Sorry your browser is not supported!

You are using an outdated browser that does not support modern web technologies, in order to use this site please update to a new browser.

Browsers supported include Chrome, FireFox, Safari, Opera, Internet Explorer 10+ or Microsoft Edge.

Geek Culture / why WASD?

Author
Message
Hobgoblin Lord
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 29th Oct 2005
Location: Fall River, MA USA
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 14:23
Link
WASD works perfectly for 2 hand control (mouse and keys). most c64 games I ever had always used JKLI my guess because most people are right handed. Until FPS games (more specifically mouse and keyboard combo)I do not remember any game using WASD even wolfenstein used arrow keys. I did not play them all but in my experience this was true. First game I really remember using WASD was Quake.

iTitans SEO Services

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Ermes
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th May 2003
Location: ITALIA
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 15:22
Link
anyway, cheap gamepads starts from 9.9 Euro, i hope all of you use gamepads for play pc games.

ciao faccie da sedere!
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
CoffeeGrunt
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 15:37
Link
Why, I prefer keyboards, alot more buttons for extra functions...

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=171328&b=2&p=0#m2034524
Back to top
Profile PM Email
C0wbox
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 6th Jun 2006
Location: 0,50,-150
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 15:37 Edited at: 21st Jun 2010 15:38
Link
Hah I think the only reason to use a gamepad for a PC is if you're a console fanboi or you're playing a sport/racing game. - Everything else is better with a mouse and/or keyboard.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Ermes
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th May 2003
Location: ITALIA
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 15:59 Edited at: 21st Jun 2010 16:01
Link
yep i've a lot of consoles, n64, gamecube, wii, ps1, ps2, psp, xbox, xbox360, gameboy advance, nds xl,old gamegear and some others i forgot.
for me is some sort of old pc stylish man to use keyboard to play and don't use gamepad.Remember there is the analogic stick to use like mouse.

ciao faccie da sedere!
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
David R
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Sep 2003
Location: 3.14
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 16:37
Link
YGHJ and ESDF etc. aren't natural positions for your hands. WASD is as far left as you can go without hitting special keys, and it's almost reachable with a resting position on you left hand

That and the fact WASD is clearly from the PoV of a right hand player aiming with the right hand and moving with the left hand (hence as far left as possible)

09-f9-11-02-9d-74-e3-5b-d8-41-56-c5-63-56-88-c0
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
JLMoondog
Moderator
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Jan 2009
Location: Paradox
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 17:27
Link
How is ESDF not a natural position? That's where your hand sits when you type. Unless your a one finger typer?


JLMoondog's Turbo-Store
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
draknir_
18
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 19th Oct 2006
Location: Netherlands
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 17:57
Link
My hand rests nearer WASD than ESDF when I type. WASD allows greater access to large sized modifier keys like tab, caps lock, shift, control and alt which become a stretch with ESDF.

This entire discussion is moot if you ask me, practically every modern PC game allows you to remap keys to whatever you like.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
David R
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Sep 2003
Location: 3.14
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 18:28 Edited at: 21st Jun 2010 18:28
Link
Quote: "How is ESDF not a natural position? That's where your hand sits when you type. Unless your a one finger typer?"


My hand rests pretty much at WASD when typing. ESDF requires angling my hand inward

I mean, this does also bring up the fact it depends on the keyboard (and the length of the keyboard) and the size of your hands

09-f9-11-02-9d-74-e3-5b-d8-41-56-c5-63-56-88-c0
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Ermes
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 27th May 2003
Location: ITALIA
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 18:32
Link
esdf is about 10 mm on the left of wasd, no difference for your left hand!

ciao faccie da sedere!
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
David R
21
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Sep 2003
Location: 3.14
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 18:37
Link
Quote: "esdf is about 10 mm on the left of wasd, no difference for your left hand!"


Depends where you rest your wrist. Centre of my wrist is parallel with '2' (vertically) so ESDF means turning my hand/fingers right

And again, obviously it depends on your hand, the keyboard etc. But I'm thinking WASD is just maximising the 'left ness'. ESDF is almost there (as you say) but why not go the whole hog?

09-f9-11-02-9d-74-e3-5b-d8-41-56-c5-63-56-88-c0
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Metal Devil123
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 13th Jul 2008
Location: Suomi, Finland
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 18:48
Link
Quote: "esdf is about 10 mm on the left of wasd, no difference for your left hand!"

Shift and Ctrl are further and also with WASD having the big keys, such as Caps Lock and Shift next to it, makes it easier to find, if you like chat with people in the game while waiting to spawn the next time or something. Also, if you are having some difficulties of WASD being complicated or something, then how is ESDF any easier?

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Quik
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Jul 2008
Location: Equestria!
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 19:06 Edited at: 21st Jun 2010 19:07
Link
Quote: "How is ESDF not a natural position? That's where your hand sits when you type. Unless your a one finger typer? "


a matter of personality isnt it? i mean it jumps from person to person, when i type my left hand rests at WASD and my right OKLÖ or IJKL =P


[Q]uik, Quiker than most
Back to top
Profile PM
Hobgoblin Lord
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 29th Oct 2005
Location: Fall River, MA USA
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 20:09
Link
normally in typing your index fingers are supposed to use f and j as home, thats why they have those little raised dots on them on the keyboard.

iTitans SEO Services

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
CoffeeGrunt
17
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 5th Oct 2007
Location: England
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 22:20
Link
Does all this really matter? If it annoys you, remap the keyboard for the game...

http://forum.thegamecreators.com/?m=forum_view&t=171328&b=2&p=0#m2034524
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Quik
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Jul 2008
Location: Equestria!
Posted: 21st Jun 2010 23:33
Link
Quote: "Does all this really matter? If it annoys you, remap the keyboard for the game..."


i so do agree, it is an interesting discussion though =)


[Q]uik, Quiker than most
Back to top
Profile PM
Airslide
20
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Oct 2004
Location: California
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 02:19
Link
Personally I find that the arrow keys are an annoyance when using a mouse. It really comes down to what's already been said. For me it isn't so much the ability to reach other buttons, but the comfort of where my left hand is. I feel like I'm squishing my arms together using the arrow keys and the mouse.

That said, I do use the arrow keys in older games that I play without a mouse (Doom primarily). Of course, many of those, particularly Doom, play very well with a 360 controller.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Quik
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Jul 2008
Location: Equestria!
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 02:56
Link
Quote: "That said, I do use the arrow keys in older games that I play without a mouse "


yes indeed, all racing games i play with arrows for example^^


[Q]uik, Quiker than most
Back to top
Profile PM
JLMoondog
Moderator
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Jan 2009
Location: Paradox
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 03:31 Edited at: 22nd Jun 2010 03:31
Link
I wasn't saying WASD is wrong. I just find it hard to believe that ESDF is considered an uncomfortable position. When I was forced to take typing classes in grade school that's the position your hand was supposed to rest. As stated, that's why there are raised dots on the F and J keys, so you can find them with your index fingers without looking at the keyboard.

Oh well, key mapping FTW!


JLMoondog's Turbo-Store
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Quik
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Jul 2008
Location: Equestria!
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 03:48
Link
Quote: "I wasn't saying WASD is wrong. I just find it hard to believe that ESDF is considered an uncomfortable position. When I was forced to take typing classes in grade school that's the position your hand was supposed to rest. As stated, that's why there are raised dots on the F and J keys, so you can find them with your index fingers without looking at the keyboard. "

i can say that i never rest any finger on the J key, ever.... OKLÖ is what it is for me...
now that i think about it, i very often have my other hand at ARFD :S:S


[Q]uik, Quiker than most
Back to top
Profile PM
JLMoondog
Moderator
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 18th Jan 2009
Location: Paradox
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 04:27
Link
What kind of keyboard layout do you have? :S Putting my fingers in those position and trying to type pretty much entangle them, lol.


JLMoondog's Turbo-Store
Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Shadowtroid
15
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 23rd Dec 2009
Location: nope
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 04:29
Link
Judging by the OKLÖ I'm guessing he doesn't have a standard American or British keyboard.

Back to top
Profile PM Email
Quik
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 3rd Jul 2008
Location: Equestria!
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 04:40 Edited at: 22nd Jun 2010 04:42
Link
no, i certanly don't have the same keyboard as you guys =) considering i am Swedish^^ but you guys have ; in the place of our Ö =) so it is basicly the same, but our :; is our ., only :; is the shifted verson

so i believe there are som differences between your typing on keyboards and ours


[Q]uik, Quiker than most
Back to top
Profile PM
Duke E
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 10th Mar 2009
Location:
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 09:36 Edited at: 22nd Jun 2010 09:38
Link
You use your left little finger as a tactile reference on the left shift key when you reset the left hand on WASD after typing or drinking your beer . Any other key combo would be harder to "feel".

On a side note: Used to 102 key keyboards i can't stand the "windows" keys on new keyboards, I use a screwdriver and pry those out when getting a new keyboard, also any keyboard without the square Ins, Home, PGdn (new row) Del, End, PgDn setup above the inverted "T" arrow keys is a no-no .
Back to top
Profile PM
bitJericho
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 09:44
Link
@Duke, agreed.

Except I like the windows key I don't have it on my keyboard at home But it's worth it to own a nice heavy clickity clackity keyboard.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Duke E
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 10th Mar 2009
Location:
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 10:03
Link
As an old school programmer you can't have the "windows" keys.
Back then, Ctrl-V, C was not invented so i use Shift-Ins, Ctrl-Ins instead. Imagine having the "windows" keys there for the thumb to activate the property menu everytime you cut and paste something
Back to top
Profile PM
bitJericho
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 9th Oct 2002
Location: United States
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 10:22 Edited at: 22nd Jun 2010 10:23
Link
I never get them confused. I don't know what you're saying. Are you hitting shift-ins and hitting a windows/menu key? You should practice more

I'm personally a fan of shift/ctl-insert. Handy shortcut I picked up in qbasic. I use it when my left hand's preoccupied with giving my body water or various other normal tasks not in any way relating to anything inappropriate I know what you're thinking.

Back to top
Profile PM Email Website
Sid Sinister
19
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 10th Jul 2005
Location:
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 10:47
Link
Heh, interesting topic.

WSAD actually fits more naturally for me than the arrows do. The way the keys are staggered allows for my arm to be able to be diagonal to them. If I had to use the arrow keys, I would need to use them straight ahead of my hand. It feels unnatural, and that's not even factoring in that I'm right handed and that it would be really tiring to use the arrow keys.

I can find them pretty easily too. The little bump on F key feels like home to me on the keyboard. Just a few finger hops over and I'm on WSAD.

And then of course there's the rest of the keyboard to look at as well... you have access to a ton of keys over on the left. Sure, you could use the numpad, but you have to remember that not all keyboards have a numpad, especially laptops.

Sorry if this is a lot of repeated stuff. Didn't really read much of the thread. It's 4 am. Just doing this to wind down. Finals week at college. Sleep is over rated =P

"If I have seen a little further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants" - Isaac Newton
Current Project: http://strewnfield.wordpress.com/ (Last updated 06/11/09)
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Benjamin
22
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 24th Nov 2002
Location: France
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 12:01 Edited at: 22nd Jun 2010 12:01
Link
I use ZQSD which is the FR keyboard equivalent of "WASD" in that the keys are in the same place. Of course, some engines neglect the fact that there is more than one keyboard layout in the world and just hardcode WASD rather than using scancodes.

Most of the time I use "WASD" over arrow keys as it's much easier to reach so many other keys.
Back to top
Profile PM Email
Duke E
16
Years of Service
User Offline
Joined: 10th Mar 2009
Location:
Posted: 22nd Jun 2010 19:29
Link
Quote: "Are you hitting shift-ins and hitting a windows/menu key? You should practice more"


My hands are like trashcan bin lids . I mean you hit the right shift with the thumb and index finger on the Ins. Your thumb knuckle will land straight on the "windows-property" key beside the right Ctrl .
Back to top
Profile PM
Back to top

Login to post a reply

Server time is: 2025-06-07 11:24:13
Your offset time is: 2025-06-07 11:24:13