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How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

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Re: How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

#41

Post by bigstrat2003 »

admax88qqq wrote: post #35
foresto wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Yet ESDF is objectively better Subjectively better. If I were to switch to ESDF, I would have only one key to the right of my index finger in each row, as opposed to two. (I have a split keyboard.) You could argue that I would have two keys to the left of my pinky finger, but I find that reach more difficult. I would also have a harder time orienting my fingers without looking, because I would no longer have the di…

Objectively better on a standard non split keyboard then. Many games assume non split keyboard for default key bindings

No, still subjectively better. There's no such thing as objectively better when it comes to control schemes. It's all personal preference.

Re: How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

#42

Post by wileydragonfly »

corysama wrote: post #40
jameskilton wrote: post #3

Yet ESDF is objectively better because it frees up Q, A, Z, and W to easily be used for other keybinds. The number of people I've seen stretch their pinky down to Left-CTRL for crouch boggles my mind. With ESDF, crouch is A! Yes, this is a very tiny hill on which to die on, but it's my hill!

An issue with EDSF that WASD dodged was that some keyboards had groupings that could only register a limited number of key-downs simultaneously. I believe EDSF was in one group. But, WASD spanned two. So, on those keyboards you could get ignored inputs specifically when things were getting frantic. I've never experienced that myself. Instead, I've been EDSF fo' lyfe because I had so many keybinds in HL1 multiplayer t…

Input ghosting. Happens when they don’t use a 1 to 1 switch matrix. Probably some truth to what you’re saying, I could see the column/row inputs being different.

Re: How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

#43

Post by foresto »

admax88qqq wrote: post #35
foresto wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Yet ESDF is objectively better Subjectively better. If I were to switch to ESDF, I would have only one key to the right of my index finger in each row, as opposed to two. (I have a split keyboard.) You could argue that I would have two keys to the left of my pinky finger, but I find that reach more difficult. I would also have a harder time orienting my fingers without looking, because I would no longer have the di…

Objectively better on a standard non split keyboard then. Many games assume non split keyboard for default key bindings

What is a "standard" non-split keyboard? What do a game developer's assumptions have to do with objectivity?

Also, you have conveniently ignored my last paragraph.

The better mapping is objectively subjective. ;)

Re: How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

#44

Post by mrob »

nvy wrote: post #37
imp0cat wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So what exactly do you need the QAZW for? With WASD you still have TAB, CAPS, tilde and SHIFT available. Also, crouch is Q, jump is E.

For run'n'gun games like Quake, nothing really but for games with more controls like ArmA or Tribes those extra buttons come in handy. Shield, nade, lean left/right, use item, etc.

Weapon switching is a big part of competitive Quake. Easy-to-reach weapon keybinds give you an advantage.

Re: How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

#45

Post by mindslight »

shagie wrote: post #12

Crossfire for the Apple][ series ( https://youtu.be/Vi1Yo13TO28 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crossfire_(1981_video_game) ) had IJKL for movement and ESDF for shooting. I do want to say that for some reason, I remember IJKM and ESDX for controls though. That was a rather uncomfortable control layout (which is why I remember it).

I remember a lot of Apple ][ games using keyboard letters for controls. It bothered me, because having a ][gs I had actual arrow keys.

As for Doom and then Quake, I used the arrow keys and then Del+End for strafing. In Doom you actually went sqrt(2) faster by running diagonally with strafing, and could even outrun rockets (or run ahead of them to where they were going to hit, in big open levels).

Re: How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

#46

Post by forrestthewoods »

jameskilton wrote: post #3

Yet ESDF is objectively better because it frees up Q, A, Z, and W to easily be used for other keybinds. The number of people I've seen stretch their pinky down to Left-CTRL for crouch boggles my mind. With ESDF, crouch is A! Yes, this is a very tiny hill on which to die on, but it's my hill!

Disagree. If I put my pinky on A for ESDF then I have to rotate my wrist enough such that pressing E is uncomfortable. The natural resting place for my pinky with WASD is on shift, not tab. CTRL is trivial to reach. Tab is more awkward.

Re: How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

#47

Post by imaginarypedro »

ronnier wrote: post #23

I've always played asdf, since quake 1 and until this day. Any others? Seems the most natural to me. The majority of the time my finger placement is in the most natural position.

It's good to know I'm not the only one! I think I started using asdf on Descent then loved it for Quake too. I still use it too.

Re: How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

#49

Post by rasz »

justin66 wrote: post #22
jameskilton wrote: post #3

Yet ESDF is objectively better because it frees up Q, A, Z, and W to easily be used for other keybinds. The number of people I've seen stretch their pinky down to Left-CTRL for crouch boggles my mind. With ESDF, crouch is A! Yes, this is a very tiny hill on which to die on, but it's my hill!

> objectively better There actually was a time when computer scientists at Atari studied user interface stuff with game performance in mind. All that ended years before WASD, but it’s worth pointing out that WASD came about as part of a competitive process. It’s not like anyone’s being forced to use something that doesn’t work for them (except on consoles). > stretch their pinky down to Left-CTRL for crouch boggles m…

>computer scientists at Atari studied user interface stuff with game performance in mind

2600 and 5200 controllers say otherwise.

Re: How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

#50

Post by egypturnash »

kentonv wrote: post #15

I always preferred Q/E to strafe, A/D to turn. But these days, almost no games actually let you bind keys to turn anymore. This makes me sad. Of course I use the mouse for precision turning and aiming. But if I'm just navigating through a map without interacting with anything, turn keys let me do that one-handed, while the other hand reaches for a snack or drink! Unfortunately I'm permanently stuck with the Q/E habit…

Have you considered a custom keymap that swaps some of these around? Might be easier than rebinding every game. Just switch to Gamer Keyz.
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