Consoles will soon suck less when it comes to FPS

[Shockeye]

I think I need to get me one of these since I really hate my controller S for any FPS on the Xbox.

Lik Sang took the videogame community by storm this weekend by announcing a new entry in its product catalog: The SmartJoy FRAG, an adapter that allows Xbox and PlayStation 2 owners to connect a mouse and a keyboard to the console and replace the standard controller with the well known PC combo that has been the envy of many console gamers for years.

[ahoythematey]

PS2 has USB ports...

[schild]

And I played Q3A with a keyboard and mouse on the dreamcast. Much to the dismay of my roommates who used the other 2 controllers.

[AOFanboi]

PS2 has USB ports...

... which cannot be used to attach keyboard and mouse and have them work in a game that only accepts controller input. This little dongle lets the keyboard and mouse "look" like a DualShock 2™ (For Playstation ® 2) as far as the game is concerned.

This is an issue with consoles and hardware in general: The game itself must include the drivers for the hardware (the XBox somewhat of an exception). For instance, the new wireless adapter for GBA is not usable on any game that uses the link cable - the game has to use it (which so far means three games).

[Sky]

People on the a/v board I frequent are already calling it a 'cheat'. :) It certainly will lay to rest the issue of which input is more effective...too bad the only distributer is lik-sang, who I've not heard great things about when looking at the xbox controller to pc adapter (shoddy driver support). I'd never buy a product that didn't work with my system, it's kinda dumb. Make some official drivers, dammit.

[WayAbvPar]

If this thing goes 'mainstream', I am all over it. I have a grudge match against my console-only buddy just WAITING to happen.

[HaemishM]

I'd love it if this works, especially if those Phantom twats ever get around to releasing their keyboard/mouse combo that would look perfect for consoles. My X-Box isn't really set up for mouse/keyboard combo space; I'd have to put them on the coffee table.

[Shockeye]

Microsoft will have to respond to this with an adapter of their own if this actually works and people dominate Halo, Unreal, et al. Unless they come up with a way for Live to detect if this dongle is being used and ban it.

[Shannow]

Microsoft will have to respond to this with an adapter of their own if this actually works and people dominate Halo, Unreal, et al. Unless they come up with a way for Live to detect if this dongle is being used and ban it.

I'll give Microsoft a little credit and say that they'll just come up with their own product or buy the company making it.

Wait, what the hell did I just write??

[schild]

I'd prefer a branded Microsoft Keyboard and mouse. Made from salvaged IBM Model M stuff. Hell, they should just buy IBM.


Kidding about that last bit. Sort of.

[Alkiera]

My microsoft-branded keyboard seems okay, but the optical mouse that came with it was crap, had to go get a logitech.  I wore out the left button on the M$ mouse in a year.  The Logitech mouse I had before lasted through 5 years of diablo, Hellfire, D2, etc.

--
Alkiera

[Samwise]

The only problem I see with keyboard/mouse controls on a console is that, like Haemish said, you'd have to put them on the coffee table (though I agree, Infinium seemed to be on top of that particular issue).  As far as I'm concerned, a standard desktop PC setup is just more ergonomically suited for gaming than your standard living room TV setup.

Still waiting for a cross-platform FPS that'll let console and PC players on the same servers.

[doubleplus]

Halo just got a lot more interesting.

[Alluvian]

No, halo still sucks.  Halo 2 might be interesting.

[Calantus]

Excellent!

As far as space, putting the keyboard on you lap and having the mouse on an appropriately sized chair-side table (don't use the arm of the chair, its a recipe for pain unless its rediculously long) would work. At least it does for my laptop. You might need a board or something to put the keyboard on, but it would work.

[Tebonas]

Why not go with a Trackball instead and save you all that trouble finding a suitable place for the mouse?

[schild]

Why not go with a Trackball instead and save you all that trouble finding a suitable place for the mouse?

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha, you're kidding, am i rite?

[Tebonas]

Not really no. I used trackballs and mice interchangeably since I first got a trackball instead of a mouse for my Atari ST (my father had a computer shop and basically gave me what he had lying around for my gaming pleasures). I never experienced much of a difference in my playing ability. So where does the kidding come in?

Edit: Of course I'm talking about Trackballs where you steer the ball with your palm. not those tiny thumb-trackballs. Though I suspect you could get used to them as well.

[Sky]

We had a couple damn good players in my old bf1942 clan that used trackballs quite effectively. I don't like 'em for gaming, but I certainly won't mock them.

The only problem I see with keyboard/mouse controls on a console is that, like Haemish said, you'd have to put them on the coffee table (though I agree, Infinium seemed to be on top of that particular issue). As far as I'm concerned, a standard desktop PC setup is just more ergonomically suited for gaming than your standard living room TV setup.

I've been gaming just fine on my pc from my sofa for the last 10 months.

As far as I'm concerned, I'll never sit at a stupid desk again, if I can help it. Much nicer kicking back with my feet on the coffee table, nice and reclined.

I have a pillow I sit next to me, place a thin hardcover book about 33% larger than my mouse pad on it, mouse pad goes on top of that. If company is hoarding the sofa, I can use the arm instead of the pillow, both work fine (I use the pillow because the audio 'sweet spot' is the center of the sofa). Just rest the keyboard in my lap.

Once you've done home theater gaming, sitting at a desk just doesn't cut it anymore.

[HaemishM]

Once I get used to it, I can use a trackball as well as a mouse. But if I'm constantly having to switch between mouse and trackball, it ain't going to work. The two just feel so differently. Which would mean I'd need to buy two trackballs, one for the X-Box and 1 for the computer. And I still don't like the idea of putting my keyboard on my lap. It's just not stable enough.

[doubleplus]

Edit: Of course I'm talking about Trackballs where you steer the ball with your palm. not those tiny thumb-trackballs. Though I suspect you could get used to them as well.

No, you really really don't. I remember trying to play FPS's on those fucking things and getting absolutely nowhwere. Terrible pieces of machinery suitable only for ugly secretaries with carpal-tunnel.

[schild]

Edit: Of course I'm talking about Trackballs where you steer the ball with your palm. not those tiny thumb-trackballs. Though I suspect you could get used to them as well.

No, you really really don't. I remember trying to play FPS's on those fucking things and getting absolutely nowhwere. Terrible pieces of machinery suitable only for ugly secretaries with carpal-tunnel.

And Arkanoid.

[Sky]

Edit: Of course I'm talking about Trackballs where you steer the ball with your palm. not those tiny thumb-trackballs. Though I suspect you could get used to them as well.

No, you really really don't. I remember trying to play FPS's on those fucking things and getting absolutely nowhwere. Terrible pieces of machinery suitable only for ugly secretaries with carpal-tunnel.

And some of the best bf1942 players I've known while playing in league play. But it's cool to hate because you don't like something. So trendy.