You know, back in the day, we all had joysticks plugged into our C64s. We didn't think anything of switching between joystick or keyboard, whatever was best for the game was fine. I'm not sure why gamepad must mean console-only these days.

EDIT: Come to think of it lots of games have sucked on PC without the right periph. Have you ever tried MW4 with just a keyboard and mouse? If not I can save you the bother, it blows.

But why? What makes that necessary? Don't tell me because a gamepad is optional equipment, so is a video card.

The funny thing is the same people saying this would never think anything of the fact that driving games operate better with wheels (or a gamepad, if you lack a wheel). PCs have had stuff hanging off of them, well, since before they were PCs. Gamepads are really good for some games. Obviously, I totally agree with your argument, I'm just trying to echo and reinforce the sentiment.

The problem I have with console-style gamepads, as opposed to mouse/keyboard, joystick, or wheel, is that I have yet to find one that doesn't cause my hands to start cramping within 30 minutes. There might be such a gamepad out out there, but I personally am not particularly motivated to hunt down and buy another $40-100 item just to play a $60 game.

I agree on principle as I am also "Cheap" - but there are many games you can use that gamepad with, its not a one time shot.

I would say one of the best purchases I ever made was the 360 pad, it's also worth mentioning the "rumble" feature, it really does add to the gaming experience (for me anyway), also racing games seem to benefit from it.

Its because your not used to the pad yet. Keep using it and your muscles (or whatever) will adapt to it. The same thing always happens to me when I use a new style of controller, but it goes away after a few days of heavy use.

My girlfriend says it is boring.
So better play a demo first. :-)

I use my gamepad constantly, it was 29.00 USD for the really nice XBox 360 wired one (Black) and I've never regretted it. There's other game pads that are really good, of course. The 360 one just seems ideal for XNA developed games and I don't like D pads anyway so the shitty one doesn't bother me; and I find it comfortable.

Any idea what DRM is used for boxed copy?

Once it installs there's a Securom release control check - after that completes the Securom goes away but you're then stuck with Origin.

yeah the thumbstick positioning on the 360 style controllers really help people with you know adult male hands... I even miss the old Xbox's 'Fat' controller at times (yes it was HUGE but it fitted my hands well) PS style controllers make my hands cramp after about an hours gaming and the thumb position just doesn't feel right on dual stick games (don't get me started on the fact your thumbs can actually interfere if you need to move right while turning the cameral left -.-)...

Finally, I had the chance to try Kingsom of Amalur.

As mentioned earlier, I play the PC version and tried both gamepad and keyboard/mouse and, in my opinion, I prefer to use mouse and keyboard. I think it works better.