[tarutaru123]

I have a question. If you have FFXI for the PC, can you use the Gamepad to control it? It would make moving around a lot easier. If you know if you can or not, please tell me.

[sagitta85]

You can use a gamepad. I don't use one on the PC, but using just the keyboard is better because you can do things faster.

[Jroggy]

i used to think you could do things faster with a keyboard but i can use macro's and move alot easier with a ps2 controller (used an adapter)

[bside]

it's really a personal preference, but i'm the one who likes using gamepads better.

for the kind of gamepads, one is that u could get a so-called PSX-USB converter if u already own a PS2 or PSX, allowing u to use the controllers of either consoles that u already have. this by far seems to be the most common choice among the users around.

but if u decide to go w/ the pc gamepads, here's a piece of advice; don't get a cheap one. not only will they break quick, but cheap ones also mean less controllability. personally, i recommend the one from Thrustmaster, namely Firestorm Dual Power 3. local CompUSA should carry one of those, and this one used to be recongnized by s-e Japan as the official gamepad of ffxi. ("used to be" because this is no longer sold in Japan.)

[Maiku]

Like bside said, I use one of those supposed PSX→USB adapters, along with the default Ps2 controller that came with the console. To me, it's much easier to use a controller.. I only use the keyboard for chatting and macros now, everything else, even screenshots are done with my controller.

[--e]

I used the keyboard for the first 2 days playing. Switched to controller just to test it out, and never went back.
I used one of radio shack's cheap-ass converters and it worked great for 35 days of /playtime. I recently switched to a Belkin Nostromo n45 and have racked up another 5+ days of /playtime. Love it.
I've heard good things about Thrustmaster's Firestorm, and bad things about gravis and logitech's comparable pads (though logitech's netplay is the fucking bomb, yo).

--e

[SkuLLy]

do any of the aforementioned controllers have rapidfire button programability?

[bside]

Originally posted by SkuLLy
do any of the aforementioned controllers have rapidfire button programability?

i never cared to check the ones from Gravis, but as for the Thrustmaster's Dual Power 3 and the "comparable" one of Logitech, no.

[Stormfalcon]

Best of both worlds for me. Using a PSX->USB adapter, I have my Logitech Netplay controller/keyboard combo hooked up to my PC (along with my normal keyboard). I don't have to worry about switching between keyboard and controller, and the controller portion is of good quality

[sagitta85]

Wow. I must be the only one that uses only the keyboard. Probably has to do with that I play mostly PC games, mainly BF1942. I have the PS2 version, but I got sick of switching between the controller and keyboard. Well, thats just the way I like it!

[Roldarin]

I use a controller for running around, doing tradeskills and managing my inventory/delivery box/auction house. But I still feel more comfortable using the keyboard during a regular xp party.

[ArcticZero]

I use both now.. for travel and questing and antying that requires me to move much I use the controller.. other then that I use the keyboard when in a pt though.. just easier for me that way..

[Frumply]

A controller with analog sticks (a la PS2 ctrllers) are tremendously useful; if you play a job where you need full 360 degree awareness 99% of the time you might go crazy using the kb and mouse.

I use the logitech wireless rumble whatever thing. Works great, charge lasts about 3 weeks with alkalines and maybe a week with rechargeables (depends on how often i go out fishing).

[bside]

Originally posted by Frumply
A controller with analog sticks (a la PS2 ctrllers) are tremendously useful; if you play a job where you need full 360 degree awareness 99% of the time you might go crazy using the kb and mouse.

looking at this from the another side, do NOT get the gamepad that's without those analog sticks. more than likely u'll regret ur choice, and the good ones r worth ur penny.

be advised that those PSX-USB converters have been reported to have problems w/ some users, if not many. starting from sudden shut-down of ffxi (turning off the vibration seems to solve this problem for most), 3rd party controllers may not even work at all, and because ps2 controllers r all analog, buttons may not respond efficiently to ur expectations. also, those converters w/ multiple input ports r reported to have problems w/ response; it may take like a half second (note 0.5 sec is really long) for the game to actually get the input.

w/ all those worries taken, if wanna be sure that whatever u get works 100% to the full controllability (along w/ vibration if wanted), i recommend the aforementioned Thrustmaster's pad. ones from Logitech have had some negative feedbacks to its analog sticks, that they r not durable enough to keep up w/ the today's fast-paced games. however, they seem to be more dependant on the manufacture lots; meaning, depending on when and where they r manufactued, their qualities slightly vary. and this "slight" difference is what makes ppl like Frumply like their pads, and at that same time, makes some others throw them away.

[Thallos]

Originally posted by sagitta85
Wow. I must be the only one that uses only the keyboard. Probably has to do with that I play mostly PC games, mainly BF1942. I have the PS2 version, but I got sick of switching between the controller and keyboard. Well, thats just the way I like it!

After getting my gamepad and using it for FFXI, I tried it out for other games I had, specifically BF1942, and now Vietnam. I will never go back to using the keyboard for FPS again. The gamepad gives you the versatillity of not having to use a joystick to fly as well....I LOVE IT.