Games

Huh? On non-gamepad games (i.e. Dark Souls is an example of a gamepad game) Keyboard is completely fine. I wouldn't have it any other way.

This is the first time in my life I've ever heard this opinion lol.

Nah, mouse and keyboard is great for a lot of things. Strategy games, most MMORPGs. Heck even fighting games are actually really nice on a keyboard if you can get used to it, you can do very complicated movements by just pressing a few buttons, the actual analog input is actually completely unutilized in most fighting games anyway.

Having such a precise control over the buttons you press as well as having such a large amount of them is really important to a lot of games. And honestly even if we made a unique controller to replicate this precise input, we would still end up using a keyboard anyway because you can actually type messages on it, too.

speak for yourself. my Keyboard(s) tolerated me when i got hyperfocused during a gaming session not the other way around.

Gaming sticks (and weird ass abominations like trackball mice) were quite popular for some time during late 90s and early 00s, but now they're mostly limited to certain games like flight/space games and usually part of a HOTAS setup.

What I miss on keyboard & mouse setups is any form of analogue input, usually best for driving in games and walking faster/slower etc. But nothing is stopping me from just plugging in any controller and it'll usually work on PC just fine.

For everything else I simply prefer keyboard anyway, many more buttons and combinations that controllers often lack. Lots of controller supported games these days need ways around having too many buttons by adding modifiers or having to use select-wheels and what not.

Hell I'd even go as far as adding a Stream Deck to my setup (I don't even stream), just to have another panel of (configurable) buttons to use for various games and stuff.

Depends on the type of game.

I'm not sure I agree with "tolerating" keyboard. I quite like it over a joystick! The benefit in complex games (like RTS, as you mention) is obvious, but even in most 3D games I prefer the instant reaction and definite axis of WASD over the 360° analog inputs of a joystick. There are not many times I would rather move at 2° forwards-right at a ramping X% speed instead of simply moving forwards at 100% instantly. As for racing or other games that require precise analog inputs, I would generally prefer something that is bigger than my thumb i.e a racing wheel.

That isn't to say I completely disagree, though! The ergonomics are a clear disadvantage. Most keyboards are not ergonomic for typing, let alone gaming. It would be fantastic to see more gaming-specialised keypad devices other than that one Razor one and whatever Chinese Amazon specials are kicking around. But the keypad format is not something I would want to forego as any FPS I play for more than 20 hours I usually have the entire left half of the keyboard bound to something for quick access.

I upvoted you because this is a great discussion point. :)

As I get older I've grown to just appreciate comfort over precision. I don't play competitive multiplayer, in fact the only multiplayer I play is COD zombies with some buddies once a week. And we all suck anyways so we're just having a laugh. I'd much rather just lean back in my chair with a controller.

Skill issue

Azeron cyborg is really nice but takes a bit to setup you keybinds for each game since even between fps games they can't decide what key opens a door.

On the azeron your thumb has a joystick which is w a s d then that leaves all your other fingers with multiple keys each so you don't really have to move your hand around that much. Still need a keyboard around for typing though in chat or a game where you name stuff

There are some exceptions but I generally agree. The keyboard isn't anywhere as precise as an analogue stick. Ideally I would use something like HOTAS for movement and mouse for aiming.

So true. I distinctly remember instances while playing GTAV with controller in the left hand and mouse in the right. lol
Would love to find a dedicated peripheral that i liked to be used similarly.

I used to play with a guy who was awesome with a mouse in his right hand and a controller in his left. Pretty cool setup. I tried it out and it wasn't for me

True, depending on the game of course.

I've been thinking of a mouse / controller hybrid solution being the ultimate gaming peripheral. Joystick to walk and drive, mouse to aim. Should easily hold its own in PC shooters and console racers.

As a longtime PC gamer, Games like Dark Souls was impossible for me to play with a keyboard. But I kept watching my friends play it and really liked it a lot. Got one of those discount Xbox controller knockoffs and got pretty good with the game using a controller.

When the Steamdeck came around, I felt right at home with a controller.

It's shifted dramatically where 90% of games, I'm playing controller. But still can't play FPSes with one. (Even though I got pretty good with Halo back in the day)

Not sure on that one.

I'm one of the very few people who loves the Steam Controller. If given an option between KBM and Steam Controller, I generally do the latter. The right pad as mouse isn't as accurate as a mouse, but damned if it isn't way more comfy from the couch.

I guess what I'm saying is: I'd suggest it is less about KBM and more about what games you play, where you play them, and probably whether or not you play multiplayer.

Game pads that use keyboard keys with custom switches and unique form factors are where I think we're heading. Like the razer tartarus v2, which I have. It is great for gaming, better than a standard keyboard that uses identical switches, but still not ideal. It is similar enough to the layout of a keyboard that finger positioning can be the same and the learning curve is smooth.

It's closer to your "ideal" but not there yet. And I completely agree that we need to go in that direction.