I've wanted to write this post for a while. But first, let's get my PC gaming credentials out of the way: I'm an elitist, know-it-all, over-privileged member of the PC Gaming Master Race™. I haven't owned a console since 1983. My gaming rig has three GPUs, a meticulously overclocked CPU, and a somewhat embarrassing abundance of blue LEDs. When I recently quit my job to become an indie game developer it was, naturally, to make a PC game.
So yep, I've earned my PC gaming stripes. And I use a gamepad. And so should you.
If PC gaming is about anything, it's about power and customisation. Why is Skyrim 10 times better on PC than on console? Yes, resolution and framerate have something to do with it. But mostly it's because you can customise the bejeezus out of Skyrim with mods that greatly improve the graphics, audio, gameplay, UI, and add tons of new content.
So yep, I've earned my PC gaming stripes. And I use a gamepad. And so should you.
If PC gaming is about anything, it's about power and customisation. Why is Skyrim 10 times better on PC than on console? Yes, resolution and framerate have something to do with it. But mostly it's because you can customise the bejeezus out of Skyrim with mods that greatly improve the graphics, audio, gameplay, UI, and add tons of new content.
PC gaming lets you control graphics settings, add antialiasing or dynamic depth of field, overclock hardware, and remove Ubisoft's hand-holding bollocks from Far Cry 3. In short, PC gaming gives you the power and flexibility to get the absolute most out of a game, in a way that will work best for you.
PC gaming is about options. So when it comes to control input schemes, PC's greatest strength isn't the presence of a mouse and keyboard. It's the presence of more options than any other platform. On PC, as always, you get to choose the right tool for the job. So yes, real PC gamers use gamepads....and mice....and keyboards....and wheels..... and.....
PC gaming is about options. So when it comes to control input schemes, PC's greatest strength isn't the presence of a mouse and keyboard. It's the presence of more options than any other platform. On PC, as always, you get to choose the right tool for the job. So yes, real PC gamers use gamepads....and mice....and keyboards....and wheels..... and.....
I personally own a bunch of control peripherals, and I use all of them, depending on the game. In part 2 of this post I'll explore the question of "Which control peripherals are best suited to which games?". Check back next week, or sign up below to be automatically notified when the post is up.