Joystick - do I really need one?

[Tutonic]

Hi Folks - I'm quite tempted to pick up Elite now it seems to be gathering pace, but I don't have enough room to cram a joystick alongside my keyboard & mouse.

So, is this game playable with K&M/joypad or will I be wasting my time?

[BrotherTobious]

You can play with both I am lead to believe but I have not played it but have preordered it an age ago.

Also you could do a Albert and strap them to your chair!!!!!

[albert]

Suggestions:

https://www.google.com/search?q=kempston+joystick&newwindow=1&espv=2&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=3ixqVKvkHMjCOc69gYAI&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ&biw=2027&bih=988&dpr=0.9

Seriously, the keyboard part is perfectly fine and you could probably adapt your style of play to keyboard for movement. Try it with a mouse and it's not easy. They have this analogue simulation thing going on where the further your mouse pointer is from centre the faster you move in that direction. I took an hour to get the hang of it and dock safely, could I dogfight with a mouse, probably but not easily or with much enjoyment. It's simply not point and move like War Thunder.

Mouse is good in menus etc. In game as a movement engine it's not good.

Suggest a smaller joystick or a gamepad, that could sit along side your mouse. Just having one hand on the stick and another on the keyboard would be good enough.

Or this is quite slim:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Saitek+Aviator+Flightstick+for+PC

[Twyst]

So, is this game playable with K&M/joypad or will I be wasting my time?

It is playable with K&M. I don't have a joypad.

But after moving to a HOTAS (Joystick + throttle with many buttons) it's hard to ever go back.
Think of doing the timed laps at the dMw LAN with the racing chair .... it adds a lot to the experience to make it more fun and immersive.

[albert]

These guys may make a miniature joystick. Certainly worth looking into at least having the xy(z maybe but not likely to be practical on a small device) axes and a couple of buttons for boost and flight assist would be perfect to lie next to your mouse.

http://www.megatron.de/en/products/desktop-joysticks/desktop-joystick-series-rs-desktop.html

http://www.apem.co.uk/RS-Desktop-v10-d-949.html

http://www.ultra-msi.com/miniature-joysticks.html

[albert]

Ok so these more industrial goods are a tad expensive: 292 pouds excl. VAT. Better buy a normal one.

http://www.digikey.co.uk/product-search/en/computers-office-components-accessories/desktop-joysticks-simulation-products/3671277

[Gortex]

has anyone tried an xbox controller in the game yet? and is it anygood?

Tut's question is one that I was thinking about what with the want to buy the game but reluctant to spend lots on a new joystick.

[Tutonic]

I'm not convinced.

I don't have room for a joystick of any size, so I think I will have to give this game a miss.

[albert]

An XBox controller works perfectly well, for sure. I used it several times and the analogue stick is good as a way of manoeuvring.

[vobler]

I don't have room for a joystick of any size, so I think I will have to give this game a miss.

I think you will do fine with a game controller or if that is difficult for you, a joystick on your lap (on some kind of laptop board if needed)
In any case, desktop space is not a problem.

[Twyst]

When you played Elite on the train did you use a HOTAS and if you haven't done so can you do it and take a picture? Can i have a signed copy of it?

No. I used an Xbox controller...

https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php?t=60284&page=16&p=1024623#post1024623

[albert]

I take it that wasn't on the train on the Offline )) version of Elite@ Dangerous!

[Twyst]

No, single player online version!

http://www.deadmen.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?40377-The-theoretical-S-has-hit-the-fan&p=391116#post391116

[Sn00ks]

I'm not convinced.

I don't have room for a joystick of any size, so I think I will have to give this game a miss.

Defeatist!

Why not hold the joystick in your lap while using it and then put it to one side when you need the mouse and keyboard? If you get one with throttle and stuff on the base you can operate them with one hand and play with the joy part with the other.

[BrotherTobious]

I have just played this evening with my 360 pad tut and gortex and it is very playable.  Even with stock set up!!!!