Racing sims have come on leaps and bounds in past decade or so. This is also true for the technology that we use to play these games. Esports professionals have hugely expensive rigs that help them get every thousandth of a second out of the car.
These rigs are so complex that it sometimes feels as though the standard controller pad has become obsolete. So, this begs the question, can you play games like Assetto Corsa Competizione using a controller? We've got everything you need to know right here!
Back to basics
Very few players can afford a rig on the level of the esports professionals, and many don't have a wheel and pedals setup. This might even be out of choice; some gamers prefer the feel of the controller pad. This is true for both PlayStation and Xbox.
There's nothing stopping you from using a controller pad for Assetto Corsa Competizione. This is even an option for PC players, where wheels are a lot more commonplace.
So, you can. But should you?
If it's ultimate lap time that you're looking for, the controller pad isn't what you should be looking at. That's not to say that you can't be quick with a controller, though. Some players like Louis Welch are insanely quick when using a pad.
Quality always shines through, and you'll still be able to beat the fastest AI and players online using a standard controller.
What you can't do with a pad though is break world records. If you're wanting to compete at the very top, a wheel and pedals setup will always be quicker. This is because of the greater control that you can exert over this hardware. You can input acceleration and braking with much more confidence than the buttons on a pad.
The same is true for steering too, as you have a greater range of control than the stick on a controller.
So, you can use a controller, but if you want to improve your lap times, a wheel and pedal setup will always be better.