Linux version is better

[WolfEisberg]

I was playing this game in Windows 7, and the joystick controlling is horrible, nothing like playing it on Windows 98 when it released, it is extremely easy to over steer and changing deadzone or sensitivity does not work.

So I used Freespace Open Source project version for Linux and it is like playing it again in 1998, the joystick controlling is just like 1998.

Microsoft screwed up joysticks when they got rid of Direct Input and replaced it with X-Input.

So if you have a joystick, I recommend playing this with Open Source Project and playing it in Linux.

Warning though, getting this game to run in Linux is not very user friendly, but there is lots of help pages on hard-light.net to get it working.

[Arparso]

It's not the Linux version, that is better - it's the Freespace Source Code project and that runs equally well on Windows machines.

Also: DirectInput hasn't been replaced and works just fine on Windows 7 and upwards. XInput is a special interface for Xbox 360 style controllers and nothing more. If the Steam version of Freespace has joystick issues, it's not because of XInput or Microsoft getting rid of anything.

I second your recommendation, though. Get the Freespace Source Code project installed and enjoy good old Freespace through that. Doesn't matter whether it's on Linux or Windows.

[Arparso]

Just checked: both the GOG version as well as FS Open work just fine with my controllers (Saitek X-52 and Xbox 360 pad). I don't own the Steam version, so I can't check that one. Maybe it's a bad driver you've got installed?

I'm just trying to say that it's not a general Windows issue. You don't need to install Linux and jump through a few hoops to get an enjoyable experience out of the game.

[Arparso]

How could this be? DirectInput hasn't really changed since DirectX8 in 2000 and is still being fully supported up to this day and age. XInput didn't change that. Most controllers, especially joysticks, don't even work with XInput. I've never experienced anything like you've described.