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How WASD became the standard PC control scheme (2016)

pcgamer.com

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

#61

Post by justin66 »

rasz wrote: post #49
justin66 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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.

The point was that there is a way to do "objective" study of Human-Computer Interaction, with game controllers as well as everything else, and then there are random opinions offered as "objective" for no reason other than people not caring about what "objective" means.

But you're right about those controllers being somewhat shit. In fairness to the amazing Atari research labs that were used as part of a perhaps poor comparison, they had nothing to do with the design of those controllers and weren't around long enough to really affect much on the hardware side before their iteration of Atari died. For a couple of years Atari had some amazing researchers, but they would have benefitted from some amazing (or merely competent) senior management as well.

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

#62

Post by justin66 »

MetaWhirledPeas wrote: post #36
justin66 wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> 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…

> part of a competitive process Ehhh, sort of. I think people copied it from Thresh (a famous Quake player). It was better than the default, and "good enough" for competition. So a lot of people simply copied it and never thought about it again, especially after games started making it the default.

I don't believe that competitive players are unwilling to experiment with this stuff to get an edge. On the hand, if someone polled today's competitive gamers to see what they're doing with their keybindings, the results were not published in this article. The author might ascribe more importance to the defaults than is really appropriate.

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

#63

Post by cwillu »

Talanes wrote: post #9
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!

I have large hands. Left control is the natural resting place of my pinky, while reaching A from an ESDF rest requires I adjust my whole hand to scrunch my fingers closer.

I've used EADF (not s) for years, and will never go back.

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

#65

Post by Fire-Dragon-DoL »

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!

Clearly hasn't learned to use the palm for left ctrl!

/s

I do use the palm though, it is weird, lol

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

#66

Post by elabajaba »

nvy wrote: post #52
mrob wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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

Sure but aren't they all on the number keys?

Sure, but try hitting 8 without moving your hand from wasd

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

#67

Post by maxglute »

unshavedyak wrote: post #20
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!

Funny, haven't seen esdf mention in ages. I used to use ESDF exclusively. I eventually gave it up though just due to needing to remap it in ever damn game. Plus some wouldn't let me remap, which was even more annoying.

Wonder if there's a program that toggles remaps wasd to esdf or whatever template.

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

#69

Post by xen0 »

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!

And here I am using QWES.

I find it much more ergonomic to have the three fingers on the same row.

And L Ctrl is not a stretch at all. Although for some reason I usually bind L Alt to crouch...

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

#70

Post by 3np »

Terr_ wrote: post #55
TacticalCoder wrote: post #54

Back when I'd game I'd use the actual arrow keys (the one close to the numpad) and the keys around it. WASD and ESDF are both poor attempts at mimicking the actual arrow keys cluster (imitating the inverted 'T' of the arrow keys cluster). My keyboard would be in diagonal on my desk (as opposed to parallel to the monitor). I've seen some pro-gamer, back in the days, use the same setup. And, no, I couldn't type to chat…

> imitating the inverted 'T' of the arrow keys cluster Tangentially: There were a few Microsoft keyboard models where they arranged the arrows in a diamond, which was uncomfortable heresy of the highest order.

The Apple Magic keyboard still does this I believe? Worst part of an otherwise good keyboard.
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