Joystick

[Steel]

If I was to buy a joystick to play this, what would people recommend? (assuming that is a playable option)

Thanks in advance

Steel

[lplates]

I personally play space games with Hotas, specifically the Rhino, but I'm interested to see if it works well with X4.


Saitek Rhino x56

[BigBANGtheory]

I went from a Saitek to TM Hotas Warthog & pedals and is what I'd recommend if you play or intend to play other space/flight sims. It may not be cheap but the experience will be hard to match. If its only for X4 then a cheaper hotas set up, personally I wouldn't recommend a joystick & throttle built into the same unit.

[Falcrack]

I use the T-16000m + TWCS throttle. I like it.

[XD733]

I played X3TC/X3AP with a mouse and I think mouse control in those games is fantastic. I never once thought that I'd be better off with a joystick.

[Slashman]

Thrustmaster T-Flight HOTAS X

[Tenlar Scarflame]

For Elite Dangerous and X Rebirth I use a pair of T.16000m's. ^^ HOTAS is cool, but for space stuff, dual sticks erry day.

[Scoob]

While I use a full HOTAS setup for Elite Dangerous, I've always found that the X games work perfectly with just the most basic of joysticks. Indeed, when playing X3AP again recently, I put aside my HOTAS and pulled out an ancient wireless stick I have and the game felt better that way. Can't explain it, but to me the X games have always been fine on the most basic joysticks, no need for HOTAS. Rebirth was the same, though I found the mouse controls better than earlier games so I stuck with that.

It will be interesting to see how small fighter combat is in X4 and I'll use my HOTAS if I think it's the best tool for the job.

Scoob.

[StoneLegionYT]

If I recalled someone can correct me they added support for joysticks and HOTAS in late Rebirth. I assume this support carried over to X4 being the same engine that they been enhancing for those many years and of course since they been working on X4 like the rendering engine.

Some Sourcing on this:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/392160/d ... 481657589/

[Tomonor]

If I recalled someone can correct me they added support for joysticks and HOTAS in late Rebirth. I assume this support carried over to X4 being the same engine that they been enhancing for those many years and of course since they been working on X4 like the rendering engine.

Some Sourcing on this:
https://steamcommunity.com/app/392160/d ... 481657589/

Well, Rebirth did work with my Logitch Extreme 3D Pro. Aside from one little bug (auto-select target if it's right in front of you), it worked flawlessly.

[mr.WHO]

I played X3TC/X3AP with a mouse and I think mouse control in those games is fantastic. I never once thought that I'd be better off with a joystick.

Same here - I tried to play with Joystick, but had to combine it with mouse anyway, so I end up with keyboard/mouse as best option.

[Steel]

Thanks for the responses. Much appreciated.

I will look into the options posted.

[surferx]

I'm glad there seems to be no one "best controller" for the X-series. I know what is best for me: Joystick (T16000m FCS) w/ built in throttle, but everyone has their own preference.



[Edited]

[Tenlar Scarflame]

I'm glad there seems to be no one "best controller" for the X-series. I know what is best for me: Joystick (T16000m FCS) w/ built in throttle, but everyone has their own preference.

Only one thing better than a T.16000m. TWO T.16000m's. One is pitch/roll/yaw, the other controls vertical/lateral strafe with +/- throttle bound to two of the fire buttons. </opinion>

[fcth]

I've always just used a Logitech Extreme 3D Pro for X3, and it's been fine. I'm always a bit tempted to go to a HOTAS setup, but the cost difference is huge so it's a bit hard to commit. I played Rebirth with an Xbox 360 controller, seemed like that is what they had prioritized.

[Knottypine]

I currently have a Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 which worked well in X3AP. I'm possibly considering an upgrade to the X56 even though it's a bit pricey. Curious though if there would be much in-game benefit to having the X56 over my current HOTAS. Input from X56 owners would be helpful. The X56 is way more functional, but is there enough control mapping in-game that would justify spending the money? I don't generally play any other games that I use my HOTAS, so this would pretty much be only for X4. Thanks.

*To add to this, will there be default in-game controller profiles that map controls based on the hardware we select?

[fcth]

I currently have a Thrustmaster T.Flight HOTAS 4 which worked well in X3AP. I'm possibly considering an upgrade to the X56 even though it's a bit pricey. Curious though if there would be much in-game benefit to having the X56 over my current HOTAS. Input from X56 owners would be helpful. The X56 is way more functional, but is there enough control mapping in-game that would justify spending the money? I don't generally play any other games that I use my HOTAS, so this would pretty much be only for X4. Thanks.

*To add to this, will there be default in-game controller profiles that map controls based on the hardware we select?

I'm curious as well. The Q&A is encouraging:

What’s the word on the support for joysticks with many buttons?
We support them. Sorry, the joystick support wasn't great at the launch of X Rebirth. We worked on that a lot recently, also for X Rebirth. We added a lot with the XR VR edition and also ported that back to X Rebirth. There is actually an update coming. I think with the next update of X Rebirth VR edition and also then with the next patch for X Rebirth default profiles for something like HOTAS systems are included. Mapping is possible for a while already and this is not limited. You can basically map as many buttons as you like. I think we now have like 8 devices. So lots of options for really sophisticated joystick setups.

I never felt super hindered with just a normal stick in X3, if anything there were enough random things that couldn't be done even with a well mapped stick that still having lots of room for the keyboard and mouse was handy.

I am a bit worried about the mouse-driven map interface, seems like it might work poorly without a mouse. Maybe we need a HOTAS with a touchpad or trackball...

[StoneLegionYT]

I never seen anyone use 100% joystick when playing games like Elite. They tend to use mouse / keyboard for another interactions. Heck most games Cockpits even show a keyboard built in. If you want to play the game like the future get use to using a keyboard / mouse on top of a joystick or you are not legit play

[fcth]

If you want to play the game like the future get use to using a keyboard / mouse on top of a joystick or you are not legit play

Hmm, I do have an Xbox 360 Chatpad somewhere...

(Image Credit: Alphathon)

[StoneLegionYT]

Now we are talking