How Do I Aim With a Controller? Turn It Into a Mouse!

While the divide between PC and console gamers has largely closed in recent years, and the console vs. PC wars are mostly a thing of the past, each side still has certain aspects the other struggles to even comprehend.

One such aspect is the age-old question of how console gamers manage to play shooters with a controller and actually enjoy it, given how much easier it is to aim with a mouse. Aubrey Hesselgren, an experienced Game Developer and self-described "gyro controller propagandist", recently revealed that the answer has been right in front of us all along, and the best way to aim with a gamepad isn't through practice or getting used to it, but by turning it into a mouse instead.

As shown in a short demo shared by Aubrey on Twitter, the method uses a controller's built-in gyroscopes, effectively turning your gamepad into a mouse by tracking your physical movements. While it may sound gimmicky at first, this solution can actually feel more intuitive and make aiming easier in FPS and TPS games, especially for PC gamers who haven't developed muscle memory for controllers.

Although this feature isn't supported by many games and isn't available for those using Xbox gamepads, you can try "gyro gaming" with devices like the DualShock 4, DualSense, Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, and Joy-cons. If you're interested in trying out this unique way of playing firsthand, Aubrey recommended a comprehensive guide by Ivan Iovine Monteiro that explains how to get started, choose and fine-tune your device, improve your aim, and explore the benefits of gyro gaming. You can find the full guide by clicking this link.

We also recommend checking out Ivan's YouTube channel where you'll find even more insights on using a gamepad as a mouse.

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