Hey guys, I've decided to show you all what a lot of people have overlooked as far as custom gamepad mappings go for MMOs.

I've always wanted a more immersive experience when playing an MMO, and this is a more comfortable, and adaptable solution. Tools used with The Old Republic are: MotionJoy (my custom config file here), and Xpadder(with custom config included for Toggle-Mouselook and right joystick as mouse axis). You may have to tweak some things like sensitivity and toggle options with Xpadder as I don't think it saved over but shouldn't be too hard to change. MotionJoy includes drivers for 32/64bit OS for the PS3 controller. So follow the directions on their site to install that program first, Xpadder to follow that.

*** UPDATE *** In MotionJoy, select Playstation 3 for mode and enable that. You won't need a custom config for MotionJoy, only Xpadder, which is included in the above link.

Make sure to calibrate the PS3 controller after you install the drivers and do reboots when they tell you to. If you have any questions you can try and ask them here (can be confusing at points), I'm running 64bit edition. When you get both key mapping programs reading off your PS3, that's a good sign, from there you can customize your settings. Xpadder may need to be run in Windows XP (Service Pack 3) compatibility mode, if you're having problems recognizing controls in-game. If you do download my profile configurations, check and see below what you need to change. Make sure to keep both running in the background when you start up SWTOR. Other than that, have fun and enjoy the new experience!

Changes to make to Input mapping in-game:

Targeting

Target next enemy = Shift + F6

Target nearest enemy = F6

Quickslot Bar 1

5 = Shift + 1

6 = Shift + 2

7 = Shift + 3

8 = Shift + 4

Quickslot Bottom Center Bar 1 (Make sure to enable first)

1 = Ctrl + 1

2 = Ctrl + 2

3 = Ctrl + 3

4 = Ctrl + 4

9 = Ctrl + 9

10 = Ctrl + 0

11 = Ctrl + (-)

12 = Ctrl + (=)

Should be a good start but definitely can be expanded upon. If it's too confusing just make up your own configurations but make sure to change your custom MotionJoy configuration to match in-game.

Made a video today of me showing off the features and custom mappings, and a basic interface walkthrough. First one, so don't be too hard on me, but it shows off a bunch of different features so do try to watch the whole thing if you do plan on watching it, thanks. :)

I'm all for playing PC games with controllers, I have my gaming PC wired up to my TV for a reason.

But a MMO with a controller? Interacting with the plethora of menu's, UI elements and tiny interface items reliably without the pin-point accuracy and speed of a mouse would be complete torture to me. Sure it'll work, but I feel everything would take twice as long.

It does seem to work rather well for the simple combat though, maybe a cool alternative control scheme for simple/boring grind sessions?

Anyways, great video duder.

I'm all for playing PC games with controllers, I have my gaming PC wired up to my TV for a reason.

But a MMO with a controller? Interacting with the plethora of menu's, UI elements and tiny interface items reliably without the pin-point accuracy and speed of a mouse would be complete torture to me. Sure it'll work, but I feel everything would take twice as long.

It does seem to work rather well for the simple combat though, maybe a cool alternative control scheme for simple/boring grind sessions?

Anyways, great video duder.

I'd say you can easily play 90% of an MMO from a controller, but you will always need a keyboard and mouse handy to do various tasks. I'd play with my 360 controller for combat and questing. Then I would switch to the kb/m for auction house, assigning points, and chat. If you use voice chat, the keyboard becomes even less relevant.

I'd say you can easily play 90% of an MMO from a controller, but you will always need a keyboard and mouse handy to do various tasks. I'd play with my 360 controller for combat and questing. Then I would switch to the kb/m for auction house, assigning points, and chat. If you use voice chat, the keyboard becomes even less relevant.

Wow that's really cool, when I get home I'll have to watch the vid and give it a shot. Since I'm pretty much playing the game solo, chat and a lot of other texting stuff is not needed.

Using a controller can be great if you can get used to the mapping quickly.  I've found the worst problem with switching control schemes is not being able to get used to it after playing with mouse & keyboard for 100+ hours.
 
I play SWTOR with a Razer Nostromo.  It gives me as close to controller comfort as I can get without giving up my mouse.  I've been using it with my Trooper character since launch and it feels awesome.  The greatest advantage of using it is how it allows my left thumb do more than just hit the spacebar.

Using a controller can be great if you can get used to the mapping quickly.  I've found the worst problem with switching control schemes is not being able to get used to it after playing with mouse & keyboard for 100+ hours.
 
I play SWTOR with a Razer Nostromo.  It gives me as close to controller comfort as I can get without giving up my mouse.  I've been using it with my Trooper character since launch and it feels awesome.  The greatest advantage of using it is how it allows my left thumb do more than just hit the spacebar.

This seems... weird and wrong, but kind of cool. More power to you, man!

My apologies for shamelessly self-promoting, but I've created a blog for this that I'm regularly updating, as there's a lot of quirks when it comes to configuring a controller for SWTOR: http://swtorpeeps.blogspot.com

The most important thing you need to know: whatever program you use to get your controller to talk to SWTOR (XPadder, PinnacleGameProfiler, etc, etc), you must set it to run as an administrator, or it will not work in SWTOR.

Right now, I'm recommending PGP over XPadder in terms of stability in SWTOR, though it's more of an pain to get set up.

@tekmojo:

Awesome work! I always said mutators is the way to go. Way to show all those lazy designers that it can be done.

btw. did you try SHIFT + CONTROL as a mutator yet? WoW allows for double mutators. Didn't need it yet in SW:TOR

This is great. As a person who is not a big computer gamer, I don't typically play anything other then the Sims, Civ, and Sim City, playing games with a keyboard is just so unnatural for me. I was at the point with TOR where I was going to go buy that razer keypad thing just because it seems like it would be easier for me to use. But I'll try this out first.

Strap the PS3 bluetooth keypad onto that DS3 and you have a controller that is even better suited for MMOs.

EDIT I see tekmojo has already said what I was thinking, haha

I'm going to modify this for a 360 controller and see how it goes. Never been a huge MMO guy so this might be cool for me.

@thabigred: Keep us updated on how that goes. I'd prefer to use my xbox controller since I don't have a BT adapter for my computer nor do I own a long USB cable.

@devilzrule27: I can't seem to get it to run ingame. I can get it to run outside of the game but not in it.

EDIT: nevermind I got it.

Ok so i came across this little bit ago right before i went out and got the game..and i was like cool cause I have not played many games on PC and the ones I have I HATED using the keyboard just cant get use to it for moving the characters around or fighting that kind of stuff. So when I was down at wal-mart getting the game an employee told me that I didnt have to order an expensive one (they didnt have any)..that an X~BOX 360 control with a cord would work fine.so thats what I bought (from-gamestop) .. don't have a clue yet if it will work.... i have not opened it yet.still gonna download the game and hope I can find out if it will work for sure or not before I open it and get stuck with it..ANY knowledge about this will be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanx yall!

Dude... an MMO with a controller is just wrong. It's cool that you got it working, but games like this just are made for keyboards.

No one should be playing in first person tho...

Ok so i came across this little bit ago right before i went out and got the game..and i was like cool cause I have not played many games on PC and the ones I have I HATED using the keyboard just cant get use to it for moving the characters around or fighting that kind of stuff. So when I was down at wal-mart getting the game an employee told me that I didnt have to order an expensive one (they didnt have any)..that an X~BOX 360 control with a cord would work fine.so thats what I bought (from-gamestop) .. don't have a clue yet if it will work.... i have not opened it yet.still gonna download the game and hope I can find out if it will work for sure or not before I open it and get stuck with it..ANY knowledge about this will be greatly appreciated!!!! Thanx yall!

Dude... an MMO with a controller is just wrong. It's cool that you got it working, but games like this just are made for keyboards.

Hey there, first of all this is awesome. I definitely prefer a controller when it is battle time, and keyboard when socializing. Can I trouble you for a detailed installation walkthrough? The you list MotioJoy, your custom config, and the xpadder. But I am a little confused. I don't ever see another reference to xpadder when/how to install/configure it. The only thing I can gather from this is that I need to install motionjoy, and somehow add your config. Well I suppose it doesn't need to be 'detailed' just written out in numbered steps perhaps?

I'm actually playing with my 360 controller and once you get everything situated it's pretty great. Nothing wrong with having options.

@tekmojo: I didn't enjoy it. Sticking with mouse and keyboard.

I've only recently (within the past year) came to understand just how much more fun playing an MMO with a controller can be. I used to scoff at the idea, like many others, but it can actually work pretty well and be far less stressful on your wrists (which is super important to me, since I'm at a keyboard all day long for work). I've tried STO, CoH, CO, and -of course- DDO and been very happy with those games.

Here's my questions (haven't yet bought the game, was probably going to wait until the rush stabilizes):

1) Picking up loot always seems to be the most "pain in the ass" part of using a controller. Most games require you to have the mouse cursor directly over the loot, which can be a major headache when you're using a controller. How is SWTOR in this respect? Also, I heard there was some kind of autoloot or quickloot function that is off by default--what exactly does that do and does it help in using a controller?

2) Do any classes stand over the others as far as "controller compatible". Things that tend to make poor "controller" classes is those with tons and tons of in-combat abilities (I tend to bind out-of-combat abilities to the keyboard, such as rest or open inventory, to save space) and those with ground-targeted AoEs. Also, it seems that ranged classes work better than ranged too because they don't have to do so many "quick 180 turns"--is this the case here as well?

I've only recently (within the past year) came to understand just how much more fun playing an MMO with a controller can be. I used to scoff at the idea, like many others, but it can actually work pretty well and be far less stressful on your wrists (which is super important to me, since I'm at a keyboard all day long for work). I've tried STO, CoH, CO, and -of course- DDO and been very happy with those games.

Here's my questions (haven't yet bought the game, was probably going to wait until the rush stabilizes):

1) Picking up loot always seems to be the most "pain in the ass" part of using a controller. Most games require you to have the mouse cursor directly over the loot, which can be a major headache when you're using a controller. How is SWTOR in this respect? Also, I heard there was some kind of autoloot or quickloot function that is off by default--what exactly does that do and does it help in using a controller?

2) Do any classes stand over the others as far as "controller compatible". Things that tend to make poor "controller" classes is those with tons and tons of in-combat abilities (I tend to bind out-of-combat abilities to the keyboard, such as rest or open inventory, to save space) and those with ground-targeted AoEs. Also, it seems that ranged classes work better than ranged too because they don't have to do so many "quick 180 turns"--is this the case here as well?

Good job tekmojo! I'll have to try this out right away. I hope you're going to be updating this blog with further ideas and tweaks for this.

People doing this are everything that is wrong with the world.

@Sooty said:

People doing this are everything that is wrong with the world.

And what makes you say that? It's nice to have the possibility. Sometimes I get tired of sitting in my desktop chair playing the game, then I can just switch the output to my TV, grab the controller and keep leveling from the couch. What's wrong with that? I won't be able to play my level 50 character this way, but for some relaxed leveling I think this is pretty good.

@Siepher said:

@Sooty said:

People doing this are everything that is wrong with the world.

And what makes you say that? It's nice to have the possibility. Sometimes I get tired of sitting in my desktop chair playing the game, then I can just switch the output to my TV, grab the controller and keep leveling from the couch. What's wrong with that? I won't be able to play my level 50 character this way, but for some relaxed leveling I think this is pretty good.

I was joking, although it would never work with the way I play MMOs, if I don't have direct access to my music with an alt+tab I don't think I'd enjoy leveling as much.

Hey bro, have motion/xpadder up and running, xpadder running in xp3 like you said. Both are recognizing the controller and I am running them in the background with swtor. Game doesn't recognize controller. Where do I go in game to switch the controls from mouse/keyboard to the dualshock? in settings right? preferences? Anyway, not sure what I'm doing wrong....

Help! Toggle Question! Somebody! Anybody? Is there anybody out there.....anybody care!!!!

By the way, thank you for your idea and help. I've gotten everything working except one little problem. It is a mouse/look problem. When I start the game I can look around fine, but if I right click to use the mouse (cursor, whatever), it stays like that and I can't look anymore, even when I click again. So then the only way I can look again is to actually hold the click on my left stick (L3)(left mouse click). What am I doing wrong? I have tried to load your profile on mij but it didn't work (worked on x), not sure that's what it is, and not understanding why that is needed. Everything else works and I finally understand it (new to this). Hope you can help. Wes

cool i might have to try that. :D

Thanks for the guide!

I enjoy playing PC games with a controller, using kb+m is so uncomfortable after a while...

Keyboard: designed and engineered for inputting text

Mouse: designed and engineered as a pointing device.

Controller: designed and engineered for gaming.

End of story. ;)

That being said, if kb+m is your thing, to each their own. :)