Gaming Theory

[Righteous]

I have had this theory for a while, that gamers on the consoles (using normal, joystick controllers) are naturally at a disadvantage when it comes to aiming. I'm not talking about 3rd person games, of course; I'm talking about first person shooters or point and "click" games (haha, not many of those out for the consoles).
Over the years, I have found many opposing views. So, to clarify my theory--and again, just a theory--, I made this illustration:
<br />Console vs PC<br />http://www.wabuf.com/MISCMEDIA/OTHERIMAGES/GamingComparison.jpg<br /><br />
Criticism is more than welcome as this is just a theory.<br /><br /><br />

[The Dan Sandwich]

Yeah, I've always thought this as well, which is why I generally don't play shooters on consoles.

[Dead-Beat-Nick]

I just like the everything is at immediate fingertips with a controller. I'll substitute the aim precision for that. On a keyboard it ends up spread out to where the finger has distance to certain keys and the reaction plus the distance and the reacting by pressing the key as opposed to reaction and instant reaction. If I need to switch to a weapon my finger was already on the button.

[Righteous]

I just like the everything is at immediate fingertips with a controller. I'll substitute the aim precision for that. On a keyboard it ends up spread out to where the finger has distance to certain keys and the reaction plus the distance and the reacting by pressing the key as opposed to reaction and instant reaction. If I need to switch to a weapon my finger was already on the button.

I can guarantee that I'm faster on the keyboard than 99% of people on controllers--could be because of my abnormally dexterous hands--but nevertheless, PC users always have the option to modify the keyboard controls to fit their hand and have their fingers "already on the button"s. If I need to change weapons, I scroll my mouse wheel, which is far faster than anything the controller has to offer.
And plus, I own the mouse in that illustration, which is a 9-button gaming-mouse. My hand is absolutely on every one of those buttons at all times (from which I can program anything into: Primary weapon, secondary weapon, melee, whatever.. ).
I think it's just because the PC was into multiplayer fps games far before the consoles (Dreamcast was the first).

But if you want to argue ease of access, the console was built for immediate, hassle-free gaming. Grandma and Grandpa could pick up a controller without having to program keys or anything.<br /><br />

[Stroh]

I'll have to admit, when I started playing Counterstrike Source, I've tried one of those joypad remote things (that was like the PS2 remote) and I sucked at shooting even worse than a touch pad and the keyboard. When I switched over to my desktop and once I got my G5 gaming mouse, I was able to finally go up to the top 5 of the lists on Gungame with a Kill death ratio of 2- 1. Not bad I'd say.

[Righteous]

Yeah, that's the "advantage" that my theory supports. Simply put: The bar is set much lower for console gamers (It's all relative). And unless the two were to network together, we'll never find out just how wide the gap really is.

[Fatt_Matt]

Good theory, I've actually believed it since I first played Half-Life 2 at your house, though I've known about it far longer.

Its because the how you said, online pc games have been around longer than console ones(Specifically Unreal Tournament was the first online dreamcast game)

There is a similar idea with fighting games in that they originated on arcades, and virtually all fighting games today save 3D Mortal Kombat and Soul Calibur 3/4 were made with the stick in mind. that actually puts controller users at a distinct disadvantage over stick users. Though in this case you can compare because the sell fighting sticks for consoles and let me tell you, Thinking your on top only to be completely raped by a stick user is not fun...

As you can see I'm an avid player of fighters, Though i am quite good at FPS's as well.

[Dead-Beat-Nick]

Well I mean for a controller I do pretty well and it's among other controller players, but to use the joysticks the way I manage on MW2, it's just about as good as I've seen and my kills rank is with a lot of higher Prestige level players.

I don't think I'd get used to my hand being laid out over keys instead of wrapping around the side of a controller, plus I can hold the controller so it gives me more of a movement to not just my arms but the position I sit in. On a computer I feel too static with my own movement if I'm to keep my hands on the keyboard and mouse and then I don't feel like Im in control.

[Fatt_Matt]

I prefer the good ole Controller for shooters as well. my god did snes doom have terrible controls, thank god for Analog sticks.

[xydrok]

Where would the Wiimote fit in?

and for some reason, while I acknowledge Keyboard/mouse control to be superior, I play alot more console shooters than PC.