Review: Xbox Mouse/Keyboard Adapter

[gibby]

I don't like this product, a fantastic thing about XBL is that everyone is using the same stuff (short of internet connection, but in these modern days that barely matters), the controller is like a universal handicap. This also makes it easier for gamers who arn't already awesome at games to get into online play.

I hope MS don't allow it on XBL.

You make it sound like it's a wall hack or something which totally gives someone an advantage over another. Haven't you ever felt a bit peeved about knowing what you have to do in the game but can't perform it properly because of control issues? Whether it's for FPS games or whatever? Didn't you wish the controls were different?

Well, for FPS games and players who are accustomed to the mouse and keyboard controls this is a near perfect solution. Console players are also welcomed to use this product but the problem is, there's such a division between console gamers and pc gamers.

The only reason why MS didn't release a mouse and keyboard peripheral earlier on is because they didn't want to turn potential buyers from thinking the Xbox is just a PC. Why? Because of the whole console vs. pc division. You know, Halo was originally designed for the PC/Mac. MS just bought the rights to it and forced it to be controller only. But that doesn't mean it should only be played with the controller. In fact, a game isn't completely designed around the controller. Trust me, I know. I develop games for a living. Most of the time, developers hassle with controller issues because the functionality they want in their games is more often limited by the amount of buttons on the controller. That's why some PC gamers feel PC games are superior because rarely do they have these control issues and the games designed for PCs can have more depth.

Honestly, when Halo first came out...I hated playing it with the controller. Especially if I was mainly a PC gamer prior to it...well, in the FPS genre that is. But I had to learn how to tolerate it because it was such a good game. But I must admit, the control issues did take away from really enjoying the game to its fullest. I would say hassling with the control was sometimes even harder than the game itself. For me, that's not right.

Same goes for Xbox live gamers. If they were open to learning how to play with mouse and keyboard, they will probably find more enjoyment of playing online because instead of having to focus on controller and opposing player, they can just focus on the opposing player and take their gaming to a higher level.

As for MS allowing this or not, it's really out of their hands. Sure, they can probably write code to try to detect the device and render it useless...but is that really right? As a gamer, would you want an industry giant to dictate how you play your games(legitimately that is). Playing with different controllers isn't cheating...it's just allowing the gamer to use a different method of controlling their game character. Now using cheats, hacks, and scripts to perform a combination of moves with one button press is borderline for me. Why? Because you're now taking the skill factor away.

Whether it's controllers or mouse and keyboard, there's still a level of skill you need in order to be good. It's just a matter of how or what the player prefers to play with.

[Jonneh]

Stuff

In essence, I agree with you, but it's catering for the mass, rather than the minority, the fact that you prefer a mouse/keyboard combo probably means you've been playing online games for a greater than average time and also that you're better than the average person at First person shooters. So, whilst playing online with mouse and keyboard might make people like you and me better at the game, it isn't going to help those who have just completed say halo2, and wanted to try out some online multiplayer action. All you're doing is just widening the rift between casual and hardcore gamers and that is something Microsoft DON'T want.

As for giving them to everyone, sure they could, but that means that your console isn't a box that sits under your tv anymore, but just another pc, which again isn't something Microsoft want either.

[temps]

Unfair advantage.. maybe.. but I say lets all get this thing!

I wonder what WCG is going to say about it?

I know for starcraft, modifying the key setup from default (starcraft doesn't allow you to change the keys, you would have to "hack" the game to do it) is against most/all tournament rules. As that would give someone an unfair advantage.

But then buying a new controler for your xbox that just so happens to be a keyboard/mouse.. I think it should be allowed. Hell I've been waiting for this lol, I just might get and xbox, halo 2, and xbl now

And Jonneh, anything that gets more hardcore gammers onto the console the better.

[RobAGD]

The last FPS console game I played was Golden Eye on the N64. I played that game so much it ruined my damn thumbs. I can not play a thumb joystick game now. I hate it, I dont have the fine control I need to play the game. Plus I have been playing FPS games since Doom and I liek thatfact I can program my keyboard to do what I want and what keys I wantto do what.


I have been wanting the for teh XBox for a while, Now thats its here I MIGHT just buy and XBox and GHTB and have some fun After I finish HL2 on hard settings

-Robert