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Best First Person Shooter Controller
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Dizzle:
I've got old Dreamcast controller that was supposed to work "well" with FPS's.  It's a console with a flight-stick on the right side complete with an assortment of buttons (including a trigger) and hat switches, and an illuminated trackball on the left side.  The trackball is around 2" and has somewhat curved buttons shaped around it.  Mouse and trackball it isn't, but it felt like it might work for FPS's (although I'd probably reverse the control scheme myself).  Alas, I never had a chance to play anything but Starlancer with it.

I've actually been trying to figure out what to do with the thing lately, but if remember correctly, the unit got pretty good reviews.
infiniteomega:
I used to be very proficient in first person shooters with a trackball.  So, I'd say, a trackball, with some smaller buttons positioned around the edge of the ball for your thumb to activate without having to move your hand off of the trackball (aiming and shooting at the same time is key  ;)) , and then having a set of buttons for movement and other keys.  I would think that this would work pretty well, but who knows.
ahofle:

--- Quote from: StormGiant on May 24, 2006, 09:32:48 pm ---The Space Orb is no longer made but was a good try.  When I tested it the shortcoming seemed to be aiming speed, which I believe would be the problem with using an analog joystick or trackball to aim as well.  www.planethardware.com/spaceorb/

--- End quote ---

Ah yes, that was a great controller (but still not good enough for FPS games as you said).  It was PERFECT for playing Descent 3!

If we are talking about making your own controls for this, I think a small trackball with mini buttons around it would be a good start.  Or maybe even a custom optical joystick (with flightstick type buttons) that has a large degree of movement.  The left hand would either be a bunch of very small buttons, or another flight stick with a lot of buttons.
Quarters:
The only way I can see this working would be to use a cockpit cab and use foot switches and a flightstick to make up for the lack of buttons.

IMO trackball with buttons will never = a mouse. I alway use the mouse scroll to switch weapons.

I would love to tap down with my foot for jump and up for crouch. the orther foot could do weapon selection.
Ahigh:

--- Quote from: ahofle on May 25, 2006, 12:30:40 pm ---
--- Quote from: StormGiant on May 24, 2006, 09:32:48 pm ---The Space Orb is no longer made but was a good try.  When I tested it the shortcoming seemed to be aiming speed, which I believe would be the problem with using an analog joystick or trackball to aim as well.  www.planethardware.com/spaceorb/

--- End quote ---

Ah yes, that was a great controller (but still not good enough for FPS games as you said).  It was PERFECT for playing Descent 3!

If we are talking about making your own controls for this, I think a small trackball with mini buttons around it would be a good start.  Or maybe even a custom optical joystick (with flightstick type buttons) that has a large degree of movement.  The left hand would either be a bunch of very small buttons, or another flight stick with a lot of buttons.

--- End quote ---

What would the arrangements of buttons be around the trackball?  Clearance etc taken into consideration to make it work.  I like the idea of Happ buttons and cherry switches around a Happ 3" trackball for firing, but I'm having a hard time imagining the firing action being easy to do at the same time as movement.  I really think the firing does need to activated with some button not near the trackball.

--
- Ahigh
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