What game controller for Portal 2?

[padapada]

Which specific models work fine with OSX and Portal2?
What additional software do I need?

Patrick

[DanielCoffey]

If you don't get a reply here form Mac Portal players, you could Search on the Steam Portal 2 Forums (http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=854). I would assume any OSX Controller would be fine with Portal2 - after all it only has the movement, view, use, duck, zoom, blue and orange portal keys, all of which are mappable in Portal2.

[Alaerian]

Curious why you are anti mouse/keyboard

[Yumunum]

Curious why you are anti mouse/keyboard

He's probably like most console gamers, who prefer a real controller because they're actually optimized for gaming. I'm anti-keyboard + mouse too. Xbox 360 controllers all the way!

[Alaerian]

A "real" controller, on a first person game.

Yeah. That makes a lot of sense. :rolleyes:

[Yumunum]

A "real" controller, on a first person game.

Yeah. That makes a lot of sense. :rolleyes:

Are you even a gamer? Seriously? I prefer a console controller, but at least I'm open and I understand the benefits of both sides. The fact that the game is first-person changes nothing. Try and look through someone else's eyes and get a grip.

[Alaerian]

I understand the benefits of a controller, but not for a first person game - albeit moreso for shooters where the requirement for quick reflexes are much greater. They cannot be executed with a controller as quickly as with a quickflip mouse jerk on muscle memory. That's not opinion - it's fact.

In Portal, it's much less necessary given the slower nature of the game. But in any FPS, I can't ever imagine using a controller. It's akin to being crippled. Leave the controllers to Mario.

[Eric5h5]

Which specific models work fine with OSX and Portal2?

Mouse+keyboard.

What additional software do I need?

None. Portal 2 seems to have support for Xbox360 controllers, but honestly, you're better off taking a few minutes to get used to mouse+keyboard control for first-person games.

--Eric

[Yumunum]

I understand the benefits of a controller, but not for a first person game - albeit moreso for shooters where the requirement for quick reflexes are much greater. They cannot be executed with a controller as quickly as with a quickflip mouse jerk on muscle memory. That's not opinion - it's fact.

In Portal, it's much less necessary given the slower nature of the game. But in any FPS, I can't ever imagine using a controller. It's akin to being crippled. Leave the controllers to Mario.

Interesting point. Personally, I still find a controller to be the best (for me), and there are millions of others out there just like me. There are also millions of others like you. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion, and no controlling method is better than the other, it's personal preference. Maybe think about that next time

[SuperMatt]

The original First Person Shooters were designed for mouse and keyboard control. In some way, that system of controls still feels the best for people that have been FPSing for a long time. Certainly a good gaming mouse feels much more precise that an analog stick you work with your thumb. Also, the keyboard has way more "buttons" than a controller does.

[Dagless]

He's probably like most console gamers, who prefer a real controller because they're actually optimized for gaming. I'm anti-keyboard + mouse too. Xbox 360 controllers all the way!

Game controllers are hardly optimised for gaming. They have a more intuitive layout but you can't perform as many actions at once.

"anti keyboard and mouse"... now I've heard it all :rolleyes:.

Controllers are great for some games though, but for the majority where precision and speed is necessary; keyboard+mouse is the best. But PC's (and by extension Macs) are the best gaming platform because you're able to use whatever you bloody like!

[Eric5h5]

no controlling method is better than the other

Untrue. Keyboard controls are demonstrably more awkward than a gamepad for platform games (particularly 3D platform games), and mouse aiming is demonstrably more accurate than thumbstick aiming in FPS games. Link of discussion about adapting Monday Night Combat controls from console to PC. (http://www.penny-arcade.com/2011/1/24/)

--Eric

[Alaerian]

Yum, it's funny that you asked earlier if I was a gamer. Considering that I know how to adapt to different control systems for different genres, and I've played everything from fighters in the bowling alley arcade to FPS on my PC, I'd consider myself a "gamer."

You may think that a controller works best for you, but until you try what will undeniably work better, you really are just crippling yourself and your ability. If you DO have any interest in first person games and have a PC to play them on, challenge yourself and give mouse/keyboard a try. I guarantee you'll play better than with any controller on the market.

[Yumunum]

Yum, it's funny that you asked earlier if I was a gamer. Considering that I know how to adapt to different control systems for different genres, and I've played everything from fighters in the bowling alley arcade to FPS on my PC, I'd consider myself a "gamer."

You may think that a controller works best for you, but until you try what will undeniably work better, you really are just crippling yourself and your ability. If you DO have any interest in first person games and have a PC to play them on, challenge yourself and give mouse/keyboard a try. I guarantee you'll play better than with any controller on the market.

That's funny, it's the same for me too. I play first person shooters/other games on both too. I've adapted to both.

I prefer the console controller.

Is that a crime?

[Alaerian]

... a real controller because they're actually optimized for gaming.

Not a crime until ^that line referring to a first person game.

[Yumunum]

Not a crime until ^that line referring to a first person game.

What exactly do you mean by that? Keyboards were not created for gaming. They were created for typing. That's the truth, they are not optimized for gaming. There is a flaw in my argument though, because even though they aren't "optimized", they were made in a way that would make many people still prefer it over a console controller, which would be said to be "optimized" for gaming. It doesn't really matter though, because guess what, we have choice and freedom to prefer whatever we want. So before you continue this argument, I would like to know what you're trying to accomplish here. Shove your opinion down my throat? Even after you "prove" that keyboard + mouse is better than a console controller, it really won't matter, because there will still be millions of people just like me who 1. Prefer the feel of a console controller, and 2. Play better with them. Use as many facts as you like, it really doesn't change anything.

[Alaerian]

I wasn't arguing. Apparently you were (and throwing a hissyfit too).

Enjoy your controller.

[VPrime]

Any true FPS gamer knows mouse + keyboard is the only way to go.
Why do you think microsoft doesn't let Xbox live play with PC? It is not a technical issue. It is because PC gamers (with mouse and keyboard) would have the upper hand and make the game un fair.

[Eric5h5]

a console controller, which would be said to be "optimized" for gaming.

It's only "optimized" for certain limited types of games. I hope you're not going to start arguing that a gamepad is just as good as a steering wheel controller setup for racing games, for example, or a real joystick for flight simulators.

we have choice and freedom to prefer whatever we want.

Yes. Having preferences is one thing, claiming that any controller type is just as good as any other controller type, regardless of the game, is factually incorrect. Did you bother to read the link I posted? You should.

--Eric

[chocolaterabbit]

Even after you "prove" that keyboard + mouse is better than a console controller, it really won't matter, because there will still be millions of people just like me who 1. Prefer the feel of a console controller, and 2. Play better with them. Use as many facts as you like, it really doesn't change anything.

Fact: A mouse is much more accurate than an analog stick.
Subjective: Your opinion of what's better. Sure you prefer controllers and that's your right, and you may do better on them because you have experience, but what we're telling you is that a mouse is more accurate than a controller and that's free of your preference.

[bmb012]

I've been gaming since I was like 6 and I'm terrible with a mouse and keyboard.

It's just straight up not fun. Pointing and clicking doesn't feel like I'm playing a game. And hell, it's Portal 2, you don't need quick movements and pixel accuracy. I beat the game with a 360 controller and it played wonderfully.

So yeah, 360 controller is the best for gaming on a Mac, looks like most (all?) of Valve's games support the 360 controller natively, without 3rd party drivers, though those are available for other games.

[Dagless]

I've been gaming since I was like 6 and I'm terrible with a mouse and keyboard.

Heh, me too. Spectrum (keyboard+controller) at 5, Amiga (keyboard+mouse+controller) at 6.
I believe they all have their place. Of course genres like FPS, RTS, Adventure all work best with keyboard and mouse. Platformers, Racing all play best with a controller.
But all the games I make are based around controllers even though I much prefer the precision, speed and dynamics of a keyboard+mouse.

[Nightarchaon]

Keyboard and mouse is the ONLY way an evolved person plays anything like portal 2 , or indeed any first person shooter, unless your a retarded console player, then whatever you feel most comfortable using with your under evolved paws :D

[Nightarchaon]

Any true FPS gamer knows mouse + keyboard is the only way to go.
Why do you think microsoft doesn't let Xbox live play with PC? It is not a technical issue. It is because PC gamers (with mouse and keyboard) would have the upper hand and make the game un fair.

Microsoft did toy with PC / Xbox cross over game play, was it Shadowrun (cant remember off the top of my head, but it might have been called that) , i remember edge doing an article with the developer team about how much of a headache it was to get the balance right because Keyboard/mouse players, even in the hands of a novice at gaming, could completely devastate even a professional gamer playing on the Xbox, the responsiveness of keyboard and mouse, and the precision completely overruled the console players skill.

They had to introduce all sort of auto aim features for the console version and add an artificial "lag" to the PC version to even things out.

Even now, FPS games on consoles have a large amount of "auto aim" going on in the background because of the massive inaccuracy and slow reaction a gamepad has when put against a mouse.

Now... looking to the future, the PS move , if they get the other controls right for being able to move and look around , will be as good ,if not better than a mouse for aiming... as your actually, aiming.

(Killzone 3 fails at the looking around mechanism sadly having to use the edges of the screen to turn around left when you want to be aiming at something on the right is annoying as hell , but gets so much more right)

[Dagless]

Microsoft did toy with PC / Xbox cross over game play, was it Shadowrun (cant remember off the top of my head, but it might have been called that) , i remember edge doing an article with the developer team about how much of a headache it was to get the balance right because Keyboard/mouse players, even in the hands of a novice at gaming, could completely devastate even a professional gamer playing on the Xbox, the responsiveness of keyboard and mouse, and the precision completely overruled the console players skill.

And the only modern example of cross console-PC gaming is Portal 2, which isn't competitive or reaction based (most of the time).

[Reasec]

Umm... mouse and keyboard? :rolleyes:

[Huntn]

I have to reinforce the concept of keyboard/mouse or trackball. I have a 4 button MS Trackball Explorer which has all the buttons you'd ever need to play Portal2. Within the game it recognizes my trackball buttons allowing me to program them as I prefer. :)

If you've primarily used a console for gaming, I can see being used to a controller, and although P2 does not really require super accuracy, if you ever get into a shooter, you'll find that you'll be able to outperform with your keyboard/mouse as compared to a console type controller.

[AdrianK]

I'm sure the OP will be extremely appreciative of all the responses telling them that their personal preference is 'wrong'.

[Huntn]

I'm sure the OP will be extremely appreciative of all the responses telling them that their personal preference is 'wrong'.

He could be. :D Most of the anti-controller responses reflect the views of many forum participants. My guess is that those who prefer controllers will speak up if they haven't all ready.

Apple does mention Carvware Software for game pad/controllers in this link (http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/games/utilities/gamepadcompanion.html). :):)

[Patrick946]

I would much rather use a controller than a laptop trackpad + keyboard. Plus, I already own a Dualshock 3, but don't have a mouse. Granted, Portal is the closest thing to a first person shooter that I play (Uncharted and RE5 are the closest runners up). Using a mouse is important for competitive first person shooters, but that doesn't mean that any of you need to be so critical of other types of games/control schemes. Someone even pointed out earlier that Portal doesn't need especially quick reflexes, so if someone is used to using a controller then they will do fine with one.

[DavidLeblond]

Man you people are religious about your game controllers. Honestly, if you can play a FPS game with a controller more power to you. I'm in awe at anyone who can do that.

I know a dude that beat Portal 1 on his MBP using only the keyboard + TRACKPAD. Now THAT is impressive. :eek:

[Dagless]

Man you people are religious about your game controllers. Honestly, if you can play a FPS game with a controller more power to you. I'm in awe at anyone who can do that.

I know a dude that beat Portal 1 on his MBP using only the keyboard + TRACKPAD. Now THAT is impressive. :eek:

Used to play L4D1 with someone who used a MBP trackpad. Couldn't keep up with us speedrunners but she could hold her own in regular games.

I've now got a Magic Trackpad. That thing is going nowhere near my games. :p

[Patrick946]

I know a dude that beat Portal 1 on his MBP using only the keyboard + TRACKPAD. Now THAT is impressive. :eek:

Hah, I just did that... after beating Portal 2 on PS3. Seriously, there are worse things than using controllers.

[bmb012]

Keyboard and mouse is the ONLY way an evolved person plays anything like portal 2 , or indeed any first person shooter, unless your a retarded console player, then whatever you feel most comfortable using with your under evolved paws :D

Yeah I've definitely been banned for saying tamer things than that.

I've actually been playing Amnesia on my Macbook Pro with just the trackpad, too. You never have to aim and shoot (well, click) anything at the same time, and the imprecise controls just make the game more atmospheric to me. It really adds to the game.

[Ludisto]

For me, the type of game determines how I control it.

For strategy games, such as Age of Empires, Civilization V and Imperial Glory, I prefer to use keyboard and mouse, because there are too many functions for a controller to cope with, and there's more time to consider each action.

For faster-paced games such as Asphalt 6, Call of Duty 4 and Team Fortress 2, I prefer to use controllers.

I would use controllers on Splinter Cell Conviction and Assassin's Creed II, but it turns out that Ubisoft games on the Mac do not accommodate controllers, and not even controller-configuration software like ControllerMate can help.

[Signal-11]

It's possible that the casual gamer might prefer game controllers for FPSs because they think they play better. Almost all console FPSs, with very few exceptions, have aim assistance, simply because the thumbstick is such an awkward way to control a pointer.

Yumunum, try this at home. Start your console and open up something that gives you an onscreen keyboard. Write out a sentence without using predictive typing, let's say "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Time how long it takes to write that sentence by selecting each letter. Now do the same with your Mac's Keyboard Viewer. I can click type in about a tenth of the time as controller typing.

Every cross platform test for FPS games that any developer has ever conducted have always come to the same conclusion. It's not even remotely fair or competitive to let mouse using PC gamers to be in the same game as controller using console gamers.

[Yumunum]

It's possible that the casual gamer might prefer game controllers for FPSs because they think they play better. Almost all console FPSs, with very few exceptions, have aim assistance, simply because the thumbstick is such an awkward way to control a pointer.

Yumunum, try this at home. Start your console and open up something that gives you an onscreen keyboard. Write out a sentence without using predictive typing, let's say "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Time how long it takes to write that sentence by selecting each letter. Now do the same with your Mac's Keyboard Viewer. I can click type in about a tenth of the time as controller typing.

Every cross platform test for FPS games that any developer has ever conducted have always come to the same conclusion. It's not even remotely fair or competitive to let mouse using PC gamers to be in the same game as controller using console gamers.

That was a very good example btw.

I'm not sure how to put my thoughts into words now... I mean, I see the benefits of a keyboard and mouse, but I also see a benefit to the more "controlled" way of aiming with a nice joystick. Call me crazy, but with the sensitivity setting set just right, I find aiming on a controller to be more likable. It just feels steadier, and I don't have unwanted movements. It's just how I like it. But yes I do completely see what you guys are saying, it's how a lot of people like it. But even then, there is more to a controller than aiming, even in a FPS game. So deciding which controller is "better" is still subject to opinion. Maybe for most people, which one aims better is NOT subjective, but there's more to playing games then aiming. Firing, crouching, ducking. I find those things way easier when I have a console controller, a controller with the buttons placed perfectly within reach of (or right under) my fingers. It just feels right.

I'm really tired right now and losing interest in this conversation, so if what I said didn't actually answer the proper questions, ya know, it's fine. If I'm I'm wrong and if I'm right I'm right. Good luck playing to you all, no matter how you do it

[Gpob89]

So, is anyone going to actually make a suggestion for a gamepad? I would actually like to know... There's other trolling forums out there you all can go occupy.

[Beta Particle]

Keyboard & Mouse? Xbox controller?

Clearly you should be using a Novint Falcon
http://i.imgur.com/Lp9jj.jpg

Or a Razer Hydra, if you're a real gamer.
http://i.imgur.com/XTGov.jpg

There are even six specific test chambers in Portal 2 built for the Hydra.


So, is anyone going to actually make a suggestion for a gamepad? I would actually like to know... There's other trolling forums out there you all can go occupy.The best option for PCs is actually an Xbox 360 controller & wireless receiver. I don't know what Mac compatibility is like.

[jcorrnt]

I have nerve damage in my left hand which keeps me from being able to use the asdf keys, this is the reason for my preference for a controller.

Which gets me back to my current need: I've installed Portal 2 from steam and need a workable solution to get my PS3 controller to work. I see the PS3 Controller in the BT menu. From within the game, the controller buttons/ joysticks mostly do not work.

How do i fix this?

Thanks,

jcorrnt

[skottichan]

I'll be honest. I've played TF2 for years, I'm terrible with keyboard and mouse. I can't seem to get the feel of aiming with a mouse. When I use a 360 controller, not only do I play better, I use significantly less ammo.

It's weird. I tried really hard to get into the whole "Keyboard & Mouse are the only way", but they're just not for me.

[53kyle]

I beat portal, portal 2, and even portal prelude all on a LATE 2006 MacBook with keyboard and trackpad. I had to put the settings all on lowest and overclock the "gpu" to get 7 fps, so it took me a couple months to beat it between crashing and lagging to the point that one second I would be one place, another in the goo, but it is actually easy on the mbp 2010 with the trackpad and keyboard, on high settings and beat all of them in a day or two