Anyone know of 4X games like this with controller support?

[comp9]

Controller support seems ideal for a game such as this where nearly everything is based on tiles. I can't seem to find any 4X games that have built-in controller support.

Do you know of any?

[TheMightyCthulhu]

Controller support is definitely not ideal for a 4x game. That being said, Civ:5 has Steam controller support.

[JUMP'NSHOOTMAN]

Yeah I believe this is what the Steam Controller is specifically for, can't wait to get mine and try it out.

[comp9]

I believe a turn based game, especially a hex based game, could easily support a controller.

I've found a similar game with controller support to start the list:
http://store.steampowered.com/app/290340/

[Prompter]

But why controller support? In my honest opinion it seems pointless and counterproductive.

[comp9]

Control is easy in a hex based game, especially those that are turn based. I have a steam machine and for the past two years have played all my games on a tv screen with a controller. I have mild carpal tunnel and the controller is the only input device that doesn't make it worse--I have to use keyboard/mouse in my working life the remainder of the week.

Valve invested in making a controller, Big Picture Mode, and so on. More than half of my game library supports a controller with no modifications needed. Those that use a control daily with Steam understand how enjoyable it can be.

Of course, as with anything, it's not for everyone and those that aren't interested can ignore it.

[articulate]

Horses for courses. I can't see playing Dota with a controller. And now that my X360 console has been kaput for more than 10 years, can't see playing FPSes without a keyboard and mouse. Though back in the day I was actually really used to playing Halo with a controller.

But 4X games on a controller, yeah, I suppose if there were less necessary functions than buttons I could see it working. But if I have to scroll with my thumb everytime I need to open research, diplomacy, build lists and the marketplace on top of everything else. It would get really tiresome.

RTS on a controller though. Laughable.

[comp9]

Yeah RTS games on a controller are a bad idea. I needed to give up RTS games when I had to reduce my mouse usage. The interface definitely needs to work with a controller, this game wouldn't work but I know others would if they started with more than one input method in mind.

[JUMP'NSHOOTMAN]

Personally I wouldn't mind having the ability to use a Win 10 tablet instead of a Steam Controller. But there's no way I'm shelling out for a Surface Pro 3 just to play Civilization.

[takashi_K]

Originally posted by Prompter:

But why controller support? In my honest opinion it seems pointless and counterproductive.

Comfort, pure and simple. For some (those of us who like strategy games but have developed carpal tunnel from years of working in IT *and* also gaming regularly) a controller is the perfect interface because it doesn't use any of the same muscles or tendons that using a mouse does.

So, no, not "pointless". Being able to play comfortably is the point. Yes, a controller is a less efficient interface for a 4x game. It's not ideal. However, since these are *turn based* games, efficiency isn't all that urgent, it just means it takes a little bit longer to input commands.

[Bad_Conduct]

Originally posted by takashi_K:

Originally posted by Prompter:

But why controller support? In my honest opinion it seems pointless and counterproductive.

Comfort, pure and simple. For some (those of us who like strategy games but have developed carpal tunnel from years of working in IT *and* also gaming regularly) a controller is the perfect interface because it doesn't use any of the same muscles or tendons that using a mouse does.

So, no, not "pointless". Being able to play comfortably is the point. Yes, a controller is a less efficient interface for a 4x game. It's not ideal. However, since these are *turn based* games, efficiency isn't all that urgent, it just means it takes a little bit longer to input commands.

Carpal Tunnel

Using a mouse all day at work, and trying to use for games just doesn't work like it used to. Side effects of getting old.

[Varivox]

I remember playing one of the old Civ games on my PS1 and....it....blew.....SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....much.

It CAN be done, but it is a huge pain in the arse from what I can tell. That was just with Square based grids too, I can't imagine hex based being much better.

As for taking a bit longer to input commands, sure that doesn't sound so bad, but when each game can take 10's of hours and each turn can have dozens of inputs, "a bit longer" can add up to a "LOT longer".

[Råttkungen]

You only need 4 things to make it functional.
1, Left stick controls the mouse.
2, Right click controls the zoom.
3, The A button selects.
4, The B button deselects.
5 (optional) Start button brings up statistics.

[Caligo Clarus]

Civ 2 for PS1.

[comp9]

That's a good one.

[hottt3]

If you like to experiment, try Controller Companion utility. You can find it on steam.