Modern Warfare 3, the latest installment of the popular Call of Duty franchise, has introduced a new feature that allows players to test and adjust their controller settings to combat stick drift. Stick drift is a common problem that affects many controllers, especially older ones, where the analog sticks register movement even when they are not being touched. This can ruin the gameplay experience and affect the accuracy and responsiveness of the player.
What is stick drift and why does it happen?
Stick drift is a term that refers to the phenomenon where the analog sticks of a controller move on their own, without any input from the user. This can cause the camera or the character to move in unwanted directions, making it hard to aim, shoot, or navigate. Stick drift can happen for various reasons, such as wear and tear, dust, dirt, moisture, or faulty calibration.
How to test for stick drift in Modern Warfare 3
Modern Warfare 3 has a built-in feature that allows players to test for stick drift and see how much their controller is affected by it. To access this feature, players need to go to the settings menu and select controller. At the bottom of the list, there is a section called deadzone inputs, which is where the stick drift settings can be found.
On the right side of the screen, there is a diagram of both the left and right sticks as well as both triggers. Players can move their sticks and see how they register on the map. If the sticks move without any input from the user, or if they do not return to the center when released, that means there is some degree of stick drift.
How to adjust the deadzone settings to fix stick drift
The deadzone settings are the ones that determine how much movement is required for the sticks or triggers to register an input. By increasing or decreasing these settings, players can reduce or eliminate stick drift. The settings are divided into four categories:
- Left stick min: This is the minimum amount of movement required for the left stick to register an input. Increasing this setting can help with stick drift on the left stick, but it can also make it less responsive and precise.
- Left stick max: This is the maximum amount of movement allowed for the left stick before it reaches its limit. Decreasing this setting can help with stick drift on the left stick, but it can also make it more sensitive and erratic.
- Right stick min: This is the minimum amount of movement required for the right stick to register an input. Increasing this setting can help with stick drift on the right stick, but it can also make it less responsive and precise.
- Right stick max: This is the maximum amount of movement allowed for the right stick before it reaches its limit. Decreasing this setting can help with stick drift on the right stick, but it can also make it more sensitive and erratic.
The default values for these settings are 10 for both min and 99 for both max. Players can tweak these values according to their preference and controller condition. However, if stick drift is still a problem around 15 on either stick, it may be time to get a new controller.
There are also two settings for the trigger buttons:
- L2 button deadzone: This is the amount of pressure required for the L2 button to register an input. Increasing this setting can help with accidental inputs on the L2 button, but it can also make it harder to press.
- R2 button deadzone: This is the amount of pressure required for the R2 button to register an input. Increasing this setting can help with accidental inputs on the R2 button, but it can also make it harder to press.
The default values for these settings are 13 for both buttons. Players can adjust these values according to their preference and controller condition.
How to find the best controller settings for Modern Warfare 3
There is no definitive answer to what are the best controller settings for Modern Warfare 3, as different players may have different preferences and play styles. However, some general tips are:
- Experiment with different settings until you find the ones that suit you best. You can use the test mode to see how your changes affect your gameplay.
- Aim for a balance between responsiveness and stability. You want your controller to be responsive enough to react quickly and accurately, but not so sensitive that it causes unwanted movements or inputs.
- Consider your controller’s condition and age. Older controllers may have more wear and tear and require higher deadzone settings to avoid stick drift. Newer controllers may have less issues and require lower deadzone settings to maximize precision.
- Adjust your sensitivity settings as well. The sensitivity settings determine how fast your camera or character moves when you use your sticks. You can find these settings under aim response curve type and aim assist type in the controller menu.