PC FFXI Gamepad

Peppara · 02-16-2004, 08:02 AM

Does anybody else find playing with a gamepad so much easier? I think its because square designed this thing with a console in mind. This game is a lot easier and more relaxing when played with a gamepad I just love it. The only downside is that its hard to type and walk at the same time :p. I just thought I'd ask because I've seen a few posts where people dont like the interface with mouse and keyboard.

Tukka · 02-16-2004, 08:14 AM

The gamepad certainly has its advantages. As I've stated before, not having to hunch over the keyboard is pretty nice, and since the interface was designed with the PS2 in mind, navigating the interface is pretty easy with a gamepad, while it is not designed to take full advantage of the capabilities of a keyboard.

I still think the keyboard is functionally somewhat superior when you're in a party, even without considering the fact that it's allows you to communicate more quickly/easily with groupmates. It's not that much better, though.

But even though I find the controller more relaxing and functionally not that much worse than the keyboard, I still usually use the keyboard even when I don't feel I need to. I want dealing with the interface to become as "second nature" as possible, and since the keyboard is the more powerful input method, I want to be as proficient and practiced in using it as possible.

soki · 02-16-2004, 09:22 AM

Playing with gamepad is 1000x more comfortable for me because yeah, you don't have to be hunched over your keyboard, which helps when you play for long hours. However, while I prefer gamepad, I admit that the keyboard is more efficient.

Jorasik · 02-16-2004, 07:30 PM

Ok, here is what you do:

Go buy a PS2 Dual Shock 2 controller (any PS or PS2 with Analog sticks will work though). Go to Radio Shack and get their $10 Playstation-to-USB adapter.

Plug it in.

This will work 10x better than any gamepad currently available for the PC and is cheap, especially if you already own a PS2.

P.S. Stay away from the Logitech Dual Action Gamepad, I got it and 3 days later I found out it will start to lose calibration after 10 mins of play. Then I read on the logitech boards that everyone was having that problem. Stick with the Playstation controllers!

Good luck!

Tukka · 02-16-2004, 09:05 PM

Yeah, that's what I did, Jorasik. It's not only good for FF11, but it's perfect for playing various old games via emulator.

The Radio Shack PS/USB adapter doesn't seem to support the force feedback function though (it's the one I have). The PS/USB adapter I tried before that (Soyo's Kiki-Joy) wouldn't work at all on my system. I know there are better PS/USB adapters out there, but most of them are pretty expensive, and/or have to be imported.

Peppara · 02-16-2004, 09:09 PM

I use the nyko air flo. They make controllers for PS 2 and Xbox as well. Works great

It has the dual analog sticks and all the trimmings plus it has a fan to keep your hands cool

Kurgan · 02-17-2004, 05:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tukka
Yeah, that's what I did, Jorasik. It's not only good for FF11, but it's perfect for playing various old games via emulator.

The Radio Shack PS/USB adapter doesn't seem to support the force feedback function though (it's the one I have). The PS/USB adapter I tried before that (Soyo's Kiki-Joy) wouldn't work at all on my system. I know there are better PS/USB adapters out there, but most of them are pretty expensive, and/or have to be imported.

If you run the setup.exe on the floppy disk included with the adapter and remove and reinstall the gamepad and reconfigure it, the vibration function WILL work. It worked very well for me. But I've had a couple of rare game crashes, and it seemed to be linked to the vibration function. I've since disabled it, but I definitely miss it.

And playing this game with a PS2 controller seems to be the best way to play the game for me. I was missing the keyboard at first, but I don't want to go back anymore.

Jorasik · 02-17-2004, 06:03 AM

Kurgan, that is exactly what happened to me. I installed the disk for the force feedback function and then realized that in groups when a lot of action was going on it would cause me to crash so I had to disable the force feedback. Haven't crashed yet now!

Anyone know where an updated drive may be found so we can turn the function back on?

sharlngan · 02-18-2004, 01:35 PM

mind letting me know if yall find an updated driver too?

the vibration was nice!

soki · 02-18-2004, 02:22 PM

My adaptor supports vibration perfectly, with no crashes or anything.
http://www.hkems.com/product/ps2/ps2-usb2.htm
http://www.hkems.com/files/EMS%20USB%20JOYPAD2.zip

Bonepart · 02-19-2004, 11:33 AM

I have a serial to ps2 adapter, but I'm having problems finding drivers for it

I suppose I could go get a USB adapter, but I'm still holding out hope on finding proper drivers for what I have

sharlngan · 02-19-2004, 01:42 PM

soki are those updated drivers for the radioshack psx2usb?

TaipanX · 02-19-2004, 02:33 PM

So how do you guys do macros and stuff? Ive been thinking about getting a usb-ps2 converter but not sure on it yet because I do a lot of typing. I guess if I was in a party I could use the controller but if I'm out farming and chatting with my LS it sounds like itd be easier to use the keyboard.

Peppara · 02-19-2004, 09:06 PM

Macros are a breeze I just hit the macro buttons and select what macro I want to use from the menu.

scim · 02-20-2004, 01:56 AM

I use PS2 + Smartyjoy plus usb converter (from lik sang for around 35 dollars) it works great. Only problem I have (haven't been able to find out where it's coming from, mayb bad drivers) is that sometimes the vibration will keep on going even when the ciritcal hit or spell has long lost it's effect. It keeps on vibrating until i create a new vibration, then it will stop again. Very strange.

But imho if you're in a party vibration is just too much, it'll keep rumbling in your hands spell after spell, ws after ws etc.

Pretty severe

But it makes playing lot easer, camera view and walking with 2 analog sticks macros with the back buttons (the 2 R buttons) easy menu navigation with the normal arrows etc. It owns the keyboard imho

and talking is easy.
Too bad my PC setup and TV are too far away from each other, else i would configure it to be playable on the TV and play from my bed instead of my not so comfy to lie back in chair

02-16-2004, 08:02 AM	#1
Peppara Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 172 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	PC FFXI Gamepad Does anybody else find playing with a gamepad so much easier? I think its because square designed this thing with a console in mind. This game is a lot easier and more relaxing when played with a gamepad I just love it. The only downside is that its hard to type and walk at the same time :p. I just thought I'd ask because I've seen a few posts where people dont like the interface with mouse and keyboard.

02-16-2004, 09:22 AM	#3
soki Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 89 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Playing with gamepad is 1000x more comfortable for me because yeah, you don't have to be hunched over your keyboard, which helps when you play for long hours. However, while I prefer gamepad, I admit that the keyboard is more efficient. __________________ stop the hate

02-18-2004, 02:22 PM	#10
soki Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 89 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	My adaptor supports vibration perfectly, with no crashes or anything. http://www.hkems.com/product/ps2/ps2-usb2.htm http://www.hkems.com/files/EMS%20USB%20JOYPAD2.zip __________________ stop the hate

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02-16-2004, 08:14 AM	#2
Tukka Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 220 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	The gamepad certainly has its advantages. As I've stated before, not having to hunch over the keyboard is pretty nice, and since the interface was designed with the PS2 in mind, navigating the interface is pretty easy with a gamepad, while it is not designed to take full advantage of the capabilities of a keyboard. I still think the keyboard is functionally somewhat superior when you're in a party, even without considering the fact that it's allows you to communicate more quickly/easily with groupmates. It's not that much better, though. But even though I find the controller more relaxing and functionally not that much worse than the keyboard, I still usually use the keyboard even when I don't feel I need to. I want dealing with the interface to become as "second nature" as possible, and since the keyboard is the more powerful input method, I want to be as proficient and practiced in using it as possible.

02-16-2004, 07:30 PM	#4
Jorasik Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	Ok, here is what you do: Go buy a PS2 Dual Shock 2 controller (any PS or PS2 with Analog sticks will work though). Go to Radio Shack and get their $10 Playstation-to-USB adapter. Plug it in. This will work 10x better than any gamepad currently available for the PC and is cheap, especially if you already own a PS2. P.S. Stay away from the Logitech Dual Action Gamepad, I got it and 3 days later I found out it will start to lose calibration after 10 mins of play. Then I read on the logitech boards that everyone was having that problem. Stick with the Playstation controllers! Good luck!

02-16-2004, 09:05 PM	#5
Tukka Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 220 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	Yeah, that's what I did, Jorasik. It's not only good for FF11, but it's perfect for playing various old games via emulator. The Radio Shack PS/USB adapter doesn't seem to support the force feedback function though (it's the one I have). The PS/USB adapter I tried before that (Soyo's Kiki-Joy) wouldn't work at all on my system. I know there are better PS/USB adapters out there, but most of them are pretty expensive, and/or have to be imported.

02-16-2004, 09:09 PM	#6
Peppara Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 172 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	I use the nyko air flo. They make controllers for PS 2 and Xbox as well. Works great It has the dual analog sticks and all the trimmings plus it has a fan to keep your hands cool

02-17-2004, 06:03 AM	#8
Jorasik Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	Kurgan, that is exactly what happened to me. I installed the disk for the force feedback function and then realized that in groups when a lot of action was going on it would cause me to crash so I had to disable the force feedback. Haven't crashed yet now! Anyone know where an updated drive may be found so we can turn the function back on?

02-18-2004, 01:35 PM	#9
sharlngan Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 199 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	mind letting me know if yall find an updated driver too? the vibration was nice!

02-19-2004, 11:33 AM	#11
Bonepart Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 2 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	I have a serial to ps2 adapter, but I'm having problems finding drivers for it I suppose I could go get a USB adapter, but I'm still holding out hope on finding proper drivers for what I have

02-19-2004, 01:42 PM	#12
sharlngan Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 199 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	soki are those updated drivers for the radioshack psx2usb?

02-19-2004, 02:33 PM	#13
TaipanX Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 12 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	So how do you guys do macros and stuff? Ive been thinking about getting a usb-ps2 converter but not sure on it yet because I do a lot of typing. I guess if I was in a party I could use the controller but if I'm out farming and chatting with my LS it sounds like itd be easier to use the keyboard.

02-19-2004, 09:06 PM	#14
Peppara Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 172 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	Macros are a breeze I just hit the macro buttons and select what macro I want to use from the menu.

02-20-2004, 01:56 AM	#15
scim Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2 Style: Light Theme V7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0x in 0 Posts	I use PS2 + Smartyjoy plus usb converter (from lik sang for around 35 dollars) it works great. Only problem I have (haven't been able to find out where it's coming from, mayb bad drivers) is that sometimes the vibration will keep on going even when the ciritcal hit or spell has long lost it's effect. It keeps on vibrating until i create a new vibration, then it will stop again. Very strange. But imho if you're in a party vibration is just too much, it'll keep rumbling in your hands spell after spell, ws after ws etc. Pretty severe But it makes playing lot easer, camera view and walking with 2 analog sticks macros with the back buttons (the 2 R buttons) easy menu navigation with the normal arrows etc. It owns the keyboard imho and talking is easy. Too bad my PC setup and TV are too far away from each other, else i would configure it to be playable on the TV and play from my bed instead of my not so comfy to lie back in chair