Why WASD is evil

Posted by Xemrel on April 28, 2006, 9:42 a.m.

Warning : This is a bit of a rant…

Don't hard code WASD controls. If you're making something purely for your own use, then go right ahead, but remember that not everyone's keyboard is alike. On my keyboards, the W, A, S, and D are nowhere near each other. The keys that are in the positions normally assosiated with "WASD" are ",AOE" instead. Arrow keys are typically better to use. I can say for sure that thare aren't, but I've never seen any keyboard layouts that move them. I don't suspect there are any.

The point is, though, you can't always assume how other people's computers are set up. If you want to use WASD controls, then at least allow the user to change the keys. Additionally, try not to use the number pad, as most laptops don't have them. You can typically enable them by forfeiting some of the other keys temporarily, but that's obviously not good for a game.

Anyway, yeah… Back to attempting to study for a midterm I have to take in… 23 minutes.

Comments

MahFreenAmeh 18 years, 6 months ago

Yes, Thank you. I DESPISE WASD with all my might…. Anyways, thanks for talking about this. The only time WASD really is good is in big-time FPS's, like Doom, and what not.

Alpha Man 18 years, 6 months ago

Quote:
The only time WASD really is good is in big-time FPS's, like Doom, and what not.

What are you talking about, Doom is the ONLY big time FPS.

And WASD sucks, Arrow Keys (Move) + X (Jump) and D (Attack) for the win!

MahFreenAmeh 18 years, 6 months ago

Quote:
What are you talking about, Doom is the ONLY big time FPS.

Which is why i said Doom. Hahaha.

V 18 years, 6 months ago

well then, if that happens to be the case, i should design alternate controls for my game then… myaah. i'll do it when i got all the stuff planted in, so that way i won't have to mess with all of it at the same time.

Xemrel 18 years, 6 months ago

WASD <i>positions</i> are nice when you also need to use the mouse, so long as the keyboard is read directly to avoid breaking it when using different layouts. Though that can bring its own set of problems.

Kaz 18 years, 6 months ago

I like WASD better than the arrows. Mainly because I make top down games and using the arrows keys with the mouse is hard.

membrain 18 years, 6 months ago

I agree with 2 things:

wasd + mouse = good

arrows + mouse = bad

and I can't tell you enough how much I hate games that use num keys… I use a laptop myself… and there is no way in hell I'm gonna try to play a game with that layout…

Custom layouts are a great option in any game.

KaBob799 18 years, 6 months ago

If I ever put WASD in my game I make sure thar arrow keys work also.

My lapotop doesnt even have number keys

melee-master 18 years, 6 months ago

Heh, I used to hate WASD, but I don't mind it anymore. Luckily I've kept my top down shooter engine very flexible, and controls are part of that flexibility.

Josea 18 years, 6 months ago

I HATE WASD

It is pure evil

I can't play a game using WASD contols

If I play one it is closed in a matter of seconds