PC - Console compatibility

[Ameroth]

Re: PC - Console compatibility

so I need only hit my +MND gear macro and open up the spell menu. if I just had a keyboard then I would have to make a macro for each individual barspell.

Just a nit-pick, can do the exact same thing with a KB. One +MND macro, ctrl+M.

I use both, like I said. Controller is more comfortable with movement and camera controls when I'm not counting on my macros to be precise. When in a meripo with PLD, I like to have my JAs at the tip of my fingers for instant activation. Other jobs, I like how much easier it feels to just hold the controller.

In the end, it's just personal preference.

[Lunaryn]

Re: PC - Console compatibility

On the accounts/platforms issue:

Each copy of FFXI for any platform comes with the registration codes to make one PlayOnline account, register FFXI on that account, and if it comes with expansions, register those expansions on that account. One set of codes per account. There is nothing else that distinguishes accounts from each other (almost*).

Only one person can be logged into an account at one time, so in general the rule tends to be one account per actual person. Some players maintain multiple accounts so they can control two characters at once (a practice known as two-boxing). A few players share the same account, though SE frowns on this practice. A shared account can only be used by one person at a time, and either person can use any characters on that account (so trust would be paramount).

On the matter of controls:
I haven't played the other versions, but it is perfectly possible to use a game controller on the PC version, or a keyboard on the console versions. In fact, I'd say that the best play experience probably calls for having both a keyboard and a game controller. (Pteryx found keyboard+mouse to be serviceable back when fullscreen was the norm, but with windowed mode, which is too useful not to use, mouse control is awful.)

You can find a USB gamepad easily enough for around $10-$20 depending on the set of features you want. There's also drivers around somewhere, I think, for xbox360 controllers. I even used a PS2 gamepad hooked up to the PC parallel port for a good while (though this approach also has some caveats, like FFXI crashing on exit due to a driver conflict).

*There is one other distinction between accounts; they are partially region-specific: You may play the game on the same account using the POL/FFXI from any region, but you will only be able to maintain that account (e.g. purchase/cancel Content IDs, change billing info, etc.) from the same region of POL as you created the account. This is only likely to be an issue if you imported a copy of the game out of region and then switched to an in-region copy, or if you install the Japanese version for IME support.

[Armando]

Re: PC - Console compatibility

My primary gripe with the keyboard is that stupid and unnecessary 2 second delay between the time you press and hold Ctrl/Alt and the time the macro palette actually shows up on-screen. It basically forces you to have all your macros memorized and be able to fire them off blindly, which won't necessarily be an issue for the job you play all the time, but when you have to make a "custom" macro set for doing a specific event, it's hard to memorize them perfectly without even having used them.

The controller doesn't have that delay for whatever reason, so I prefer it out of pure convenience.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: PC - Console compatibility

My primary gripe with the keyboard is that stupid and unnecessary 2 second delay between the time you press and hold Ctrl/Alt and the time the macro palette actually shows up on-screen. It basically forces you to have all your macros memorized and be able to fire them off blindly, which won't necessarily be an issue for the job you play all the time, but when you have to make a "custom" macro set for doing a specific event, it's hard to memorize them perfectly without even having used them.

The controller doesn't have that delay for whatever reason, so I prefer it out of pure convenience.

Totally agree. At my age, memorizing on the fly does NOT happen! LOL Also having multiple jobs and having to memorize for each one is really pushing my luck. I'm faster and more efficient with a controller and keyboard combination.

[Kailea]

Re: PC - Console compatibility

To answer a question that hasn't yet been address, the controls on the Xbox 360 are far better and easier to use than on the PC, in my opinion. I wasn't planning on using a controller when I got another copy for a console, but after using a controller, I never went back to the keyboard. Except for typing of course. Gotta have typing.

I'd even go so far as to suggest getting a controller for your PC!

SE recommended this since day one, since FFXI came out on PS2 first, the game was designed for a controller to begin with.

[Firewind]

Re: PC - Console compatibility

My primary gripe with the keyboard is that stupid and unnecessary 2 second delay between the time you press and hold Ctrl/Alt and the time the macro palette actually shows up on-screen. It basically forces you to have all your macros memorized and be able to fire them off blindly, which won't necessarily be an issue for the job you play all the time, but when you have to make a "custom" macro set for doing a specific event, it's hard to memorize them perfectly without even having used them.

The controller doesn't have that delay for whatever reason, so I prefer it out of pure convenience.

The macro lag on keyboards is why I generally prefer to use a controller especially when on WHM since the healer being 2 seconds behind everything is bad for everyone. I know I would be pretty ticked off if I was tanking and my healer was 2 seconds behind because of macro lag.

If I'm on a job that does not require much attention like MNK in exp parties where you only really need to watch the TP gauge or SMN in BCNMs where you only really have to check the screen for the Blood Pact timer every so often and occasionally drop a cure then I would be tempted to give the keyboard a go. Although you need to stay on your toes when healing so I usually just keep using my pad out of habit.

I doubt I will be trading in my pad anytime soon since I find myself more efficient with it. It all comes down to what you are faster with and if you are playing a job that needs split second timing or will regularly force you into such situations. BLU, WHM, RDM, THF, BLM and NIN all come to mind for various reasons. BLU for stun, WHM and RDM for main healing and responding to emergencies while main healing, BLM and RDM (probably BRD too) for crowd control and NIN because NIN tanks just simply cannot afford to screw up in any way.

[Susurrus]

Re: PC - Console compatibility

(do you HAVE to use a controller at all with the consoles? Never played on PS2 or 360 so don't know)

You obviously didn't read my post

[Gyotsha]

Re: PC - Console compatibility

The only problem I've seen with using a keyboard to play on the consoles is that the keyboard only seems to recognize one movement key at a time. So you can only run in 4 directions instead of the normal 8. Don't think it's just my keyboard because I've used several on my ps2/360.

[Aerosolcb]

Re: PC - Console compatibility

Thanks for all the replies. It really clears up a lot for me. I have to ship my 360 to microsoft to get it repaired. In the mean time, I think I'mm buy one of their corded USB controllers to use on my PC. Would any of you have a link to a site with the programs I would need to do this? Much appreciated.


Also, looks like I dont have to wait until I get a new debt card in the mail, they are offering a 14 day free trial that doesnt require a credit card. Apparently its pretty new, seeing how I searched high and low for a free trial 2 days ago. Found nothing but something about free 30 days with purchase of any Logitech product.

I heard they no longer auto assign you to a server. If thats true, Im going to join Carbuncle. Or Garuda. Thoughts?
______________________________
Good lord! Downloaded it and went to get online... 7 hours of patch time! Why cant they offer a fully patched client? I need my fix