I''m toying around with the idea of a FPS (ugh, yes, yes, I know). What sort of control setups do you prefer? My personal one is as follows: KP_8 - Forward KP_4 - Left KP_6 - Right KP_2 - Back KP_7 - Left Strafe KP_9 - Right Strafe KP_5 - Duck KP_SLASH - Jump KP_0 - Prone (If necessary) KP_ENTER - Use KP_PLUS - Reload (if the game doesn''t support Mouse3 for reloading) I''d appreciate input.

Do it the same way that other FPSs do it: make it user configurable. That way you don''t annoy anyone who doesn''t like your setup.

Well, of course, but I''m referring to a basic setup. I twitch at the mention of WASD...

Make it user configurable, and include a number of presets, if you don''t want to go with the usual wasd controls. WASD is comfortable for a common control setup -- mouse on the right side, keyboard right next to it on the left. Your configuration would be extremely uncomfortable for many setups, and completely unusuable in others.

Unless you have the freedom to move the keyboard, that setup is probably not a wise default. If the keyboard is directly in front of the user, then the user needs to reach across his body, at an awkward angle if the keyboard is parallel to the user''s chest, to reach the number pad. If the keyboard is resting on some object not wide enough to support the keyboard, the number pad is probably hanging off the end (I''ve used this setup before), which makes it completely unsuitable for any game controls. This is also often the case when a user rests the keyboard on this knees. The pad is probably usable, but not stable, which affects usage of the other controls whenever a button is pressed too hard.

The best idea is to include a mechanism whereby a user can pick from several default settings (I think Starseige did this). This has the additional benefit of allowing for presets that use additional peripherals. For example, one could use a joystick/keyboard preset for when one is borrowing a friend''s joystick, and the keyboard preset when one is not. (it''s hard to beat the mouse/keyboard combo in an FPS, though)

I used to use:

C - left strafe
V - right strafe
Alt - backwards
Ctrl - duck
Space - jump
Mouse2 - forward
(this was before there were games with secondary fire)

I got rid of it when Half-life came around. I tried using Z as secondary fire, but it just wasn''t the same.

quote: Original post by Edward Ropple
Well, of course, but I''m referring to a basic setup. I twitch at the mention of WASD...

Regardless of your feelings for them they are the default keys for the genre and I am not sure it would be a good idea to throw away what everyone knows just because you don''t like it. I use the default keys myself but tweak a couple of the options.



Dan Marchant
Obscure Productions
Game Development & Design consultant

I''m a WASD user, and although I''ve been experimenting with ESDF as well, I''m finding it hard to get used to.

I find control setups (like yours) that put my left hand on the right hand side of the keyboard rather uncomfortable.

Also, is a ''Reload'' button useful? I can see that there is a certain (very small) amount of value to them in some games, but 99% of the time it would be much less annoying to reload the gun automatically.

quote: Original post by Sandman
Also, is a ''Reload'' button useful? I can see that there is a certain (very small) amount of value to them in some games, but 99% of the time it would be much less annoying to reload the gun automatically.

It really depends how much time it takes, and if ammo availability is an issue in the game.
In Half-Life you don''t want to have to reload in the middle of a fight, neither to loose bullets because you want to be 100% ready (using ammos to get the auto reload).

I''m rather for a reload button.

-* So many things to do, so little time to spend. *-

Plus, if I do this, I plan to include tactical-reload capabilities (leaving one in the chamber with a new clip).

On that note, I can''t stand WASD because the keys are staggered. The number pad (I can move my keyboard) is easier to get at. It helps that I can play left-mouse-handed too, though.

quote: Original post by Edward Ropple
On that note, I can''t stand WASD because the keys are staggered. The number pad (I can move my keyboard) is easier to get at. It helps that I can play left-mouse-handed too, though.

Personally, I use ESDF (WASD shifted right one key) - it gives me the same comfort as WASD (for a right handed mouse user with little desk space) but gives me immediate access to A LOT more keys. I''m not 100% sure, but ESDF might be the default in Tribes...

Tribes default is WASD. Everyone gives me weird looks when I shift the controls to my standard at school (we play during lunches and after school sometimes, about fifteen of us), but oddly enough I have the highest scores.