Author Topic: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?  (Read 1837 times)

Offline Krusty

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 26745
I've read at least a few comments on steam about people trying game controllers for AH. I assume they figured that was normal or were just used to more arcade games, and the like.

Has anybody here actually tried that? Does it work? I mean aside from AH recognizing it, can you get enough fine-tuned control to actually get the right inputs to, say... take off? To, say, make a coordinated turn while following a target?

I know I've tried a few more arcade sims on console format and always found the rudder to be very problematic, and the aim point was basically dumbed down to allow for 2-axis flight most of the time. AH doesn't do that so I am wondering if you can even fly properly with one.

Just curious about that.

Offline Skuzzy

  • Support Member
  • Administrator
  • *****
  • Posts: 31462
      • HiTech Creations Home Page
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #1 on: August 31, 2017, 08:46:22 AM »
The XBox controller, the Rift comes with, is actually pretty good.  The resolution on the sticks has significantly improved over previous generations.
Roy "Skuzzy" Neese
support@hitechcreations.com

Offline Drano

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4125
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #2 on: August 31, 2017, 09:05:14 AM »
I fly with Lazer a lot and he flies with a mouse. Honestly I don't know how he does it! I guess you could train yourself to get used to anything. I've been with HOTAS so long there'd be no going back now. Of course I still suck so it ain't helping me!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

"Drano"
80th FS "Headhunters"

S.A.P.P.- Secret Association Of P-38 Pilots (Lightning In A Bottle)

FSO flying with the 412th Friday Night Volunteer Group

Offline Krusty

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 26745
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #3 on: August 31, 2017, 09:05:38 AM »
Yeah, the one I was thinking of would have been a dual shock PS3 controller. That would make sense that they've improved. I have an XB1 but haven't really tried any flight sims on it. I have a PC for that, and it's so much better.

Good to know.

Offline haggerty

  • Silver Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 879
      • Facebook
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #4 on: August 31, 2017, 10:16:51 AM »
I was very successful as a tanker back when I used a controller, flying sucked though, bombers were ok.
-Ninja250, -Spectre, -UBerHAGS, -FieroGT, -Haggerty, -Hellcat -Misawa, -Gloom -Nobunaga -Cobrakai

Offline Lazerr

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 4846
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2017, 10:40:59 AM »
I fly with Lazer a lot and he flies with a mouse. Honestly I don't know how he does it! I guess you could train yourself to get used to anything. I've been with HOTAS so long there'd be no going back now. Of course I still suck so it ain't helping me!

Sent from my XT1585 using Tapatalk

Too many hours in here....

A controller sounds miserable though.

Offline Ack-Ack

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 25260
      • FlameWarriors
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2017, 11:52:27 AM »
The best game pad for playing Aces High is the Xbox One Elite controller.  I've used previous Xbox controllers through the years testing them out in AH and they've actually worked pretty good but with the Elite controller, it comes with four paddles in addition to the stock button configuration and is fully programmable through an app if you have Windows 10.
"If Jesus came back as an airplane, he would be a P-38." - WW2 P-38 pilot
Elite Top Aces +1 Mexican Official Squadron Song

Offline redcatcherb412

  • Nickel Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 610
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2017, 12:08:44 PM »
I've used the Logitech dual-action gamepad for years. My preference is for the thumbsticks. I have a full joystick but since I mainly GV found it was better with the thumbsticks for precise control.  Whatever works for you is always best.
Ground Pounders ...

Offline icepac

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6974
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2017, 12:23:48 PM »
I spend time on consoles making them work with keyboard, mouse, sticks, and steering wheels.


Offline Ack-Ack

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 25260
      • FlameWarriors
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2017, 12:51:23 PM »
I spend time on consoles making them work with keyboard, mouse, sticks, and steering wheels.

That's really nothing special since the current consoles (and last gen consoles) already support external devices like keyboards, mouse, joysticks, steering wheels, etc.
"If Jesus came back as an airplane, he would be a P-38." - WW2 P-38 pilot
Elite Top Aces +1 Mexican Official Squadron Song

Offline Krusty

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 26745
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2017, 02:00:56 PM »
I did that a number of times but it wasn't worth it because the game design and coding wasn't meant from the start for, say, a mouse+keyboard as compared to a thumbstick to aim. It meant subtle things like response times and scaling curves were all wrong and motion didn't seem responsive on the keyboard. It just wasn't created from the ground up in mind with those controls and the input overall suffered because of it.

That, and if I'm setting up a table for a mouse and keyboard I'm just going to go use the computer which is already set up on one. If I'm on the console I'll use the controller, just because that's part of the console experience. Sitting on a couch/seat and enjoying a game in the living room (or wherever you have yours set up).

Offline icepac

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6974
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2017, 03:11:17 PM »
That's really nothing special since the current consoles (and last gen consoles) already support external devices like keyboards, mouse, joysticks, steering wheels, etc.

Not the current consoles.

Maybe a couple of wheels and mouse/keyboard will plug in but most games won't allow them to function in game except to send messages.

Check out the forum threads about what must be done to get a working mouse/keyboard/stick setup on either xbox one or PS4.

It's a lot of configuring as well as often buying a product like the xim4.

Offline Mano

  • Gold Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2191
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2017, 06:12:56 PM »
I have not tried GV'ing with a controller yet, but I'm sure it will work just fine.

 :salute
Everything is funny as long as it is happening to somebody else.
- Will Rogers (1879 - 1935)

Offline Ack-Ack

  • Radioactive Member
  • *******
  • Posts: 25260
      • FlameWarriors
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2017, 06:33:34 PM »
Not the current consoles.

Maybe a couple of wheels and mouse/keyboard will plug in but most games won't allow them to function in game except to send messages.

Check out the forum threads about what must be done to get a working mouse/keyboard/stick setup on either xbox one or PS4.

It's a lot of configuring as well as often buying a product like the xim4.

Again, it's not hard to do at all.  Like you said, all that is needed is Xim 4 adaptor to make keyboard+mouse work on any PS4 game.  You can go the pain the butt way and modify your PS4 Dualshock 4 controller but why do that when all you need is an adaptor? 
"If Jesus came back as an airplane, he would be a P-38." - WW2 P-38 pilot
Elite Top Aces +1 Mexican Official Squadron Song

Offline icepac

  • Platinum Member
  • ******
  • Posts: 6974
Re: Anybody ever play AH with a game controller? Is that even practical?
« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2017, 07:15:47 PM »
You implied that they supported keyboards and mice natively.