X-box controller

[Gortex]

I am thinking about possibly getting Elite over the weekend (or continue to level my mage)...... but I don't have a joystick to use and in experience using mouse and keyboard to fly anything ends up with me hitting trees, hills and any kind of structure.

I do have an x-box controller and wondering how well this works with the game and if anyone else has tried using one to play the game and can give their advice or tips for it. Will be the deciding factor I think.

[BrotherTobious]

http://www.deadmen.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?40319-Recommended-control-interface&p=392592&viewfull=1#post392592

I used it for sometime and it works ok Chaos is using it.  Nice way to see if you like the game then get yourself a flight stick if you like it.  You will want one for SC.

[Sneakytiger]

yeah m8 a xbox pad is ok to begin with then I'd go with a hotas style joystick x52 pro or x55 rhino

but the xbox pad should do you well for now , one of us are usually on ts for any help you would need.

[ArithonUK]

I've not used it with a XBOX controller, mainly because I've never not on with them.

When I started playing Elite last July, I dusted off my old (and I mean old) Logitech Wingman (note the serial to USB adaptor) . Circa Descent Freespace 1999.

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With the thrusters mapped to the hat, it gave me great control. I still used keyboard for throttle though, as I needed to use the keyboard for other functions anyway.

I've seen one (today) brand new on eBay for 14.99, so if you want to get a small-footprint flight stick, this is a good budget option.

After putting in 250 hours on Elite in four months last year, I decided the X52 was a good "birthday gift" for myself!

[Chaosphere]

I am thinking about possibly getting Elite over the weekend (or continue to level my mage)...... but I don't have a joystick to use and in experience using mouse and keyboard to fly anything ends up with me hitting trees, hills and any kind of structure.

I do have an x-box controller and wondering how well this works with the game and if anyone else has tried using one to play the game and can give their advice or tips for it. Will be the deciding factor I think.

As Toby said I use one, and it works fine. I won't say it is ideal, because it has its negatives, but it still gives a very enjoyable game experience. The main 2 things I have found is that to really enjoy using it I have had to remap the controls to suit my liking, fortunately this is very easy to do - if you take the plunge have a chat to one of us about what controls you need at your fingertips, there are some that I consider essential on my controller that I had to put there myself, and without them there I would not be as happy using it as I am.

The other thing is that it is still a bit clunky going from controller to keyboard (which you inevitably have to do for 1 or 2 functions - not often, though - for me it is usually just for docking and take off) and controller to mouse (only for my push to talk which I have been unable to map to my 360s control pad - but I haven't tried, I am sure you can find a way but tamespeak seems unable to do this natively).

Overall I am really enjoying the game and actually flying and fighting seem (now that I have the controller set up) very natural and fluid on the 360 pad. I think if you have used one a lot before (which I am sure you have for Fifa and so on) I don't think you will have any problems. Take the plunge and enjoy it, elite is a great game / space sim. I will be getting a joystick eventually as I imagine it just adds another layer of immersion to an already very immersive game. But, I have decided to wait until I can afford one of the 'proper' ones, with thrust one side of the keyboard and the control stick the other, which I believe will remove a lot of the awkwardness I am currently experiencing! All I need now is the money

Hope that helps...

[Gortex]

Thanks for the advice and tips.

Sorry to be a pain but can we keep this section/topic to x-box controller information rather than saying joysticks are the way to go as there are threads for this already. I am sure that is the case but to fork out additional money for a game that already cost £40 is a gamble for those with out large disposable incomes.

I found the following link and video which looks very helpful in setting it up, and seems custom set ups might be the way to go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WUy1RnE6eg

[BrotherTobious]

I dont like that set up.  When I was using mine I used control pad with out the yaw.  which meant I had my up down left right thrusters on the right hand stick.  And roll and pitch on the left hand side.

ok you loose yaw but you can roll to change the angle to get to the target.

I liked having all the thruster controls on that one stick as it made landing so much easier, along with helping turn hard when in a dogfight.

[Chaosphere]

Re set ups, I think it is best to just start the game and learn the basics with the default set up and go from there. You will soon find what feels awkward for you and can start to adjust and tweak controls from there. It's how I did it and now my controller set up is vastly different from default, but it was a very easy transition to make.

[RogueTaylor]

I use a Xbox one controller to play this game, I think it works very well but then I am more used to using the controller then a mouse and keyboard, my best friend did use a controller but in the end he has now got a joystick and says it better. I think if you have a Xbox controller or a controller is a nicer way to get hang off the game in my option and then if you like ( or love it like I do) then you can be like me and start to consider getting a joystick

[ArithonUK]

The XBOX controller settings were improved for 1.4 following the control system developed for the XBOX and while a HOTAS it ain't, it's very playable.

[BrotherTobious]

MMm would be interesting to see what Steam controler would be like on it

[RogueTaylor]

Yeah it would be interesting so would the new Xbox one elite controller, I enjoy using controllers as its what I am used to and in games like elite dangerous I am much better when I use one then the mouse and keyboard