Why Halo: Reach plays better with a PS4 controller

Now that Halo: Reach is on PC, we can see how Xbox’s most iconic franchise plays with PlayStation’s DualShock 4. There’s a lesson here for the next generation of consoles. If Microsoft sees the potential here that Sony has squandered, maybe the Xbox Series X will finally have a controller that can keep up with its competitors. Don’t get me wrong. Xbox tends to be best-in-class when it comes to the real basics -- sticks, triggers, and arguably controller shape. But without gyro it is just a hardcore gaming keyboard with a laptop nub for a mouse, next to PlayStation’s perfectly competent keyboard mouse combo. When gyro controls are done right, the whole controller becomes a frictionless mouse. Here we show what’s possible using JoyShockMapper on Windows. This works with the DualShock 4, Switch Pro Controller, and JoyCons. Here’s the link to Steve Haske’s The Complete, Untold History of Halo, interviewing developers like Jaime Griesemer, who was quoted in the video: For more on thumbstick aiming and why we should do better, check out my article on Gamasutra: JoyShockMapper: GyroWiki: My Halo: Reach configuration for JoyShockMapper: :halo:reach:jibb-s-halo-reach And here’s a fairly comprehensive guide to using JoyShockMapper: :joyshockmapper-guide And for developers, 1. How to implement really good gyro controls: :good-gyro-controls-part-1:the-gyro-is-a-mouse 2. How to implement flick stick: :good-gyro-controls-part-2:the-flick-stick 3. And if you’re looking for a way to read gyro input from DualShock 4, Switch Pro Controller, or JoyCons on Windows, here’s JoyShockLibrary: See thumbstick, gyro, and mouse compared here: Intro to Flick Stick: Join the Discord for all kinds of gyro gaming, whether you’re on console or PC, however you’re making it work: Follow me on Twitter: Support this work on Patreon: