Why we switched to WASD key setup....

[Ganger]

I came across this video in regards to the history on how we came too using the WASD keys instead of the arrow keys. Half-life's key setup is also mention at 16.02...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkvLHqgqkQI

PS... I still use the arrow keys personally, im old school.

[Hairy Hands Harry]

Originally posted by Ganger:

I came across this video in regards to the history on how we came too using the WASD keys instead of the arrow keys. Half-life's key setup is also mention at 16.02...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkvLHqgqkQI

PS... I still use the arrow keys personally, im old school.

Then how do you also use q,r,t,f,ctrl,space, etc along with the direction keys? While using the mouse with your other hand.

I used arrow keys many years ago when I was just starting.

[Le fishe au chocolat]

I often use controller for the most of my game list. Keyboard for FPS games and Minecraft only.

[Ganger]

Originally posted by harry.gamer:

Then how do you also use q,r,t,f,ctrl,space, etc along with the direction keys? While using the mouse with your other hand.

I used arrow keys many years ago when I was just starting.

I have my own unique key setup that im comfortable with, different game setup's will differs but all basically follow the same path.

Arrow keys = movement
Num 1 = jump
Num 4 = melee attack
Right Ctrl = duck
Right Swift = walk/sprint/run
Enter = throw grenade

Delete/End/Page down (above the arrow keys) are used for selecting different grenade type. Plus will use other keys im comfortable with for other functions.

[Shiro♌]

That'd be because gaming wasn't as competitive as it is nowadays.
It was just a hobby back in the day, and so there wasn't really any need for more complicated videogames and key mappings to allow you to multitask with the same hand without letting go off of your basic keys (usually the movement related keys).

Nowadays, you do need TAB for scoreboard toggling, C for crouching, LCTRL for proning, spacebar for jumping, r to reload your weapon, and so much more..

That was barely ever necessary back then.. Although some videogames have started to adapt to that, even those weren't as complicated. There was usually no need to change your stance and to toggle scoreboards..

I wouldn't have been surprised if people were to start designing some mini-keyboards to save some space and have two keyboards ready to use at the same time for some extra buttons..

[Hairy Hands Harry]

Originally posted by Shiro♌:

That'd be because gaming wasn't as competitive as it is nowadays.
It was just a hobby back in the day, and so there wasn't really any need for more complicated videogames and key mappings to allow you to multitask with the same hand without letting go off of your basic keys (usually the movement related keys).

Nowadays, you do need TAB for scoreboard toggling, C for crouching, LCTRL for proning, spacebar for jumping, r to reload your weapon, and so much more..

That was barely ever necessary back then.. Although some videogames have started to adapt to that, even those weren't as complicated. There was usually no need to change your stance and to toggle scoreboards..

I wouldn't have been surprised if people were to start designing some mini-keyboards to save some space and have two keyboards ready to use at the same time for some extra buttons.. :ritonaworried:

They do make some special partial keyboards just for gaming. Curved, with a bunch of keys close together. And mice with multiple buttons. like 12 for many games or 22 for MMOs.

[Ron]

Arrow keys = movement
Enter = jump
Right Shift = crouch
Right Ctrl = prone

And in a pinch I'll use some more keys in the general vicinity of the above keys

Everything else is on my MMO mouse (side buttons galore)

[Hobbit XIII]

C64 keyboard layout had a natural WASD we see today if not slightly more so.

Keyboard layout on the c64 was good for typing and gaming even though i had joysticks too and used them often.

Interesting to know people could not use mouse at first for Doom.

When I first played Doom I didn't like it and couldn't 'get' why it was so popular it had no atmosphere.
Aliens on C64 that I never figured out how to play properly but was good if I wanted to shoot a lot of ammunition and watch my team die - it could have me hooked for hours. Aliens had suspense, atmosphere a familiar storyline and darkness! lights could go out!
Doom was blocky stuff and just frantic.
- I do like Doom just not when I first played it or for some time after.

I didn't watch all the video if I seem judge too early, I still liked it and will finish it another time.

[Q-T_3.14.exe]

I remember playing games with arrow keys and mouse in the early 2000s. It was inconvenient.

[Crazy Tiger]

I was always battling the controls when playing with arrow keys. When WASD got introduced, I immediately switched and never looked back.

That said, I always change the crouch button to left shift, my pinky rests on that button. The c button is highly inconvenient for me in that regard.

[Abaddon the Despoiler]

The only game I used keyboard for a lot was WoW. Almost every button was bound to an ability or macro. Otherwise I use a controller.

[Hobbit XIII]

my current keyboard for swb2classic is :

wasd
caps lock for run
shift for rolling
ctrl for target vehicle with missile launcher makes it go auto after couple of seconds
space is jump

[Sidakte]

half-lifes setup is applied to all FPS for me. it's marvelous, gorgeous, entertaining and above all, practical.

wasd
shift for walking
ctrl for ducking
space for jump
alt for sprint

[MinionJoe]

Yeah, mice support in games wasn't a thing for many, many years.

[Dracoco OwO]

I'm a ZQSD user myself. My Dad still use arrow keys somehow.

[ArgentAbendAzure]

I'm fine with the standard keys.
WASD is comfortable.
The only thing I change is crouch/duck to Q.
Makes it easier to sneak around.