Computer Hope

Software => Computer games => Topic started by: Computer Hope Admin on March 05, 2008, 02:49:10 PM

Title: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 05, 2008, 02:49:10 PM
Just curious when gaming on the computer do you guys use the WASD or arrow keys, and why?
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Computer Hope Admin on March 05, 2008, 02:51:15 PM
Personally I use the arrow keys. Why? Just like the down arrow to be directly under the up arrow, of course that is when the keyboard actually has the down arrow below the up arrow. Some keyboards don't. Also I use the Nostromo N52, now so technically could of voted for other.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Calum on March 06, 2008, 05:45:44 AM
WASD all the way.
It's closer to other keys like R for reload, E for enter, Q for chat maybe, and so on.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: homer on March 06, 2008, 07:31:02 AM
WASD, because of what calum said and because it is more comfortable. WASD and my mouse are shoulder width apart so it feels natural, using the arrow keys, however, makes my left hand reach over all the way across my chest so its very uncomfortable.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Deerpark on March 06, 2008, 09:00:15 AM
WASD for the same reasons as Calum and Homer.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: fpsmitch on March 07, 2008, 08:17:31 AM
wasd because all of the buttons are right there...
the same as calum and homer  ;D
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: squall_01 on March 07, 2008, 09:37:54 AM
I consider that WASD harder to use cause you cant use the mouse as easyly if you need it.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: homer on March 07, 2008, 11:00:15 AM
I consider that WASD harder to use cause you cant use the mouse as easyly if you need it.

 :-\ is your mouse on your left hand side?
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Aegis on March 07, 2008, 01:15:18 PM
It depends.

I voted "arrow keys" because I prefer them, but if I have to use the mouse at the same time, I use the WASD keys.  I are old school -- I've decided I like gaming on the PC better than on the gaming consoles like PlayStation.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: squall_01 on March 07, 2008, 05:24:57 PM
I consider that WASD harder to use cause you cant use the mouse as easyly if you need it.

 :-\ is your mouse on your left hand side?

Right, Im some what optical handed but I was never trained with my left even thought I was.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: macdad- on March 12, 2008, 06:26:48 PM
i like using a game controller. i used a SNES controller and connected it to my LPT port for gaming.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Kurtiskain on April 15, 2008, 02:33:23 AM
WSAD! Arrow keys..too close to the mouse and is uncomfortable, plus too far away from the other keys like Calum said  :)
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: michaewlewis on April 18, 2008, 01:15:29 PM
I voted for the orange monkey.
The only gaming I really do is Mario RPG on zsnes.... and I've never bothered to change the default arrow keys with cvdfer for the action buttons.

Right, Im some what optical handed but I was never trained with my left even thought I was.

What is optical handed? ???
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: squall_01 on April 18, 2008, 08:13:32 PM
being able to use both your left an right hands for tasks. 
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: michaewlewis on April 19, 2008, 01:33:33 PM
oh, you mean ambidextrous?
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: squall_01 on April 19, 2008, 03:07:26 PM
yeah, dont use the word much tendence to forgot after I dont use them for so long.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: leesablade on April 19, 2008, 03:19:30 PM
depending on the game, but i normally prefer to use arrow keys
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: lobster_man on April 20, 2008, 03:41:11 AM
WASD ftw ^^
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: squall_01 on April 20, 2008, 04:14:18 AM
You can have more problems with the w,s,a,d then the arrows but its easier to pull out stuff.  But if your plaing like a spy game well you probably end up getting caught a whole. 
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: macdad- on April 20, 2008, 08:04:20 PM
yea but if u hve a game that requires u to operate multiple keys similtaneously then it would be best to get a game pad. i can tell u that when i hooked up my SNES controller to my comp, and started playing Super Mario World, it became a blessing.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: squall_01 on April 21, 2008, 03:48:47 PM
True I suppose but you can change them to make it easier usually.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: quaxo on April 21, 2008, 08:54:08 PM
I use a ZBoard. (http://www.ideazon.com/us/products/zboardgamingkeyboard.asp) I have 8 keysets for the USB model. The one in the picture below, Battlefield II, the standard keyset, World of Warcraft, World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade (different keys from the original WoW keyset), the Crossfire keyset (the original gaming keyset distributed with PS/2 models, similar to the one in the picture with a slightly different key config on the left), and the Microsoft Office keyset. I also have the Everquest 2 keyset which I have never used since I don't own EQ2, but the keyset came free.

Using the ZEngine program, you can customize any of the keys to perform any other function if desired (great for remapping keys that can't be remapped) or setup a macro.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v496/xel123/prdsht_zboard_01.jpg)
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: mcxeb52! on April 21, 2008, 09:29:41 PM
wish i was ambidextrous so that i could use the arrows or the WASD whenever I felt like it.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: squall_01 on April 22, 2008, 03:33:00 AM
I like to use a combo joystick an keyboard, make him walk with one use the other for artillery
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: macdad- on April 24, 2008, 03:01:51 PM
most importantly, if ever single game in the world would allow you to switch between arrow keys, joystick, gamepad, or WASD keys then we all probably wouldnt post comments on this form ;).(not being rude)
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: sjn2009 on April 27, 2008, 11:14:50 AM
I've always preferred WASD in FPS games. However when i started playing Grand Chase and World of Warcraft I found myself using Arrow keys than configuring all the keys around me including num pad to make it all easier. It's become a bit of a habit for me although I cant play FPS that style... Just too hard :P
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: macdad- on April 27, 2008, 04:47:34 PM
except then when u want to type in nums when chatting on world of war craft then u would have to switch on the num lock every single time.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: mcxeb52! on April 27, 2008, 07:34:31 PM
for FPS like battlefield or ocunterstrike, using the arrow keys would be like committing suicide. WASD all the way!!
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: quaxo on April 27, 2008, 11:09:26 PM
for FPS like battlefield or ocunterstrike, using the arrow keys would be like committing suicide. WASD all the way!!

Well, one very important thing to keep in mind is some people use a mouse with their left hand. I can actually do both: mouse left and arrow keys right -OR- mouse right and WASD left. Even though I can, I typically don't, given the keyboard I use (ZBoard, see my previous post in this thread).

But, on a normal keyboard, trying to use WASD and a left hand mouse is like trying to use the arrow keys with a right handed mouse... either way it's very awkward.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: homer on April 27, 2008, 11:35:06 PM
for FPS like battlefield or ocunterstrike, using the arrow keys would be like committing suicide. WASD all the way!!

i actually use the arrows when i am flying in battlefield 2 and 2142. i find it alot easier then the mouse, especially when making extremely sharp turns or dives.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: quaxo on April 27, 2008, 11:41:30 PM
i actually use the arrows when i am flying in battlefield 2 and 2142. i find it alot easier then the mouse, especially when making extremely sharp turns or dives.

I've got a joystick with rudder control I use for that.  :P You should see me fly a helicopter in BF2. I can fly through buildings, under bridges, and lots of other fun things. Scares the crap out of my passengers, but I'm good enough with it that I never crash anymore.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Eg0Death on April 29, 2008, 01:07:49 PM
WASD since the days of Wolfenstein 3D!
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Blink on May 05, 2008, 02:06:51 AM
wasd for sure. easier to hit other keys quickly when your in a game the requires you to hits lot of buttons at the same time (most games these days).
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: NOT ADMIN :P on May 07, 2008, 12:36:09 AM
i actually use the arrows when i am flying in battlefield 2 and 2142. i find it alot easier then the mouse, especially when making extremely sharp turns or dives.

I've got a joystick with rudder control I use for that.  :P You should see me fly a helicopter in BF2. I can fly through buildings, under bridges, and lots of other fun things. Scares the crap out of my passengers, but I'm good enough with it that I never crash anymore.

I hope you still use the wsad keys to strafe and boost the chopper/jets

because reaching for the f2 button would be a bit awkward from the arrow keys.

Are you any good at solo TVing opponents?

Would be hard going from arrows to mouse and directing the missile in a split second :P

impresive if you can do it though :D
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Incidious on May 09, 2008, 01:02:26 PM
WASD all the way.
It's closer to other keys like R for reload, E for enter, Q for chat maybe, and so on.

Indeed the way to go.  You loose that fraction of a second that is much needed when trying to stretch your finger from the arrow keys over the "gap of death" to the neighboring keys.  That fraction of a second could cost you your life.

Timing is everything... ;D
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: macdad- on May 09, 2008, 02:20:20 PM
Quote
Timing is everything...

I agree, espicially when ur playin Halo, as a sniper, u must have execellent timining to nail a moving oppenent.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: squall_01 on May 09, 2008, 04:53:22 PM
I use the arrow keys to do that too the only problem isnt getting the rifle out its missing.  But im a fairlly good sniper.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: BC_Programmer on May 09, 2008, 08:17:44 PM
I'm a strange one as far as config goes- I have no idea when but at some point I was playing an FPS with just a keyboard. Then I switched to a mouse & keyboard and for some reason chose not WSAD but rather EDSF. I believe the game with Duke Nukem 3d and for some reason I wanted to use A to jump. So Now I can either change my configurations in all my games from EDSF or just configure new games I get for my config. Since I have to tinker with the controls anyway, I go with the latter.

Which presents a problem with N64 emulation- I have to reconfigure it to use my good ol' FPS keys- but then it just feels wrong.
I use the arrow keys to do that too the only problem isnt getting the rifle out its missing.  But im a fairlly good sniper.

Are you saying you use the keyboard to snipe! Wow- when I was using just the keyboard I always had problems with accuracy- especially when no matter how short you hold the key down it jumps to the other side of the target!

I guess it lowers the sensitivity in newer games though, so it wouldn't be as hard.

Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: squall_01 on May 10, 2008, 03:12:24 AM
Sorry I forgot to mention that I use the mouse as the trigger but I need the board to bring the scope up. 
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: Igor_Munster on May 15, 2008, 05:53:14 AM
I'm right handed.  WASD for left...mouse for right.  Using WASD put the keyboard right in front of me for use of the other keys while gaming (G-15 keyboard has a lot of stuff)  If I used the arrows, most of the keyboard would be off to my left.  Sometimes I use my Nostromo but not often anymore since I got the G15.
Title: Re: WASD or Arrow keys?
Post by: reaper_tbs on May 15, 2008, 09:01:03 AM
I'm right handed.  WASD for left...mouse for right.  Using WASD put the keyboard right in front of me for use of the other keys while gaming (G-15 keyboard has a lot of stuff)  If I used the arrows, most of the keyboard would be off to my left.  Sometimes I use my Nostromo but not often anymore since I got the G15.

Same here. Same keyboard and configuration.