again

[Bebpo]

I got my wired X360 controller in the mail today and I don't know why I waited so long.  Been trying it out on PC games and it's like a whole new experience.  The layouts are sooooo good on most games these days and I feel like I have access to way more inputs more easily.

I tried Left 4 Dead and the layout was amazing.  I like the pin-point headshot accuracy of the mouse, but with the X360 controller I found commands I never even knew I had!  I can totally see myself getting back into the game now with this controller.  Too bad there's no rumble, I mean they must have made rumble for the X360 version...

Then I tried Dreamfall which controlled like shit on a keyboard + mouse and suddenly it's really good!  Now I'm eager to play this on my comfy chair + hdtv + x360 controller.

I used to play some games with a USB PS2 adapter, but it was such a pain in the ass setting up all the buttons and analogue configs and half the time it wouldn't recognize something and most of the time the rumble wouldn't work, etc...  but now I just plug this in and everything is perfect :O  The only trouble I've run into so far is that Dreamfall didn't recognize the L/R triggers (wtf!) but the game doesn't need that many buttons anyhow so it was ok.

Can't wait to build my new PC and play Crysis with this controller

[MCD]

X360 makes PC gaming obsolete

[Powerslave]

My life wouldn't be the same if the Xbox 360 controller wasn't created.

[ManaByte]

Yea some games will recognize it as a 360 pad as well. Madden 08 (the last PC Madden) does and as such all the on screen button displays match the controller, which makes it like playing the 360 version at full 1080p at well over 60fps and even better graphics detail.

[Eric P]

the thing that annoys me is that the right stick is useless and trying to use custom drivers is a pain to set up

[ManaByte]

the thing that annoys me is that the right stick is useless and trying to use custom drivers is a pain to set up

Works fine on my games.

[fistfulofmetal]

I tried Left 4 Dead and the layout was amazing. (...) I can totally see myself getting back into the game now with this controller. 

 

Can't wait to build my new PC and play Crysis with this controller

 


I can understand... say... console games on the PC... like Dead Space, or something.... but... this I just don't get.

[Beezy]

Some people just don't like gaming with mouse and keyboard. Usually people like me who mainly played console games their whole life. RTS and turn-based strategy are the only genres I prefer on mouse and keyboard.

[Joe Molotov]

I tried Left 4 Dead and the layout was amazing. (...) I can totally see myself getting back into the game now with this controller. 

 

Can't wait to build my new PC and play Crysis with this controller

 


I can understand... say... console games on the PC... like Dead Space, or something.... but... this I just don't get.

Strong agreement.

Using a Console Pad for Console Games = FTW

Using a Console Pad for PC Games = GTFO

[Great Rumbler]

I tried Left 4 Dead and the layout was amazing. (...) I can totally see myself getting back into the game now with this controller. 

 

Can't wait to build my new PC and play Crysis with this controller

 


I can understand... say... console games on the PC... like Dead Space, or something.... but... this I just don't get.

Seriously.

[Bebpo]

Doom 3 Widescreen mod in 720p + Flashlight mod + X360 controller mod = awesome and I'm finally going to play Doom 3 now.

I tried Left 4 Dead and the layout was amazing. (...) I can totally see myself getting back into the game now with this controller. 

 

Can't wait to build my new PC and play Crysis with this controller

 


I can understand... say... console games on the PC... like Dead Space, or something.... but... this I just don't get.

I dunno, I've been using a m+kb my whole life and I love it, but I always feel like it's uncomfortable and a pain to use in a home theater setup with the keyboard on my lap and mouse on the right arm of my chair.  It feels like a whole new experience with a X360 controller where you have all the buttons you need with easy and quick access.  When I play games on PC my left hand is limited to the buttons around WASD.  If something is assigned to say "j" on the keyboard I will never press it because it's too far of reach.  I feel like I get access to more buttons more easily with the X360 controller at the expense of stiffer/worse aim.

I don't think L4D is better with a controller.  But it's certainly a different and not worse experience which is kind of refreshing after playing with a keyboard this whole time.

[Mrbob]

Crysis has an odd setting for the X360 controller.  Warhead is much better.

Sorry you are wrong about the 360 controller making pc gaming awesome again.  PC gaming has never been dull friend! 

[Bebpo]

Crysis has an odd setting for the X360 controller.  Warhead is much better.

Sorry you are wrong about the 360 controller making pc gaming awesome again.  PC gaming has never been dull friend! 

Yeah, PC gaming is awesome.  I've been having so much fun since getting back in PC gaming in the last months.  The X360 controller, like a video card upgrade, is just making things even more exciting

I just wish more PC games had rumble support and achievements.  Also I wish there was some way I could get real surround sound on my home theater PC gaming setup (I have to PC game on my hdtv with stereo mixed to fake pro-logic surround).  Afaik it's impossible since PC games don't support SPDIF output like DD or DTS.

[cool breeze]

I was actually messing around with Crysis using a 360 controller last night to see how it would play on my TV.  Ran beautifully at 720p with everything on high, like 60 fps with minor drops.  The controller support is awful though.  It feels like there is vertical and horizontal aim on the right stick, but not together and it ends up feeling really bad.  Then the aim button is on the right bumper and there is no way to go prone.

[Bebpo]

I was actually messing around with Crysis using a 360 controller last night to see how it would play on my TV.  Ran beautifully at 720p with everything on high, like 60 fps with minor drops.  The controller support is awful though.  It feels like there is vertical and horizontal aim on the right stick, but not together and it ends up feeling really bad.  Then the aim button is on the right bumper and there is no way to go prone.

Hmm, maybe I just need to pick up a mouse with a ton of buttons like you have (a trackball one, since that's how I roll).  I felt so limited in my controls with a 2 button mouse + keyboard.

Good to hear from Mr. Bob that Warhead has better X360 support.  Will probably play that before I replay Crysis.

[cool breeze]

I'm curious about Warhead with a controller now, but last time I played it actually ran worse on my PC.  I don't have a huge problem playing with a dual analog controller, even though my preference is my mouse (with 7 buttons  )  I don't really have a table or space top put a keyboard and mousepad on my couch.

The reason I did try it out again was to remind myself of just how good Crysis looks compared to everything else (because of that gaf graphics thread).  Even on my modest PC on high settings it still looks more impressive than anything else out there.

[Eel O'Brian]

warhead works fine with a 360 controller

[Eel O'Brian]

rainbow six vegas 2 is janked, won't recognize the 360 controller even though there's an option for it, and those assholes never patched it

[Bebpo]

rainbow six vegas 2 is janked, won't recognize the 360 controller even though there's an option for it, and those assholes never patched it

Are you kidding me?  Man, one of the reasons I was stoked about getting this X360 pad is because I got Vegas 2 from the $3 Newegg sale.  Had been holding off for the X360 version to drop since I played the first one on X360, but at $3 I figured with an X360 controller it'd be the same just without achievements. 

[Eel O'Brian]

there are some workarounds that seem to work for some people, but i could never get them to work

it involves editing config files and shit

[cool breeze]

The worst is that Beyond Good and Evil doesn't have controller support.  It's not even an FPS game or anything where the preference would be kb/m.

[Bebpo]

Actually the worst thing is X360/PS3 games that are on PC and don't even have Widescreen support.  I mean how the fuck do you mess that up when you have it working in widescreen on the consoles.  See Dark Sector for example.

All PS3/X360 games on PC should have perfect widescreen support & perfect pad support and perfect 5.1 support since they already have them on the console version.

[Bebpo]

So yeah, ummm, even with widescreen + flashlight mod + x360 controller Doom 3 still gets really boring after 2 hours.

This has to be my 3rd or 4th time trying to play Doom 3 from the start and I always am excited at first to have some heavy action FPS, but then 2-3 hours later I'm bored out of my mind from running down dark room after dark room with a few guys and imps popping up each time.  I think my problem is that in other FPS games at least you are traveling across locations that LOOK DIFFERENT so maybe you'll shoot guys for an hour in a dark office, but you know the next hour will be in a colorful aquarium or something.  In Doom3 every location so far looks identical, it's like one giant 20 hour level.     Will give it another shot tomorrow, otherwise I guess I'm done with Doom3 for the 3rd or 4th time now.

[drew]

robitussin dm and marijuana worked for me

dont knock it till you try it maaaaaaaaaaaan

[dark1x]

You went for the wired pad?  Should have picked up the wireless receiver.  You could then connect up to four 360 pads to your PC with ease.  Perfect for emulation (especially multiplayer arcade games).  Also works well for a lot of those doujin games that demand multiple people (such as Drill Milky Punch).

I love 360 pad support on the PC, though.  It always annoys the shit out of me when a PC game, that is also available on a console, is released without pad support.  I still can't believe FEAR 2 did not offer pad support.  I mean, the original FEAR (initially a PC only game) had pad support AND FEAR 2 was released at the same time on consoles.  It's just bullshit.

Have you checked out Pinnacle Game Profiler?  It's really impressive software that, I think, far exceeds X-padder.  It isn't free, unfortunately, but I thought it was worth the $20 or so just to get such awesome pad support in games that typically don't support it.  It really allows you to tweak so many settings that it almost feels natural and the profiles are a nice touch.

[Great Rumbler]

Also works well for a lot of those doujin games that demand multiple people (such as Drill Milky Punch).

??

[youtube=560,345]Uc6Q2IeFCGY[/youtube]

 

[Bebpo]

You went for the wired pad?  Should have picked up the wireless receiver.  You could then connect up to four 360 pads to your PC with ease.  Perfect for emulation (especially multiplayer arcade games).  Also works well for a lot of those doujin games that demand multiple people (such as Drill Milky Punch).

I love 360 pad support on the PC, though.  It always annoys the shit out of me when a PC game, that is also available on a console, is released without pad support.  I still can't believe FEAR 2 did not offer pad support.  I mean, the original FEAR (initially a PC only game) had pad support AND FEAR 2 was released at the same time on consoles.  It's just bullshit.

Have you checked out Pinnacle Game Profiler?  It's really impressive software that, I think, far exceeds X-padder.  It isn't free, unfortunately, but I thought it was worth the $20 or so just to get such awesome pad support in games that typically don't support it.  It really allows you to tweak so many settings that it almost feels natural and the profiles are a nice touch.

I went for the wired controller because I heard the wireless receiver has problems with interference with other wireless devices.  I already have problems with my wireless mouse & wireless keyboard dropping out sometimes due to interference so I didn't want to add another troublesome wireless device.  My room is pretty small so the wired one reaches comfortably back to where I play games on my hdtv.

So Fear 2 has no pad support?  WTF.  I'm still planning on playing that on PC when I get the chance due to better graphics, but I guess I'll be playing with kb+m when I do.  Waiting for it to drop to <$20 on steam or some other downloadable service.

Also, yeah I'm using Pinnacle for Doom3 since Doom3 doesn't have native pad support.  It's pretty good and I'll probably keep it, though I wish it had more profiles.

[Tauntaun]

Mouse + Keyboard >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *

DIE! 

[Powerslave]

*>*

[Eel O'Brian]

Mouse + Keyboard >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *

DIE! 

generally i agree, but for third-person games kb+m runs second imo

[Bebpo]

Mouse + Keyboard >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *

DIE! 

Keyboard on knees and trackball on arm of chair = sucky! 

Give me a comfortable keyboard + mouse solution when sitting in a chair with no desk/table/coffee table and we'll talk.

[recursivelyenumerable]

I don't see how anyone can play a third-person 3D action game with mouse and keyboard.  It's just not possible.

[dark1x]

Mouse + Keyboard >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *

DIE! 

Keyboard on knees and trackball on arm of chair = sucky! 

Give me a comfortable keyboard + mouse solution when sitting in a chair with no desk/table/coffee table and we'll talk.

I actually found a pretty good solution.

You need a couch or large chair to pull this off, but...

1) Get a lap desk (beanbag cushion + wooden top) and lean this on the chair and your leg in a comfortable position.  This becomes your mouse pad. 

2) Use a Belkin Nostromo n52 (or n52te) for the other hand.  It's small enough that it is perfectly comfortable to use on any surface.

Again, it's not perfect and doesn't really work for all furniture, but it has proven to be an effective solution for me.  Still prefer using a pad in the living room, though.  PC gaming is fine at my desk...but then I have to use an LCD (which looks like total crap next to my Kuro plasma).  :\

[cool breeze]

I tried out the Xpadder program and it's a bit disappointing.  Does that pinnacle one let you adjust acceleration? can I bind it so that only slightly pushing the left stick would be forward+walk key while all the way would be run?  Also, why is it that the 360 controller doesn't let you use the left and right triggers at the same time? that gets annoying.

Mouse + Keyboard >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> *

DIE! 

generally i agree, but for third-person games kb+m runs second imo

I agree for recent third-person games like Gears of War or Dead Space, but for old things like Oni or Max Payne, kb/m are still better.

[dark1x]

I tried out the Xpadder program and it's a bit disappointing.  Does that pinnacle one let you adjust acceleration? can I bind it so that only slightly pushing the left stick would be forward+walk key while all the way would be run?  Also, why is it that the 360 controller doesn't let you use the left and right triggers at the same time? that gets annoying.

Yes, it allows you to make a lot of fine adjustments to the analog sticks when emulating a mouse.  It can take a lot of experimenting to get right, but it's soooo much better than Xpadder.  Furthermore, you can even map different function to different levels of analog.  For instance, you can set "if analog stick is pressed beyond 70%, use one function.  If stick movement is below 70%, use another function".  This lets you actually add different walking speeds depending on how far you press the stick.  It's very nifty.

[cool breeze]

sounds good.  Does it let me use the left and right trigger at the same time on the 360 controller?

[demi]

X360 makes PC gaming obsolete

[Diunx]

SMH at this thread, ban bebpo from the gaming side.

[Mondain]

I love playing games with a mouse and keyboard but the comments in the OP are true, a 360 controller makes PC gaming even more awesome.

I have a long DVI to HDMI cable that runs from my computer up to my Bravia in the living room, and I can play PC ports of console games in true 1080p with all the details set to max and a controller.

With this awesome combo my 360 is gathering dust.

[Smooth Groove]

I just wish more PC games had rumble support and achievements.  Also I wish there was some way I could get real surround sound on my home theater PC gaming setup (I have to PC game on my hdtv with stereo mixed to fake pro-logic surround).  Afaik it's impossible since PC games don't support SPDIF output like DD or DTS.

The PCI-Express X-fi cards can encode both DTS and Dolby Digital surround.  I think some of the Auzentech cards can do that as well. 

[dark1x]

I just wish more PC games had rumble support and achievements.  Also I wish there was some way I could get real surround sound on my home theater PC gaming setup (I have to PC game on my hdtv with stereo mixed to fake pro-logic surround).  Afaik it's impossible since PC games don't support SPDIF output like DD or DTS.

The PCI-Express X-fi cards can encode both DTS and Dolby Digital surround.  I think some of the Auzentech cards can do that as well. 

Or, if you want to avoid buying any additional hardware, most on-board audio and soundcards allow for 5.1 multi-channel output using three cables.  You can send front, rear, and center/sub directly to your receiver (virtually all of them offer an analog multi-channel input).  This allows for 5.1 audio in most newer PC games (those from the last few years).

[Smooth Groove]

I just wish more PC games had rumble support and achievements.  Also I wish there was some way I could get real surround sound on my home theater PC gaming setup (I have to PC game on my hdtv with stereo mixed to fake pro-logic surround).  Afaik it's impossible since PC games don't support SPDIF output like DD or DTS.

The PCI-Express X-fi cards can encode both DTS and Dolby Digital surround.  I think some of the Auzentech cards can do that as well. 

Or, if you want to avoid buying any additional hardware, most on-board audio and soundcards allow for 5.1 multi-channel output using three cables.  You can send front, rear, and center/sub directly to your receiver (virtually all of them offer an analog multi-channel input).  This allows for 5.1 audio in most newer PC games (those from the last few years).

Maybe Bebpo doesn't have 5.1 inputs on his receiver?  Most mainstream receivers don't. 
Just to clarify my last post, the X-fi PCI express cards can indeed send 5.1 signals through an optical cable. 

[Bebpo]

Yeah, I don't have analogue 5.1 input.  It's a pre-HDMI-era high-end Harman/Kardon I got refurbbed for affordable pricing in 2005.  I'm planning on upgrading to an HDMI receiver one day but I don't want to downgrade in sound quality from my HK, so I gotta wait until I can either get a good one refurbbed or I have the money to spend 1k on a receiver.

The X-fi card thing sounds good.  I think I'll try getting one of those.  Would be nice to have PC games in real 5.1 on my home theater speaker setup.

[Smooth Groove]

Bebpo, make sure you're getting the PCI-Express version of the X-FI and not the PCI.  The older PCI versions don't support 5.1 optical. 

Also, you mentioned in a previous post about having problems with games not being in widescreen.  Go to widescreengamingforum.com for solutions.  They have widescreen fixes for many games. 

[Bebpo]

Also, you mentioned in a previous post about having problems with games not being in widescreen.  Go to widescreengamingforum.com for solutions.  They have widescreen fixes for many games. 

Actually, my problem is not being able to play 4:3 games un-stretched using tv-out to my hdtv.  I joined WSGF when I got my new video card and this problem showed up.  No one over there had a solution.  So for older games that can't be made widescreen (like adventure games with static pre-rendered backgrounds) I just play them on my crappy monitor.  Sure I'd rather play them on my nice hdtv, but usually these older games aren't really graphical beauties anyway so I'm ok with playing them on a lesser quality screen.

[Smooth Groove]

Can't you force 4x3 on your HDTV?  Also, try the different settings for "change flat planel scaling" in the Nvidia control panel. 

Another possible solution is to use a VGA cable instead of a HDMI cable to connect your PC.

[Bebpo]

Actually the issue is that the flat panel scaling option doesn't show up when I connect to my HDTV.  Otherwise that would simply solve it.

And my tv doesn't have a force 4x3 mode option.  It also doesn't have VGA input, only HDMI and Component.

[Bebpo]

Ok, I'm dumb.  My receiver does have 6.1 direct input.  So is there a way I can get real 5.1 sound from a 5.1 game?

I'm actually building my new computer right now and the motherboard has 6 colors:

Grey = Side
Black = rear
Yellow = c/sub
Red = mic
Green = out
Blue = in

What do I match to what to get 5.1 on my receiver?  Also the plugs going out of these on the motherboard are the tiny speaker kind, whereas the inputs on my receiver are like composite/component type plugs.  Is there some sort of adapter?

[Smooth Groove]

I just know that Green is for the two main speakers. 

Yes, there are such adapters.  I used to have some but I don't remember where I got them. 

Try Radioshack?  They surprisingly carry many different types of adapters. 

[Bebpo]

I just know that Green is for the two main speakers. 

Yes, there are such adapters.  I used to have some but I don't remember where I got them. 

Try Radioshack?  They surprisingly carry many different types of adapters. 

So since there is one green on the computer side and two on the receiver side (L/R)...do I use a splitter?

[Smooth Groove]

I just know that Green is for the two main speakers. 

Yes, there are such adapters.  I used to have some but I don't remember where I got them. 

Try Radioshack?  They surprisingly carry many different types of adapters. 

So since there is one green on the computer side and two on the receiver side (L/R)...do I use a splitter?

Yeah