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taking control

March 23rd, 2006 | tech, general

A couple posts ago I mentioned that it’s too much money for me, a casual video-game player, to justify buying a gaming console, accessories, and games when I already have a computer capable of running PC versions of games. Or should I say game. The only game I’m interested in playing is FIFA 06 and I don’t plan on buying any other games. To add to that, I really don’t see myself playing the game on a regular basis…just here and there when I’m bored or have some time to kill. With this in mind I didn’t want to buy a PS2 or Xbox for the sole purpose of playing FIFA 06. So last night I finally decided to order the FIFA 06 PC version using a gift certificate I wanted to use up soon. Gone is the debate of PS2 or Xbox vs PC. Oddly enough I feel my purchase has just opened a whole new can of worms.

One problem I’ve always had with computer gaming I didn’t mention in my previous post (go to the archives if you really want to read it) is finding a controller that works well. Controllers tend to be either A)difficult to install, but then good to play with, or B)easy plug-and-play installing, but work like rubbish in the game. My current controller is an older Gravis Gamepad Pro. It’s basically a pre-analog sticks version PlayStation contoller with different colored buttons. What’s the problem with the controller? The directional pad thing mainly. When playing a game, one must be spot on with the direction they want to move. When you want to move right, the controller is so touchy that it’s very easy to start roaming up or down as well. After reading online I’ve found this is due to the way Gravis built the directional sensors blah blah blah. In any case, it’s very sensitive to direction.

With FIFA I will surely need a good-playing controller. But I don’t want to buy another controller before at least trying mine first. So, my plan of attack is this: get teh game, try my current Gravis and if it causes problems I’ll then buy something else. I’ve already narrowed that down to two options: the Logitech controller that looks like the current PS/PS2 controller, or the new Xbox 360 wired controller.

After some reading I’ve learned that the rumble feature in virtually all controllers and computer version EA games just don’t work well together, so a rumble feature is not required. I’m basically just looking for a nice-looking analog directional stick. I’m also anti-wireless, so that ‘feature’ is not needed. The Logitech looks like it has this. But I’ve read enough mixed reviews that I don’t fully trust the quality of the gamepad. The other option is Microsoft’s new contoller for the Xbox 360 which also works with Win-XP computers. The current price range for these is huge, with Best Buy being on the high end at 39.99-44.99, will other online stores have it available for as low as 31. So what’s with the 39.99-44.99? Microsoft has the same controller in different packaging, as both use USB connectors. The cheaper of the two is intended for Xbox 360 use, while the more expensive is intended for PC use. The only true difference is that the PC version comes with a CD to install required software/drivers/whatever onto the user’s computer while the Xbox version comes sans CD. After reading online reviews I found the more expensive CD version isn’t even needed. Once you plug the controller into the computer, it detects that the needed drivers aren’t there and will prompt you to download them from the microsoft site. Brilliant.

In any case I’m aware of the possibility I may need a new controller, so I may be purchasing the Xbox or Logitech controller in the near future. yes I know there are other brands available, but those are even worse in my eyes. Quite honestly I think it’d be fun to have a high-tech Xbox 360 controller for my little laptop computer…looks more comfy to use too.

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