Published on April 21st, 2020 | by Sunit Nandi

Does Input Choice Really Matter in Gaming?

Debates over gaming hardware and software are as old as they are unavoidable. Whether born from an actual love of what someone owns or a simple dedication to a specific brand, these conversations are often rife with misinformation and misunderstandings.

Looking at just the area surrounding gaming input hardware, today we want to examine which common components are the real necessities. Over mobiles, consoles, and PCs, here’s what our investigations found.

Consoles

Gaming on consoles is different than on other devices as there is always a dedicated and provided form of input that comes with the system. The purpose-built controllers that ship with console systems are usually all of high quality and as such will largely suit anyone; yet, there are definite exceptions that need to be addressed.

The most common time in which different controllers will come into play is when additional devices are bought, as consoles typically ship with only one controller. Because there are usually several third-party controllers to choose from, which are often cheaper than the console manufacturer’s peripherals, there is a tendency to simply opt for the cheapest option available.

Sometimes, this can be a good choice. Some official Xbox controllers ship with terrible d-pads, for example – a complaint so common that there are various guides out there to modify these into something more usable. Those who don’t want to modify can instead purchase a better alternative if they want, which can give a real advantage in games that rely heavily on d-pad inputs.

Mostly, however, different console input options will only offer a minor difference in the gameplay experience. The unavoidable exceptions here are those catering to users with disabilities who might require more specialized gear. There’s also the fact that the cheaper controllers will inevitably be less accurate, and less reliable. Otherwise, input for most games on included or similar devices shouldn’t be a problem.

Image Source: Pixabay

Mobiles

Changing input for mobiles is a much more limited story, and largely depends on the type of games you like to play. No matter who you are and where you play from, traditional touchscreen controls for most games will work fine. A popular case in point are users looking to play games at online casinos in India who are interested in table games such as poker, baccarat, and blackjack. This can be easily and intuitively done via regular touch controls. Navigation in games like these – titles which don’t require split-second reactions – is, simply, not an issue.

What can be an issue, though, comes from more action-oriented games such as mobile Modern Warfare and PUBG. While some players can excel on touchscreen controls with these games, most will be better off purchasing a controller – especially those used to playing titles of these genres on other systems. External controllers and pads are far more tactile and offer a higher level of precision and ergonomics in fast-paced gaming sessions. There is an appreciable difference here, so those taking mobile gaming seriously shouldn’t overlook the option.

PCs

For PCs, there are three major possible components involved: controllers, mice, and keyboards. Some game genres, such as platformers, simply play better with controllers. As with some mobile games, such devices can offer serious advantages in precision, with most PC players swearing by the addition of an Xbox or PlayStation controller as standard for action-focused gaming, even if they themselves don’t own a console.

For keyboards, it’s much more difficult to choose wrong. The cheapest keyboards can do the job fine in most cases here. However, but for macros, slight increases in responsiveness, improved tactile feedback, and backlights for playing in the dark, going medium-tier is also a good choice.

In the most hardcore competitive PC games like shooters and MOBAs, mice will play a seriously important, even game-changing part. Lower quality mice are inaccurate, at the very least, which means investing in one with higher DPI sensitivity and better response times is a must. Response time is especially important, with a minimum rate of 250Hz being a good starting point.

Also of use are additional buttons on mice which can be linked to shortcuts or other functions. Side buttons can be very useful in this regard, and a button on top to quickly change between sensitivity levels is also extremely useful.

Image Source: Pixabay

It’s important to note when measuring different gaming gear that the player makes the biggest difference of all. A pro player on the worst gear will still always beat an intermediate player on the best gear, so don’t expect an upgrade to completely flip the tables. Instead, the best gear will raise the skill ceiling on your game, making it so you can operate at a higher level when you’re in the zone. Keep our advice in mind, be sure to check reviews before you buy, and good luck in your gaming future.

Tags: does, gaming, input choice

About the Author

Sunit Nandi I'm the leader of Techno FAQ. Also an engineering college student with immense interest in science and technology. Other interests include literature, coin collecting, gardening and photography. Always wish to live life like there's no tomorrow.