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Geek Culture / XBOX or Playstation Controller

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Sgt Kennedy
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 12:11 Edited at: 23rd Apr 2009 12:12
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This is a pretty random topic, but I was wondering which of the two console controllers are preffered and why?

Example:

I prefer the Playstation controller over an Xbox controller, because of the position of the analog sticks.
They are closer together and allow greater comfort for my thumbs, as I do not have the two in different positions.
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Van B
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 12:35
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The position of the thumb pads on Playstation controller is a killer for me. Really it's the same reason why I hate the PSP, the controllers seem to be designed for 10 year old girls (no offense!).

I like the 360 controller, it's perfectly comfortable for long sessions, in fact it's the only controller that I've found that can be used for hours with no ill effects. The thumb pads are in a very comfortable position in comparison. The D-pad is complete crud though, especially when you need a specific direction, like when selecting a hotkey in Oblivion. I always preferred the Playstation D-pad, far more dependable.

One other factor is the ability to download a driver and plug a 360 controller right into your PC, we need never put up with cheap, crappy USB joypads any more!


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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 12:35 Edited at: 23rd Apr 2009 12:42
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The good point for the 360 controller is that its shape fits really well into your hands, so I feel that's comfortable. I don't mind the analogue sticks being in two different places and arguably the left analogue stick and the action buttons are the places where your thumbs will be the most, the Dpad and right stick are less important. Then again it can depend on the game, FPS games for example would barely use the action buttons. But if you're talking about the original XBox controller, I've never used one.

However, performance-wise, I don't play better on either one, both are comfortable and designed well.

Though I am curious as to what this is for?


[Edit]


Quote: "One other factor is the ability to download a driver and plug a 360 controller right into your PC, we need never put up with cheap, crappy USB joypads any more!"



That is a good point, they work really well with all of my PC games that use controllers, however, I never got it working properly in Oblivion for PC, other than that.


I don't get uncomfortable either with the 360 controllers, but I don't think I've experienced discomfort with the Playstation one, then again it has been a long time since I've used one vigorously - comparing myself playing COD4 on the PS3 and the COD:WAW demo on the 360, I was no better or no worse shooting down enemies, though I admit I do prefer the analogue sticks on the 360, but I have no problems when dealing with a playstation controller.

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Keo C
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 16:08
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Quote: "But if you're talking about the original XBox controller"


The original was missing the shoulder buttons of the 360's.

I like the xbox controller myself. I never was able to fully wrap my hands around a PS1 controller.


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bergice
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 17:04
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The xbox controller.

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Drew Cameron
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 17:26
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Playstation controller all the way for me.

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Lazlazlaz 1
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 17:39
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Neither, mouse and keyboard, so much more natural despite being blatantly an un-natural setup.

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Dr Tank
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 17:54
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It's hard to compare. I used to play PS2 a lot. Now i play 360. You get used to the one you are using, and i can't really remember whether the last one was nicer or not. The 360 controller is comfortable. It's sort of wierd that the thumbsticks are asymmetric, but when you're playing you don't really notice.

The d-pad kind of sucks. I rember that for fighting games, the playstation hurt your wrists after a while, because you invert the right hand to use the fingers on the buttons. I imagine the 360 controller is similar, but i don't have any 360 fighting games yet.

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NeX the Fairly Fast Ferret
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 18:55
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Quote: "I never got it working properly in Oblivion for PC"


I have never got any controller to work under Oblivion except the default mouse/keyboard combo.

For me, it's the 360 controller. It's comfortable with none of those stupid 35 degree corners on the handles and the analogue stick is in a sensible place.

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Michael P
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 18:59
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Playstation controller = win. Just because I have barely used an xbox and grew up with playstation.

Personally I don't see why anyone would want to use either controller, playing an FPS with those controllers is just silly, mouse is far superior

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Robert F
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 19:11
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Quote: "
Personally I don't see why anyone would want to use either controller, playing an FPS with those controllers is just silly, mouse is far superior"


I disagree, controllers are much smaller and all the buttons are right there. I don't have to reach my hand over to reach a button thats on a keyboard.

I used to play ps1 and 2 all the time. I would have infact bought a ps3, and I probably still would if i had the money... but for now im stuck with my 360. I only bought a 360 because it was cheaper at the time of release. I kind of do like the Xbox 360 controllers a little better though. Maybe because its bigger I dont know. The Ps2 controller just seems a little small.


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Van B
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 19:15
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The drawback with mouse and keyboard is you have no analogue movement.

When playing with a controller you have an analogue stick for moving and strafing, so you have that extra accuracy which I believe makes up for the lack of mouse aiming. Really I think that a decent controller is just as good as a mouse, plus having all the functions in your hands means that it becomes second nature to reload etc. I play so many different PC FPS games that I have to constantly think about which button does what. With console FPS games you can use both analogues to aim, and being able to slowly strafe at the same rate as your target moves laterally is very handy.

I suppose I should be less lazy and setup the controls to suit myself, but that's not the point - PC FPS game publishers should adopt a standard beyond WASD control.

I actually bought a logitech G11 because I could program the keys, but I doubt many people do that, myself included. I can't remember what the G18 key does any better than I can remember standard controls. If they used little icons instead, then that would be cool, I'd be more inclined to set them up and use them properly.


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Jeku
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 19:21
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I have absolutely no problem controlling an FPS on a PC or on a console. They both have their strengths, and the games seem to be tweaked for their platform.

I think the best controller ever made is the 360 controller. It just fits so perfectly and is very comfortable. I'm still not a fan of the PS3 controller even after having the PS3 for 1.5 years.

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Michael P
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 19:35 Edited at: 23rd Apr 2009 19:37
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Quote: "PC FPS game publishers should adopt a standard beyond WASD control."

Most PC FPS games I play have very similar default controls:

W/S: Forward/Back
A/D: Strafe left/right
Left click: Shoot
Right click: Scope/Zoom
E: Use world object
Q: Goto last weapon or secondary weapon
R: Reload
Space: Jump
Ctrl: Crouch

I've heard of hardcore players setting a key to shoot instead of a mouse button because there is less delay on the keyboard.

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Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 19:36
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Quote: "When playing with a controller you have an analogue stick for moving and strafing"


How does that differ from WSAD? If I hold down S or D I strafe too.

Quote: "plus having all the functions in your hands means that it becomes second nature to reload"


R is one key away from D. You can't get anymore lazy if you can't hit that!

Quote: "I disagree, controllers are much smaller and all the buttons are right there. I don't have to reach my hand over to reach a button thats on a keyboard."


Guys! It's not like the keyboard layouts are designed so that you have to move all the way around it to play! Maybe for some MMO's that have a lot of quick spells, but you wouldn't even be able to use all the spells in the first place if you didn't have a keyboard. The actually FPS keyboard layout footprint in it's entirety is smaller than an xbox controller, and probably and PS2 controller's, footprint.

The only thing better about controllers, that I see, is the lazy factor. You can jump on your couch, lay on your side, what have you, and play. But when I'm playing an FPS game, I'm not there to relax anyway. I want to be upclose and in control of the action. Maybe if I was playing a more casual game or something.

For Team Fortress two, just off the top of my head (follow along with your fingers with me) it's:

WSAD for movement. Keep you ring finger on A, middle finger on W and pointer finger on D. Also, keep your thumb on C (crouch) or the spacebar (jump) and your pinky on Ctrl. The only think you really need to hit other than that is R for reload. How does this involve moving across the keyboard? If you have a mouse with a middle mouse button, you can zoom or switch weapons quickly.

Try getting headshots or precision without a mouse. All you console gamers talk so much trash to PC gamers, but yet have never faced us in a match! I think we would own you

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Sid Sinister
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 19:40
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Quote: "I've heard of hardcore players setting a key to shoot instead of a mouse button because there is less delay on the keyboard."


Yeah, I've heard something similiar. I've also heard of a CS:S player who aims his gun via the keys instead of the mouse because when he turns corners the crosshair is automatically at the level of the head instead of pointed elsewhere. I guess he just has poor reflexes

If I did have to pick a controller, I would have to go with the wii... joking. Um, I don't know... it's hard. I grew up with the pS2 so I really like that controller, but I can't deny the comfort I feel with the xbox. I'd have to go with the xbox controller.

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Van B
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 19:45
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Quote: "How does that differ from WSAD? If I hold down S or D I strafe too."


When it's analogue, you can use the strafe to tweak your aim, I tend to aim vertically then strafe to fine tune it. Analogue aiming is not as fast as mouse aiming, so I find it's easier if you concentrate on getting it almost right then strafe a little.


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Michael P
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 19:46
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Quote: "All you console gamers talk so much trash to PC gamers, but yet have never faced us in a match! I think we would own you"

Agreed

Quote: "I've also heard of a CS:S player who aims his gun via the keys instead of the mouse because when he turns corners the crosshair is automatically at the level of the head instead of pointed elsewhere. I guess he just has poor reflexes"

He's screwed if the enemy crouches

If I had to pick a controller I would go for the power pad ; skip to 46 seconds on that video to see it in action.

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Robert F
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 21:11
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Quote: "All you console gamers talk so much trash to PC gamers, but yet have never faced us in a match! I think we would own you"


Why don't you own me on a console then?

And, now you are going to say, well, I didn't say I could, or I never talked trash so I know you will beat me.


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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 21:37
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I am a console gamer and a PC gamer. I find that using a controller is more relaxing, because you can sit back and play games, it's a little more difficult with a keyboard and mouse because of the position you'd likely find yourself in.

I bought one of those 'XBox 360 controllers for Windows' and I preferred it with my gaming, at first it took some little getting used to and I need to set the reduce the speed on a couple of games to suite the controller. I downloading the FEAR 2 demo for both my PC and XBox 360. I prefered using the controller, but had no more difficulty shooting enemies between the PC version and the 360 version - I still got some headshots in.


You're just a terrible console gamer is all.

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puppyofkosh
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Posted: 23rd Apr 2009 22:40
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I've never owned a console but whenever I play them I suck with the controls. So mouse and keyboard all the way here.
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Shadow Blade
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Posted: 25th Apr 2009 20:13
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It's a matter of preference and whichever you get used to, I've been playing FPS on PCs most of my life and I fail when trying to aim on a controller. Imo I think it's much easier to aim with a mouse and you have much more control, but then again that's probably just cause I fail at using a controller. If I practiced I could get used to it I suppose, but I much prefer playing FPS games on the with a keyboard and mouse, but for all other types of game I would have to say I prefer the Xbox 360 or even the classic Xbox controller.

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draknir_
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Posted: 25th Apr 2009 20:38
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I'm a die-hard mouse and keyboard player, and I have zero problems aiming in FPS games. The lack of analogue input is never a problem, I can aim and track very precisely with a mouse, much better than with any console controller.

I do however think some games are better suited to controller setups (like beat-em-ups) and in that case I prefer the Xbox 360 controller.
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Sgt Kennedy
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Posted: 26th Apr 2009 12:27
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I hate using console controllers and FPS games.

I prefer a keyboard over both

I can't stand it how they make Aim Assist turned on by default in so many console games.
Whats the point of playing a game that HELPS you kill someone? There's no fun in it (unlike on a PC game, when you can mod it to make it even harder )
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Matt Rock
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Posted: 26th Apr 2009 21:01
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Quote: "I've heard of hardcore players setting a key to shoot instead of a mouse button because there is less delay on the keyboard."

That's something you hear in Battlefield games as well, that people don't use a joystick, but prefer keyboard and mouse. Those people are never able to shoot me down though . I guess that's why they put so many trees on the map, lol. As Agent Dink will be quick to tell you, I fly extremely low and fast, staying nap of the earth until I yo-yo up into an enemy. But flying nap of the earth doesn't always work out the way I plan, lol.

I won't be surprising anyone here, but PS3 control all the way. SIXAXIS is a killer feature (though not enough developers make good use of it). And the pressure-sensitive shoulders are better now, too. It definitely trumps the PS1 and PS2 controllers, though you didn't have to keep those older ones charged. Not that it's a major inconvenience, since the PS3 controllers hold a charge extremely well, but I wish the cable wasn't so dang short. If my PS3's controller runs out of charge, I don't want to have to pause the game and wait an hour before I can play it again... that, or sit 6" from the tv .

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RedneckRambo
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Posted: 27th Apr 2009 05:31
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The moment I saw this thread title I new it would turn into a controller or keyboard debate.

Oh well. I personally prefer the xbox 360s controller.

I DESPISE keyboard and mouse. I always plug my 360 controller in my pc and turn xpadder on. I like controllers more just because I can lay or sit however I want.
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Lemonade
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Posted: 27th Apr 2009 05:45
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I prefer the keyboard and mouse for FPS games. It's impossible to be nearly as accurate with a controller due to the restricted rotation speed with the thumb stick, no matter how skilled you are with it.

For arcade games and such I love the 360's wireless controller. The PS2's controller is not as comfortable.

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Jeku
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Posted: 28th Apr 2009 17:29
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Quote: "SIXAXIS is a killer feature"


Hmmm the only game that I felt used it well was Flower. Most other games seem to have a need to tack it on as an afterthought.

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Drew Cameron
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Posted: 28th Apr 2009 21:38
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Quote: ""SIXAXIS is a killer feature""


It's a useless gimmick. Controlling things with it is nearly impossible and no games use it.

The ONLY good use for it is shaking it to reload stuff. Thats kind of cool, but otherwise, useless.

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Matt Rock
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Posted: 28th Apr 2009 22:51
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It's not useless merely because developers aren't using it. How is that gimmicky, but the Wii isn't? My hope is that more developers will play around with the feature and start doing something innovative with it. Having another axis of control has a lot of upsides, but it depends on a developer's willingness to experiment.

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Drew Cameron
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Posted: 28th Apr 2009 22:59
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Quote: "How is that gimmicky, but the Wii isn't? "


The Wii is EXTREMELY gimmicky.

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7031
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Posted: 29th Apr 2009 01:27
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Personally I prefer the Xbox controller, because the Playstation controller just feels kinda small by comparison, and I'm really not a fan of the triggers on the PS3 controller. I don't quite know why, but I just generally find them strange to use.

Anyone with me on this?

Yeah, the analogue sticks are a tad weird with the 360 in that they are not aligned or whatever, but I can kinda see the logic in it, and to be honest I don't think either method on either console is really a perfect way to deal with it. We'll just have to wait and see.

I suppose it's really just a user preferance thing.

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 29th Apr 2009 01:47
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Both I can see having their uses (SIXAXIS and the Wiimote) and adding something to game.

But in all honesty I've only every used SIXAXIS with Little Big Planet and it was only a small feature of no importance to the gamplay. I think it could be utilised for something a more entertaining and offering something different. But it is not a necessary feature of the controller.

Perhaps developers aren't using it because they already see a good enough success in game controllers without it. The PSX, PS2, XBox and XBox 360 controllers have worked fine without it and keeps the players happy and perhaps they see little reason to accomodate for extra features when the game they've made really doesn't need it. With the Wii being superior for motion control, I think any developers wanting to utilise motion sensors in to a game, they'd most likely develop it for the Wii.

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Jeku
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Posted: 29th Apr 2009 06:25
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Quote: "How is that gimmicky, but the Wii isn't?"


That's your problem, you always think people are attacking you because they dislike a Sony product. Nobody compared a Wii in this thread-- it's not always black and white

Quote: "With the Wii being superior for motion control, I think any developers wanting to utilise motion sensors in to a game, they'd most likely develop it for the Wii."


I wouldn't say the standard Wiimote is superior to SIXAXIS. The motion attachment due in a few months will probably change that

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Seppuku Arts
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Posted: 29th Apr 2009 08:09
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Well I can't imagine using my PS3 controller for something like Wii Bowling or pointing and aiming a gun. Though the motion sensors might be of the same quality, the Wiimote and Nunchaku are designed for what the Wii sells itself out to do.

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