5 ms·
I have never been able to get good at using analog sticks with FPSs. I'm so bad at it that if the game doesn't have auto-aim, I basically can't enjoy the game
by haberman 13y ago
I have never been able to get good at using analog sticks with FPSs. I'm so bad at it that if the game doesn't have auto-aim, I basically can't enjoy the game because I am sucking so badly.
The problem for me is that the analog sticks are velocity-based; ie. you don't get to control the position directly, you can only control the first derivative of the position, the velocity. That means instead of just moving the controller where you want to go, you have to move in the direction you want to go and hold it there for just the right amount of time.
I'm amazed that so many people can do this so well, because no matter how much time I play I still suck at it. It just feels so clumsy.
So the idea of being able to use a handheld controller that isn't velocity-based really appeals to me, though I do worry a bit that the active area is so small.
- jotm 13y agoI can't believe that the trackball (very old tech might I say) hasn't replaced the analog sticks yet! People have already modded controllers with a trackball, and it works great for the most part, bringing the best of both worlds together, yet Sony and Microsoft still insist on using analog sticks...
- banachtarski 13y agoThe reason is because it doesn't work. How do you walk forward continuously for a long stretch? Do you roll it to some position and keep it there? Do you keep rolling?
- thu 13y agoYet you have two such analog sticks. But usually only one is used the way you describe, to keep walking continuously. The other is usually used to rotate a bit, to look around you. So it seems having an analog stick on the left of the controller and a track ball on the right would be nice.
- emil0r 13y agoThe rollers for the tracking ball would collect a lot of dust. Could be one reason they opted out of it. Cleaning the rollers for the track ball every other week to get a smooth feeling would quickly become bothersome, contrary to the nice feeling of relaxation or thrill the console is supposed to give you.
- oblio 13y agoI have a Logitech trackball: http://www.logitech.com/assets/32954/3/logitech-wireless-trackball-m570.png http://www.logitech.com/assets/32954/3/logitech-wireless-tra... Granted, it doesn't reach console levels of use on most days, but I only clean it once every month or so, and even then it's easy - Logitech has a simple system to pop the ball out and cleaning it is very easy and fast. Using a trackball is definitely not a major chore.
- jotm 13y agoButtons!
- exclipy 13y agoSpot on. What I find amazing is how people use the nubs on Lenovo laptops. Those joysticks give you control of not the position, not the velocity, but the acceleration - the second derivative.
- purplelobster 13y agoI used to be a serious CS player and when I use analog sticks I just feel physically handicapped. I don't like that feeling. I've tried and tried but reached a plateau on my analog skill that just I can't get past. It takes the joy out of any console FPS game and some over-the-shoulder RPGs. I think this controller can make me enjoy those games again.
- manojlds 13y ago> you can only control the first derivative of the position, the velocity. Seriously? You should have stopped at "velocity-based"
- saulrh 13y agoIt's actually a useful thought to bring in. You can actually prove, mathematically, that controlling a system becomes "more difficult" in a few important ways when your input is to a derivative of the system rather than the system itself.
- prawn 13y agoBeen a while since I played much with a K+M, but with analog sticks I find that my aiming technique involves a mixture of both moving and aiming. Gives a bit more control and stops me from being a motionless target at any point.