24 replies to this topic

[Saijee]

Wouldn't it be great if all console controllers had a USB port witch you could simply plug up your personal mouse to?

The mouse offers so much that controllers alone just can't do as effectively.

Why isn't this standard?

[Monstr Gaming]

People who want to use mouse and keyboard get a computer.
I know computers have an option for game controllers but keyboard & mouse aren't made for gaming and for most console games wouldn't be needed (imagine playing a racing game with a keyboard). You might prefer mouse but in the console market you're a minority, and pc gamers (I'm not one) probably wouldn't like ps3/xbox because they're un-upgradeable.

Summary not enough people would use it and companies can't be bothered to program it.

[Saijee]

People who want to use mouse and keyboard get a computer.
I know computers have an option for game controllers but keyboard & mouse aren't made for gaming and for most console games wouldn't be needed (imagine playing a racing game with a keyboard). You might prefer mouse but in the console market you're a minority, and pc gamers (I'm not one) probably wouldn't like ps3/xbox because they're un-upgradeable.

Summary not enough people would use it and companies can't be bothered to program it.

The thing is: virtually everybody who has a console also has a mouse. I suffer from cross-handedness and simply cannot get the hang of any shooter game that uses doul-stick aim/move controls.

[Monstr Gaming]

well then... why would you want consoles to use mouse then when you can use a pc (I'd still consider you a minority)

Also, I have a mouse, why would I want to use it on my PS3?

[9_6]

Because people don't have floating mousepads next to them while sitting on the couch.

[Monstr Gaming]

People who want to use mouse and keyboard get a computer.
I know computers have an option for game controllers but keyboard & mouse aren't made for gaming and for most console games wouldn't be needed (imagine playing a racing game with a keyboard). You might prefer mouse but in the console market you're a minority, and pc gamers (I'm not one) probably wouldn't like ps3/xbox because they're un-upgradeable.

Summary not enough people would use it and companies can't be bothered to program it.

The thing is: virtually everybody who has a console also has a mouse. I suffer from cross-handedness and simply cannot get the hang of any shooter game that uses doul-stick aim/move controls.

So to answer your question... Yes mouse on consoles would be great for you but for Sony/Nintendo/Microsoft it is a waste of money as hardly anyone would use it.
You also have to remember, you need a kind of desk to use keyboard & mouse but consoles are made for you to casually sit on your sofa and play.

[Saijee]

Never do I use a mouse pad.

[Zeddy]

Wouldn't it be great if all console controllers had a USB port witch you could simply plug up your personal mouse to?

The mouse offers so much that controllers alone just can't do as effectively.

Why isn't this standard?

Both the 360 and PS3 supports USB keyboard for entering text on various menus. The PS3 also supports USB mice as well as bluetooth keyboards and mice for navigating menus and the PS3s web browser. The input devices should work provided they didn't need a third party driver to work on your computer.

I only know about one game to support kb/mouse, and that's Unreal Tournament 3. Most developers simply don't bother for various reasons:

• Most people don't care.
• Most people don't think about it.
• Due to the first two points, publishers don't think there is any money in enabling your game to be used with a third-party hardware, and as such don't want resources used in putting in this functionality.
• If someone uses kb/mouse in a competitive shooter they're going to dominate anyone who isn't. People using controllers would either adopt kb/mouse on their own or abandon the game. Publishers would rather not risk the latter.
• Sony would rather people buy Playstation Controllers than keyboards and mice.
• A lot of people would feel uncomfortable using PC hardware on a console as it presents an unholy, unthinkable unity to them. I've spoken to several otherwise technically proficient people on this very board who couldn't conceive of the possibility that you can plug your PC up to your television and X-box/PS3 controller to your computer thus negating most advantages a console presents over a computer.
• Computers and computer related things are big and scary.

[Saijee]

Wouldn't it be great if all console controllers had a USB port witch you could simply plug up your personal mouse to?

The mouse offers so much that controllers alone just can't do as effectively.

Why isn't this standard?

Both the 360 and PS3 supports USB keyboard for entering text on various menus. The PS3 also supports USB mice as well as bluetooth keyboards and mice for navigating menus and the PS3s web browser. The input devices should work provided they didn't need a third party driver to work on your computer.

I only know about one game to support kb/mouse, and that's Unreal Tournament 3. Most developers simply don't bother for various reasons:

• Most people don't care.
• Most people don't think about it.
• Due to the first two points, publishers don't think there is any money in enabling your game to be used with a third-party hardware, and as such don't want resources used in putting in this functionality.
• If someone uses kb/mouse in a competitive shooter they're going to dominate anyone who isn't. People using controllers would either adopt kb/mouse on their own or abandon the game. Publishers would rather not risk the latter.
• Sony would rather people buy Playstation Controllers than keyboards and mice.
• A lot of people would feel uncomfortable using PC hardware on a console as it presents an unholy, unthinkable unity to them. I've spoken to several otherwise technically proficient people on this very board who couldn't conceive of the possibility that you can plug your PC up to your television and X-box/PS3 controller to your computer thus negating most advantages a console presents over a computer.
• Computers and computer related things are big and scary.

Hold it. I never said anything about kb, just mouse.

If the problem is that they want people to buy their controllers and not use third party then my solution sounds like a prophet scheme:

A :
Do not allow them to directly use mouses by pluging them into the system, but release a controller that has a usb port with witch you can connect your mouse to, a-la wiimote and nonchuck style.

B :
Same as A but make but use special port so that the players need a special first party mouse to buy in addition.

The special mouse plug-upable controllers wouldn't even need to be specially designed to be half of a controller, it's not like controllers are so heavy that you cannot hold them comfortably with one hand. That way you can still use it as a normal controller for games that would otherwise play better with traditional console game controls.

If someone uses kb/mouse in a competitive shooter they're going to dominate anyone who isn't. People using controllers would either adopt kb/mouse on their own or abandon the game. Publishers would rather not risk the latter.

More incentive for the players to buy the special controllers to be able to play better.

--
On another note. I think my ideal set up for a first person shooter would be left hand on the left side of a PS3 controller, right hand on mouse.

Edited by Saijee, 03 March 2012 - 03:54 PM.

[Zeddy]

Hold it. I never said anything about kb, just mouse.

That may be, but a keyboard would have many utilities on consoles as well, hence why they're already supported.

If the problem is that they want people to buy their controllers and not use third party then my solution sounds like a prophet scheme:

I certainly wouldn't buy that; First party accessories are invariably overpriced and it'd feel like a total rip-off since the USB port is right there in the console. Hence why keyboards and mice are already recognized by at least the PS3.

On another note. I think my ideal set up for a first person shooter would be left hand on the left side of a PS3 controller, right hand on mouse.

I've tried this. It's a bit awkard (though I'm sure you can get used to it, as one can with many things), but the primary problem is the lack of enough easily available buttons (depending on the game, of course). One can surely get around this by having a gaming mouse or something.

[Saijee]

OKOKOK

But hypothetically speaking. What if the next generation of console controllers did have a usb mouse port they they did intend to make full use of for the games?

Then what would happen?

*this post is just a rephrased version of the OP*

Edited by Saijee, 03 March 2012 - 07:16 PM.

[9_6]

Never do I use a mouse pad.

You don't hold it over the air and it magically registers either.
You need a flat surface. On a couch, there is no flat surface and living room tables tend to be low and awkward to reach.
People playing consoles may want to, you know, lean back. Hunching over is what you do on a pc.
So most people just don't have the room for a mouse.

That's why the wii controller was made you know. That's 80% of the point of motion controls.
To get a mouse that doesn't need a flat surface. A mouse you can use leaning back on a couch.

Edited by 9_6, 04 March 2012 - 12:12 AM.

[Saijee]

Never do I use a mouse pad.

You don't hold it over the air and it magically registers either.
You need a flat surface. On a couch, there is no flat surface and living room tables tend to be low and awkward to reach.
People playing consoles may want to, you know, lean back. Hunching over is what you do on a pc.
So most people just don't have the room for a mouse.

That's why the wii controller was made you know. That's 80% of the point of motion controls.
To get a mouse that doesn't need a flat surface. A mouse you can use leaning back on a couch.

You don't need a flat surface, you can just use your lap.

[Zeddy]

You need a flat surface. On a couch, there is no flat surface

I'm using my couch under my mouse right now. Your leg will suffice also.

[Phantom107]

It won't happen. A mouse isn't comfortable when sitting on a couch, as said before in the topic.

What would work however, is replacing the right bottom stick with a trackball. That will provide the comfort superiority of a controller, combined with the precision of a mouse.

[Saijee]

It won't happen.

Hold it right there. That's why I said "hypothetically."

Sure it isn't likely to happen but what would happen if it it did?

[Robert3DG+]

but what would happen if it it did?

Let me gaze into my crystal ball:


Stuff. Stuff would happen.



What exactly is the discussion here again?

[Monstr Gaming]

It won't happen.

Hold it right there. That's why I said "hypothetically."

Sure it isn't likely to happen but what would happen if it it did?

Well... XD ... consoles would be able to use computer mice then some people will use it and some won't use it. THE END. :D

[Saijee]

So no one else thinks its a good idea?

[Nocturne]

So no one else thinks its a good idea?

Ninja admin sneaks into the topic to have his say...


No.


Ninja admin sneaks out of topic never to return...