gamepads and other such things?

Archived from groups: alt.games.everquest (More info?)

Has anyone here tried a controller other than a keyboard for MMORPGs?
I've been toying with the idea of moving my Windows PC next to the TV
and doing my gaming in the living room. (61" DLP, 1280x720, so should
be fine).

I've done some experiments, using my laptop and World of Warcraft (my
laptop is a PowerBook, and Blizzard is nice enough to include a Mac
version of WoW on the same discs as the PC version), with a wireless
mouse and keyboard, and MMORPGs seem to be quite pleasant on the big
screen. The problem is that a keyboard is awkward to use when not at a
desk...and a mouse isn't all that great, either.

For most of the time in an MMORPG, I'm just running around exploring,
which just uses movement keys and mouselook, or fighting, which just
involves a few spells or abilities, so it seems like there would be
enough buttons and such on modern gamepads, assuming the software is
reasonable. I'd expect to also keep a keyboard around for chatting,
inventory manipulation, and spells that aren't used often (such as
reapplying buffs every so often).

--
--Tim Smith