What type of controller do you use in a tournament?

[Notkastar]

Lately I've been thinking about entering a tournament.
Part of it being so I can get it off my bucket list and the other being that I thought I would do pretty good in one.
(Placing 1st or 2nd :^)

Though, The more I thought about it. The more Questions it started to bring up.
"What type of controller do you use in a tournament?"
My previous understanding of it was that you need a FightStick given most of the other players I've seen in tournaments
owning at least one. That line of thought changed recently though when I saw the "DEKILLSAGE" using a controller in
Combo Breaker.

So are you allowed to use a normal controller during a tournament? and if so, why do most people use a FightStick?
Once I went down that line of thought those questions brought up even more questions!
"What are FightStick compatible with anyway?" "Is it like a USB and just compatible with everything? Or is it console Specific?"
"If so would you just need to keep buying Fightsticks/Parts for your FS to fit the needs of the upcoming tournament?"

Sorry if I'm just rambling at this point, I Just really curious about the inner workings of organized 2-D Fighting Game tournaments.

My questions still stand though, "How exactly does all this work?" is what I'm asking.

 

[Gelato]

Typically as long as the controller works for whatever console the tournament is using you're good to go. Arcade sticks are a popular choice because it's the control scheme fighting games are designed around. This doesn't mean you have to use one, or you're at a disadvantage if you don't. As you've noticed many players have their own personal preference.

Stick compatibility varies, some only work on 360 or PS3, some work on both, some are made to work on other consoles, and so on. Upgrading your stick for each tournament usually isn't an issue since most games stick to one console. For example nearly all Street Fighter 4 tournaments use 360 so all players know what to expect at any tournament. Skullgirls used to always run on PS3 but since the PS4 version is out many tournaments are using PS4s if possible. However PS3 sticks work on the PS4 version of Skullgirls so upgrading sticks isn't a problem if you only want to play Skullgirls.

 

[KoopaParatroopa]

I've never been to a tournament, but I've watched enough that I can answer your questions ^_^

Players can use whatever controller they feel most comfortable with. Since they were designed for this genre and have been used since the arcade days, fightsticks are the dominant choice. They are console specific, although you can, with money and/or help, modify a fightstick to work on all consoles.

Since Skullgirls is primarily played on PS3/PS4 at tournaments, most players will use fightsticks for those consoles. If they're too poor to afford a stick or more comfortable with it (like Sage), they can use a standard controller.

That's basically how controller selection works in tournaments. The only other thing of note is that wireless fightsticks are rare at tournaments partly because of input lag (delay in button presses being sent to console) and because they can interfere with tournament consoles.

Hope this helps.

Edit: Ninja'd.

 

[Notkastar]

Helpfulness

I see,
Nice to know people are free to choice what controller type they use in tournaments.

Knowing that, Think I would ether get a PS3/4 controller or FightStick that works for PS4 instead of using the money towards single FightStick that could work with both. Beside the FightStick possible not being as close to the keyboard I thought it might be, I'm going to have to save up the money to play for the expenses if I'm really serious about entering a tournament any time soon.

Even more Helpfulness

I was leaning more towards using a FightStick since I use a Keyboard set-up that's pretty much a upside-down FightStick with arrows but, I'm also open to the idea of using a Console Controller in case I can't (Forgive the pun) "Get the grasp" of using a stick over Arrows.

Huh, I actually didn't know that about wireless controllers. Thanks for telling me, I'll steer clear of Wireless Controllers when I'm looking to buy a one for a tournament.

 

[KoopaParatroopa]

I was leaning more towards using a FightStick since I use a Keyboard set-up that's pretty much a upside-down FightStick with arrows but, I'm also open to the idea of using a Console Controller in case I can't (Forgive the pun) "Get the grasp" of using a stick over Arrows.

If you'd like, there is a middle ground between keyboard and controller called a "Hitbox". Hitbox fightsticks don't actually have a stick, instead using four arrows like a keyboard. Fair warning, they're considered to be even more difficult to use than a fightstick, but if you're good with using a keyboard it might be a bit easier for you.

 

[Notkastar]

I'm not gonna lie,
that is a pretty weird button lay-out.

Think If I pick up something think that I'd forget which buttons do what.
Even if I did change them around in the configuration.

Is making your own FightStick against the rules?
I know that's a pretty ambitious idea but, what you said up there gave me an
idea for a Custom FightStick that looks roughly like a regular FightStick but with with an Keyboard Arrow Pad instead of Stick.

 

[Casino]

I'm not gonna lie,
that is a pretty weird button lay-out.

Think If I pick up something think that I'd forget which buttons do what.
Even if I did change them around in the configuration.

Is making your own FightStick against the rules?
I know that's a pretty ambitious idea but, what you said up there gave me an
idea for a Custom FightStick that looks roughly like a regular FightStick but with with an Keyboard Arrow Pad instead of Stick.

You may find this thread useful:http://skullheart.com/index.php?threads/help-and-advice-with-a-custom-hitbox.1604/

 

[KoopaParatroopa]

Is making your own FightStick against the rules?
I know that's a pretty ambitious idea but, what you said up there gave me an
idea for a Custom FightStick that looks roughly like a regular FightStick but with with an Keyboard Arrow Pad instead of Stick.

No, it's technically not, but as you said it's an ambitious idea. More power to you if you can make that work!

 

[Notkastar]

You may find this thread useful:http://skullheart.com/index.php?threads/help-and-advice-with-a-custom-hitbox.1604/

Thanks for the tread link,
It's really helping me do my Homework on building my own FightStick/HitBox.

No, it's technically not, but as you said it's an ambitious idea. More power to you if you can make that work!

I can't make any promises that I'll go through with building since i'm still finding out
the price of all this stuff (Parts and Frame Included) But, you can beat I'm gonna
look into this just in case I actually do.

 

[Fizzxwizz]

Like everyone already said, most sticks are USB and what consoles they work with depends on the insides. Quite a few people make their own stick, and if you do you'll eventually have to replace the parts if you want to upgrade or they end up breaking, and that's kinda the same thing you'll be doing when you make a stick.

One of the appeals of a fightstick over a pad is the fact that your practice and stuff will carry over if you ever play on an actual arcade cabinet.

 

[Notkastar]

So there USB's?
(Another note to keep on hand.)

I really do like the idea of customization to that extent and sounds like replace parts would be a breeze given enough time and experience. Put that on top of the fact that I am only truly good at this game at the moment with the Keyboard or something similar it's defiantly something I need to look into.

Though I can't deny the usefulness of a pad (Pad hopefully meaning console controller)
The same could pretty much be done to the pad and personally I have more experience playing that lay-out over Keyboard lay-out for the other fighting game I've played. Skullgirls being that exception there's not many games I play FightStick/Keyboard wise.

I not trying to start anything, Everyone has there own preference for just about everything.
I'm just saying from my prior use of controllers I'm still weighing my options.

Maybe I should go ahead with the idea and make why own custom FightStick so I have something I'm more familiar with in this game alone.

Or maybe it's time I sync things up and start learning how to use a USB/PS Controller so I can compete in tournaments without having to go through the effort making something from scratch.

It's up in the air the moment and I want to keep it up there until I really understand what I'm getting into.
(Building and Tournament Wise.)

 

[Fizzxwizz]

pretty much all sticks are USB, with the exception of sticks for specific old consoles like the dreamcast or something.

If you really really wanted to, you could just make a stick using mechanical keys set up exactly like your keyboard layout, but that'll take slightly more effort than just making it the usual way.

 

[Notkastar]

pretty much all sticks are USB, with the exception of sticks for specific old consoles like the dreamcast or something.

If you really really wanted to, you could just make a stick using mechanical keys set up exactly like your keyboard layout, but that'll take slightly more effort than just making it the usual way.

I probably will if can get my hands/pay for the parts
and why not? Sounds like a fun little project I could work on the side when I'm between the things I've done and going to do.

 

[Zephyrel]

Lot of people play stick, lot of people play pad. All wired USB, yea (it's standard and the most lagless). Use whatever's comfortable and preferrable that works on PS3 and/or PS4.

 

[gllt]

I used a 360 pad, a 360 based stick (Qanba Q1, eightarc), and now I use a PC/PS3 hitbox (hitboxarcade)

I got used to the hitbox layout and now I love it. I also like that it's usable on my PC since that's where I do most of my gaming, but that it works on my PS3 too.
I don't own an xbox 360. 360 stuff works on windows by default, but ooonce in a while I'd run into issues since two of the buttons on my fight stick were 'triggers' (RT and LT)
They didn't want to register as buttons in some apps in Windows or Linux. I still loved the Qanba Q1 and I suggest it to people all the time if you want an entry level stick.
(Get the stick bag too. Get one even if you own a pad, that thing is sick. The eightarc bag. I use it for my hitbox now. And like, everything.)

People use what they use because.. they prefer it, usually.
Pad and stick worked for me, I just PREFER hitbox now that I've gotten used to it. (Also made me functional on keyboard in desperate times, but I still like my buttons better..)
My issues, PERSONALLY, was correctly holding down and back at the same time. I know that sounds silly, but I couldn't block low properly sometimes because I guess I'm the best.
Soo, buttons are like, I don't care what position I'm in in your lap/on the floor/whatever/hold me like a guitar if you press these two buttons its down back, nice.

And that is pretty much why I tried it out and then I fell in love for other reason BUT I still liked stick (octogate user) and it was fun and I might go get another one sometime.
(I gave it away to a friend once I felt comfy with my hitbox.)

I don't miss pad that much.. but it was a 360 pad. I never tried SG on a dualshock before or a fighting game pad. I've also only tried one stick. There are various kinds with different parts. Different sticks, buttons, ball tops on the sticks, gates (square, circle, octo, ???), etc.