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Nobody plays shooters with a mouse and keyboard anymore!

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Since Halo’s come around, nobody plays shooters the way they used to, and nobody uses a mouse and keyboard for first person games any more. That’s the bold claim from Halo and Destiny developer Bungie’s co-founder Jason Jones. A claim, I’m sure, many of you will take umbrage at.

Speaking to the chaps at Destructoid about the lack of an announced PC version of their rather ambitious shooter, he declared that nobody plays with the archaic mouse and keyboard combo anymore – because nobody wants to.

We did a bunch of ambitious things on Halo deliberately to reach out to people," Jason Jones said to Dtoid. "We limited players to two weapons, we gave them recharging health, we automatically saved and restored the game — almost heretical things to first-person shooters at the time. We made the game run without a mouse and keyboard. And now nobody plays shooters the way they used to play them before Halo ’cause nobody wants to.

So all those things that you hate in modern first person shooters? Limited weapon selection, regenerating health and checkpoints? Blame Bungie.

For the record, I’m one of those people who now seldom uses a mouse and keyboard for most games anymore, favouring a controller even for my PC games. It took me months to transition from mouse and keyboard to using a controller for shooters – and now it really is my preferred method, even if it’s not quite as accurate as a mouse.

Just don’t make me play an RTS with a controller. Ever.

Last Updated: February 18, 2013

96 Comments

  1. AndriyP

    February 18, 2013 at 13:35

    Lol showing off that they went full retard…nice one

    Reply

  2. Andre116

    February 18, 2013 at 13:38

    RTS games. That is the only thing I’m envious about from the master race. Sigh…I miss them.

    Reply

    • CodeScarwls

      February 18, 2013 at 13:41

      You don’t see proper RTS games coming out these days (Excluding SC2)

      Reply

      • Uberutang

        February 18, 2013 at 13:45

        Go to Steam and buy : Wargame European Escalation. It makes SC2 look like a cheap console port.

        Reply

        • Trevor Davies

          February 18, 2013 at 14:16

          Please don’t remind me about Supreme Commander 2. I rage-quit & uninstalled during the first mission after the incredibly poor voice-acted NPC said, “Toodles!”

          Reply

        • CodeScarwls

          February 18, 2013 at 14:27

          Will give that a shot.

          I like fantasy RTS. Bows arrows orcs and elves.
          I remember you used to get so many different kinds of RTS. There was even a Star Wars RTS, if I remember correctly.

          Reply

          • Uberutang

            February 18, 2013 at 14:30

            Star Wars: Empire at War! It was awesome.

            Yeah Wargame is really good. Pure strategy. Got it off steam for R40 or so recently. Not easy, but a good RTS should never be easy!

      • Andre116

        February 18, 2013 at 13:48

        Wasn’t Supreme Commander any good? I used to love Total Annihilation.

        Reply

      • Uberutang

        February 18, 2013 at 14:33

      • Kromas

        February 21, 2013 at 14:35

        Anno 2070,Sins trinity, C&C(2013) (hate having to add dates to games). Quite a few others are coming as well so I would not count the RTS genre out just yet.

        Reply

    • PCandNintendoMasterRace

      August 4, 2013 at 18:45

      Pikmin 3

      Reply

  3. CodeScarwls

    February 18, 2013 at 13:40

    Loving my XBOX controller on my PC.

    But when it comes to FPS. I’ll stick to me ol mouse and keyboard, thank you very much.

    Reply

    • Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

      March 18, 2014 at 08:59

      I do the same thing, I’ve recently downloaded the PC version of Warframe, and I use the xbox controller for it. Amazing! Also did the same for Loadout, and so far so good.

      Reply

  4. Admiral Chief Erwin

    February 18, 2013 at 13:44

    I’m saying this in Afrikaans, because it sounds best.

    JULLE PRAAT KAK!

    Reply

    • DaeMon

      February 18, 2013 at 13:45

      no way i cant upvote that! nice

      Reply

    • Darth_Clericus_The_Ultimate

      February 18, 2013 at 13:48

      Biggest load of rubbish ever. Feel differently?Ask the COD crowd which format is harder to play on. PC guys are WAAY to fast.

      Reply

    • Tracy

      February 18, 2013 at 13:54

      I wish I could upvote you twice for that, you summed it up perfectly

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Erwin

        February 18, 2013 at 14:39

        Nice to see you comment here 🙂

        Reply

        • Darth_Clericus_The_Ultimate

          February 18, 2013 at 16:17

          Dude….69 like. wow

          Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      February 18, 2013 at 13:54

      Dude, have an upvote. Met ys boet! Met ys!

      Reply

    • That Tall Twit

      February 18, 2013 at 13:55

      Agreed

      Reply

    • ElNicko

      February 18, 2013 at 13:59

      this right here gets my vote for comment of the week – heres an upvote….

      Reply

    • Izzy

      February 18, 2013 at 14:00

      The man speaks true!

      Reply

    • TechniKyle

      February 18, 2013 at 14:03

      Comment of the week! Comment of the week!

      Reply

    • Brady miaau

      February 18, 2013 at 14:03

      Ok, but I only empathized with “Nobody plays shooters”

      Reply

    • FoxOneZA

      February 18, 2013 at 14:31

      I’m the 50th upvoter… do I getz a prize? No I don’t want your autographed pic 😀

      Reply

      • Tracy

        February 18, 2013 at 14:50

        I upvoted before you did #hipster

        Reply

    • loftie

      February 18, 2013 at 17:20

      keyboard and mouse, peaches and cream, fire and ice, all has a nice ring to it. But, what, controller and hands?? meh, maybe on my Reggies TV games thanks. lol

      Reply

  5. DaeMon

    February 18, 2013 at 13:44

    we should all upgrade from mouse and keyboard to mouse and razer nostromo… 😀

    Reply

  6. Uberutang

    February 18, 2013 at 13:44

    LOL. And I have liked Bungie up till now….

    I use the controller often, for most games… but shooters you need a kb/m. Go and try and play BF3 with a controller vs 63 other guys running kb./m and see how far you get. I have tried it and it is ugly. Prison shower ugly.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Erwin

      February 18, 2013 at 15:16

      LOL Prison shower

      Reply

  7. matthurstrsa

    February 18, 2013 at 13:45

    I still play with my mouse and keyboard. So much easier, since there are many more keys than assignable buttons on a controller.

    Reply

  8. Sir Captain Rincethis

    February 18, 2013 at 13:48

    What is a mouse? That a small thing that runs around looking alarmed at everything?

    Reply

  9. Admiral Chief Erwin

    February 18, 2013 at 13:48

    Those are all things I HATE about gaming.

    This is how I feel about FPS:
    – I will save when I want to, not before, not after
    – I want to blow up, shoot and all those lovely things with a choice of many weapons

    – I want to choose when and where to heal

    I mean really, I know society is getting more stupid every year, but damn, they are dumbing (some) games down so much, its like they want society to implode.

    Rant over

    Reply

    • Sir Captain Rincethis

      February 18, 2013 at 14:00

      Better? 🙂

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Erwin

        February 18, 2013 at 14:08

        I’m always better, just like to put it out there 😛

        Reply

        • Scoobaz

          February 18, 2013 at 16:14

          That’s what she said…

          Reply

  10. DaxterZA

    February 18, 2013 at 13:49

    To me it goes down to personal preference…

    I’ve been a console gamer most of my life, so I prefer a controller, I suck at using a KB and Mouse!

    Yes they say that aiming with a mouse is easier and faster, but I’ve seen some people on console that uses a controller even faster than a person with a KB and mouse! Its crazy how fast some people are with a controller!

    But this article is BS imo, KB/Mouse or Controller, its your choice, not theirs!

    Reply

  11. GTO

    February 18, 2013 at 13:51

    “We limited players to two weapons” – Pretty much universally hated from what I have seen, only reason to do it is realism but more importantly, controllers suck at wapon sellection.

    “We gave them recharging health” – Far to forgiving, makes every fps the easiest game in existance. Doesn’t matter what you do just hide for 10 seconds and you are good as new. Only reason to do this is lazy/bad level design and wanting to deal with different skill levels in a lazy way.

    “We automatically saved and restored the game” – Fine with it except when they save before long cut scenes. quick saves can be abused, but that was player choice. They have to do this to lengthen the game, because you can no longer just save you end up redoing bigger sections of the game. It is artifitially lengthening the game. Also making it a little harder since you now have to finish entire sections.

    I mostly dislike all the changes.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Erwin

      February 18, 2013 at 14:01

      AAAAA my left lung was blown apart!!! Leg shot off!!! Can’t breathe……
      [10 seconds later]
      Die bitches die! Lets go go go!

      Reply

    • Red Worked

      February 19, 2013 at 11:55

      Havn’t really played Halo, cause XBoxlessness. Is that a limit of 2 weapons equipped at a time or like… only 2 weapons available in the game?

      Reply

      • GTO

        February 19, 2013 at 12:05

        Equiped. If you remember in Duke Nukem 3d, quake, even half life, you can carry as many guns as an elephant. In Halo and pretty much all recent fps you can only equip 2. This is because with a controller scrolling through weapons takes time.

        Reply

        • Red Worked

          February 19, 2013 at 13:53

          Best mechanics for this problem ever was what they did it S.T.A.L.K.E.R. Realism FTW. Carry a max of like 60kg of equipment, including your body armour, carry as many weapons and stuff as you can, but only equip 2 at a time to be quickly accessible. Really hope there’s another installment of that coming some time.

          Reply

  12. Kagutsuchi

    February 18, 2013 at 13:52

    How do they even make these claims? Where’s the proof? These feel like lazy ass excuses to shaft PC gamers. What of the PC players that use controller? Screw them, right!? I’m getting real tired of this shit…

    Reply

  13. Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

    February 18, 2013 at 13:53

    Urm excuse me? No one?

    You guys are the very thing that is wrong with the industry lately. You simply assume that because your personal preference is X,Y or Z it means the whole world is the same and wants the same things. You have forgotten what games are about and have simply become bullies in the industry. Forcing everyone to behave like you and shunning everything else.

    It’s rediculous that a company such as yourselves would even dare make such an absurd statement. I realise it won’t cost you any sales since you are anyway not bringing it to PC but the damage you do to the image of your company which is supposed to be a gaming company is rather frightening.

    Ok, I am probably over reacting, but I just can’t stand how closed minded the gaming industry is becoming. The point of making anything is to make a profit and to make it as far reaching as possible. Not the other way around.

    Have a look at Battlefield and the likes. Are you telling me no one plays it on PC with a mouse and keyboard? Are you telling me that all the people who do play it on PC are using controllers? Are you nuts!? The gameplay is very different and you’d have a really hard time with a controller while others are using keyboards and mouses.

    Go do some research before showing how incompetent you are. Saying no one uses PC peripherals is nothing short of being laughed at. I use them. My friends use them. Almost anyone who plays on PC uses them. The PC industry is not as small as you would like to think bud.

    But hey, whatever makes you sleep at night.

    I should really work on my temper…. *goes to play an FPS with mouse and keyboard support*

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Erwin

      February 18, 2013 at 14:00

      LOL

      Reply

    • Izzy

      February 18, 2013 at 14:04

      Agree with everything you say, man. xD I bet the comments sections of other websites is having a field day, after being presented with this news. 😛

      Reply

    • Kobus Nel

      February 18, 2013 at 14:16

      Yup, fraking console loving controller wielding artards. My working XBOX 360 has one purpose for the last 2 or so years… it’s a screen stand to elevate my screen from my table to a more comfortable level. That’s it’s only use for me. Controllers are in a box somewhere. Don’t need them, never will. And out of all the gamers I know, I think 1 uses a controller, and it’s only on a rare occason when he’s playing a racing game coz he prefers the controller. The rest of everyone I know uses a keyboard and mouse. So suck it! Do some research. http://sarahsaysreadbooks.files.wordpress.com/2012/08/lawyered.jpg

      Reply

  14. TehBrad

    February 18, 2013 at 13:54

    The what the hell was I using to play BioShock 2 on my PC last night? Could have sworn it was a mouse… and possibly a keyboard. I could be mistaken.

    Reply

  15. fred

    February 18, 2013 at 13:58

    Yip , keyboard / mouse is for working not playing.

    Reply

  16. Brady miaau

    February 18, 2013 at 14:01

    “Just don’t make me play an RTS with a controller. Ever”

    Yes, hear you there

    Reply

  17. Martin du preez

    February 18, 2013 at 14:01

    WOW..talk about taking a comment out of context..Solid journalism right there..

    Reply

    • Devon Stanton

      February 18, 2013 at 14:36

      good spot, it’s easy to read something and put your own spin on it.

      Reply

      • Martin du preez

        February 18, 2013 at 14:53

        I’m talking about the “NOBODY PLAYS SHOOTERS WITH M/KB ANYMORE!” that is clearly not what the guy meant. He is clearly talking about consoles and where Halo revolutionized the first person shooter on console,where it previously was king on PC and everyone rather played FPS’s on pc because it was so *** on console.

        Reply

        • Devon Stanton

          February 18, 2013 at 14:55

          yeah I agree with you

          Reply

        • mornelithe

          February 18, 2013 at 18:08

          Still is ass on console trolololol 😉

          Reply

  18. OVG

    February 18, 2013 at 14:02

    They work for ACTIVISION. Bullshit detector went off ages ago. They just want everybody on the console so they can make more money somehow.

    Reply

  19. umar bastra

    February 18, 2013 at 14:02

    Awww that’s so cute … He thinks nobody uses a mouse and keyboard, agh men, you are just too cute. being all arrogant and stuff.

    Reply

  20. TechniKyle

    February 18, 2013 at 14:03

    I wish I read this before Erwin started posting, just so I can write: “Erwin is gonna love this one.”

    Reply

  21. TechniKyle

    February 18, 2013 at 14:05

    I’m a console slut, and even I know that this is kak talk.

    Reply

  22. Xelus

    February 18, 2013 at 14:12

    Oh Bungie, just I suspected, a simple excuse not to make this “ambitious” game for the pc platform. Since Microsoft and Halo, Bungie completely lost it. Destiny is exactly what they said, just ambitious, nothing more than that.

    Reply

  23. Skande

    February 18, 2013 at 14:18

    Give me a Keyboard and mouse for my xbox and I will surely play FPS games, currently I am as slow as Zuma on a good day with the controller.

    Reply

  24. Trevor Davies

    February 18, 2013 at 14:20

    Well that is a Logitech keyboard & mouse in the header image, so rubbish is a fair comment. trollolol

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Erwin

      February 18, 2013 at 14:21

      XDXDXDXDXD
      Razer FTW

      Reply

    • Mathias

      February 18, 2013 at 14:24

      lol

      Reply

    • Sir Rants-a-Lot Llew

      February 18, 2013 at 14:34

      Hahaha. Well played

      Reply

  25. hermann

    February 18, 2013 at 14:21

    Is it time for FFD already?

    Reply

  26. Mathias

    February 18, 2013 at 14:26

    Do you really play shooters with a controller on your PC? Like, multiplayer too?

    I’m of course ignoring what this dude said, because it’s not that we don’t want to play the way we used to, it’s that NO ONE keeps making these kind of games, and when they try, they’re mostly rubbish.

    I played Nexuiz and loved it because of his retro feel, but no one bought it because no one had any idea what it was about.

    Reply

  27. FoxOneZA

    February 18, 2013 at 14:28

    Much agreed Geoffy. The Xbox controller is all things good from FPS to racing 🙂

    Reply

  28. Johan du Preez

    February 18, 2013 at 14:28

    ROFL laat die man so lieg met ‘n reguit gesig

    Reply

  29. Melasco

    February 18, 2013 at 14:34

    I think it’s personal preference. I prefer gamepad over keyboard / mouse, but I do agree that Keyboard / Mouse is way more accurate. People can say what they want, but many multiplayer games on PC turns into snipe fests for just that reason, it’s so easy to be a good shot on PC. not so easy on console, although you’d be surprised how good some guys are(Not me :P)…

    Do I agree with their claim? Hell no, everyone I know still play shooters with Keyboard and mouse…

    Reply

  30. Dawid Gericke

    February 18, 2013 at 14:56

    Controller is the preferred method if you like auto aim…
    Mouse and keyboard shows actual skill.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Erwin

      February 18, 2013 at 16:16

      Snap. Said like a baws

      Reply

  31. Tbone187

    February 18, 2013 at 16:49

    Think he meant , Nobody plays Halo anymore, period….

    Reply

  32. mornelithe

    February 18, 2013 at 18:01

    Well, I can only speak for the 12 friends I have on Steam, all of which play FPS w/ mouse and keyboard, and would rather take a bullet than do so w/ a controller. That having been said, we do use controllers on PC for some other types of games. But, for FPS? Not a chance.

    Reply

  33. Willem Swanepoel

    February 18, 2013 at 18:31

    Jou poephol moet jaloers wees op jou mond, want daar kom meer KAK uit jou mond uit…my donder.

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Erwin

      February 19, 2013 at 09:17

      XDXD

      Reply

  34. Ocelotty1

    February 19, 2013 at 03:21

    Nobody plays shooters with a mouse and keyboard anymore! – which Crack addicted Meth Monkey came out with that statement? and do they really believe it?

    Reply

  35. Ocelotty1

    February 19, 2013 at 03:21

    Nobody plays shooters with a mouse and keyboard anymore! – which Crack addicted Meth Monkey came out with that statement? and do they really believe it?

    Reply

  36. Ocelotty1

    February 19, 2013 at 03:21

    Nobody plays shooters with a mouse and keyboard anymore! – which Crack addicted Meth Monkey came out with that statement? and do they really believe it?

    Reply

  37. FreakyAtom

    February 19, 2013 at 09:05

    I myself used to play pc games, all genres. Now i do agree with you “pc-till-die” types but come on whats more comfortable sitting at a table or with a mouse and keyboard or chilling on a comfy couch with your controler? I also agree its very difficult to play rts with a controler but not impossible, but playing oblivion or sports games or racing games waaaaaay better with controler.

    Anyway each to there own.

    Reply

    • mornelithe

      February 19, 2013 at 09:14

      It’s just as comfy sitting on the couch with a mouse and keyboard, provided you have the proper setup. People forget that you can connect TV’s to PC’s with the same cord as your console.

      Reply

  38. Joe Soapie

    February 19, 2013 at 10:02

    Interesting; because I refuse to play shooters with a controller. I can’t do it, lol. I’m completely and utterly retarded when it comes to shooters with a controller. xD

    Reply

  39. Slade Boender

    February 19, 2013 at 11:58

    So, Brain Surgeons would rather use a a knife and fork for surgery, because its how they eat dinner? What the actual fuck.

    Reply

  40. Insom2000

    February 19, 2013 at 12:39

    I really don’t understand people who prefer controllers to a keyboard/mouse combo.

    On controllers, your thumbs have to do almost all the work. The little joystick things, and 4(?) buttons each. Then maybe some buttons for your index fingers. (Or something)

    We have 10 fingers! (Well, most of us.) With a controller you’re using most of your fingers just holding it.

    The only advantage I can think of, is for racing games. So you can turn the whole controller as well as your whole body leaning over in the direction you wanted the car on the screen to turn. Which just looks funny. 🙂

    Reply

  41. Keymaster

    February 19, 2013 at 22:44

    Think about it, on which platform are world championships held on the most? Its PC…aka a platform that dominates RTS and FPS games in the market.

    Although console FPS with controller is becoming a norm, but still, Mouse and Keyboard will never die.

    Reply

  42. manowaffles

    February 21, 2013 at 15:24

    Really? Really? In what universe is any analog stick a suitable replacement for a mouse? I think the only thing that comes close to the accuracy and speed of a mouse is pointing with the Wii-mote or Move.

    Actually, I think both of those are slightly faster and more accurate than the mouse, but weighed against the disadvantage that you have to take more breaks and develop some strength to keep your arm up.

    Reply

  43. no

    June 13, 2013 at 11:14

    Op Went full retard -.- nobody uses mouse and keyboard anymore ? xF surrrree

    Reply

  44. Richard Pretorius

    March 17, 2014 at 11:34

    dumbasses, everyone knows a joystick is choice of champs ;-D
    Seriously though:
    “We limited players to two weapons” – because you have limited buttons.
    “we gave them recharging health” – because new age gamers are actually n00bs and you want to make things easier for the lazy asses so they’ll buy your games more often.
    “we automatically saved and restored the game” – again, for the lazy ass young n00bs so they don’t give up on your franchise.
    “almost heretical things to first-person shooters at the time.” – now there’s a good game, Hexen, Heretic, Doom 1 & 2, Rise of the Triads, Quake 1 & 2, Duke 3d all on nightmare mode! Let’s see the little twats survive in a REAL deathmatch!
    “We made the game run without a mouse and keyboard.” – Because your controller costs more?
    “And now nobody plays shooters the way they used to play them before Halo ’cause nobody wants to.” – Nobody wants to or because they no longer have an option???

    Here c(_), have a nice cup of shut the f**k up!

    Reply

  45. Charl van der Merwe

    March 18, 2014 at 08:43

    wahahahaha, bring any controller using player vs me in any fps and they will cry.

    What a joke 😉

    Reply

  46. Jim Lenoir (Banana Jim)

    March 18, 2014 at 08:58

    I miss RTS games. I really wish they’d dominate the charts again. The late 90s and early 00s were king in that regard. I still play the odd FPS every once in a while, but brogaming is getting tiresome. Maybe I’m getting older, maybe the 14 year olds telling me I’m a “homo” is getting too much or maybe it’s just time for a change.

    Reply

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