ATTN: Computer Geniuses

[Stumanji]

Looking for a X-Box Controller adapter for USB... (eh... so I can use my X-Box controllers with PC games.)

I know, I know... You all love the mouse and keyboard. But for a game like Halo:PC, I could honestly do much better with my Controller-S... Any ideas where I can get one?

(I've heard you can buy these, but don't know where to find one)

[M4LFUNCT10N]

http://www.llamma.com/xbox/Mods/xbox_controller_to_pc_usb.htm

[Stumanji]

I'm not crazy and stupid, and/or I'm not mechanically gifted enough to try that.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

WHAT???? That is completely easy! Don't you rewire anything? Basically, the Xbox controllers are already usb compliant. If you have an extra controller, and an extra USB cable, you could just hack both of them up and match the wires in the same way. Heck if you bring me a controller and a USB wire either tomorrow or Saturday, I'll solder AND heatshrink wrap the wires to give it a professional look for you. All for free! I'm actually thinking about doing this myself.

[Stumanji]

How do you get the computer to recognize this USB device as a controller?

[DiscoDave]

Why are you so attached to the gamepad?

It's just so sluggish compared to the mouse...with a mouse, it's easy as pie to swing a 180 degree twist in 1/20th of a second.

[PyroInsane]

I agree! Keyboard and mouse 4EVA! You can do a 360 degree turn in .00001 seconds!

[M4LFUNCT10N]

You can download drivers that enable the controller to work 100%.

Okay, what PC gamers don't understand about console FPS's, is that there is a sensitivity control just like on the PC. You can crank up the look sensitivity and have the exact same reaction times as on a PC.

Reasons I prefer a controller:

1. It's not analog like a keyboard. You aren't stuck with just move: forward, backward, left, right. You have everything inbetween with a toggle stick. That and there is sensitivity to it too. Not like a keyboard where you at best have three speeds, walk slow, walk, and run, each of which have to be toggled with a button.

2. It gets really awkard moving my middle finger down to the "C" to crouch. I can't move right and reload at the same time(if you are using SEFD as movement controls). Hitting multiple buttons is always awkward.

3. Controllers are anatomically created to fit your hand. A mouse and keyboard get tiring after awhile and hurt your wrists etc.

[Stumanji]

The thing is, with Halo PC the game was originally released for the X-Box console... They designed the controls (and amount of controls) to go with the X-Box controller.

With more complicated PC games with a multitude of actions, I could understand using a keyboard and mouse. However, since every button on the X-Box controller has a purpose and there are no actions "left over", for me, the optimal choice is the X-Box controller, with which I have a few years of Halo experience.

And like M4L said, it's easier (for me), as a PC Rookie, to string together actions with the controller, instead of the keyboard...

I can crouch and walk, while aiming and zooming in and firing, the toss a grenade, reload, then club someone in a matter of seconds, and I only used two fingers from each hand... On a keyboard, I'd break my fingers trying that...

[DiscoDave]

Originally posted by Stumanji
The thing is, with Halo PC the game was originally released for the X-Box console... They designed the controls (and amount of controls) to go with the X-Box controller.
Halo was originally a PC title before Bungie was bought by Microsoft. ;)
I can crouch and walk, while aiming and zooming in and firing, the toss a grenade, reload, then club someone in a matter of seconds, and I only used two fingers from each hand... On a keyboard, I'd break my fingers trying that...
You might break your fingers trying that because you're used to a gamepad, but I claim that's because you're not used to the keyboard. What you describe wouldn't be any big deal for computer gamers.

Dual Analogue sticks are available for pc games, but NOBODY uses them in first person shooters. That's not because they don't technically work, but the speed and precision of a mouse is unmatched by any other input scheme, aside from MAYBE laser gun technology (ie, duckhunt).

[Ender]

The day they decide to allow xbox's and PC to connect and play the same game will be the day that the PC method will be proven as superior.

I'm not just saying that just cause I prefer it. But I've seen some really damn awesome console fps players and the way my mind has been trained to work with fps's it just kills me to watch them - they seem so vulnerable all the time, they never seem to check behind them often enough, they seemed slowed down in their aiming which in turn makes them more vulnerable.

I've never played Halo PC so I can't compare there. But for a good comparison, M4L I'll show you some moves in UT2k3 that if you can duplicate with a console controller in UC (which I know are included in the games code) then I'll likely remove many doubts. :) And not just you, but anybody. These moves are damn near impossible because of the set up of the controller. At least, in my experience playing UC.

However, this is one of those arguements can't really be decided, though if Stu gets this controller that can play games on PC, maybe we could find out. :)

[DiscoDave]

As I recall, the original idea was to make UC and UT2k3 network compatable, but they didn't do it because of exactly that reason...PC people have a huge advantage, and UC players would just get mauled.

That's not the ONLY reason (map compatability being another), but it was one of the reasons.

[Stumanji]

Originally posted by DiscoDave
Halo was originally a PC title before Bungie was bought by Microsoft. ;)

Yes, I know that. Go back, and read my post a little more carefully, and you'll see that I said it was originally released for the X-Box...

My point being, it was released for the X-Box and the controls were designed (adapted) for the X-Box controllers... I'm not applying this idea to EVERY game (which I also stated) just Halo PC.

[DiscoDave]

Originally posted by Stumanji
Yes, I know that. Go back, and read my post a little more carefully, and you'll see that I said it was originally released for the X-Box...
I understand your statement is factual, and you'll notice at no point in my post did I question the accuracy of your statement.

I'm just not sure I understand the worth of pointing out that the game was first released with x-box controls in mind considering the game existed with mouse and keyboard controls in mind well before.

Anyway...really...if you want to see the merits of mouse and keyboard, look over the shoulder of myself or Ender or myself as we play UT2k3 or 2k4 in a nice public match. Watch the way we're constantly checking our back, looking all around us not just horizontally, but above and below as well. Take a look at how fast it takes us to spot someone, target them, and fire.

If we play any team based Rocket Arena games, that'd be another great demonstration...notice the way we'll often be battling two or more opponents at once, flipping back and forth to try to avoid being chopped up by crossfire....see how little time it takes us to flip our aim down, and rocket jump into the air to get out of a sticky situation.

None of these movements would be possible with a gamepad...not that they don't take practice with a mouse, because they do, but they can be done with a mouse and they cannot be done with a gamepad. I don't mean I can't do them...I mean they can't be done. And believe me...there's a whole lot more that can be done with a mouse than what I can do, or even Ender who's significantly better than me.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

About not checking your back.... I think you were watching some idiots. I'm ALWAYS checking my back, and I notice that other people do too in the games I play. On top of that I often get stuck taking two people out that are on either side of me. But we'll get all this straightened out tonight and tomorrow. ;)

[Stumanji]

Originally posted by DiscoDave
I'm just not sure I understand the worth of pointing out that the game was first released with x-box controls in mind considering the game existed with mouse and keyboard controls in mind well before.

The point is the controls for HALO were adapted, refined and perfected with the X-Box controller in mind. Once they learned it would be for the X-Box they ditched any possible keyboard layouts.

You keep bringing up UT, but I've been saying all along that the only reason I'd want something like this is for Halo:PC. Only HALO PC. I even said for other games, where the number functions outnumbers the buttons, I wouldn't use the controller.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

That's what foot pedals are for! ;)

[M4LFUNCT10N]

Wait a minute... that might work really well! One foot controls jump and the other controls duck, together they control run/or something else.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

Ok, so, I've decided I'm going to build an adapter tonight. So we can see who's right with this. I'm not going to be the guniea pig though. Stu will have to do it.

[DiscoDave]

I keep bringing up UT because it's my one of my favorite fps series. :rup:

I look forward to seeing you guys play on a gamepad.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

So does anybody have an extra USB cable? I need just the male end. Cheapest I can find is a PS2-USB adapter, and that costs $13.99!!! I've already dropped $11 bucks into this, solder, heatshrink, and Xbox extension cord.

[DiscoDave]

Originally posted by M4LFUNCT10N
So does anybody have an extra USB cable? I need just the male end. Cheapest I can find is a PS2-USB adapter, and that costs $13.99!!! I've already dropped $11 bucks into this, solder, heatshrink, and Xbox extension cord.
I've got one you can use. It's a male to male usb cable used for connecting two cpu's together for networking purposes, and it's all yours if you want it.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

AWESOME! Could you bring it tonight? I'll put the drivers on a disc and build the cable right there so somone can test it. Should take as little as 5 minutes to build.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

Stu, pick up an Xbox extension cord and I'll build you one too.

**Edit**

Nevermind. The extension cord I bought has everything I need to make two adapters. It's a breakaway extension, so I've basically got two female ends of the breakaway cable.

**Edit**

[DiscoDave]

Originally posted by M4LFUNCT10N
AWESOME! Could you bring it tonight?
Yea, no sweat. :tup:

[M4LFUNCT10N]

This is going to be fun. I've got several different sized heat shrink tubes, so It will look incredibly proffessional.

[Stumanji]

I've NEVER played UT, so I'm not going to be the one to test that thing out... Get someone with experience to handle that thing.

As it is though, M4L, if your product seems to work like a champ, and you can make one for me in the future, then that'd be cool... But, my computer is not yet equipped to handle Halo:PC, so it wouldn't be much use for me at the moment.

When I get my vid card and ram upgraded, then I'll probably come your way for one though.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

I KNOW it will work like a champ.

[Stumanji]

Just played Halo:PC on my roommate's computer...

Man, I SUCK trying to use that keyboard. I'll admit, it's easier to aim accurately with the mouse, but all the other functions (like MOVING, or RELOADING, or CROUCHING... basically anything with my left hand) was completely futile. I killed 5, died 16 times.

[M4LFUNCT10N]

So what we need to do... is modify the Xbox controller USB plugs. Set it up so you can use a modified controller with a mouse. Best of both worlds.

[PyroInsane]

That would be interesting... something like the GameCube controller/keyboard i suppose?

Im a Ut newb too, In fact, Ill be newb at all the games we are playing, except Soul Calibur II!

[PyroInsane]

Heres that controller I was talkin about!

[PyroInsane]

PyroInsane: The Pokemon Game rocks.

It does rock...:grumpy:

[jorgea]

I am glad you asked that question. Now there are a number of ways to change your gender.

[NatterZane]

^bot

[Dem0072]

Yes, but the even sadder thing is it took me till I saw the spam links in its sig to realize that. Why? Because I've actually seen 8 year old threads revived by people before.


Bots... :spank:

[Mentality]

Yes, but the even sadder thing is it took me till I saw the spam links in its sig to realize that. Why? Because I've actually seen 8 year old threads revived by people before.


Bots... :spank:


I don't get why they don't just put the link in their post. The sig URLs are so obscure...

[Dem0072]

I don't get why they don't just put the link in their post. The sig URLs are so obscure...

Hmm. It might be related to how some forums censor spam links or flag posts as spam. They probably search the body of the thread and subject line, but they may not be programmed to search signatures.

Additionally, since the motive is to generate back links for SEO google or some search engines may penalize people for posting excessive links in the body rather than the signature (always tweaking the algorithms).

Lastly, as a measure of obscurity if they keep it to 1-2 links in the sig, they can make a post in several locations with a seemingly dumb response that's somewhat human, while actually keeping the links intact in their sig. By doing so it might legally redefine what has actually happened in a way to keep the company from being taken to court over a poorly thought out "by the letter" anti-spam law or a loophole in a contract.

[Mentality]

Hmm. It might be related to how some forums censor spam links or flag posts as spam. They probably search the body of the thread and subject line, but they may not be programmed to search signatures.

Additionally, since the motive is to generate back links for SEO google or some search engines may penalize people for posting excessive links in the body rather than the signature (always tweaking the algorithms).

Lastly, as a measure of obscurity if they keep it to 1-2 links in the sig, they can make a post in several locations with a seemingly dumb response that's somewhat human, while actually keeping the links intact in their sig. By doing so it might legally redefine what has actually happened in a way to keep the company from being taken to court over a poorly thought out "by the letter" anti-spam law or a loophole in a contract.

True enough

[jinx666]

The day they decide to allow xbox's and PC to connect and play the same game will be the day that the PC method will be proven as superior.

Rumor has it that the next incarnation of Counter Strike will achieve this...

However, I did read that quite a while ago so it may just be wishful thinking...

[QuietStorm]

Not Xbox, Jinx, but PS3, since it has Steam. But I imagine this means that amazing PS3 players will be matched up against really crappy PC players, since it uses a match-making system. :p

[Dem0072]

Not Xbox, Jinx, but PS3, since it has Steam. But I imagine this means that amazing PS3 players will be matched up against really crappy PC players, since it uses a match-making system. :p

I smell satire :funny:

[QuietStorm]

Not satire! They're actually matching PS3 players against PC players, and unless they cripple PCs or give the PS3 autoaim, PC players are going to be worlds better than PS3 players.

[NatterZane]

Not satire! They're actually matching PS3 players against PC players, and unless they cripple PCs or give the PS3 autoaim, PC players are going to be worlds better than PS3 players.

GTAIV did this. PC players could pull head-shots while driving, they auto-won every round. That and some also had l33t hax, but w/e.

CS:GO not be bad plz

[Dem0072]

mmmhmmm... Great rectal pain... and much fear I sense for the path of console players in the near future.