Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I have to reinforce the concept of keyboard/mouse or trackball. I have a 4 button MS Trackball Explorer which has all the buttons you'd ever need to play Portal2. Within the game it recognizes my trackball buttons allowing me to program them as I prefer. :)

If you've primarily used a console for gaming, I can see being used to a controller, and although P2 does not really require super accuracy, if you ever get into a shooter, you'll find that you'll be able to outperform with your keyboard/mouse as compared to a console type controller.
 
I'm sure the OP will be extremely appreciative of all the responses telling them that their personal preference is 'wrong'.
 
I'm sure the OP will be extremely appreciative of all the responses telling them that their personal preference is 'wrong'.

He could be. :D Most of the anti-controller responses reflect the views of many forum participants. My guess is that those who prefer controllers will speak up if they haven't all ready.

Apple does mention Carvware Software for game pad/controllers in this link. :):)
 
I would much rather use a controller than a laptop trackpad + keyboard. Plus, I already own a Dualshock 3, but don't have a mouse. Granted, Portal is the closest thing to a first person shooter that I play (Uncharted and RE5 are the closest runners up). Using a mouse is important for competitive first person shooters, but that doesn't mean that any of you need to be so critical of other types of games/control schemes. Someone even pointed out earlier that Portal doesn't need especially quick reflexes, so if someone is used to using a controller then they will do fine with one.
 
Man you people are religious about your game controllers. Honestly, if you can play a FPS game with a controller more power to you. I'm in awe at anyone who can do that.

I know a dude that beat Portal 1 on his MBP using only the keyboard + TRACKPAD. Now THAT is impressive. :eek:
 
Man you people are religious about your game controllers. Honestly, if you can play a FPS game with a controller more power to you. I'm in awe at anyone who can do that.

I know a dude that beat Portal 1 on his MBP using only the keyboard + TRACKPAD. Now THAT is impressive. :eek:

Used to play L4D1 with someone who used a MBP trackpad. Couldn't keep up with us speedrunners but she could hold her own in regular games.

I've now got a Magic Trackpad. That thing is going nowhere near my games. :p
 
Keyboard and mouse is the ONLY way an evolved person plays anything like portal 2 , or indeed any first person shooter, unless your a retarded console player, then whatever you feel most comfortable using with your under evolved paws :D

Yeah I've definitely been banned for saying tamer things than that.

I've actually been playing Amnesia on my Macbook Pro with just the trackpad, too. You never have to aim and shoot (well, click) anything at the same time, and the imprecise controls just make the game more atmospheric to me. It really adds to the game.
 
Controllers or Keyboard+mouse?

For me, the type of game determines how I control it.

For strategy games, such as Age of Empires, Civilization V and Imperial Glory, I prefer to use keyboard and mouse, because there are too many functions for a controller to cope with, and there's more time to consider each action.

For faster-paced games such as Asphalt 6, Call of Duty 4 and Team Fortress 2, I prefer to use controllers.

I would use controllers on Splinter Cell Conviction and Assassin's Creed II, but it turns out that Ubisoft games on the Mac do not accommodate controllers, and not even controller-configuration software like ControllerMate can help.
 
It's possible that the casual gamer might prefer game controllers for FPSs because they think they play better. Almost all console FPSs, with very few exceptions, have aim assistance, simply because the thumbstick is such an awkward way to control a pointer.

Yumunum, try this at home. Start your console and open up something that gives you an onscreen keyboard. Write out a sentence without using predictive typing, let's say "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Time how long it takes to write that sentence by selecting each letter. Now do the same with your Mac's Keyboard Viewer. I can click type in about a tenth of the time as controller typing.

Every cross platform test for FPS games that any developer has ever conducted have always come to the same conclusion. It's not even remotely fair or competitive to let mouse using PC gamers to be in the same game as controller using console gamers.
 
It's possible that the casual gamer might prefer game controllers for FPSs because they think they play better. Almost all console FPSs, with very few exceptions, have aim assistance, simply because the thumbstick is such an awkward way to control a pointer.

Yumunum, try this at home. Start your console and open up something that gives you an onscreen keyboard. Write out a sentence without using predictive typing, let's say "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Time how long it takes to write that sentence by selecting each letter. Now do the same with your Mac's Keyboard Viewer. I can click type in about a tenth of the time as controller typing.

Every cross platform test for FPS games that any developer has ever conducted have always come to the same conclusion. It's not even remotely fair or competitive to let mouse using PC gamers to be in the same game as controller using console gamers.

That was a very good example btw.

I'm not sure how to put my thoughts into words now... I mean, I see the benefits of a keyboard and mouse, but I also see a benefit to the more "controlled" way of aiming with a nice joystick. Call me crazy, but with the sensitivity setting set just right, I find aiming on a controller to be more likable. It just feels steadier, and I don't have unwanted movements. It's just how I like it. But yes I do completely see what you guys are saying, it's how a lot of people like it. But even then, there is more to a controller than aiming, even in a FPS game. So deciding which controller is "better" is still subject to opinion. Maybe for most people, which one aims better is NOT subjective, but there's more to playing games then aiming. Firing, crouching, ducking. I find those things way easier when I have a console controller, a controller with the buttons placed perfectly within reach of (or right under) my fingers. It just feels right.

I'm really tired right now and losing interest in this conversation, so if what I said didn't actually answer the proper questions, ya know, it's fine. If I'm I'm wrong and if I'm right I'm right. Good luck playing to you all, no matter how you do it
 
So, is anyone going to actually make a suggestion for a gamepad? I would actually like to know... There's other trolling forums out there you all can go occupy.
 
Keyboard & Mouse? Xbox controller?

Clearly you should be using a Novint Falcon
Lp9jj.jpg


Or a Razer Hydra, if you're a real gamer.
XTGov.jpg


There are even six specific test chambers in Portal 2 built for the Hydra.


So, is anyone going to actually make a suggestion for a gamepad? I would actually like to know... There's other trolling forums out there you all can go occupy.
The best option for PCs is actually an Xbox 360 controller & wireless receiver. I don't know what Mac compatibility is like.
 
Some can't use ASDF

I have nerve damage in my left hand which keeps me from being able to use the asdf keys, this is the reason for my preference for a controller.

Which gets me back to my current need: I've installed Portal 2 from steam and need a workable solution to get my PS3 controller to work. I see the PS3 Controller in the BT menu. From within the game, the controller buttons/ joysticks mostly do not work.

How do i fix this?

Thanks,

jcorrnt
 
I'll be honest. I've played TF2 for years, I'm terrible with keyboard and mouse. I can't seem to get the feel of aiming with a mouse. When I use a 360 controller, not only do I play better, I use significantly less ammo.

It's weird. I tried really hard to get into the whole "Keyboard & Mouse are the only way", but they're just not for me.
 
I beat portal, portal 2, and even portal prelude all on a LATE 2006 MacBook with keyboard and trackpad. I had to put the settings all on lowest and overclock the "gpu" to get 7 fps, so it took me a couple months to beat it between crashing and lagging to the point that one second I would be one place, another in the goo, but it is actually easy on the mbp 2010 with the trackpad and keyboard, on high settings and beat all of them in a day or two
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.