If you’ve ever opened your H1Z1 (or Z1 Battle Royale as it’s now known) settings, you might have come across the term “Controller Deadzone”. Some players wonder what that setting means and how it affects their gameplay. Is it important, or should you just leave it be?
In this article, we’ll explain what a controller deadzone is and how it can affect your Z1 Battle Royale gameplay.
What Is Controller Deadzone?
Simply put, a controller deadzone is how much you need to move your controller sticks for the game to register it. The bigger the deadzone, the more the stick can move without recognizing any commands.
A smaller deadzone can result in crisper gameplay and faster reaction time. However, it also means your game might recognize accidental movements more than usual. A bigger deadzone will trade responsive gameplay with removing these accidental inputs. If your controller is worn out, this deadzone may accentuate your lack of control over your gameplay.
A deadzone is most important when aiming or moving. If your deadzone is too large, you might find yourself too sluggish to react to your opponents’ movements. In the fast-paced gameplay of a Battle Royale, all it takes is one wrong move to lose the game. Don’t let that be due to an accident.
How to Change Your Controller’s Deadzone
There isn’t really an optimal deadzone that will work for every player. Some players will prefer a smaller deadzone, while others might like a larger one.
In order to change your deadzone, go into your settings and find the Controller Deadzone slider. You can adjust the deadzone to your preferences, then save. After that, you can test your controller with these settings, and change if needed until you find the point you’re comfortable with.
Do note that these settings will need changing if your controller wears out, so you should keep in mind that setting your deadzone isn’t a one-off task. Furthermore, your deadzone settings might differ between different games, so it’s important that you test your settings for each new game.
One Setting for All Your Games
If you’re playing games through Steam, Valve has helpfully added global settings for your controller, including setting Controller Deadzone.
To access these settings, follow these steps:
- In the Steam menu, press Steam in the upper left corner, then press Settings.
- In the Controller tab, press General Controller Settings.
- This will open a new window. Next, find the controller you want to configure, then press Calibrate.
- A pop up will allow you to set your deadzone for that controller.
This will apply these settings across every game you play through Steam, including Z1 Battle Royale, but any in-game settings will override these defaults.
What This Means for My Controller
In order to get the best gameplay experience, it’s important that you have the right tools for the job. Currently, the best controllers on the market are PS4’s Dualshock 4 and the XBOX One Controller. Chances are, if you’re gaming on a PC, you’re using one of these two controllers to play Z1 Battle Royale.
There are a few differences in how these handle themselves in-game but, most notably, Sony’s analog sticks are a bit stiffer. This means that your deadzone settings could be slightly lower on the Sony’s controller than the XBOX One’s. However, the choice is all yours. Whichever of these controllers you choose, make sure you have your settings configured correctly before you go into a game.
What to Do When My Controller Drifts
Sometimes, you might notice that your character is moving of their own volition, or not moving when you want them to. This can be caused by stick drift. That means your controller’s sticks have shifted from their original position or aren’t responding properly to commands.
When your controller starts to drift, make sure that you change your deadzone settings. Adjusting the deadzone can allow you to get back to playing the game without any issues. This might need to be repeated if your controller continues to drift after you’ve set it.
In some cases, it might need to be repaired to work properly. Here are some resources for fixing your controller, depending on the type you have.
Do note that some of these fixes are best left to the professionals. DIY repair can sometimes cause more issues than it solves.
When your controller is worn out beyond repair, the only remaining option is to get a new controller. When you do so, make sure you’ve set its deadzone properly before you start a game.
Control Your Way to Victory
Now that you’ve learned all about the controller deadzone, you’ll be able to set it up properly and enjoy Z1 Battle Royale. Mishaps while playing the game can happen, but if you do everything right, you’ll reduce the chances of accidents happening. Enjoy your game!
What are your deadzone settings for Z1 Battle Royale? Have you ever experienced stick drift? Let us know in the comment section below.
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