It seems that you're using an outdated browser. Some things may not work as they should (or don't work at all).
We suggest you upgrade newer and better browser like: Chrome, Firefox, Internet Explorer or Opera

×
Community
Freespace seriesGreat game, but seems to require 4 hands to play(13 posts)solved(13 posts)solved
(13 posts)solved
Pages:
1
This is my favourite topic
Posted July 12, 2011
I recently bought freespace 1/2, and am loving them so far. Except that the game seems to require 4 hands to play properly.

2 to be stationed on the home keys, and used to hit the alphanumeric keys when needed.
1 to be placed on arrow keys as well as ins+home+page up, etc.
1 for num pad, or mouse, or joystick.

I, being a somewhat normal, non-mutated human, only have two hands, as I suspect most of their target audience also has. So, am I thinking about this the wrong way? Or is there something else I can do? Currently I'm compensating by keeping one hand on my joystick, which does have a few buttons (although more are at the base of the joystick), and the other is trying to man the alphanumeric keys, and occasionally the other keys that are further out, which is incredibly painful to do, as I haven't typed like that since I was 10, and I seem to miss keys a lot, and/or have to look down to make sure I hit the correct key, which doesn't help gameplay at all. I thought about remapping all of the keys to one side of the keyboard, so I could keep my hand on the homekeys as I'm used to, but I think there are too many commands to do that (after looking at the reference card anyway).

So again, is this how you play, or what other suggestions do you have?

Thanks.
This question / problem has been solved by crazy_daveimage
Posted July 12, 2011
I use a Sidewinder 3d pro joystick that allows me to use the twist for part of my movement. I then assign the basci functions of firing, targetting and counter measures to the buttons.

The rest, I just look down at my KB and press the buttons. I believe there are to many to have any one config that allows you to use them without pain. :D
Posted July 12, 2011
I use a Logitech Extreme 3D pro. Like the user above it has a twist handle for rotation/yaw depending on how you set it up. It also has 12 buttons. Here's my organization for them:

Button 1: fire primary
Button 2: fire secondary weapon
Button 3: launch countermeasure
Button 4: cycle secondary weapon bank
Button 5: target ship in reticle
Button 6: cycle forward primary weapon bank
Button 7: target closest attacking ship
Button 8: target target's closest attacker / or target next hostile bomb or bomber - I've used one or the other there
Button 9: Equalize shields
Button 10: Reverse thrust (good for mod Blue Planet: WiH) / or augment forwards shields - again I've used one or the other
Button 11: afterburner
Button 12: match target speed

throttle control (Rz in game): absolute speed (default)
twist handle: bank (rotation)
y & x axis: pitch and yaw

With this configuration I rarely take my hands off the joystick - pretty much only for alt-J, switch between dual or single fire for secondary weapons (though I often just leave on dual fire for dogfighting), and wingmen commands - which tend to be things that you don't need on a regular basis during the heat of combat or you get used to hitting them very quickly :). However, you should play around and see which commands you use most often. If you don't have many buttons on your joystick you should try grouping the commands you use often during combat in the same place on the keyboard so they are all in easy reach of a single hand.
Post edited July 12, 2011 by crazy_dave
Posted July 12, 2011
I need that joystick, I only have 8 buttons on mine :p
Posted July 13, 2011
avatar
H2IWclassic: I need that joystick, I only have 8 buttons on mine :p
In the US at least it's not expensive at all ($25-$30 which less than 20 pounds). I don't know if they sell it in the UK though and shipping would probably kill you. EDIT: Of course since the domestic purchasing power of the pound is similar to the dollar (i.e. different from the exchange rate where your pound is worth a lot more than my dollar), a UK shop would probably sell it closer 25-30 pounds if they carried it which is still not too bad.

Yeah 8 buttons would be tough. If I really had to choose 8 of mine I guess I would go buttons 1-3,5-6,9,11-12 and try to remap missile switching to be more convenient with the other missing commands.

Out of curiosity, what do you put on your 8?
Post edited July 13, 2011 by crazy_dave
Posted July 13, 2011
Not a big deal, would be nice to have though as this is about 11 years old :p

I usually set:

1 - primary weapon

2 - countermeasure

3 - target closest enemy

4 - secondary weapon

5 - nearest hostile bomb\bomber

6 - transfer energy from laser to shield

7 - cycle primary bank

8 - cycle secondary bank
Post edited July 13, 2011 by H2IWclassic
Posted July 13, 2011
Yep.. this game Needs a joystick. I keep one hand on the jopystick and my left hand free to hit keyboard keys or joystick buttons when needed. I find making sure you have as many most used functions mapped to the joystick buttons as you can helps for ease f reaching the controls quick. I use a cheap Logitech Attack 3 and it has 11 mappable buttons plus a throttle.

You don't need your right hand for any keyboard functions. Use the Absolute Throttle in config so you can use your joystick throttle ( if you have one) ( not mapped by default ) and use the joystick for all maneuvering - no messing with the keypad keys to the right of the keyboard. This leaves your left hand free for things like switching weapons the " . "<-- key or all stop " Backspace key " or Wingman commands key, " C " . These are the most used. Depending on your joystick many of these can be mapped to easy to reach joystick buttons. It also helps to always keep auto target hostiles," Alt + H" and auto match speed "Alt + M" on all the time so you never have to mess with those buttons.

Spend some time experimenting with some of these config settings and find what works best for you. You can make the game much easier to play and after this becomes second nature FS 1 and FS 2 are a pure joy to play.
Post edited July 13, 2011 by JohnPhoenix
Posted July 13, 2011
Thanks everyone. I've got the keys changed around a bit so at least now I don't have to look down in the heat of a dog fight.

And @crazy_dave, wow, that stick has a bunch of buttons. I'll make sure to pick up it (or one like it) in the future.

Thanks everyone.
Posted October 12, 2011
i have a joystick as well but i cant seem to get it calibrate in freespece i click on bind key and push the button but nothing happens even it seems the rudder is useless i hope someone knows how to solve it because i really want to play this and freespace 2
nm i solved it myself
Post edited October 12, 2011 by hercufles
Posted March 26, 2012
I use a combination of both joystick and a keyboard.

I should reiterate. I use a joystick and the Logitech G13 Gamepad. I mapped all of the "major" controls (throttle, targeting, basic commands) onto the gamepad and I pilot with the joystick.

It's worked out well, so far, but I want to see about getting a USB controller working on this game.
Posted April 02, 2012
I have the Logitech Extreme 3D pro, is there a way to use the thruster on the stick to control speed? Like you do in MechWarrior 4 and X3?
Posted April 02, 2012
avatar
insanity99: I have the Logitech Extreme 3D pro, is there a way to use the thruster on the stick to control speed? Like you do in MechWarrior 4 and X3?
Go to the options screen where you set the joystick buttons, look for "absolute throttle", double click it (which makes that function settable), and then jiggle the throttle and the throttle will be set to control your speed.
Posted April 13, 2012
I would just like to comment on this for people thinking about buying this game but who do not have a joystick. I played through Freespace 2 on hard difficulty using just the keyboard and I beat it and had a blast. A joystick will give you a much fuller appreciation of the game and make it more easy to use, but it is not necessary! Do not stop yourself from playing this amazing game just because you don't have a joystick!
Pages:
1
This is my favourite topic
Community
Freespace seriesGreat game, but seems to require 4 hands to play(13 posts)solved(13 posts)solved
(13 posts)solved