Here is a slightly helpful thread about software for it (I am lazy and wont link to any more, you can google it yourself): forums-us.ageofconan.com/showthread.php
I know of no other game that supports it right now, A MMO that uses something similar to a Wii controller would be fun
I do use one for some games, when they allow it, but unfortunately like 99% of MMOs are mouse and keyboard only. Two games though which i used to play with a controller, and it worked exceptionally well with once i had everything configured to suit my playstyle was City of Heroes/Villians and Phantasy Star Universe (which was on PC and Console... 360 had their own servers, but PC an dPlaystation players were together on same servers, so of course it was designed more with a controller in mind). I dont really get it though, why there arent more that incorporate controller options. Sure there are some which would just not be managable on a controller, but there are many that would be even better, especially twitch & hybrid style MMOs. DDO would be a great one too for controllers, at least with several of the classes.
I use a nostromo n52. I know, not quite a game controller but it does keep my hand away from the keyboard. If im on vent, I dont ever touch my keyboard.
The N52 gives me 20 keys sitting at the palm of my hand without awkwardly holding them over the home row on my keyboard. I have 2 keys set for alt and ctrl wich toggles hotkey bars etc. It also has a button that toggles the device into 3 other program modes in case 20 keys isnt enough. It works with any game and can even set macros very easily. A lot of folks underestimate the power of the device.
as for the 360 game controller, it works with AoC, Champions Online and Global Agenda. I do know its possible to set it up for games that dont fully support it also with little difficulty.
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a robot foot stomping on a human face -- forever."
A couple years ago .. I was at the same point. I had to change a few things in my home office.
Consider getting a different desk or modify the one you have (if possible) and include a keyboard tray that is large enough to fit both a keyboard, mouse, mouse pad and wrist rest in front of the keyboard. The keyboard should be just below your belly button and your hands should be able to relax in a neutral position when resting them on the keys. Chair height also plays a big part. If your chair cannot be set to the correct height to allow for a keyboard tray, you need a different chair.
Also, consider keyboard and mouse quality. I ditched my old microsoft intellimouse for a logitech G5 a while back and eventually went with a G7 cordless version. Not only was the mouse a little more form fitting to my hand (everyone is different), the mouse buttons didn't seem to require as much force when clicking them. I really like the Zboard Merc keyboard. It is not super quiet, but has a very soft keypress. Not to mention, if you use the WASD keys, the butterfly setup on the keyboard reduces a lot of hand strain. My hand is able to completely relax while using the keys.
A hand held controller may cause more stress when compared to a mouse. The difference is that you can hold it at any height your body feels comfortable with ... where as with the mouse and keyboard, you are at the mercy of your desk.
The only time I have used a game controller (Joystick) was for space combat in SWG. I just find I'm reverting to using my keyboard to type to ofter to use a controller, and targeting becomes a big issue.
Originally posted by Kaelaan21 A hand held controller may cause more stress when compared to a mouse. The difference is that you can hold it at any height your body feels comfortable with ... where as with the mouse and keyboard, you are at the mercy of your desk.
I use a third option, a Trackball instead. Mouses makes my arm feeling rather dead after a few hours and a trackball is a lot faster once you get used to them. I also had a combo between a trackball and a mouse before, that one could be hold in the hand (the trackball need to stand on something but you don't actually move it.
I use an Xbox 360 controller using Xpadder to assign keys and stuff, have done it in Lotro, WoW, Champions.. Takes a bit to figure it out, assign left analog to forward/back/strafe left/right, and right analog to tilt camera up down/turn character left/right. I assign main 4 abilities to buttons, then 4 more to L Trigger + buttons, 4 to R Trigger + buttons, and 4 to Both triggers + buttons, for 16 abilities total (you can squeeze out more if you want it complicated). Bumpers for tab targeting. D-pad for group selection or more abilities depending on game...
Anyway it feels really nice for running around. It works fine for questing and easy fights, but in tough fights I don't have as much control compared to keyboard so I switch back to keyboard real quick if I'm grouping or some emergency.
If you are using a hand held controller to play an mmorpg then one of two things sucks. Your pvp skill or your mmo.
"It is in your nature to do one thing correctly; Before me, you rightfully tremble. But, fear is not what you owe me. You owe me awe." ~Francis Dolarhyde
If you are using a hand held controller to play an mmorpg then one of two things sucks. Your pvp skill or your mmo.
MMO's and FPS are two different beasts. Almost all MMO's are limited to tab targetting and a cyclable 10 key hotkey bar bank. They dont really suffer from a controller like an FPS would. I hit a button, and Im locked on to you. With auto facing turned on, you cant even get to my back no matter how much you think your strafe jumping is saving you.
in fact, off the top of my head the MMO's that dont have some sort of auto targetting, tab targetting and auto facing pretty much blow. Which MMO's are you refering to that require the twitch action of a mouse that dont suck?
Loke666 made a really good suggestion with the trackball though. I work with a guy who broke his wrist and has a plate in his arm. He cant use a mouse anymore really and uses a trackball instead. he says its much more comfortable and has zero wrist strain.
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a robot foot stomping on a human face -- forever."
Champions Online has pretty good support for the Xbox 360 controller by default, no setup needed for 99% complete controls with the occasional click of the mouse needed for this and that (they have been pushing for 100% because they want to launch the game on Xbox as well).
Originally posted by Rayx0r Loke666 made a really good suggestion with the trackball though. I work with a guy who broke his wrist and has a plate in his arm. He cant use a mouse anymore really and uses a trackball instead. he says its much more comfortable and has zero wrist strain.
I started after an 18 hours Lineage run, I couldn't lift my arm after that and went and bought a trackball, but that isn't the best thing about the trackball. The best thing is that it is faster, you can move your thumb faster than your wrist and you will get more control then with a regular mouse after a bit of training.
Some of my friends who tried it out bought trackballs themselves, just be sure to train it with half an hour solitaire or something first, it takes a little while to get use to it until you get the speed and control. And don't give up after 5 mins, the brain will get used to it fast
Comments
AoC have support for a X-box controller instead.
Here is a slightly helpful thread about software for it (I am lazy and wont link to any more, you can google it yourself): forums-us.ageofconan.com/showthread.php
I know of no other game that supports it right now, A MMO that uses something similar to a Wii controller would be fun
I do use one for some games, when they allow it, but unfortunately like 99% of MMOs are mouse and keyboard only. Two games though which i used to play with a controller, and it worked exceptionally well with once i had everything configured to suit my playstyle was City of Heroes/Villians and Phantasy Star Universe (which was on PC and Console... 360 had their own servers, but PC an dPlaystation players were together on same servers, so of course it was designed more with a controller in mind). I dont really get it though, why there arent more that incorporate controller options. Sure there are some which would just not be managable on a controller, but there are many that would be even better, especially twitch & hybrid style MMOs. DDO would be a great one too for controllers, at least with several of the classes.
I use a nostromo n52. I know, not quite a game controller but it does keep my hand away from the keyboard. If im on vent, I dont ever touch my keyboard.
The N52 gives me 20 keys sitting at the palm of my hand without awkwardly holding them over the home row on my keyboard. I have 2 keys set for alt and ctrl wich toggles hotkey bars etc. It also has a button that toggles the device into 3 other program modes in case 20 keys isnt enough. It works with any game and can even set macros very easily. A lot of folks underestimate the power of the device.
as for the 360 game controller, it works with AoC, Champions Online and Global Agenda. I do know its possible to set it up for games that dont fully support it also with little difficulty.
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a robot foot stomping on a human face -- forever."
A couple years ago .. I was at the same point. I had to change a few things in my home office.
Consider getting a different desk or modify the one you have (if possible) and include a keyboard tray that is large enough to fit both a keyboard, mouse, mouse pad and wrist rest in front of the keyboard. The keyboard should be just below your belly button and your hands should be able to relax in a neutral position when resting them on the keys. Chair height also plays a big part. If your chair cannot be set to the correct height to allow for a keyboard tray, you need a different chair.
Also, consider keyboard and mouse quality. I ditched my old microsoft intellimouse for a logitech G5 a while back and eventually went with a G7 cordless version. Not only was the mouse a little more form fitting to my hand (everyone is different), the mouse buttons didn't seem to require as much force when clicking them. I really like the Zboard Merc keyboard. It is not super quiet, but has a very soft keypress. Not to mention, if you use the WASD keys, the butterfly setup on the keyboard reduces a lot of hand strain. My hand is able to completely relax while using the keys.
A hand held controller may cause more stress when compared to a mouse. The difference is that you can hold it at any height your body feels comfortable with ... where as with the mouse and keyboard, you are at the mercy of your desk.
The only time I have used a game controller (Joystick) was for space combat in SWG. I just find I'm reverting to using my keyboard to type to ofter to use a controller, and targeting becomes a big issue.
Make it so...
I use a third option, a Trackball instead. Mouses makes my arm feeling rather dead after a few hours and a trackball is a lot faster once you get used to them. I also had a combo between a trackball and a mouse before, that one could be hold in the hand (the trackball need to stand on something but you don't actually move it.
Perific mouse and trackball, all in one
Logitech Trackman, my current controller.
I still use the keyboard however.
I use an Xbox 360 controller using Xpadder to assign keys and stuff, have done it in Lotro, WoW, Champions.. Takes a bit to figure it out, assign left analog to forward/back/strafe left/right, and right analog to tilt camera up down/turn character left/right. I assign main 4 abilities to buttons, then 4 more to L Trigger + buttons, 4 to R Trigger + buttons, and 4 to Both triggers + buttons, for 16 abilities total (you can squeeze out more if you want it complicated). Bumpers for tab targeting. D-pad for group selection or more abilities depending on game...
Anyway it feels really nice for running around. It works fine for questing and easy fights, but in tough fights I don't have as much control compared to keyboard so I switch back to keyboard real quick if I'm grouping or some emergency.
If you are using a hand held controller to play an mmorpg then one of two things sucks. Your pvp skill or your mmo.
"It is in your nature to do one thing correctly; Before me, you rightfully tremble. But, fear is not what you owe me. You owe me awe." ~Francis Dolarhyde
MMO's and FPS are two different beasts. Almost all MMO's are limited to tab targetting and a cyclable 10 key hotkey bar bank. They dont really suffer from a controller like an FPS would. I hit a button, and Im locked on to you. With auto facing turned on, you cant even get to my back no matter how much you think your strafe jumping is saving you.
in fact, off the top of my head the MMO's that dont have some sort of auto targetting, tab targetting and auto facing pretty much blow. Which MMO's are you refering to that require the twitch action of a mouse that dont suck?
Loke666 made a really good suggestion with the trackball though. I work with a guy who broke his wrist and has a plate in his arm. He cant use a mouse anymore really and uses a trackball instead. he says its much more comfortable and has zero wrist strain.
"If you want a picture of the future, imagine a robot foot stomping on a human face -- forever."
Champions Online has pretty good support for the Xbox 360 controller by default, no setup needed for 99% complete controls with the occasional click of the mouse needed for this and that (they have been pushing for 100% because they want to launch the game on Xbox as well).
Cryptic is trying a Customer Development approach to MMO creation.
I started after an 18 hours Lineage run, I couldn't lift my arm after that and went and bought a trackball, but that isn't the best thing about the trackball. The best thing is that it is faster, you can move your thumb faster than your wrist and you will get more control then with a regular mouse after a bit of training.
Some of my friends who tried it out bought trackballs themselves, just be sure to train it with half an hour solitaire or something first, it takes a little while to get use to it until you get the speed and control. And don't give up after 5 mins, the brain will get used to it fast