Arrow keys vs WSAD keys

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: Smilin
You're trying to pick a fight because you're insecure about your control choice. The rest of us are comfortable with ours.

lol, itll be fun. But dependant on the game that gets the most votes, i might just prove that ye olde arrow key config is still good! Or we might get served... which would suck

 

[novasatori]

Originally posted by: Soviet

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: Soviet

mm hmmm... Well i bet us "freaks" could maul your sorry ass at any FPS out there. (barring bf2 because it sucks and CSS because its stupid)

My Dad could beat up your Dad with one hand tied behind his back

lol

Originally posted by: Josh7289

Originally posted by: Soviet
So what is it? I read somone in another thread mention a game called shogo and that it was antique "they default keys were arrows wtf?" Got me thinking... How many people actually use the crappy WSAD way? Does everyone do this? Is that why my games all come defaulted to that bs?

I said that. I really cannot imagine being able to play an FPS with any degree of accuracy or speed without using the standard WASD setup.

I cant imagine playing an FPS at all without arrow keys. But we'll soon solve this with a game of somthing, once its decided what game that should be.

imo of the three choices listed HL2DM is the only one where you could really see which is best, because the others are mostly reflexes/aiming based

to see which is better the best games imo would be oldschool like Quake 2 or Quake 2 CTF, perhaps UT or even Quake 3 (which I hated but it is admittedly faster paced and more movement based that HL2DM/CSS/BF2)

 

[Maximilian]

Originally posted by: novasatori

Originally posted by: Soviet

Originally posted by: KeithTalent

Originally posted by: Soviet

mm hmmm... Well i bet us "freaks" could maul your sorry ass at any FPS out there. (barring bf2 because it sucks and CSS because its stupid)

My Dad could beat up your Dad with one hand tied behind his back

lol

Originally posted by: Josh7289

Originally posted by: Soviet
So what is it? I read somone in another thread mention a game called shogo and that it was antique "they default keys were arrows wtf?" Got me thinking... How many people actually use the crappy WSAD way? Does everyone do this? Is that why my games all come defaulted to that bs?

I said that. I really cannot imagine being able to play an FPS with any degree of accuracy or speed without using the standard WASD setup.

I cant imagine playing an FPS at all without arrow keys. But we'll soon solve this with a game of somthing, once its decided what game that should be.

imo of the three choices listed HL2DM is the only one where you could really see which is best, because the others are mostly reflexes/aiming based

to see which is better the best games imo would be oldschool like Quake 2 or Quake 2 CTF, perhaps UT or even Quake 3 (which I hated but it is admittedly faster paced and more movement based that HL2DM/CSS/BF2)

I missed out on those games Quake 4 was the first quake i owned, kinda sad. But yea, your right about the movement aspect of HL2DM, i use the keyboard a lot more in that game than in the other two, where i mostly just hold UP in bf2, or sit in one spot for CSS.

 

[Smilin]

GLQuake, the OpenGL version of Quake 1 is STILL worth playing today for the very first time if you haven't.


The gameplay is fast, the level design is awesome has some of the greatest traps and ambushes ever.



Do it!

 

[0roo0roo]

wasd, its esp good on ergnomic split kb, perfect hand positioning. arrow keys for a right handed person is just asking for carpal tunnel. never mind wasd is surrounded by keys that can be usefully bound to many functions in games. arrow keys has far less and more contortion to reach any keys. i used to use the arrow keys in the past, then i switched to ascx using thumb and first two fingers, eventually switch to full wasd. a mouse with plenty of keys is also good.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Smilin
GLQuake, the OpenGL version of Quake 1 is STILL worth playing today for the very first time if you haven't.


The gameplay is fast, the level design is awesome has some of the greatest traps and ambushes ever.



Do it!

but it *looks* so awful

especially after Q4
:Q

and after reading some of these weird KB+Mouse configurations ... i am beginning to finally understand their posts

 

[zerocool84]

ok so when are we going to solve this??? let's get some death matches started!!!! :thumbsup:

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Smilin

Originally posted by: sdifox
I can't use WSAD. I use WXAD, that way I can stay on the keyboard longer. Yes, pathetic, I know.

My best friend plays that way and binds his rocket launcher to the S key. Seems a decent enough method, just not one I would choose.

The hilarious part is when one of us sits down after the other has played. He'll panic reaching for his rocket launcher and go running around backwards. I panic and blow myself up like clockwork a couple seconds after I fail to back up.

lol, key mappings are so personal. I map prone to s.

 

[HamburgerBoy]

Originally posted by: sdifox
lol, key mappings are so personal. I map prone to s.

/ >>> s, in terms of prone-ability.

 

[Modular]

People who use arrows are the ones I pwn daily. That being said, I use WASD

 

[BFG10K]

but it *looks* so awful

I would disagree - it still holds up quite well, especially the modified versions. In fact Tenebrae rivals Doom 3 and Riddick in terms of visuals.

 

[Oxaqata]

Used arrow keys for about a year until I realised how plain stupid it was. They were find in old games (eg. Doom) but now they are pure obsolete for gaming.

 

[wirednuts]

Originally posted by: Oxaqata
Used arrow keys for about a year until I realised how plain stupid it was. They were find in old games (eg. Doom) but now they are pure obsolete for gaming.

yep. wasd is the only way to go. not to mention the idiots that use the arrow keys CONSTANTLY have to re-configure games to fit their controls. i always try to work with the default control setups, so much easier to be lazy then it is to try and special my every finger-need

 

[jfall]

I used the arrow keys almost exclusively when I started gaming. I switched over when the games started getting more complex and needed more binds

 

[Robor]

Arrow Keys. And it's not for noobs guys. Arrow keys are old school. I played games like Wolfenstein 3D, Rise of the Triad, original Doom, original Duke 3D, etc. IIRC the default movement keys were the arrows, not WASD.

I'm almost 40 and I suck at games anyway so I'm not going to try and defend arrow keys. It would be truly embarrassing...

Forward: Up Arrow
Back: Down Arrow
Strafe L/R: Left/Right Arrows
Fire: LMB
Zoom: RMB
Next Weapon: Delete
Reload: End
Rate of Fire: Page Down
Lean L/R: Insert/Page Up
Use: Enter
Grenade: Home
Run: R-Ctrl
Jump: R-Shift

If I think of more I'll edit again

Edit: What about invert mouse? I always check that box. The other way is backwards to me.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: BFG10K

but it *looks* so awful

I would disagree - it still holds up quite well, especially the modified versions. In fact Tenebrae rivals Doom 3 and Riddick in terms of visuals.

no idea what you are talking about


and the arrow keys are indeed *old school* ... i played that way ... years ago as most games used it ... as modern games went to the [superior] WASD, i simply *changed* to keep up with the times

. . . and Robor is still a kid
[compared with my gen]
:Q

 

[Robor]

Originally posted by: xcript
WASD. Arrow keys are for n00bcheeses who think they're 0ldsk00l.

Only a noob would type like that.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: xcript
WASD. Arrow keys are for n00bcheeses who think they're 0ldsk00l.

Only a noob would type like that.

my edit above was just for you

almost 40 .... young man
:Q

:laugh:

weird that i have no problem reading anything on the forums

i guess you can teach an old dog ...
i learned new tricks
:thumbsup:

now if i could only use my N52 speedpad
:roll:

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Need an ambidextrous option

And for those who say lefties would use the arrow keys are wrong - ijkl would be similar to wasd or esdf but very much for lefties. Heck, even the numpad keys would be better for lefties. The whole point not to use the arrow keys for any non-brainless game is the fact that you have so many more controls to map to multiple keys other than forwards, backwards and strafe.

Ever since Tribes (besides the standard movement controls you had...zoom, cycle zoom level, use pack, toggle viewing perspective, throw grenade, throw mine, use beacon, use health kit, jump/ski, suicide, drop pack, drop weapon, drop ammo, drop flag, drop grenades, drop mines, drop health kit, free look, command circuit, task list - and I could keep going...) there was never any consideration of using the arrow keys - and besides, the arrow keys aren't even comfortable to use for righties without repositioning the keyboard...

Heck, the keyboard as a whole is a major weak link in gaming control - its only plus would be the sheer number of keys available to bind controls to, it certainly does not give you the precision that a mouse or analog stick/trigger/button on a console controller does. And if you're still using the arrow keys for any reasonably advanced game you are putting yourself at the disadvantage by disregarding the keyboard's only strength - the vast number of keys. If you can still kick ass using arrow keys I wouldn't necessarily call you a noob, but I would question how much more ass you could be kicking if you didn't actually hinder your own potential by refusing to adopt a superior control scheme.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles
Need an ambidextrous option

And for those who say lefties would use the arrow keys are wrong - ijkl would be similar to wasd or esdf but very much for lefties. Heck, even the numpad keys would be better for lefties. The whole point not to use the arrow keys for any non-brainless game is the fact that you have so many more controls to map to multiple keys other than forwards, backwards and strafe.

Ever since Tribes (besides the standard movement controls you had...zoom, cycle zoom level, use pack, toggle viewing perspective, throw grenade, throw mine, use beacon, use health kit, jump/ski, suicide, drop pack, drop weapon, drop ammo, drop flag, drop grenades, drop mines, drop health kit, free look, command circuit, task list - and I could keep going...) there was never any consideration of using the arrow keys - and besides, the arrow keys aren't even comfortable to use for righties without repositioning the keyboard...

Heck, the keyboard as a whole is a major weak link in gaming control - its only plus would be the sheer number of keys available to bind controls to, it certainly does not give you the precision that a mouse or analog stick/trigger/button on a console controller does. And if you're still using the arrow keys for any reasonably advanced game you are putting yourself at the disadvantage by disregarding the keyboard's only strength - the vast number of keys. If you can still kick ass using arrow keys I wouldn't necessarily call you a noob, but I would question how much more ass you could be kicking if you didn't actually hinder your own potential by refusing to adopt a superior control scheme.

Nostromo? SpeedPad n52

It puts keyboard and gamepad functionality into one small and easy-to-use device, delivering more tools for customizing your game than ever. . . . . So start programming up to 104 functions. . . .

the above IS *awesome* ... i have had it for a long time BUT ... like *oldskoolers* stuck with the arrow key ... i am *stuck* with the KB

old habits

:roll:

 

[xcript]

Originally posted by: Robor

Originally posted by: xcript
WASD. Arrow keys are for n00bcheeses who think they're 0ldsk00l.

Only a noob would type like that.

No sh!t. I was imitating a silly arrow-keyer.

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: apoppin
Nostromo? SpeedPad n52

It puts keyboard and gamepad functionality into one small and easy-to-use device, delivering more tools for customizing your game than ever. . . . . So start programming up to 104 functions. . . .

the above IS *awesome* ... i have had it for a long time BUT ... like *oldskoolers* stuck with the arrow key ... i am *stuck* with the KB

old habits

:roll:

I know about them, but they're still basically keyboards, just a bit glorified. WASD may look a little better on such a device but it'll still function the same. Great for things like macros but it doesn't really change the way you control your character.

 

[xcript]

Originally posted by: apoppin
as modern games went to the [superior] WASD, i simply *changed* to keep up with the times

Ditto. I played Quake I, Duke Nukem 3D, etc. with the arrow keys for years and then switched to WASD when UT and Q3A came out (IIRC).

Now when I play the oldies I always switch the controls to WASD as it's simply a nicer layout. The only reason I ever used the arrow keys was that they were the default and I didn't know anything different/better at the time.

 

[apoppin]

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles

Originally posted by: apoppin
Nostromo? SpeedPad n52

It puts keyboard and gamepad functionality into one small and easy-to-use device, delivering more tools for customizing your game than ever. . . . . So start programming up to 104 functions. . . .

the above IS *awesome* ... i have had it for a long time BUT ... like *oldskoolers* stuck with the arrow key ... i am *stuck* with the KB

old habits

:roll:

I know about them, but they're still basically keyboards, just a bit glorified. WASD may look a little better on such a device but it'll still function the same. Great for things like macros but it doesn't really change the way you control your character.

uh-uh, no

they are a very *efficient* mini-KB designed for gaming

IF ... and it is an *if* ... they suit you perfectly and/or you have the mindset to really learn it --it is quicker

i promised myself to *force* myself to learn it ...

after PREY


-----------------------------

Originally posted by: xcript

Originally posted by: apoppin
as modern games went to the [superior] WASD, i simply *changed* to keep up with the times

Ditto. I played Quake I, Duke Nukem 3D, etc. with the arrow keys for years and then switched to WASD when UT and Q3A came out (IIRC).

Now when I play the oldies I always switch the controls to WASD as it's simply a nicer layout. The only reason I ever used the arrow keys was that they were the default and I didn't know anything different/better at the time.

exactly

the guys using the arrow keys are at a disadvantage .... even though they will tell you *we* are crazy

we *already tried* the arrows ... unless you are left handed ... you are disadvantaging yourself in MOST games [except the *simplest* of FPSes]

go into the light
:light:

:laugh:

 

[bunnyfubbles]

Originally posted by: apoppin

Originally posted by: bunnyfubbles

Originally posted by: apoppin
Nostromo? SpeedPad n52

It puts keyboard and gamepad functionality into one small and easy-to-use device, delivering more tools for customizing your game than ever. . . . . So start programming up to 104 functions. . . .

the above IS *awesome* ... i have had it for a long time BUT ... like *oldskoolers* stuck with the arrow key ... i am *stuck* with the KB

old habits

:roll:

I know about them, but they're still basically keyboards, just a bit glorified. WASD may look a little better on such a device but it'll still function the same. Great for things like macros but it doesn't really change the way you control your character.

uh-uh, no

they are a very *efficient* mini-KB designed for gaming

IF ... and it is an *if* ... they suit you perfectly and/or you have the mindset to really learn it --it is quicker

i promised myself to *force* myself to learn it ...

after PREY

I don't think we're on the same page, it's not just the keyboard, it's the games. When forward is mapped to a single key on a keyboard, you press that key you go forward at whatever set speed there is nothing in between. If you want to slowly approach as close to the edge of a cliff as possible, you have to tap the key, you do not have analog control - that is the flaw with keyboard devices and games designed around such devices. But that is simply a problem with computer gaming - games were/are designed around the hardware the majority of computers have access to - the mouse is amazing, we're "stuck" with the keyboard, which isn't a bad thing, it just isn't ideal for many games such as action/platformers/sports (which are unsurprisingly dominant on consoles)