tips on switching from WASD to gamepad?

[luigiMacedonia]

Hi

 

Until a few months ago, I was playing Doom classic only with keyboard. Switching to WASD was a HUGE improvement for me: now I am finishing Scythe2, which would be absolutely impossible only with the arrows, at least for me. When I switched to WASD, I also started using freelook, and it's an amazing cheat I will not give up.

 

Now I want to try with a gamepad to play on android.

 

I got a SteelSeries Stratus+. The problem is that I never used a gamepad in my live. Never.

 

I can make it work, but I would like to ask you all how do you recommend to map the buttons.

 

At the beginning, I was thinking on using the right stick for POV (like the mouse) and the left stick for strafing/back and forward (like WASD), but I saw some people using the bumpers for strafing and the directional pad for moving. That particular config is not using freelook. Also would like to read recommendations for the rest of the buttons like open, shoot switch weapon, menus, etc.

 

Thanks!

 

 

[AbeAwesome]

I would not use freelook with a gamepad, the precision loss from using your thumbs and the analog nature of the input is too severe for freelook to remain enjoyable and/or responsive.

 

I would use the analog sticks as you described (but without vertical look, obviously). And use the shoulder buttons to perform actions. D-pad to switch weapons.

 

But to be honest. I wouldn't use a gamepad if I had the choice—I've played well over 5,000 games in my life, and I have yet to find one that plays better with a controller than with a mouse and keyboard. But since you want to play on Android, I guess it's your only choice, because touch controls are even worse in direct control. 

[banjiepixel]

Going from mouse and keyboard to gamepad, modern console style dual analog controls will be the most natural method. I would recommend giving up freelook to help transition from mouse controls to analog stick controls. You can always switch back to freelook after that but personally I do suggest keep playing without freelook because it minimizes the gap between mouse and gamepad controls and in general allows you to focus much more to movement because that is important part of the Doom gameplay.

 

Best control setup is generally copy settings of official unity port and make your own customizations if needed.

 

Also a very important tip: You need to compensate your aim with movement when playing Doom with a gamepad.

[Agent Slacker]

What's the port you're using, the official DOOM ports or Delta Touch?
Delta Touch has an option for gyro controls, which I think would be a wonderful help with aiming. The idea is that you use the right analog stick to make wide movements, and then tilt your controller a bit to make small adjustments. It's a bit awkward, and it takes time to get used to, but the results are close to using a mouse. Just adjust your sensitivity until you're comfortable. You're not going to be flailing your arms around, unless you really want to.
Also, don't use freelook. It'll just make aiming unnecessarily cumbersome. DOOM wasn't built around looking up and down anyways.

On 11/18/2022 at 4:06 AM, luigiMacedonia said:

I saw some people using the bumpers for strafing and the directional pad for moving.

This is method of movement is pretty archaic. DOOM on the PlayStation used this method. I'm not against it, but I think it's a good idea to stick with a more modern control scheme, just in case you want to play another shooter with a gamepad.

Edited November 20, 2022 by Agent Slacker
what was that + sign doing there?

[TasAcri]

My setup on a XBOX controller:

 

Left stick = Analog move/strafe

Right stick = Analog aim/turn (i disable vertical look though)

X = Use

Right analog trigger = Shoot

Left analog trigger = Run (holding)

A = jump (only in wads that need it)

Left/right shoulder bumpers = Change weapons

Select or Y = Map

Left/right on Dpad = Zoom out/in map

 

I use GZDoom and Woof since both have very good dual analog support. I know PrBoom doesn't have that. Haven't tried other engines.

Edited November 20, 2022 by TasAcri

[Wyrmwood]

For general controller use I recommend you get used to aiming with strafe as well as look. You didn't state if your playing Unity or Delta Touch, the Unity port should work out of the box I'd imagine, I've never used it on Android but on Switch its no problem despite the fact Joycons are nowhere near as good as an Xbox controller for FPS. There's no vertical look and gyro controls help aim.

 

Trickier on Delta Touch, the controller is just emulating touch controls, which means you can't disable auto-run no matter what you set in the source port options, it's takes getting used to and you really need a full size controller like X-box or Switch Pro. I tried with an 8-bitdo controller I normally use and it's impossible. You can reduce sensitivity in Delta touch options which helps slighty but don't be tempted to reduce movement sensitivity as it lowers your actual top speed making some jumps impossible. I can play okay after a little fiddling but it's still not like using a controller on PC with GZDoom.

[luigiMacedonia]

Thanks for the recommendations

 

I started using the gamepad connecting it to the PC and playing doom2 from the beginning to practice.

You all 5 nailed it: aiming is really hard. Even setting the Y axis of the freelook with low sensitivity. I thought with all the FPS existing, the best controller by far was a console's gamepad. I will turn off the freelook completely and aim with the strafe.

 

Later, I bought Delta Touch for android. I tried it on a tablet with its keyboard and a bt mouse and it works like a charm. Will try the joystick with D-Touch with the gyro setting you recommended.

 

Thanks again. Will post results.