XBox vs. PS4 Controller for ED

Old Duck

Old Duck
On consoles, I feel the PS4 Controller (DS4) is superior thanks to gyroscopic headlook and extra touch pad buttons, but these extra features are not supported natively on PC. In fact, DS4 in general is not* supported natively by Windows. Some games support it, like Tomb Raider, but other games like Space Engineers won't even recognize it. Yes, I can have Steam make the DS4 pretend to be an XBox controller, but that gets confusing since the button symbols don't match.

I'm entertaining the idea of just getting an XBox controller for my PC on Black Friday. So, those of you who have tried both, what is your opinion of one vs. the other? While this thread is for ED, I'm not getting a controller JUST for ED, so let's leave the HOTAS for a different thread. I will, however, entertain any feedback you might have of other controllers like the Steam controller or 3rd Party XBox controllers or even different software that lets DS4 mimic an XBox controller.

My biggest concern with switching is the swapped position of the left stick and D-pad. I fear my muscle-memory would screw me up with these being swapped. Oh, and of course I already own a DS4, so buying YAC just for better compatibility bucks against my minimalist tendencies. Perhaps I can just get XBox stickers to put on my DS4 buttons! 🤷

* Who do I blame for this - Sony or Microsoft?
 

Deleted member 182079

D
Been a Sony fanboy since the PS1 days, until the PS3 - current gen consoles don't do it for me so I never bothered getting a PS4. What I'm saying is, I'm very much used to the Sony pad layout but have never tried the DS4.

For PC, I used to play with a wired 360 pad. All in all pretty good but absolutely horrific dpad. Several years ago I replaced that with an Xbox One pad. Still have it, and it's excellent - the only thing I don't like is having to switch batteries and charging them outside the controller. Other than that, I actually prefer the XBO controller over the PS3 pad now. The slight change in layout is not something I struggled with to be honest. The dpad is excellent, and the triggers have a vibrate function which works really well for games such as the Forza series.

Native support of the XB pad is great. Can't think of a single game in my Steam library that doesn't recognise it and will display the correct buttons. It's basically like playing on an Xbox but with all the PC benefits. Go for it you won't regret it. It also works like a dream via bluetooth on the Pi (have one for my retro gaming needs, and a wireless pad is essential for couch gaming).
 

Pyrotiger

Pyrotiger
There's a program called DS4 and it allows the PS4 control pad to be used in ED, just in case anybody wonders how to make it work.

I'm very tempted to try an Xbox controller now, simply because of wireless.
 

CMDR John Luke Paperbone

CMDR John Luke Paperbone
Old Duck said:
On consoles, I feel the PS4 Controller (DS4) is superior thanks to gyroscopic headlook and extra touch pad buttons, but these extra features are not supported natively on PC. In fact, DS4 in general is not* supported natively by Windows. Some games support it, like Tomb Raider, but other games like Space Engineers won't even recognize it. Yes, I can have Steam make the DS4 pretend to be an XBox controller, but that gets confusing since the button symbols don't match.

I'm entertaining the idea of just getting an XBox controller for my PC on Black Friday. So, those of you who have tried both, what is your opinion of one vs. the other? While this thread is for ED, I'm not getting a controller JUST for ED, so let's leave the HOTAS for a different thread. I will, however, entertain any feedback you might have of other controllers like the Steam controller or 3rd Party XBox controllers or even different software that lets DS4 mimic an XBox controller.

My biggest concern with switching is the swapped position of the left stick and D-pad. I fear my muscle-memory would screw me up with these being swapped. Oh, and of course I already own a DS4, so buying YAC just for better compatibility bucks against my minimalist tendencies. Perhaps I can just get XBox stickers to put on my DS4 buttons! 🤷

* Who do I blame for this - Sony or Microsoft?
Click to expand...

On PC i'd go for the Xbox Elite controller. Feels Great and has paddles that duplicate A B X Y buttons.

I have one, which i don't use for Elite, and i must say it's great. Just pay attention to this: the one i bought 2 years ago uses a dongle that eats up an usb port. Don't know if most recent ones still need this or not.
 

Iron Body

Iron Body
I played ED for the first 2 years on a PC with a £5 Game controller, a PS3 look alike. It was great, and still works today.
Then I got a PS4 for a second account and a corresponding controller - which for ED is the same as the Game one. So no difference.

Then I got the occulus, which came with an Xbox controller, and to me, the layout of the thumb pads and buttons never quite worked.
But I guess that's just what I was used to. I use the same key bindings for both, and have never run out of key combinations.

For the last 2 years though I have used the thrustmaster tflight hotas 4, which is better than either controller and not much more expensive.
 

Deleted member 182079

D
CMDR John Luke Paperbone said:
Go tell that to some Fps pro, then come back and report.
Click to expand...
Oh I'm not arguing that M&K is more accurate especially when it comes to aiming. But given I use them all day at work I prefer a different haptic feel when I play my games, and using a pad as a controller also means I can rest my arms in a more comfortable position, plus it allows me to sit in a more comfortable chair/lounger/couch that doesn't have to be aligned with my desktop.

Whatever works best for you though.

I've always been intrigued by a HOTAS for Elite but I'd rather not buy another chunky piece of plastic (already own a T300 wheel incl. pedals) and I'm not sure how much better that would actually be for me compared to the pad. My muscle memory would require quite a bit of re-learning I'd say.
 

ZAKALWEINC8876

ZAKALWEINC8876
I did about 3 months with the ds4 when Elite launched on PS, then switched to a Hotas.
I shudder at the thought of having to use the ds4 now in all honesty. Imo the Hotas is far superior.

o7
 

Deleted member 110222

D
Rübenkresse said:
Interesting... has anyone tried the Steam controller?
Click to expand...
Infinitely superior to the console pads, provided you play through Steam.

I have an Xbox controller, and I have a Steam controller. Steam controller is much better because the customisation available is so much more.

Not to mention that it's actually a little cheaper if purchased via the Steam app, and comes with wireless as standard in the box. That will cost you even more on Xbox controllers.
 

Old Duck

Old Duck
ZAKALWEINC8876 said:
I shudder at the thought of having to use the ds4 now in all honesty. Imo the Hotas is far superior.
Click to expand...
For flying only. DS4 is superior for walking, driving, FSS, etc, at least IMO. That said, I might try my flight stick with Space Engineers and see how it feels for the flying part, though my cheap stick doesn't do 6DoF (or even 5) as good as my DS4.

I also like the portability of a controller, as I play on a gaming laptop in various locations in my home.
 

ZAKALWEINC8876

ZAKALWEINC8876
Old Duck said:
For flying only. DS4 is superior for walking, driving, FSS, etc, at least IMO. That said, I might try my flight stick with Space Engineers and see how it feels for the flying part, though my cheap stick doesn't do 6DoF (or even 5) as good as my DS4.

I also like the portability of a controller, as I play on a gaming laptop in various locations in my home.
Click to expand...

Sorry, i did indeed mean "just flying wise" my apologies. I would be even more rubbish than normal trying to play COD or something with a Hotas👍😀
 

ZAKALWEINC8876

ZAKALWEINC8876
A bit more on topic, i had a XB360 and was not happy really with the controller, but it was better than the glass PS3 controller which felt like a tiny toy in my fairly large hands.

Thats not really on topic either tho i guess, i will go now.

o7
 

IndigoWyrd

IndigoWyrd
Old Duck said:
On consoles, I feel the PS4 Controller (DS4) is superior thanks to gyroscopic headlook and extra touch pad buttons, but these extra features are not supported natively on PC. In fact, DS4 in general is not* supported natively by Windows. Some games support it, like Tomb Raider, but other games like Space Engineers won't even recognize it. Yes, I can have Steam make the DS4 pretend to be an XBox controller, but that gets confusing since the button symbols don't match.

I'm entertaining the idea of just getting an XBox controller for my PC on Black Friday. So, those of you who have tried both, what is your opinion of one vs. the other? While this thread is for ED, I'm not getting a controller JUST for ED, so let's leave the HOTAS for a different thread. I will, however, entertain any feedback you might have of other controllers like the Steam controller or 3rd Party XBox controllers or even different software that lets DS4 mimic an XBox controller.

My biggest concern with switching is the swapped position of the left stick and D-pad. I fear my muscle-memory would screw me up with these being swapped. Oh, and of course I already own a DS4, so buying YAC just for better compatibility bucks against my minimalist tendencies. Perhaps I can just get XBox stickers to put on my DS4 buttons! 🤷

* Who do I blame for this - Sony or Microsoft?
Click to expand...

*You blame Microsoft, for supporting their own products over those of their competitors. Long ago there was DS4Win available for free download. These days it is more rare than a working 5.25" floppy drive or honest politician, and I would be extremely leery of downloading it from just any random site.

There are a few viable alternative gamepads out there though - The Logitech F310 is the most PS4-like that won't set you back an investment. The SteelSeries - Stratus Duo Wireless Gaming Controller has one of the best wireless offerings and a wide range of VR support as well. These are the controllers I've actually had hands-on, and find them both to be quite nice and usable - though I do own an original DS4Win that works - though I've not actually plugged in or connected a controller to my PC since I went HOTAS, because why? :)
 

Pyrotiger

Pyrotiger
Logitechs are well, OK, but Ps4 feel is much better. Just bought an Xbox controller for just under 40 in Sainsburys, can't find it cheaper anywhere else, will try it out.
 

CmdMarty

C
I use the steam controller to play ed on the couch works pretty good just have to get use to it and get set up how you like! Would be nice if sony wasn't so locked down and gave windows a supported driver.
 
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