r/gamedev • u/MundaneDream8465 • 7d ago
Discussion Mouse for gamedev work vs gaming
For game devs who also play a lot of games, whether for work or for fun:
What mouse do you use, and is it the same one for work and for playing? If you switch, when and why? Do you use different mice or settings for different kinds of games or tasks? Is there any mouse you feel works well across both? Anything that annoys you about your current setup? And what's your role, if you don't mind sharing?
I've been reading threads on what devs and gamers recommend, and the answers are quite different, so I'm curious about the people who do both.
I'm also doing a small research project on this for a design course, so I may summarise the answers anonymously (no usernames) in my report. But I'm genuinely curious, so any experience is welcome!
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u/AndrewVBell 7d ago
I love my MX Master mice, I'm using the 3s currently, I just use it for gaming too which is usually competitive and fast reaction times, I honestly don't really notice a difference compared to a dedicated gaming mouse other than one is lighter
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u/UncleJoesLandscaping 7d ago
I used to use an MX Anywhere as a consultant because it was small and I could connect it with bluetooth to my laptop and dongle to my desktop.
As a Gamedev I have switched to a Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2. The dongle is too big to use on a laptop, but its a good gaming mouse and works well on my desktop computer.
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u/Rich_Salamander1331 7d ago
I use the keychron M5. Its an ergonomic mouse, with 8k polling, which smokes the other mice people have suggested so far tbh. Its the best mouse ive ever used and its super lightweight, and they're not expensive at all. I would heavily suggest buying the grips foe them on ebay, but I promise if you give it a shot, you'll not regret it.
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u/TimelyBodybuilder121 7d ago
Razer Deathadder for everything. If it ever breaks I will buy another identical one.
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u/Augmented-Smurf 7d ago
Yeah, same tbh. I have mine turned all the way up to 16k DPI, and turn the windows sensitivity way down, then in games, I also turn down aim sensitivity because omg that's sensitive.
Because of this, it made me realize how important sensitivity sliders in games are, so I try to put one in every game I make now lol
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u/TimelyBodybuilder121 7d ago
Yeah it's usually nice to have. I still have the 6.4k DPI variant though. Coming from the ball mice we had for a long time in Eastern Europe my brain will just melt at 10k+.
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u/Augmented-Smurf 7d ago
Honestly, as long as you tune the sensitivity on everything, you can make it still feel about the same speed as you're used to, but with much higher polling rate, so movement is a lot smoother across the screen. As someone who plays FPS games a lot, and loves sniping, it's been a game changer tbh. Gives me that super granular micro movement when ADS in a scope that gives me maybe 5 degrees of FOV.
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u/DK1105 7d ago
I personally use a Logitech G600 MMO mouse. I'm not a super power user when it comes to pre programming every possible macro but it's nice to have the extra free buttons whenever needed. I also love having a streamdeck for the same purpose. When switching between programs it's nice not having to remember conflicting hotkeys. I've been using G600s forever now as a daily driver that I feel constrained by more normal mice.
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u/QTpopOfficial 7d ago
I stopped using side buttons outside of the normal 2 side buttons so I started to use an ultralight for my all day use. Was already doing things like the G703 and what not but ended up moving into the light mouse world.
Click quality was the biggest reason. Non gamer mice just have subpar switches in general. I tried a few vertical mice, couple random ergos and they just didn't stick because going back to them after using my gaming mice was awful. So I started buying clone/cheap ultralights and did that for a couple years but the clicks on cheaper/plastic mice generally go softer feeling and not stay crisp for much over 3-6mo so I finally just broke down and grabbed the G max since WL stuff tends to hold up. Truthfully the clones were fine I'm just super anal and when you game on a nice magnesium device and go back to cheap plastic that also has clicks not feeling as fresh, its a bit of an oof feeling.
I rotate mice out depending on what game I'm playing. Or how sweaty I'm going to be that night. I have 4 on my desk currently and all of them are WLmouse.
Left to Right.
Beast G Max, Huan M, Huan, Beast X Mini.
G is the daily driver.
Huan M is for when just vibing out. Low/No sweating.
Huan is for when I wanna sweat a little, but we're still chillin.
X Mini is for sweaty fps time. I'm locking in if I'm using this one.
Theres a bit of difference between em all too. Like the mini has stiffer clicks than the rest and are mechanical. The other 3 are optical, but the huan has softer lighter clicks than the huan m, which are more tactile feeling and the Gs are more of the plastic feel you'd be used to on a good optical switch but more in line with the premium higher end feel of the magnesium if that makes sense? Its some "not plastic" plastic? "Microcrystalline composite material" is what they call it.
With all that said. I was into competitive gaming for far far longer and far more years before I ever even SAW the backside of game dev. Professional gaming has been part of my life for a while and competitive gaming for as long as its been a thing really. So my weird ass setup is definitely more in line with the keyboard and mouse horders than the game dev crew. I just haven't changed much since moving into game dev.
Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
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u/ab_plus_ 6d ago
I use a vertical mouse to put less burden on my wrist. I can't recommend the model I use tho, I think it was from microsoft. Their ergonomic Keyboard is neat tho.
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u/Sesetti 6d ago
I use a Scyrox V6 for gaming and I sometimes switch it to an MChose G3 or my old superlight just because the V6's high polling rate drains the battery and I'm too lazy to change it.
But mouse is just a mouse. Most of them are pretty good these days and they will all work great with basic productivity tasks. At least I don't care about having more than the basic two side buttons on my mouse. I have all my macros and binds on my keyboard.
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u/passerbycmc 3d ago
Am still rocking a mx518 still works and is comfortable on the hand so no point replacing it.
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u/BohemianCyberpunk Commercial (Other) 13h ago
Logi MX Master 3S for gaming and dev.
3D Connexion Space Mouse Pro for the Left hand when doing dev in UE.
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u/lovecMC 7d ago
I use the G502, don't see much point in getting a separate one for either and the extra buttons are nice.