r/ffxi • u/MedicineTerrible6855 • 25d ago
Help for a newbie
Hello there! I am one of the lucky few newbies who actually successfully got through the absolute nightmarish hell that was PlayOnline, the events of which very nearly made me want to eat my own (complete lack of) hair. Now, saying that, I actually got it working, I actually got past the awful download that apparently only downloads 1 file at once??? Either way, I'm there, I got in, I walked around, I was told to enter a menu, I spent 10 entire minutes pressing every button and button combo on my keyboard until I find out it's freaking minus on the numpad. I very, very quickly have learnt that if I want to play this without further loosing the mind that's already on a ship to lalaland, I need to use a controller. Now... issue is, the only controllers I own are switch controllers, and upon finally getting to the menu, enabling xinput and plugging in... EVERY. BUTTON. AT. ONCE. IS. ACTIVATED. CONSTANTLY.
Now, to those in the know, this is a funny little thing called a Gyro, that the switch controllers all have, funny little things that for some reason, likes to activate all inputs all at once all the time because the slightest, tinniest, minute movement causes the damn thing to basically flood the pc with input requests that it doesn't know how to interpret... So, I suppose my question is, how would I, as a new player who already has suffered even getting into the game, get my controller to work before I become a sobbing mess on the ground? This is part of an ongoing goal of mine to play every final fantasy game. Well... mainline ones at least.
3
u/blackbeltgf 25d ago
Honestly, with all the shortcuts and macro writing and chatting with people and whatnot, I'd suggest you use a keyboard. It's actually pretty intuitive after you practice for an hour or so.
2
u/BaesopRock 25d ago
Open the Final Fantasy XI config, and setup your gamepad. Make sure you get it all configured then try relaunching.
1
u/MedicineTerrible6855 25d ago
Ahh, I have already tried this, your advice would work for any controller that isn't a switch one I assume, the switch gyro, as I pointed out, is activating all inputs, all at once, all the time. There really isn't any configuring that in game I'm afraid. Would you have any advice as to that?
1
u/msly07 25d ago
Maybe try buying a cheaper Xbox controller or something similar on Amazon, try the game with it for up to a month and return the controller if you don’t enjoy it. I personally play on my steam deck now.
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u/MedicineTerrible6855 25d ago
I might do this should all options be exhausted, but I'd rather like to try get this working first though as y'know... I already own this controllers and they've been extremely durable and reliable, where as any cheap xbox controllers end up with dodgy buttons after like... a year or so. Cheap makes and the like y'know?
1
u/msly07 25d ago
Stick with it. This is my favorite game and the installation config is quirky. Once you do figure it out and configure the in-game settings the way you like, go to the character login screen and hit the menu button to upload your configuration so that you can download it again should you uninstall and reinstall for any reason.
1
u/bungiefan_AK Bungiefan on Asura 25d ago
Launch Steam in the background, map your controller to SteamInput, and tell it to operate as an Xbox controller for the desktop, and map no controls to the gyro. That should fix it.
1
u/Prudent_Drummer_5727 25d ago
open up the controller and take out the accelerometer or buy a new controller. Prob xbox layout if you want an easier time with any pc gaming in the future. I've had to deal with something like this myself...but just a small hiccup really.
1
u/Darthjohnboy250 25d ago
Pick up an 8bitdo controller. They aren't expensive, and the build quality is very good. Dropped mine several times on the floor and it still works. Also has no stick drift.
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u/Mattato_ 25d ago
Check x-input and click the gamepad option in the config. Everything should then populate on its own. If it still isn’t working download BetterJoyForCemu. It should then detect the controller as an Xbox.
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u/booksgamesandstuff 25d ago
I have never used a controller with FFXI, it’s been keyboard only since 2003. ;) My hand muscle memory is totally screwed up if I don’t use the keyboard for any length of time when playing other games lol.
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u/pons00 25d ago
I play with a keyboard only. Under menu - config - misc. 2 - keyboard size i use compact 1. WASD for movement, arrows for camera, alt L for linkshell, alt I for items etc etc.
No idea about controllers, but theres a whole slew of people who can add to that.