Using a Controller or Mouse and Keyboard on PC

[iamdanthemanstan]

I started off using my mouse and keyboard but I've been messing around with the controller and I really like it. The UI becomes much more logical when working with a controller, even if menus are still slower over all then with a mouse. Moving around is also very nice. It feels really odd to me to be in first person with a controller so I've been using the third person view with the controller. How do other people feel about this?

[Frost Mage]

I've always been a console ES player myself, so I'm biased. The Skyrim UI definitely conforms with the console controller. I play in first person, but I assume third-person would be much easier to control then on PC, but it's still hard to control on console, as it is awkward by nature. Other than that, it comes down to you personal preference, but you get my vote for Xbox controls !

[Racetrack]

I play PC with an xbox controller. It feels much better, easier to remember everything, the UI works quicker and i can just sit back in my chair and play instead of lurching over a keyboard.

[The Number None]

Keyboard and mouse, just to get the quick commands and mapping, having my weapons at 1-8 and not having to enter that favorite menu.

[Dark Spark]

Controller. The biggest disadvantage would have to be the extra effort needed to aim precisely at a distant target. I usually end up moving my character slightly left or right, back or forth to bring the crosshairs on the spot.

[Inkling]

Are you guys all using Xbox 360 controllers? Did you have to change anything in the settings or did it all work out of the box?

I'm trying to get a PS2 controller and a Saitek P2500 to work. (http://forums.uesp.net/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=26127)

[azuarc]

I don't do controller. Not on my computer, anyway. And I don't have the Xbox version.

I'll admit that most games these days have their UI designed specifically with controllers in mind since companies tend to do the console version first and then port to PC. As such, most games are controller-optimized. However, I have a hard time playing most first-person games with a controller, and then people always look at me funny when I need my controls inverted. I think the only such game in recent memories I've played on console was Borderlands, and I only had that for Xbox because I bought it to play with my friends, who are all console people.


Sidenote: I don't use a mouse. I use a trackball. This does create complications once in a while, considering I don't have a scroll wheel on my particular model. (Before anyone goes eww, trackball, I use a fingerball, not a thumbball. Thumbballs are the most wretched user interface device ever. Fingerballs are better than sex.)

[isometry]

I use an Xbox controller to play on PC, but I disabled the in-game controller support so that I could have a more customizable setup. Specifically I wanted the "auto-run" button and the extra hot keys that the in-game controller layout lack, and to be able to use the mouse when I want to for sniping, or for some menus.

I used Pinnacle Profiler to map my controller to keyboard/mouse commands. It's nearly the best of both worlds, although the menus aren't quite as smooth as with the in-game controller support.

Are you guys all using Xbox 360 controllers? Did you have to change anything in the settings or did it all work out of the box?

I'm trying to get a PS2 controller and a Saitek P2500 to work. (http://forums.uesp.net/viewtopic.php?f=40&t=26127)

Yeah, the Xbox 360 controller works out of the box, but I don't think the game supports any other controllers by default. I suggest trying Pinnacle Profiler, it will be able to map your controller buttons to keyboard keys.

[Inkling]

Thanks isometry. I just tested a PS3 controller via motioninjoy, which emulates the 360 controller. As you described, it works out of the box and the game automatically configures everything.

I may try your Pinnacle Profiler suggestion, since I'd also like to have the keyboard and controller working together.