Can I use a joystick with KSP?

[Herbert McCheese-Wang]

Was wondering if I could control rockets/spaceplanes with a joystick because it would be more sensitive than the keyboard.

Edited May 31, 2013 by purpletarget

[purpletarget]

Yes, you can.

The game supports joysticks. So by all means, go for it...

[rodion_herrera]

Shameless plug Me flying an aircraft in KSP with a Logitech Attack 3...

[Crush]

I am also considering buying a joystick for KSP. But the last time I used one was about 10 years ago. What do you need to watch for when you buy one?

[rodion_herrera]

I am also considering buying a joystick for KSP. But the last time I used one was about 10 years ago. What do you need to watch for when you buy one?

Three things--robustness, robustness and err, robustness. Yes, a lot of cheap joysticks easily wear out their pots (potentiometers) early, making for very erratic control. Get a good brand like Thrustmaster, Saitek, CH, and Logitech, don't go for generic ones. Don't be attracted to DOZENS of buttons or "forcefeedback" (you can't have that for KSP anyways)--always check the feel--it has to be firm and you really have to 'work it' while using it, the ones that tend to feel "loose" or "easily moved" sometimes are the ones with bad pots. Also, try to get one with a twist rudder, because you can have pitch, yaw and roll control all in ONE hand. You can actually have a second joystick and use that one's rudders and/or throttles and other buttons--or if you feel like a space cowboy, bind the translation controls to the other stick!

Edited May 31, 2013 by rodion_herrera

[Guest]

I need to take the time and get my joystick properly configured in KSP. I got so used to using a joystick for docking in Orbiter that trying to dock using a keyboard is an unnecessarily stressful fiasco.

[Sma]

Don't be attracted to DOZENS of buttons or "forcefeedback" (you can't have that for KSP anyways)

Aww so KSP doesn't have FF support (yet)? Oh well...guess I should try my old joystick anyway...if I can find the power supply FOUND IT . It's one of the logitech force feedback (Update: wingman force3d) ones with a hat, and 6 or 7 buttons. Forget the name off the top of my head though. Got it when I started playing MS flightsim 2004 some time ago. THe rubber boot is falling apart but other than that I think it still works.

Just got into trying an SSTO spaceplane, for last weeks Ribbit Ribbit challenge on Reddit. Still trying to get the thing into orbit lol.

Edited June 15, 2013 by Sma