I own Call of Duty: World at War on both the PS3 and the PC. Why? A few reasons (aside from the fact that it turned out to be a pretty enjoyable game). For one, most of my friends can't be bothered to learn to use a PC well enough to troubleshoot the myriad issues that can come up when trying to run games on different hardware configs, and actually setting up and connecting to online matches is still simpler on consoles. Therefore, we play together on PS3. The PS3 also has the draw of collecting trophies for your online avatar, but that's a separate article entirely.
However, despite the solid framerate, performance, and comparable visual polish, I prefer to play it on the PC for two primary reasons: controls and their configurability.
The Mouse Rules The House
While Treyarch made strides in improving console FPS controls, put simply, first-person shooters will never play as well with a controller as they do with a mouse and keyboard. Make all the arguments you want about subtle lateral movement with the analog stick; when it comes down to it, sniping and 1v1 clashes in FPS games are determined by who can aim better, faster, and more accurately. In this regard, the controller will never, ever touch the mouse, unless maybe they replace the right analog with a swappable trackball, something I've lobbied for in the past. However, I've heard no plans of developing any such device.
With the omnipresent USB ports on the PS3 and already available keyboard support, why the hell aren't developers supporting mouse input for games like this? Unreal Tournament embraced using a mouse on the PS2 several years ago. With the glut of FPS games on the current crop of consoles, it eludes me why nobody is including support for this configuration.
What's sadly ironic is that the opposite is being made possible, as the use of console controllers on PCs is being enabled via programs like SwitchBlade. Beyond that, Turning Point: Fall of Liberty and Brothers In Arms: Hell's Highway seem to actually encourage using controllers with the PC iterations. What the hell? PC gamers are just as devout about their platform as everyone else, and I have a hard time imagining them embracing this affront to one of their system's remaining key strengths. Despite my enjoyment of PC games, if more console games embraced the mouse/keyboard setup, I'd probably do most of my gaming there (except real-time strategy and MMOs, which the PC still firmly rules).
Article comments
1 - Robert M. Barga
I am just waiting until MIT releases their hand/brain controlled mouse, until then, nothing is good enough
2 - Rob F
If this were truly an issue beyond your limited scope more developers would do something about it. Why BC continues to lend space to your awful opinions and analysis is beyond me.
3 - Mark
Thanks Rob, nothing constructive, just whining, meaningless criticism with nothing useful behind it. Load times and mid-level saves have been complained about in the past and guess what? THEY FIXED IT in countless titles. Sixaxis functionality got a number of complaints and has been relegated to optional status in virtually every title out there now. Why should someone voice something they take issue with when they can sit around hoping developers will read their minds? Better to suffer in silence, right Rob? Friggin' brilliant thinking.
If you're so weary of my "opinions and analysis," it must have been excruciating keeping your mouth shut until now, since I don't seem to remember you piping up about the anguish my words caused you before. Why do you keep reading then? Do you also keep slamming your hand in a door, hoping it'll feel good one of these times?
Yeah man, Pong rocked. God forbid we say or do anything to try to evolve/improve a hobby. I'm not interested in your opinion if this is the best you could do, and since clearly the feeling is mutual, how about you keep it to yourself?
4 - Rob F
I've read and commented on your work before, and it still surprises me they let you contribute. Your stuff is like a car crash-- it's hard not to take a look at least every once in awhile.
Developers have never, and likely will never take anything you say to heart. And they certainly won't change the way they design their games as a direct result of work like yours.
I don't care if you don't like my opinion; this issue is minor and insignificant at best... [Personal attack deleted by Comments Editor].