Gamepad controls

[turtleCZ]

Hi, I saw many complains about gamepad controls and would like to discuss more in detail what you don't like. I checked official forum and some people wanted something like PC3 or GTS has. That's very strange because both controls are good for arcades but not for great sime like AMS2 is. PC3 or GTS is fine if you can't use gamepad.

I am new to AMS world but love AMS1 controls. So for me anything similar is OK. AMS2 feels the same as PC2 which is OK to me but it's hard to set it right. For instance, steering curve is hard to set. That's my only problem and something like AC would be nice. I know, I can use external program for steering curve but it shouldn't be necessary.

What is your problem?

Even with PC2 controls I still love the game (no bouncing cars only :D).

[EF_Neo1st]

Originally posted by turtleCZ:

Hi, I saw many complains about gamepad controls and would like to discuss more in detail what you don't like. I checked official forum and some people wanted something like PC3 or GTS has. That's very strange because both controls are good for arcades but not for great sime like AMS2 is. PC3 or GTS is fine if you can't use gamepad.

I am new to AMS world but love AMS1 controls. So for me anything similar is OK. AMS2 feels the same as PC2 which is OK to me but it's hard to set it right. For instance, steering curve is hard to set. That's my only problem and something like AC would be nice. I know, I can use external program for steering curve but it shouldn't be necessary.

What is your problem?

Even with PC2 controls I still love the game (no bouncing cars only :D).

It is hard to have something like PC3 and FTS have because PC3 is between simcade and arcade, GTS is simcade, AMS2 is simulator.
The control of the car with gamepad on an arcade or simcade are better because the game have less physics to deal with (so do the player, the player also have less physics to deal with making it easier).

(And AMS2 is not as bouncy as people make it sound, it is as bouncy as rF2 or ACC, just adjust your settings ;) - and it could be even more bouncy to match real life in many cars)

[micro-impact]

Probably you won´t get many answers here , because the Padman fraction allready moved to other titels.
Why ? Gamepad support in AMS2 is mediocre at best, while other sims like RFactor2 and Raceroom provide an excellent gamepad experience. So why bother with something in the second class if you can have first class.
If you ask me, my issue with the gamepad performance in AMS 2 is less the steering , but the lack of good vibration/ffb.
Don´t get me wrong , I don´t blame Reiza for that, because this a game is not intended being played with controller.

[turtleCZ]

Originally posted by micro-impact:

Probably you won´t get many answers here , because the Padman fraction allready moved to other titels.
Why ? Gamepad support in AMS2 is mediocre at best, while other sims like RFactor2 and Raceroom provide an excellent gamepad experience. So why bother with something in the second class if you can have first class.
If you ask me, my issue with the gamepad performance in AMS 2 is less the steering , but the lack of good vibration/ffb.
Don´t get me wrong , I don´t blame Reiza for that, because this a game is not intended being played with controller.

Really? I agree with vibrations, I almost forget. I like (not completely) PC1 and PC2 controls but vibrations are rather joke so I have it disabled everywhere. AMS2 is like PC2 and no vibrations for me. Sad is PC3 has much better vibrations but very bad everything else.

I think every sim is meant for gamepad, you just need capable players. Settings for controller could be very complex. I think R3E has very interesting settings.

Overall I don't have big problems with PC2 settings but it could be better for sure with more settings.

[micro-impact]

If it´s just the steering you can install DX Ace and you will get a significant better steering with pads (the trade-off is no ingame vibration).
But as I said before you can do what you want and tinkle with extern apps to improve gamepad steering in AMS2 , but you will get a mediocre result at best, While other (mentioned) sims out of the box are Padman´s Delight.

[Zakalwe]

There’s a complex relationship between the various input curves in AM2. Steering Sensitivity and Controller Dampening are linear at 50, Steering Deadzone has a dramatic effect on the way the steering curve responds too.

Right now (and I mean RIGHT now, because it changes all the time!), my pad settings are: DZ 4, Steering Sensitivity 20, Speed Sensitivity 100, Controller Dampening 75. Everything else is at default.

Theoretically, the default pad settings are what Reiza judge their car updates against. In reality, those settings are just too vague and numb. A linear 50/50 steering/dampening setup is probably too sensitive for most though. A sweet spot exists, but I think the issue lies not with the pad, but with the physics engine. Right now, changes are coming thick and fast, so finding the perfect setting is currently impossible.

[turtleCZ]

Originally posted by Zakalwe:

There’s a complex relationship between the various input curves in AM2. Steering Sensitivity and Controller Dampening are linear at 50, Steering Deadzone has a dramatic effect on the way the steering curve responds too.

Right now (and I mean RIGHT now, because it changes all the time!), my pad settings are: DZ 4, Steering Sensitivity 20, Speed Sensitivity 100, Controller Dampening 75. Everything else is at default.

Theoretically, the default pad settings are what Reiza judge their car updates against. In reality, those settings are just too vague and numb. A linear 50/50 steering/dampening setup is probably too sensitive for most though. A sweet spot exists, but I think the issue lies not with the pad, but with the physics engine. Right now, changes are coming thick and fast, so finding the perfect setting is currently impossible.

I use PC2 settings and it feels the same as in PC2. I don't think they changed a bit :D But I have the game since this February so I don't know at all. What do you use in PC2 or PC1?

Do you use any assists?

[EF_Neo1st]

Originally posted by turtleCZ:

Originally posted by Zakalwe:

There’s a complex relationship between the various input curves in AM2. Steering Sensitivity and Controller Dampening are linear at 50, Steering Deadzone has a dramatic effect on the way the steering curve responds too.

Right now (and I mean RIGHT now, because it changes all the time!), my pad settings are: DZ 4, Steering Sensitivity 20, Speed Sensitivity 100, Controller Dampening 75. Everything else is at default.

Theoretically, the default pad settings are what Reiza judge their car updates against. In reality, those settings are just too vague and numb. A linear 50/50 steering/dampening setup is probably too sensitive for most though. A sweet spot exists, but I think the issue lies not with the pad, but with the physics engine. Right now, changes are coming thick and fast, so finding the perfect setting is currently impossible.

I use PC2 settings and it feels the same as in PC2. I don't think they changed a bit :D But I have the game since this February so I don't know at all. What do you use in PC2 or PC1?

Do you use any assists?

Use of assists (other than the ones available at setup) will only deliver you a safer ride, not a faster driving.
If you dont mind that, go for it.

Still (and I know it will be hard on gamepad but is very possible and doable) practice smoothness with your steering, brake and throttle.
Try to apply full brake (or max brake threshold) only on straight, reduce gradually when you start turning (the more you want to turn the less brake and throttle you can use), before you fully release brake, start using some throttle and then go gradually using more throttle untill full throttle (or the throttle threshold) when your car is already with grip enough and stable enough, also aligned for the turn exit and you dont need to turn anymore or dont need to turn too much to exit the turn.

[turtleCZ]

Originally posted by EF_Neo1st:

Originally posted by turtleCZ:

I use PC2 settings and it feels the same as in PC2. I don't think they changed a bit :D But I have the game since this February so I don't know at all. What do you use in PC2 or PC1?

Do you use any assists?

Use of assists (other than the ones available at setup) will only deliver you a safer ride, not a faster driving.
If you dont mind that, go for it.

Still (and I know it will be hard on gamepad but is very possible and doable) practice smoothness with your steering, brake and throttle.
Try to apply full brake (or max brake threshold) only on straight, reduce gradually when you start turning (the more you want to turn the less brake and throttle you can use), before you fully release brake, start using some throttle and then go gradually using more throttle untill full throttle (or the throttle threshold) when your car is already with grip enough and stable enough, also aligned for the turn exit and you dont need to turn anymore or dont need to turn too much to exit the turn.

Yeah, thanks, I don't use any assists and can drive in PC1, PC2 and AMS2. I am just checking what others meant with "bad gamepad controls". It looks like everybody has different problem :D

[Zakalwe]

Originally posted by turtleCZ:

Originally posted by EF_Neo1st:

Use of assists (other than the ones available at setup) will only deliver you a safer ride, not a faster driving.
If you dont mind that, go for it.

Still (and I know it will be hard on gamepad but is very possible and doable) practice smoothness with your steering, brake and throttle.
Try to apply full brake (or max brake threshold) only on straight, reduce gradually when you start turning (the more you want to turn the less brake and throttle you can use), before you fully release brake, start using some throttle and then go gradually using more throttle untill full throttle (or the throttle threshold) when your car is already with grip enough and stable enough, also aligned for the turn exit and you dont need to turn anymore or dont need to turn too much to exit the turn.

Yeah, thanks, I don't use any assists and can drive in PC1, PC2 and AMS2. I am just checking what others meant with "bad gamepad controls". It looks like everybody has different problem :D

I aim for a wheel-like response from my pad (I also drive with a T300RS). In rFactor2, I use steering and stability control on LOW to get that wheel feeling with the pad, and it's a very close experience to the T300RS. You're trying to master a car, not master the gamepad after all. If assists get you there, use assists!

That being said, to get the best pad results from AM2, I ALWAYS turn all assists to AUTHENTIC. I never use stability control on any of the vehicles, because this seems to completely change any pad setting that I've dialed in. Also, when using a wheel, I never use any assists in any sim.

One thing I always standardise on every car is to set the steering lock to 20 Degrees, especially with any Porsche. Previously I said that my settings change all the time. Well, since writing that last post, they've changed again! This time, I've been experimenting with Speed Sensitivity. Here are my current numbers. It's feeling pretty good on Spa with the GT3 Porsche:

DZ: 1
Steering S: 20
Speed S: 70
CD: 50

The really big change here is the Speed Sensitivity. I used to always set this between 90 to 100. My main issue has always been a low speed twitchiness that makes the car feel uncontrollable in slow corners. But, by dropping Speed Sensitivity to 70, I seem to have dialed that effect out. I'll be focusing my settings tests around that theory now.

Like I said, the relationship to each setting curve is very complicated!

[micro-impact]

I second this. The speed sensitivity shouldn´t be too high, because then exactly that odd behaviour in slow corners occurs. So to get good overal results, try to get the speed sens as low as you can bare it.

[ExtTM]

Keeping the controller dampening at 100 and steering sensitivity at 30 helps alot. Keep speed sensitivity at 95. Keep all the deadzones to 0. This is the best configuration that I figured out after playing for 20 hours with a gamepad.

[turtleCZ]

I use dampening at 0. Speed sens. should be lower too, something about 70, depends on a car. It's interesting how everybody has different settings.

[Zakalwe]

Originally posted by turtleCZ:

I use dampening at 0. Speed sens. should be lower too, something about 70, depends on a car. It's interesting how everybody has different settings.

I think that’s a really interesting setting. I tried it for an hour or so, and found it excellent for hot lapping. For an actual race, I found I was able to throw my car around more confidently with 50 controller Dampening (a linear gradient in other words), with 70 Speed Sensitivity. I also seemed to cope with the jostling more successfully.

Note: I was using a DZ: 4 and Steering sensitivity of 25 with both 0 and 50 CD.

[Eclipse]

Originally posted by micro-impact:

If it´s just the steering you can install DX Ace and you will get a significant better steering with pads (the trade-off is no ingame vibration).
But as I said before you can do what you want and tinkle with extern apps to improve gamepad steering in AMS2 , but you will get a mediocre result at best, While other (mentioned) sims out of the box are Padman´s Delight.

wow thanks for the rec on DXace, i was born yesterday and living under a rock the whole time, seriously thanks.

[sokrates009]

Finally, after Update 1.3.3 (Feb.1.2022), I can play with the Gamepad (XBox Series X) quite satisfactory. (smooth curves with and without steering help). Bravo Reiza.