Mouse + Left-Hand Controller: Hybrid Alternative to Mouse + Keyboard

[DingleSpitz]

Hey all! 👋
I wanted to start a discussion on a topic that doesn’t get much coverage, despite how promising it is — hybrid control schemes (particularly for shooters), where you use a mouse for aiming and a controller (or similar device) in the left hand for movement.

Potential Left-hand devices (what I found so far):

• Left Joycon
  
• Left Doyoky® Controller
  
• Left Hori® Controller
  
• Left Mobapad® M6
  
• Grifta® Morphing Gamepad
  
• Left VR Controller
  
• Wii-Nunchuk or Wii-Remote
  
• Xbox Adaptive Joystick
  
• PS Move® Navigation Controller
  
• Splitfish® FragFX Controller
  
• Razer Orbweaver/Tartarus
  
• Azeron Cyborg® Gaming Keypad
  
• Simply a regular Gamepad (only using left part)

Has anyone tried out one of those? What are your experiences? How do you manage to press other buttons without interupting running/stick input? Which Software do you use? Did you run into any software issues or other drawbacks? Which keys do you map to which buttons? Did you experience input delays? Please feel free to add your thoughts on this topic! 👾😁

[Dryspace]

I just don't see how this makes any sense. On one hand, you're not gaining any significant benefit by using a stick instead of keys for movement.

On the other hand your left hand now has access to maybe 2 or 3 buttons instead of ~23 keys. And those 23 keys are just the ones that are available without moving your hand.

Further, you don't want to get used to a control scheme that's not compatible with all games. I'm sure there are many games that won't correctly detect a gamepad.

Even further, gamepad controllers aren't designed to be held by only one hand --- it seems like it would be awkward, though I suppose a person can get used to it.

[C1REX]

Originally posted by DingleSpitz:

Has anyone tried out one of those?

I've tried this a long time ago for Quake3.
It's not that deep - just use any controller for movement and a mouse for camera/aiming.
No need for a single handed specific devices as any controller will do if you are OK with number of buttons on left side.

If for some reason a game makes problems you can use a 3rd party app and change controller inputs to act like WSAD keyboard inputs. But most games should just work.

[Dryspace]

Originally posted by C1REX:

I've tried this a long time ago for Quake3...

Twenty-plus years ago there were people who tried playing Unreal Tournament, etc. with actual joysticks. Like you said, any analog (or pseudo-analog) controller is basically the same input, if not the same experience/control.

But not only do I not see an advantage, a binary control with a constant max speed seems the superior method for quick and agile control.

[C1REX]

Originally posted by Dryspace:

Originally posted by C1REX:

I've tried this a long time ago for Quake3...

Twenty-plus years ago there were people who tried playing Unreal Tournament, etc. with actual joysticks. Like you said, any analog (or pseudo-analog) controller is basically the same input, if not the same experience/control.

But not only do I not see an advantage, a binary control with a constant max speed seems the superior method for quick and agile control.

You can use dpad for WSAD controls. Ps1 gamepads I’ve tested didn’t even have analog sticks.

[Dryspace]

Originally posted by C1REX:

You can use dpad for WSAD controls.

Well, yes... But then I don't understand the reason for trying to use a controller instead of a KB in the first place. Am I misunderstanding something?