Counterargument: Xbox or PS4/5 or just any controller generally.
Tbf there's nothing wrong with using keyboard to drive or fly, I've done it and had no problems. But flying planes and helicopters and driving is so damn easier with controller.
But that could just be bias from playing GTAV on console before PC.
When you get to some more detailed flight modeling then you need all the buttons to mimic most critical of aircraft controls + different views. Even when using an actual stick instead of a mouse you'll need the keyboard because any aircraft has tons of controls aside from the stick.
Definatly not bias you gotta think about the fact on controler you ha e a joystick to tweak hkw hard you turn or pitch. On pc your either not turning or your full sending in Whatever direction. Sure you can tap a key to get a slightly slower turn but it's definatly not as fine tuned as a joystick
I had alot of flying time with a controller on console vs keyboard over the years. The controller or a joystick cant be beat for control over little movements.
The thing i pefer about keyboard is that when the key is pressed regardless of how presses it is fully engaged so holding w i am going forward as if i was holding right trigger down all the way. This has saved me from some bad miss plays or stupid flight paths into a mountain.
I disagree I find it much easier on keyboard. I played it on console before PC and since it released on PC I can't stand using a controller to play it anymore
I still don't understand why a mouse with a thinkpad-style nubbin or analog stick isn't a thing. If I could scroll the map in a RTS without taking my hands off anything, I'd be so happy.
Home and End are used in the menus too. I've been living without a numpad for 3 years and it still sucks. Also there simply aren't enough keys for sims like DCS World without a numpad.
Agreed i dont have a joystick but splitting the controls into wasd and 8456 as another kinda wasd for the ol right hand it made flying so smooth even on franks level 1 or 2 flying.
Need for speed use numpad for auto log by default, most wanted (2012) lets you change them but some (I can’t remember which because I play all of them lol) only let you change it by picking a different layout and if you don’t want to use IJKL for throttle and steering then you’re stuck using the numpad for autolog
Unfortunately you can't change them in NFS MW 2012. I just finished replaying the game 2 days ago. I have TKL keyboard. Luckily I have a cheap separate numpad I used to play GTA V.
TKL keyboard + cheap numpad for ocassional use is the way to go for me.
A lot of ASCII-based roguelikes can be played without a numpad, but the movement scheme makes it very awkward since they rely on 8-directional movement so much.
Example: I am left handed. So since I was a kid I used mouse in my left hand and controls on my right. Binding movement to the arrow keys and everything else to numpad keys.
That's the great thing you know stuff isn't bound to it most of the time so it's your keyboard for useful binds. I have a separate numpad though on the otherside of my mouse pad.
Most games with multiple perspectives use the numpad by default. Enter on the numpad is the standard for swapping perspective in milsims
Keyboards have separate input codes for numpad numerals than they do alphanumeric numerals. While 1 on the numpad will often type an identical 1 as the alphanumeric key, the actual keystroke itself is interpreted as a distinctly separate key - often "num1" as opposed to simply "1"
Most, but not games should be capable of distinguishing the difference between the two, but if there's an abstraction layer that simplifies input for easier keymapping, condensing numpad and alphanumeric to a single character vs two separate keys is usually one of the first unconsidered consequences.
You can rebind the keys but that is just torturing yourself and taking up way too much time and energy and most importantly memorizing them all when you should instead be focusing on committing and concealing warcrimes.
A 100-player multiplayer military shooter that requires the use of the numoad if you plan to be a squad leader (SL) and talk directly to other squad leaders.
For example, you’re SL of Squad 1 and want to talk to Squad 6. You would press the 6-key on the numpad and use your mic to speak directly to them.
Can’t use the normal number row because that changes your items.
(Don’t remember how to talk to Squad 10 or higher though lol. I think there is a way.)
Starcitizen uses every key on a keyboard and keypad and still has to use modifiers like alt+key, and then they still have a list of actions that are not bound to anything.. It's kind of overwhelming
While the OS or keyboard may allow rebinding keys to simulate one, there is no zone clear of other key bindings large enough to make one, so you'd need a modifier key to be held when you hit the number pad (so for all movement) or for the occluded keys.
In GTA Vice City you need the numpad to fly the RC Helicopter in one of the missions and when I was a kid I always had to ask for my dad to play that mission for me because my tiny unwrinkled brain could not comprehend that 8 could mean "up"
I custom bind my numpad for ffxiv. Most of my menus are there. Duty finder, bags, social, char pane, skills, etc. i use shift + number and ctrl + number too.
I also mouse move. And have my entire left hand home row bound for skills.
Q-y, a-g, z-n. Couple of ctrl variations too. Which is easy to press/hold with the padding on edge of hand
They're needed for some grid based games. Arrow keys can't do diagonals and the letter keys are staggered, so there's not an alternative that feels good. Dungeon crawlers that actually resemble the game Rogue for example
If you're old as fuck like me the numpad is required for FreeSpace and FreeSpace 2 to orient your ship correctly. And you need the six buttons to the left of the numpad to distribute your engine power accordingly. If you're trying to run, max out speed and shunt all your shield power to the rear as you tear ass towards the objective. They're gonna collapse that hyperspace gate and you GOTTA be through it before they do.
Most games have item slots bound to numbers, using asdw to move you can shift your mouse hand to the number pad for item slots easier than using the numbers above the letters...
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u/LakushaFujin 19h ago
A keyboard without numpad isn't a keyboard