Hi everyone,

First post here (maybe my first post in any game forum!).

Despite my advanced age, I am a complete newbie when it comes to roleplaying games, and Skyrim was recommended as a good way to learn, so here I am.

I apologize if this topic has already been covered in depth; searching didn't seem to turn up anything relevant.

I'd like to try playing with a game controller, but I'm having trouble deciding which one to get, especially with the Windows 10 monkey wrench thrown in!

I understand that an Xbox One controller would probably work, but only if it's hardwired (at present, anyway). Is that true, and would it work with Skyrim (and other similar games) under Windows 10? Is anyone already using this setup? Or should I start with an Xbox 350 controller (cheaper), or would it give me problems later on with Windows 10 games?

Or alternatively, is there a cheaper way to go, with a Logitech or other brand?

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I would very much appreciate it.

Hi and welcome to the forums

I have a Microsoft Xbox 360 Wired Controller for Windows, and it works very well. Just plug it in into the USB port and then start the game. Super easy. I haven't used it in Windows 10 though, only 7 and 8.1, but I can't imagine there being any problems with it.

Personally I would buy the cheaper Xbox 360 controller, however it needs to be the wired variant. The wireless one will not work, even with the 'Play and Charge' kit. Yes, there is an adapter to get the wireless controller to sync with a PC, but its not worth it.

The Xbox One controller only works if you have the 'Cable for Windows' attachment, for the same reason why the Xbox 360 wireless controller doesn't work natively with Windows.

Many games have native controller support (like Skyrim). Once you enable 'controller/gamepad' support in the option menu, it will work. Older games will require a third-party application like: joytokey or xpadder, to bind keyboard functionality to the controller. Unlike native support, each game will need to be bound differently.

AFAIK, the Xbox One and Xbox 360 controller use the same driver in Windows, so they are completely interchangeable (with the correct adapters to sync with a PC, or wired).

Windows 10 should use the same driver as Windows 7/8/8.1. I believe it automatically installs the driver once a controller is plugged into a USB port.

The XBOX 360 wired gaming controller doesn't need drivers.

It could be the case on Windows 7, but not on Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

Bought it yesterday, it's completely plug and play.

I use windows 10, as we speak...

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@magicspeller

If you want it cheaper, a Logitech F310 works on Windows 10 also. I own that controller too.

Thanks, everyone.

Mark41, what would I be giving up on the Logitech? I understand it doesn't vibrate like the Microsoft controllers; is that right?

All hardware needs drivers. Plug-n-play doesn't eliminate drivers, but eliminates the need to manually install them.

You aren't saving that much on the Logitech. Unless you like the 'feel' of the Logitech (its more Playstation like), I would get the Xbox 360 wired controller. The Logitech is 15.99USD, the Microsoft 360 wired is ~27USD (Amazon).

> but eliminates the need to manually install them. <

Yes, but that's the goal actually.

Therefore the name Plug & Play. It's a software support that enables a computer to recognize hardware with no intervention by a user.

So, the goal is - that a user can add and remove devices from a computer without having to do confusing manual configurations. (and also without having knowledge of complex computer hardware.)

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However, i haven't formulate it properly. !!! So, i accept your answer.

Yes, It is missing vibration feedback (which may be a big deal for you), but its dual-anolog joysticks working very well, and the pressure-sensitive triggers makes it a great choice for many gamers.

...and as Níeh?ggr mentioned above, it's cheaper as the Microsoft controller. The support offered by Logitech is top of the line and it has also 3 years warranty !!!

http://support.logitech.com/product/gamepad-f310#warranty

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The XBOX 360 controller has 90 Day Limited Manufacturer Warranty only. !!! (90 days is standard for accessories and peripherals for Misro$oft)

So in case you are out of luck, you must deal with the following nasty problem:

http://forums.xbox.com/xbox_forums/xbox_support/xbox_360_support/f/7/p/475552/2315859.aspx

I don't say, not to buy the product, i just wanna give you an idea, with what situation you must deal with.

I don't know if it is or not. Do you get it with the keyboard? When does it happen, and why?

I'm not sure I'd miss it.

I do own Logitech products and have been very happy with the products and support. The warranty difference seems significant, and the price difference is quite a bit, too, maybe even more so because I have Logitech discounts available.

Thanks!

Vibration feedback works within your controller, and it depends if the game supports it or not.

Are there other Logitech controllers that support vibration? I saw a thread elsewhere that implied that an F710 might.

The F710 does support vibration.

http://gaming.logitech.com/en-us/product/f710-wireless-gamepad

Some companies (including Logitech) experimented with vibrating mice some years back, but they never really caught on. You might be able to find something, but you'd probably have to look long and hard for it. I personally would find such a thing extremely annoying, and the mouse would probably end up in the trash can after only a few minutes of using it. I've used keyboard/mouse in my games for years now, and I don't miss the vibration from a controller at all.

I do agree with you about Logitech products overall. I've owned many of them over the years and have only been disappointed in one or two of them. Everything else I have been very happy with.

Also to note:

Logitech supports both the newer XInput and the DirectX based DirectInput standard. This results in the controller getting recognized in all modern games (as XInput on XBOX 360 controller) as well as legacy applications.

The XBOX 360 controller works fine in Windows, but for older DirectInput games, some glitches can crop up especially in the handling of right and left anolog triggers.

Wow. Very interesting, everyone. It looks like the Logitech F710 is also wireless (and expensive), but it sounds like a wired model would be a good bet.

Here's another question that just popped into my head this morning: Do these controllers work with a flight simulator, or would that just be frustrating so that I would require a whole different type of controller? If not, is there something that would work well for both?

Microsoft Flight Simulator is the one game that I did play a lot many years ago, but never using more than a joystick.

Thanks!

That's the closest i could find:

using controller with steam games?

I bought 3 of these because I bought 3 copies of Flight Simulator X for Steam (one for me, one for my wife, and one for my son). I thought I would have to reprogram the buttons but it worked great out of the box. It's the exact same style controller as our Xbox 360 controllers. In fact I think these are a more comfortable fit. It worked a little funky at first but I realized that was my fault. I had to flip the switch on the back of the controller from X to D. I think that's from Xbox mode to Direct mode. After that it worked great and I was able play on Steam.

Source: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-940-000110-Gamepad-F310/forum/-/-/1?_encoding=UTF8&asin=B003VAHYQY

You can search for more infos and workarounds on the same site. (under Questions & Answers)