Played my first SIM game Sunday night!

[InfiniteStates]

Originally Posted by lost cause

..I'm using a controller and cannot see crap around me with R3 look around. ... I need a stick. Lots to learn and practise but I was thrilled with my first blood!!!!

Ahhh I remember my first sim kill too...its a sweet, sweet moment. You feel much more like an accomplished hunter than when you've basically got big arrows lighting the way.

I applaud you, though, for achieving any kills with the default controller layout. Many accomplished sim pilots use the controller and use it well, but the secret is the aviator configuration. (Go to options, press square, then go right once). The controls aren't listed, so I'll put them here to save you a few crashes while you figure them out:

Left stick - pitch and roll as usual
Right stick - look around (no R3 required!)

L3 - flaps
R3 - view

L1/R1 - rudder
L2/R2 - throttle

Circle - guns
Triangle - bombs?
Square - rockets?
X - trim?

Start - map
Select - undercarriage

Start+Select - in-game menu


Note - landing is really difficult in this configuration, because its hard to rudder and throttle (btw, the throttle sits at 55% unless you are holding L2 or R2). Also, trying to use the gun turret on a bomber is hard because you need the right stick and circle (while still flying with the left stick). But if you are only interested in dogfighting, this is definitely worth a shot.

Originally Posted by lost cause

PS: A question. If you have to purposely crash to re-arm, why not just use infinite ammo?

A good question that I asked myself, and a couple of guys here pointed out to me that a) it takes more skill because you can't just hose the target from 1 klick away - it makes you more inclined to get up close and personal, and b) if you have someone on your 6 that you can't shake it gives you another option for survival - make him use all his ammo

Thanks guys!!! That contoller configuration may be tough to master after flying arcade for 2 months. I think I'll try it in practise and see what I can do. Hopefully the patch is arriving soon and, if it does what its supposed to, I'll get a stick and forget the controller. Thanks again for the advice fellas!