Greeting everyone. I'm sure some of you may know I am on the verge of Carpal Tunnel syndrome. I find that if I play too much with a keyboard and mouse, my wrists will begin to ache and their is not stopping the pain unless I hear a brace for a couple of weeks. So, ever since this run of events I've had to put down many fun games of the FPS genre since I could no longer tackle the fast pace gaming of them. Also, I've taking a much slower pace to character MMORPGs. Final Fantasy XI is perhaps one of the best games for my wrists, because it is an MMORPG which allows me to completely handle the entire game with a PS2 controller plugged into my PC (using a USB adapter of course). Needless to say I've been spoiled by this pain-free game play experience, and I've saught to replicate it in other games. Now Warhammer is a game that was designed completely for the Keyboard and Mouse; however, I will taking up the mantle of seeing that it is not the only means in which it can be played. Xpadder is my saving grace. This extremely powerful and free program allows me to design several controller functions even if the game was never even considered for a controller. Not only this, I can set up multiple keymaps, and easily toggle between with a simple click of the button - not to mention set the sensitivity and reaction time of whatever joysticks come mounted. The following thread will be a record of my experiences, and also within them will be fully downloadable key configurations and insturctions for those who may wish to play a little differently. Who knows, if I map these well enough, you may find the controller more effective and quicker than the keyboard and mouse. Keep in mind that I may even script Macro commands as well, and apply them to work hand in hand with the controller functions I install - so expect me to do several experiments as the Guild Beta progresses. Today I will begin with using a list of Key binds for the WAR Beta, these however will not be downloadable for those not within the test. But I will be using them with a Trial Account of World of Warcraft until they finally send us the Beta Client. Since World of Warcraft offers a new "streaming" client, I no longer need to slap gigs of needless information to conduct these tests. I will post mt progress as it develops. Let me know what you think. PS: I don't care if you don't need controller support. I do, and I'm sharing my results for those who are either curious or suffer from pain as I do from the kayboard.
Orlean, this is wonderful info, but I'd prefer you hold off on posting it here for now and wait for the NDA to lift before such an info dump on our forums. However I'm sure you'd receive one heck of an audience for this from the Beta forums once you have access. Thanks! -KM
My newest findings are rather extraordinary if you care to listen. No doubt I will have a lot of work to do to make this function smoothly, but already there is mounds of potential. You might think "How can you script all the many hot keys and functions of an MMORG into a simple 12 button controller?" -- Well it's not easy, but it's possible. Again, Xpadder is a very powerful program. And I can use it to set up soem very complex scripts and functions which allows me to switch layouts in many different manners (even having a battle layout just by holding a button down, or even spells which will revert to a normal layout again when I release the button). Let me also point out I can program one single button to do many, many commands. In fact, and entire attack sequence can be scripted out and timed out. Allowing the user to focus on their target, and their hot keys. All you will have to do is simple hold a single button down, and it will play out your favorite attack pattern. All you (or I) will have to do is get timing right. After that, it's all up to you to get within range! So yes, the program I will be using will be very potent and powerful, and if you ask me -- much of my results should be kept in secret due to the extremely powerful potential these scripts offer our guild.
There is a lady that works for the company I work for. She is a medical transcriptionist that has about 20% movement left in her hands, she is one of our top typists, and she uses this keyboard.Datahand Ergo Movement Free keyboard This one just stuck out to me as a controller keyboard with mouse.http://www.alphagrips.com/
good info orlean. Keep up the good work, this might be a good way to play without people hurting their hands
People diss trackball mice, but I find them very comfortable to use. They're just not accurate sometimes, but I'm sure that can be fixed.
Orleanknight would this work like the nostroma N95 works?.....I use to use that back for grinding lvling gear after TOA....would set it up and go to work....even would alt tab for my heal bot
I just looked up some newer track mice, and there doesn't seem to be much advancement in the technology other than moving the ball around.