Default keyboard suggestion

Sironin · Post by **Sironin** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:59 pm

Hi everyone,

I'm fairly new to the game and don't have a joystick. So I use a mouse/keyboard combination.

I ended up changing the default configuration to use WASD as strafing (up, down, left, right) and the QE keys for handling roll. Because you can already modify throttle via the mouse wheel, it didn't make sense to use WS for that.

I think this setup would be a bit more accessible to people comfortable with FPS controls.

Also, wow. This game is ridiculous levels of awesome.

Karin · Post by **Karin** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:12 pm

Welcome to the game Sironin!

I've met people who have been playing this series for over a year and still use a mouse/keyboard and who are effective players. I've been playing for a month, and while I think a joystick would be cool for immersion's and convenience's sake, I'm still happy with the keyboard.

I'm glad you posted your key setup because I think I'll change mine now too, hehe. I used W+S for increase/decrease throttle, but I like your way more.

Maarschalk · Post by **Maarschalk** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:34 pm

Hi Sironin, Welcome to the game. I used to prefer the Keyboard, But when the Saitek X52 came out with its many programable buttons, I would not play without it!;)

Sironin · Post by **Sironin** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:35 pm

Originally posted by Karin
Welcome to the game Sironin!

I've met people who have been playing this series for over a year and still use a mouse/keyboard and who are effective players. I've been playing for a month, and while I think a joystick would be cool for immersion's and convenience's sake, I'm still happy with the keyboard.

I'm glad you posted your key setup because I think I'll change mine now too, hehe. I used W+S for increase/decrease throttle, but I like your way more.

Yeah, it just seemed to make more sense when trying to use inertial mode. I find I use IDS a lot less now, and mostly just for damping out high speed attack runs.

I found it particularly useful when a contract mission to take out a capital ship had me jumping in right on top of it. With its long access to my left and right and a cloud of missiles coming at me from the right. So my only real option was to strafe left and up at the same time, which wouldn't have been all that easy to do while shooting at the capital ship at the same time under the default.

49rTbird · Post by **49rTbird** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:38 pm

Hello Sironin, welcome to the forum and the Sim. I use the mouse and keyboard most of the time as I use my laptop. I use the mouse to aim the ship and keyboard for all else. See you out there sometime.

Sironin · Post by **Sironin** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 7:50 pm

Originally posted by Maarschalk
Hi Sironin, Welcome to the game. I used to prefer the Keyboard, But when the Saitek X52 came out with its many programable buttons, I would not play without it!;)

I've always been a huge fan of Saitek's HOTAS joystick; Going all the way back to the days when it connected via an AT keyboard connector and a serial mouse connector (the original X36). I have fond memories of using it in the likes of the Tie Fighter Collection and Mechwarrior 3 and 4. I actually have the X36 and X36 USB kicking around in a closet somewhere. It's just been so long between decent mech/space combat simulators that it has been sitting in a closet gathering dust! Clearly the technology has advanced quite a bit (wow, probably going to get a new one lol).

So it's not really that I prefer the keyboard, it's just that the default keyboard setup needed a little love.

Post by **Vice** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:21 pm

Fond memories of Mechwarrior and Saitek controllers myself

Most FPS players use WASD for forward (W), reverse (S), and side strafing (A and D), which is the default setup (W/S for throttle up/down, A and D for side strafing). Not all players use the wheel for throttle and many expect W and S to control throttle (especially those coming from certain other space games they have become familiar with). But that's also why the controls can be completely changed/remapped, in case you prefer a different setup.

CS-ACI- · Post by **CS-ACI-** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:45 pm

Hello,

In my case I come from the FPS world (Delta Force) so I got use to that combination.

Cursor keys for movement, now this works well for me as I am left handed.

Steve

Sironin · Post by **Sironin** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:55 pm

Originally posted by Vice
Fond memories of Mechwarrior and Saitek controllers myself

I always found it kind of sad that there wasn't a 5th in the series.

Originally posted by Vice
Most FPS players use WASD for forward (W), reverse (S), and side strafing (A and D), which is the default setup (W/S for throttle up/down, A and D for side strafing). Not all players use the wheel for throttle and many expect W and S to control throttle (especially those coming from certain other space games they have become familiar with). But that's also why the controls can be completely changed/remapped, in case you prefer a different setup.

Well I think the difference is a first person shooter largely lives on a 2d axis. Their forward or backward momentum requires a constant keypress and movement is always damped to zero. In space combat sims, when you're not hitting a key, you're likely still moving! It wouldn't be very space sim-y if you didn't.

Combine that with an equally important 3rd axis and WS become far more valuable for strafing. Throttle, by contrast, is often something you will set to a value and leave alone, whereas strafing up and down is just as important as left and right.

Man, this is hard to explain in a qualitative way. But it just struck me as weird that the strafing+rolling keys weren't all in the same place. You'd have to take your hand off the mouse or stretch across the keyboard to either strafe diagonally or roll and strafe.

I am quite happy that it was easy to remap though. You've made a wonderful game here. I actually accidentally found it while helping someone on a forum try to remember a space game they played ages ago (turned out to be Escape Velocity). The last game I played that was even remotely close to being this good was Tacyon: The Fringe.

Post by **Vice** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 10:49 pm

From the standpoint of proximity, that is a good point. I have wanted to implement a layout that used W/S for throttle, A/D for side strafe, Q/E for roll left/right, and perhaps R/F or Z/X for up/down strafing. However, the beginning letter being matched with a few particular functions has repeatedly helped new players remember certain keys easier (Q for Quit and F for Form for example) and it's been a long-standing setup for the series. I haven't ruled out changing them though, it may be something I switch later.

Glad you're enjoy the game (and that you found it