SplitScreen... Hmmm....

[ericlp]

So my PC is used for couch surfing... Movies/Music Server and well, I play farcry and lot's of online games...

But I am thinking of turning my PC into a gaming console with SplitScreens. Just did the L4D 2 hack and split screen is not bad. Looks pretty cool...

Question is.... Does anyone here use split screens? I hear that farcry 3 (played on the xbox) works but they disabled it in the PC version... No matter I guess... Besides L4D, what other cool games are playable?

Another Question is... I love my Keyboard Mouse combo. But I'm guessing I'll have to stoop down and buy a controller. Probably TWO controllers. So I was looking at logitech's F310 20 bucks from Amazon... Hmmm...Or should I just get wireless 2 controllers from Microsoft?

I was thinking 40 bucks for two wired ones wouldn't be too much of an investment but my problem is..... it's 6' cord is too short. Hmmm, could I used a 6' hub to plug in two controllers?

A little help in that department as my PC is next to the 47" panel and Amp and router. so that makes the couch 12' away and well, would need some slack for cords to play comfortable. Probably a 10-15' usb hub where both controllers to plug into. I guess it's doable for 40 bucks or I could get the wireless ones for 80 bucks. Hmmm...

If anyone has any input on this... Please let me know! Wife wants to play and it's kinda boring watching one person play... tho, kinda nice to take a break from it all! But would be fun with two player (console) mode.

I probably should bite the bullet and get the wireless ones. but figure I'll ask here for what you guys use.

Was also looking at the cheep knockoff wireless controllers but I don't want to risk getting crappy controllers so...probably best to stick with name brand stuff.

Also anyone hook up microsofts kinects? Last I looked it didn't have much software written for the PC side. Just a lot of development code for it.

Thanks

 

[Seba]

If you want controllers, get wireless ones.

If you want XBox 360 controllers, you only need one wireless "PC version" (which includes the wireless receiver, needed for PC). The other one can be the XBox 360 wireless version (usually cheaper, because it does not includes the PC receiver).

Only if the price difference (between PC version and XBox 360 version of XBox 360 wireless controllers) is small, then I say that is better to buy two "PC version" wireless controllers, because this way you have a backup (spare) wireless PC receiver (it is difficult to find a genuine Microsoft XBox 360 wireless PC receiver sold separately).

Also get AA NiMH rechargeable batteries (I would say get Sanyo Eneloop) and a charger (Maha c9000 is a good one).

 

[cronos]

If you want controllers, get wireless ones.

I'm curious why you say this. The wired ones are cheaper, they're plug and play, we don't have to worry about receivers (good/bad/spare/etc), and there's no need to spend even more money on batteries (rechargeable or otherwise).

Btw OP, for short cords problem, if not a hub, USB extension cords will also work (probably better).

 

[Seba]

I'm curious why you say this. The wired ones are cheaper, they're plug and play, we don't have to worry about receivers (good/bad/spare/etc), and there's no need to spend even more money on batteries (rechargeable or otherwise).

You point out valid arguments (except maybe Plug and Play - I see no notable difference here between wired and wireless XBox 360 controllers) for choosing a wired controller over a wireless one.

But when you actually use the controller, a wireless one is nicer and, because of that, better. The wire will always bother you. The additional cost of wireless will bother you only at the time of purchase.

 

[EDUSAN]

another good point for Wireless xbox gamepads is that if you get more than 1 (becaus you get another one or a friends comes by with one), they all work with the same wireless adapter, you dont need more USB slots

 

[Ganeedi]

I have an eyefinity vid card with 2 big TVs hooked up.

Splitscreen across 2 screens works with:
Borderlands 2 - some minor hacking needed.
Dirt3 - easy enough to set up.
L4D and L4D2, havent tried yet but as you mentioned works.

Co-op same screen works with:
Trine 1 and 2
Most of the Lego games - havent tried though.

Thought there was a Local Co-op thread around here somewhere but cant find it.

 

[ericlp]

Thought about this for awhile and while I'm all down with it. After remember I bought a controller once for the PC... and using playing far cry 3 on an xbox is just torture for me. I now remember why I can't stand them and it would just FRUSTRATE me to TRY and play modern games I love on a controller that I HATE SO MUCH.

So...... I've given up that idea and will be buying a used console like a Wii or an 360. Dunno yet... Since this just going to be used when people come over or for the wife and I to kick around on.

Thanks anyway. PC's were never made for a game controller and I forgot how lame they are.

 

[Berliner]

The only game I remember playing on split-screen was the original Settlers, which is a great game btw.