I have this theory: pedals (like the kind you get with a steering wheel for driving games) would be helpful in a first-person shooter. This theory is based on the assumption that if your feet are not helping you win, they're just taking up space. I am unable to test this theory for two reasons:
- I have no pedals.
- And that cannot be corrected because: I refuse to buy a full pedal and steering wheel set and that's the only way to get them.
But I theorise that pedals could be useful in any of the possible roles:
- Foward Movement and Jumping
- It will be a natural action for most of us. Since space marines don't need breaks, the other pedal could be assigned to jump (this seems at least vaguely like the clutch on a standard).
- Strafing
- Dodging projectiles must be done intuitively and is therefore a good match for feet which, despite being large and insensitive manage to walk good.
- Grenades and other Secondary Projectiles
- Feet seems to have a natural aptitude for tapping or more complex taps for throwing grenades (as in Tribes using certain scripts) which are quite difficult with keyboard keys. talehead suggests this
- Weapon Firing
- If your pedals are well-built, wouldn't it be nice to stomp the ground as you kick ass?
The next revolution in FPS controllers will not be the Microsoft Strategic Commander or the Razor Boomslang, it will be a device as old as the Potter's Wheel.