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Evan  
06 Aug, 2007

PS3 UT3 to support mouse and keyboard

PS3 News | User selectable control system.
Some wars never die - an almost guaranteed way to kick-start a passionate debate between PC and console players is to ask which is better for first-person shooter games. Epic, however, seems to be willing to play UN ambassador to this age-old conflict, having just announced in their forums that the PlayStation 3 will support keyboard and mouse for Unreal Tournament 3.

Speaking out of the blue, Vice President of Epic Games Mark Rein said, "I checked with Steve Polge and he said that YES we are supporting keyboard and mouse in Unreal Tournament 3 on PS3. He is confident we are doing it in a way that will be balanced without feeling "gimped" for either side. We'll also allow people to choose whether or not they want to allow mixed controller vs. keyboard/mouse games or not."

He provided little other information, other than deliberately avoiding any discussion about the Xbox 360 version. Given the the PlayStation 3 release will be a console exclusive, it's quite possible that the final specifications for the 360 version aren't ready for announcement yet. Rein also avoided any further discussion about cross-platform play, a topic made all the more interesting by the recent announcement.

The keyboard vs. controller debate is old one. Console players will normally immediately point to Halo, claiming the benefits of sitting back on the couch and saying a few million people can't be wrong. PC players normally respond that aiming with an analog stick feels like playing pick-up sticks with gloves on, and that it's impossible to have any accuracy, making the game less fun. What do you think, and will you be playing Unreal Tournament 3 with a keyboard or an analog stick? Let us know in our forums!

Related Unreal Tournament III Content

UTIII to get expansion
21 Oct, 2008 UTIII to get expansion pack to help boost sales.
Unreal Tournament 3 gets new map pack
28 Mar, 2008 Best of all, it's free.
29 Comments
4 years ago
Exactly what I hoped for an am used to, thanks UT3 developers^^
4 years ago
Awesome news, Im buying this on PS3 and K/M play will be perfect in my uni room.
4 years ago
Better idea, Light gun and a treadmill support! 1up the Wii!

Seriously though good news, though I do wonder where Sony think everyone sets up their consoles, right next to a flat surface big enough to support mouse movement it seems.
4 years ago
Fly wrote
Seriously though good news, though I do wonder where Sony think everyone sets up their consoles, right next to a flat surface big enough to support mouse movement it seems.
I don't know why you think that SONY have anything to do with what control options EPIC allow in the PS3 version of UT3... but it bears repeating that the keyboard/mouse control is an option, not a fixed setting - no-one is being forced to use it, so it doesn't matter where you have your PS3 set up.
4 years ago
Sweet! I'll probably just use the controller tho, my USB keyboard cord isn't long enough and my bluetooth keyboard isn't recognised by my PS3 icon_sad.gif
Seriously, this is such a good sign of things to come for Sony in terms of system exclusive content. This and the convertable PC mods really are things you can only do on the PS3, and really shows what it can do and will be able to do in the future.
4 years ago
One step in the right direction.

If the XBOX supported a real mouse and keyboard for gaming I would have bought one in a heartbeat. Controllers are great, I even have a 360 controller for my PC (thanks MS) but they are a poor substitutes for a KB/Mouse combo for hardcore FPS games where precision aiming still means something.
4 years ago
First they have support for mods and now this, if they get PS3 vs PC matches happening this is the ultimate UT console release by far.
4 years ago
Personally I think it's a terrible idea and It's gonna split the community in half in online competition. All the matches are going to be setup to have ONE controller option because no one with a controller will want to play with a keyboard player - and rightly so. Personally I hate using a keyboard/mouse and find dual-analog's much more *enjoyable* to play with. I just don't like the idea that they are giving into a few complainers and making the playing field uneven for players.
4 years ago
Sony need to now release official Keyboard and Mouse for PS3 wireless just like controllers
4 years ago
good news, especially given it's UT.

some PC FPS games might've been alright on the control pad, but UT isn't one of them. the game is built on speed, something a control-pad simply can't match.

now all we need is to hear that online will be cross-platform and everything will be sweet.
4 years ago
I will definitely be playing UT3 on my PS3 with a Keyboard and a Mouse. The SIXAXIS will also get some use. When I am in a position where a K/M would awkward, like on the couch, I will use the controller.
Easy icon_smile.gif
4 years ago
After playing Resident Evil 4 on the Wii I have to say that even mouse aiming feels a bit sketchy now.But to be honest mouse aiming is actually much eaiser than aiming in real life (Although all I've aimed at are moving paper targets not alien menaces)

Anyway I am not much of a twitch gamer anymore and I never liked the advantage twitch players enjoyed with the mouse.

Which was part of the reason I moved to console gaming.
4 years ago
This isnt exactly brand new news, but a rumour confirmation..

Nonetheless, its a great thing that we can finally prove that K/M > DA.
4 years ago
Umm, so how would I use a keyboard and nice for on my couch? For the price of a PS3 I could go buy myself a desktop and play this with a keyboard and mouse.
4 years ago
LeonJ wrote
Umm, so how would I use a keyboard and nice for on my couch? For the price of a PS3 I could go buy myself a desktop and play this with a keyboard and mouse.
At 800x600 resolution with detail set to non-existant maybe.
4 years ago
Karai Pantsu wrote
I don't know why you think that SONY have anything to do with what control options EPIC allow in the PS3 version of UT3... but it bears repeating that the keyboard/mouse control is an option, not a fixed setting - no-one is being forced to use it, so it doesn't matter where you have your PS3 set up.
Perhaps I should make my snide comments more noticeable by maybe making it prettyfull and so outlandish that they're pure dribble instead, I thought it was noticeable with the treadmill wish, but alas, thwarted! Perhaps next we shall try Tai-Bo Boxing for Wii? icon_razz.gif

Simply replace the two company names and voila the point is still valid for those who had intent to purchase and use the optional extra. The intended notion was that one would assume my comment would be geared towards those who do have that intent to purchase the KB & Mouse, so may I then suggest for you to lighten up in your dismissive nature? Open your view to that of one who would purchase and use such additional extras. It would matter in that sense unless you have floorboards you constantly use a mouse on or various unused smooth surfaces of a certain height to use.

Unless of course you're planning on running your mouse up and down a wall to play?
4 years ago
Is this news?

Wasn't this announced months and months ago?

Or was that for a different game?
4 years ago
@Fly:
i don't get your point.

it's not as if this is the first console game to support mouse and keyboard, nor is it the first console FPS to support mouse and keyboard, and none of those had any issues with positioning, and they were before the prevalence of wireless controllers.

i'm wondering therefore where your consoles are set up, if adding a KB and Mouse is such an inconvenience.

@Doofus:
it was a rumour before, now it's confirmed.
4 years ago
Jabjabs wrote
First they have support for mods and now this, if they get PS3 vs PC matches happening this is the ultimate UT console release by far.
And given the xbox box is a microsoft product, as is windows, do you really think that PS3-PC gameplay is likely? MS wants to keep it for itself, so the only possibilities I see are PS3-apple or PS3-linux, neither of which are particularly known for gaming.
4 years ago
MS might own windows, but i doubt they can deny Servers to support PC/PS3 partnership. Having the use of Keyboard and Mouse is a great idea, i'd probably try both though but feeling that i will ultimately use a keyboard and mouse, now just need sony to release a bluetooth keyboard/mouse/headset and i'm set.

btw ps3 branded headset cause i'm a nut >.>
4 years ago
Fly: I take it that response was you demonstrating the 'pure dribble' approach? icon_shifty.gif
If the section of your post that I quoted was intended as sarcasm then you did a poor job of conveying that.

So what was your point? That people who go out and buy a keyboard and mouse to use with their PS3 might not have a good surface to put them on? I'd say that anyone who went to the effort of purchasing and connecting the two without taking into account a surface to put them on deserves any frustration they encounter. I mean, honestly.
4 years ago
ittekimasu wrote
btw ps3 branded headset cause i'm a nut >.>
I know what thats like, damn proper branding curse icon_evil.gif

This is quite nice, but my keyboard isn't USB so got troubles there.
4 years ago
Karai Pantsu wrote
it bears repeating that the keyboard/mouse control is an option, not a fixed setting - no-one is being forced to use it, so it doesn't matter where you have your PS3 set up.
Yes but thats worse if anything. In making it an option they will fracture their userbase. Sorry, but I game online with my PC if I want to use a keyboard and mouse, I game online with any of my consoles when I feel like sitting back and relaxing, in an equal playing environment.

Unless they've got some advanced matchmaking that prevents controller users going up against mouse+keyboard users, this is bad news for UT3 online with the PS3.
4 years ago
Lord Haart wrote
Jabjabs wrote
First they have support for mods and now this, if they get PS3 vs PC matches happening this is the ultimate UT console release by far.
And given the xbox box is a microsoft product, as is windows, do you really think that PS3-PC gameplay is likely? MS wants to keep it for itself, so the only possibilities I see are PS3-apple or PS3-linux, neither of which are particularly known for gaming.
how, exactly, are they going to stop it?

it's not as if MS own the internet - Epic just need to give out the dedicated server tools and let people do the rest.

afterall, interactivity between Apple and Windows is about as unlikely as you would probably get, yet it happens all the time with UT2004.
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Australian Release Date:
  21/02/2008 (Confirmed)
Standard Retail Price:
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Publisher:
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Genre:
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Year Made:
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