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Index � Articles

Improving Your FPS Skills by Abandoning Default Controls (Editorial)

Posted by Jeff Lindsey (Piso_mojado), 3 days ago

There is no debate when it comes to FPS games.  A keyboard and mouse combo is better than controller with dual analog sticks.  Really it comes down to simple mathematics.  On a controller you use 4 fingers (two thumbs and 2 index fingers).  With a keyboard and mouse you get to use up to 8 fingers (entire left hand, index and middle finger on the right, plus the right thumb if your mouse has buttons there).  Not to mention that there is no comparison between the accuracy and precision of a mouse and the limitedwasd movement of an analog stick to look.  This is why most professional tournaments on console will ban the use of a keyboard and mouse. 

Today, almost every game that hits the market uses a standard default keyboard configuration that puts the WASD keys as your movement buttons.  While this configurations is great for racing and platform games, I am not convinced that it is the best for FPS and over the shoulder TPS games.  Now I am sure that I have already ticked some of you guys off, but please read with an open mind.  When I made the switch to my configuration, my effectiveness increased by ~30% (based on Kill to Death ratio).

Key Problems with Default Controls

I know that changing from the default controls that you are so used to sounds like madness.  But there is a lot of thought and logic behind my method.  Here are a few reasons why I made the switch:

1) Your middle finger is stuck.  Most FPS gaming requires you go be on the move at all times.  With Default controls, this pretty much locks your middle finger on the W key and limits the distance that you can move your fingers.

2) Ghosting.  While keyboards are getting better all the time, ghosting still tends to be an issue.  Ghosting is where your computer fails to recognize keystrokes when too many keys are pushed at once.  Holding down W (forward) and D (strafe right), while also trying to run, crouch, reload, and push to talk is a recipe for failure.  Many times I was simply pushing too much at once and something fails to post.

3) Finger Fatigue.  When I play games, I play for hours at a time.  When I go to LAN parties, I may play for 24 hours with only a few small breaks in that time.  Eventually the default controls will take a toll on my hands.  Fingers will start to cramp.  My pinky will face severe discomfort and pain.


Rating: 4.0, votes: 2

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