What peripherals do people use to play FFXI on PC?

[username]

I in advance apologize if this is in the wrong forum.


I'm going to be buying the rest of the parts for my new PC build soon and I've pretty much lowered the quality of the keyboard and mouse that I am using to buy better products for the stuff that goes inside the computer case.


Now from what I understood like a year ago that people used their PS2 controller to play the game via some sort of adapter. Where may I find such an adapter and how would I go about configuring the controls? Now, are there people out there who play the game solely with the keyboard and mouse? Anyone use a different game pad? Thanks.

[Macht]

On PC I do solely keyboard, no mouse. On the PS2 I use a Keyboard/Controller. On the controller some motions are a lot easier to acomplish with then keybaord, and mouse what just an abomination to use for me (The controls on mouse are just crazy).

Yes there is a game adapter should be able to find links to it on here is you do a search, I'm sure TheGrandMom has posted many links for it.

[Frolly]

I basicly use a Logitech controller which they recommend on the FFXI site. Just not the wire-less one. I hate wire-less...things get flunky sometimes...lol ^^

[username]

I think I know which gamepad you are talking about.


For the PS2 I remember I used the Logitech Netplay. Does anyone use that on the PC version?

[Aeni]

I use the PS2 DualShock2 Controller for my PC version :P I actually have both a PS2 copy and a PC copy of FFXI, so theoretically I could have two accounts to play on (But atm, I only play on one account, but with so many toons, I'm kicking myself over that)

I haven't played with other game controllers yet, but I feel the PS2 controller is the best and simply because the game was made for the PS2 afterall. Although my controller is really used and worn and I'll have to head over to my Best Buys to get a new one to replace it (The L2/R2 buttons are sticking, which makes for a nasty bug when trying to win claim on a macro'd spell/ability)

[fuz]

I eventually just went keyboard onry.

Played with mouse, tablet, joystick, and gamepad. None had quite the flexibility I wanted (rdm macro lists are a bitch). However, gamepad is the best for the limited functions it can do, and I find running around on it and controlling the camera in 3rd person much easier.

[Tsikuro]

I think I know which gamepad you are talking about.


For the PS2 I remember I used the Logitech Netplay. Does anyone use that on the PC version?

I do. You can get an adaptor for it at Radioshack for $10.

[chrono1975]

for the PC version I use keyboard only, rarely touch the mouse. I've never used a ps2 controller so I can't comment on it.
ps. if you want a badass keyboard get teh logitec G15, it has macro keys to make life in ffxi a little easier.

[bikkebakke]

I have an adapter I bought at Radio Shack that plugs into a USB port and allows me to use my PS2 controller... and my keyboard of course.

[TheGrandMom]

I think I know which gamepad you are talking about.


For the PS2 I remember I used the Logitech Netplay. Does anyone use that on the PC version?

Yes my entire family plays on the PC and uses the Logitech Netplay. We've tried using just our keyboard, then a keyboard and PS2 controller, and finally the NetPlay. The NetPlay won hands down on ease of use, convienence, and comfort. I spoke about it in more detail in this thread:

http://www.ffxionline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=51217

[Aeni]

for the PC version I use keyboard only, rarely touch the mouse. I've never used a ps2 controller so I can't comment on it.
ps. if you want a badass keyboard get teh logitec G15, it has macro keys to make life in ffxi a little easier.

I had this one on pre-order ... I need to go see if they shipped this yet or not, because it wasn't available when I checked Logitech's website about 3 weeks ago ...

[Jei]

I use both keyboard and controller. controller being my main tho.
I used to play with keyboard only for almost a year. After I tried controller, i just love it. It makes the whole thing feel like a game. I can sit back on my chair, put my eyes in a safe distance from monitor and just play.

[Hyde]

Logitech G15

those marcos works soooo well in FFXI

[progenitor]

Currently, I am using Keybaord and a Thrustmaster Tacticalboard. I am pretty sure that thrustmaster stopped makin the tacticalboards, rumored to be making a next generation one, but it's been years and I haven't seen any anoucements of anything.

The Tacticalboard works great for the most part, it can be a little slow at times, but most of the time, you don't need high speed from it. It really is a shame they stopped supporting and making them.

I was using a Belkin Nostromo n50 SpeedPad for a while, but it didn't really have enough keys for me. The Nostromo™ SpeedPad n52 is now out, that has more buttons, but still not enough.

I've thought about getting a Flexiglow Cyber Snipa PC Game Pad but I am unsure of how programable it is.


I've REALLY been looking at the Ergodex DX1 Input System looks really cool and customizeable, but a little pricy, especially once you start buying more keys and trays. I probably will buy myself one for x-mas and play with it. I think that should be able to do everything that I want and thensome. The ability to custom layout they keys to fit your hand is really nice. It will just take me a bit of time to train my hand to use the new layouts.


-p

[Draco Dagon]

PC and PS2 alike, I use a keyboard/controller setup. However, I have a Wireless Keyboard/Mouse combo made by Microsoft, so wherever I use the one (keyboard or mouse), I use the other. But the controllers I have are a normal Sony PS2-default controller for PS2 and my Nyko Air Flo EX controller for PC.

[--e]

My Setup:

PS2 : logitech netplay FTW!

Laptop: Belkin Nostromo n45 (I /ADORE/ this controller), keyboard

PC#1 : Dualshock 2 via radio shack's adapter and an oldskool IBM clicky keyboard (no fscking microsoft hotkeys, thankyouverymuch).

PC#2 (for 2boxing) : logitech netplay via another ratshack adapter, free ghetto keyboard

PC#3 (backup) : Whatever the hell I can cobble together. POS microsoft sidewinder hooked up right now, mostly for emulating Elevator Action and Chystalis atm

NO MOUSE. EVAR.

I feel pretty comfy in echo'ing TGM in her passionate advocation of the netplay. it's comfy, well designed, cheap, and well built. Not only is she a neighbor of mine (mke in the hizzity!), but she knows what the hell she's talking about. I'm a logitech whore, but their dualshock knockoff is crap. There are a ton of PS2->USB adapters to use a dualshock with your PC, and they work very well. In fact, that's the most common solution. My Nostromo n45 has worked like magic since before NA release, and shows no sign of slowing down. I can't play rdm without it, as the select button spams refresh and the start button dispel. Pimp, eh?. Madcatz PC stuff has disappointed me, as have the nykos I've tried.

Find whatever's comfy and then twitch/tweak it until you're happy.

Good luck!

--e

[Pounce]

I use the Nostromo N52. I can't imagine playing this game without it, especially with the less-than-user-friendly interface FFXI has.

Due to some issues I was without it shortly after I recently built my new computer, and the experience was awful.

[DakAttack]

I just use a keyboard because it's so easy to use. I can control everything with my right hand. I can move, change the camera angles, rest, open the menu, etc. I can also easily use my left hand to tab through enemies, or hit F8 to target one, and I do frequently use the mouse when going through the menus.

I also have night vision goggles.

[TheGrandMom]

I also have night vision goggles.

Those are an absolute must for when your formor hunting. Also when you venture into Ifrit's Cauldron.

[ifandbut]

I use both keyboard and controller. controller being my main tho.
I used to play with keyboard only for almost a year. After I tried controller, i just love it. It makes the whole thing feel like a game. I can sit back on my chair, put my eyes in a safe distance from monitor and just play.

Exactly! Playing a game made for the PS2 the way it was ment to be played, with a PS2 controler.

I think being able to sit back in my chair is what make the game better, I'v tryed SWG and WoW but when I play those I have to hunch over my keyboard and mouse like some game addic. Instead I can lean back and act like I'm casualy playing a game.

[Lunaryn]

http://www.buynshop.com/productinfophp3/VG-PS-PS2PC4

Unless you either don't have a parallel port (notebook computer? budget computer? *shrug*) or you need your parallel port for a printer and don't want to have to switch cables, I highly recommend this. It's an incredibly simple device, all wiring, and the driver polling needed to read a PS2 controller is really quite minimal. At about $4 it's hard to beat the price (it was $6 when I bought it, should I feel cheated? :P ). Additionally, if you use GNU/Linux at all, this is natively supported by Linux's gamecon driver. (Windows drivers are linked from the product info, I use NTPAD for FFXI on Win2k, just make sure to turn D-Pad Axis Mapping off.) NTPAD represents this to the system as a 4-axis, 16-button joystick. Just set some sane mappings in the joystick config program and you're ready to go. I use the PS2 controller all the time in FFXI, it's great.

[Minimee]

i have 3 copies of the game. 1 ps2 original pc version and now the dvd set. 99 percent of the time i use pc and keyboard with mouse. when on ps2 i have the logitech netplay, i really like it and playing on 62 inch bigscreen just i need longer cords. i have one of the new logitech G15 keyboards on the UPS truck atm. i also have a playstation controller adapter for the pc, but prefer a keyboard anymore.