• Log InLog In
  • Register
Liquid`
Team Liquid Liquipedia
EDT 09:52
CEST 15:52
KST 22:52
  • Home
  • Forum
  • Calendar
  • Streams
  • Liquipedia
  • Features
  • Store
  • EPT
  • TL+
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Smash
  • Heroes
  • Counter-Strike
  • Overwatch
  • Liquibet
  • Fantasy StarCraft
  • TLPD
  • StarCraft 2
  • Brood War
  • Blogs
Forum Sidebar
Events/Features
News
Featured News
[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Siren's Call6[ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Summer's End9Serral wins HomeStory Cup 2915Serral wins Maestros of the Game 244ByuL, and the Limitations of Standard Play3
Community News
New 3v3 BGH Ladder (and more) on ShieldBattery!2Weekly Cups (August 17-23): Zerg dominate the week0Weekly Cups (August 10-16): SHIN doubles2GSTL Returns in 2026!45Weekly Cups (Aug 3-9): Protoss get shut out7
StarCraft 2
General
SC4ALL II: SC2 Player Announcement 6/8 - Maru How would you feel about frequent/monthly balance patches for SC2? Weekly Cups (August 17-23): Zerg dominate the week Geoff 'iNcontroL' Robinson has passed away GSTL Returns in 2026!
Tourneys
PIG STY FESTIVAL 8.0! (13 - 23 August) Sparkling Tuna Cup - Weekly Open Tournament WORTEX 2026 - Hungarian SC2 Finals Budapest SC2 AI Tournament 2026 Fall 2026 GSTL Announcement
Strategy
[G] Having the right mentality to improve
Custom Maps
Nexus Wars 2021 GUIDE [M] (2) Industrial Park
External Content
Mutation # 540 Dodge This The PondCast: SC2 News & Results Mutation # 539 Thunder Dome Mutation # 538 Media Blackout
Brood War
General
New 3v3 BGH Ladder (and more) on ShieldBattery! BW General Discussion [ASL22] Ro24 Preview: Siren's Call BGH Auto Balance -> http://bghmmr.eu/ Pros React To: First 'Fastest' Map in ASL History
Tourneys
[ASL22] Ro24 Group D [Megathread] Daily Proleagues Toronto invitational lan 22 august Brood War in Budapest ! WORTEX 2026 BW Finals
Strategy
Replay Review Process - What do you do? Odyssey Mineral Stack Saturation Fighting Spirit mining rates Any training maps people recommend?
Other Games
General Games
Nintendo Switch Thread General RTS Discussion Thread Anyone here play Quakeworld back in the day? Stormgate/Frost Giant Megathread EVE Corporation
Dota 2
Official 'what is Dota anymore' discussion
League of Legends
[TL LoL EUW IHs] Teemo shall perish TSM pausing esports and CLG Dead
Heroes of the Storm
Heroes of the Storm 2.0
Hearthstone
Deck construction bug
TL Mafia
TL Mafia Power Rank TL Mafia Community Thread NeO.D_StephenKing vs This Guy From 1 Million Dance
Community
General
US Politics Mega-thread Dating: How's your luck? Russo-Ukrainian War Thread Canadian Politics Mega-thread Artificial Intelligence Thread
Fan Clubs
The Creator Fan Club MarineLorD Fan Club The ShoWTimE Fan Club
Media & Entertainment
Movie Discussion! Anime Discussion Thread
Sports
TeamLiquid Health and Fitness Initiative For 2023 Football (Soccer) Thread MLB/Baseball 2023 NBA General Discussion
World Cup 2022
Tech Support
Computer Build, Upgrade & Buying Resource Thread Simple Questions Simple Answers FPS when play League Of Legend on laptop
TL Community
The Automated Ban List Northern Ireland Global Starcraft
Blogs
Young Players Exit Esports E…
TrAiDoS
LOCKPICKING NOOB
LUCKY_NOOB
Cathedral Of CS And NY pizza a…
FuDDx
Please support my new stand…
Peanutsc
Hello guys!
LIN1s
Customize Sidebar...

Website Feedback

Closed Threads



Active: 3967 users

Invert Y-axis

Blogs > Antifate
Post a Reply
1 2 Next All
Antifate
Profile Blog Joined August 2004
United States415 Posts
July 28 2013 12:45 GMT
#1
First blog :O

I'm one of those people who inverts the vertical axis on console shooters, but pretty much none of my friends do. It's actually funny to see them curse and die we share controllers and forget to change the settings (I do this as well T_T). This inverse association is only there for console games and I don't invert axes for PC shooters. I think I had this habit burned into me after Goldeneye 64, which had inverted vertical vision for some reason.

I once had it explained to me that "inverted" was how pilots flew, and that pulling back on the flight stick made the plane's nose rise, while pushing forward made the plane descend. I suppose this makes sense, but then again, the two situations are completely different since planes move very differently than people in shooters. Planes can't strafe or move backwards or anything. Also I think it feels more intuitive when you're holding the entire flight stick in your hand, rather than manipulating an analog stick with your thumb. That last sentence makes me laugh; I'm mature I swear.

I guess this "inverse" logic is present in some other random areas of life, like moving specimens under a microscope or in sailing. But those systems are more consistent in that every direction is inverted (well in sailing I guess there's only left and right lol I'm not a sailor), and it's easy to see the underlying mechanical reason why that inversion is there. I feel that it's kind of funky that I find a normal x-axis and inverted y-axis to be the most comfortable way to play console games, while both are normal for mouse and keyboard. There are natural differences between a stick and a mouse, but it's still strange that this exists for me. I get tricked by some people's mouse/touchpad scroll schemes too. I feel like they should be inverted.

I guess it can be reasoned for systems like planes, the inverted Y-axis is kind of like "back" or "slow" is against gravity, while "forward" or "go" is with gravity. I don't know, it all seems kind of silly.

I guess I kind of feel like a weirdo for having my brain wired in this way, but there's got to be a reason, right?

I wonder why some games had mandatory inverted Y-axes as well.


*
No one is taller than the last man standing.
Khalum
Profile Joined September 2010
Austria831 Posts
July 28 2013 13:14 GMT
#2
When FPS games on the PC started utilizing the mouse, I also played with inverted Y. Maybe because I also played space/flight sims and was used to that behaviour. I think I stopped during UT times, now I couldn't do it anymore.
Mongoose
Profile Blog Joined June 2011
United Kingdom190 Posts
July 28 2013 14:13 GMT
#3
It's so weird to invert the Y axis on PC games..

For console, I prefer inverted but can play both (in the old days inverted used to be the norm, but in recent years un-inverted seems to be the most commonly used)
Master league EU Terran
Awesomedrifter
Profile Blog Joined May 2009
Canada62 Posts
July 28 2013 14:16 GMT
#4
I was expecting a math blog

http://awesomedrifter.com/
Zoundsforsook
Profile Blog Joined August 2011
Scotland636 Posts
July 28 2013 14:28 GMT
#5
I too invert the Y-Axis on controllers and so does my brother, it might be as you say due to Goldeneye 64!

A friend of mine inverts the Y axis with mouse movement which I found a lot weirder, though after a bit of use it's not as hard to adapt as it might seem at first.
Paint it bright and bold.
lifeisgood99
Profile Joined October 2010
Canada915 Posts
July 28 2013 14:30 GMT
#6
Same here. I need to use Y-inversion on consoles since I played a lot on a flying simulator when I was younger. I really can't deal with console FPS without it now. I don;t use Y-inversion on the PC as well.

For anyone wondering how we use Y-inversion: + Show Spoiler +
[image loading]
Taengoo/Eunji ~ flavourflower.tumblr.com
Azera
Profile Blog Joined December 2010
3800 Posts
July 28 2013 14:31 GMT
#7
On July 28 2013 23:16 Awesomedrifter wrote:
I was expecting a math blog



Same here. Equally disappointed.
Check out some great music made by TLers - http://bit.ly/QXYhdb , by intrigue. http://bit.ly/RTjpOR , by ohsea.toc.
docvoc
Profile Blog Joined July 2011
United States5491 Posts
July 28 2013 17:02 GMT
#8
I know some pros play inverted, though they all say they play inverted because of golden-eye. I remember BioHuntaa who played high level Halo would use the Claw-Grip and play Inverted. Sidenote, he also played a sick guitar.
User was warned for too many mimes.
Myrkskog
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
Canada481 Posts
July 28 2013 19:48 GMT
#9
Anyone who owned a 286-486 was guaranteed to learn inverted pretty much because of games like Descent and Terminal Velocity. The majority of people who played Quake in its heyday were inverted also, probably because of this.

Inverted makes more sense anyways. When you want to look down you tilt your head forward. When you want to look up you tilt your head backwards.
Hoender
Profile Joined March 2011
South Africa382 Posts
July 28 2013 20:11 GMT
#10
On July 29 2013 04:48 Myrkskog wrote:
Anyone who owned a 286-486 was guaranteed to learn inverted pretty much because of games like Descent and Terminal Velocity. The majority of people who played Quake in its heyday were inverted also, probably because of this.

Inverted makes more sense anyways. When you want to look down you tilt your head forward. When you want to look up you tilt your head backwards.

Same here - Descent was my first 'fps' game and I've been playing inverted ever since. It's almost become something I'm proud of by now and is sort of used as an inside joke by all my friends

Stay strong my inverted friends!
Anti-inverted propaganda:
+ Show Spoiler +
Die ou swepe sê: "daar's 'n raat vir elke kwaal," maar watse pil kou jy as die donker jou kom haal?
CecilSunkure
Profile Blog Joined May 2010
United States2829 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-07-29 00:21:22
July 28 2013 21:23 GMT
#11
Inverted z is actually common. If you invert z and increase a position on the x or y axes, that position will appear to move up and right respectively.

You of course need to be looking down negative z axis to see it this way. This doesn't change user experience much, but if you're developing a game or using a tool like an editor, having inverted z can make things less retarded.
GwSC
Profile Joined December 2010
United States1997 Posts
Last Edited: 2013-07-28 23:04:02
July 28 2013 22:54 GMT
#12
I invert when using a controller too. It makes sense if you think of it as controlling a head. Push forward on the stick (push head forward) you look down. Pull back on the stick (pull head back) you look up.

Edit: Someone totally already said that, didn't notice. Oh well
deathly rat
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
United Kingdom911 Posts
July 29 2013 00:36 GMT
#13
It's funny. When i gave my dad a try at Call of Duty he also wanted to play inverted, but he had never played any FPS games before in his life.
No logo (logo)
Chairman Ray
Profile Blog Joined December 2009
United States11903 Posts
July 29 2013 00:46 GMT
#14
I'm used to inverted Y-axis when controlling aircrafts, and non-inverted for everything else. Just sorta how I got used to things.
Terranist
Profile Blog Joined March 2009
United States2496 Posts
July 29 2013 01:06 GMT
#15
i don't think it is that weird of a habit. older gamers that played stuff like goldeneye still like inverted a lot while the halo generation doesn't. turok was the game that got me to use inverted but i don't feel that it necessarily is better.
The Show of a Lifetime
Najda
Profile Joined June 2010
United States3765 Posts
July 29 2013 04:12 GMT
#16
On July 29 2013 09:46 Chairman Ray wrote:
I'm used to inverted Y-axis when controlling aircrafts, and non-inverted for everything else. Just sorta how I got used to things.


I do that as well. I'm pretty sure the Banshee in Halo 1 was always inverted regardless of controls (or was it a separate control setting?) which taught me to play that way. I originally started playing inverted everything but my brother played normal and I got tired to switching, so I just learned to play both. Now I only play normal.

I didn't even know inverting Y-axis on PC was even a thing until pretty recently. Seems so odd to me.
ObviousOne
Profile Joined April 2012
United States3704 Posts
July 29 2013 06:12 GMT
#17
Oh man now I know why I got destroyed in Goldeneye so often haha. Maybe I'll break out the old '64 again sometime.

I can't do inverted-Y anymore thanks to 5 years of Counter-Strike and I was never much one for flight simulators before that (thanks BW =])
Fear is the only darkness. ~Destiny Fan Club operator~
Antifate
Profile Blog Joined August 2004
United States415 Posts
July 29 2013 06:32 GMT
#18
It's strange that the joystick-on-head argument doesn't apply to the X-axis, because it's the same spatial set-up. I wonder if anyone even uses X-axis inversion, I've seen the option in a few games lol.

I suppose even if it's a bit strange it's useful; it's harder to track people when they jump than when they crouch, so pressing down (more comfortable to me) on an inverted control scheme is practical in that sense.
No one is taller than the last man standing.
rebdomine
Profile Blog Joined October 2010
6040 Posts
July 29 2013 06:47 GMT
#19
Was expecting to see graphs and instead I find discussion on shooters and flight sims.

Slightly disappointed.
"Just because you are correct doesn't mean you are right!"
opsayo
Profile Blog Joined July 2008
591 Posts
July 29 2013 07:13 GMT
#20
i use inverted and i also played descent a long time ago

no idea if thats the reason or not but i can't undo it
1 2 Next All
Please log in or register to reply.
Live Events Refresh
WardiTV Weekly
11:00
#101
IntoTheiNu 1300
WardiTV1150
Rex165
Liquipedia
[ Submit Event ]
Live Streams
Refresh
StarCraft 2
Lowko423
Rex 165
BRAT_OK 102
StarCraft: Brood War
Britney 30051
Bisu 2970
Jaedong 2191
Shuttle 1158
EffOrt 1151
Horang2 801
BeSt 753
actioN 446
Soma 419
Light 373
[ Show more ]
Hyuk 357
Killer 278
Stork 246
Snow 235
Last 131
Zeus 115
Rush 109
Pusan 93
Hyun 91
Sharp 84
Aegong 70
sSak 63
Sea.KH 59
ToSsGirL 58
Mind 43
HiyA 37
Hm[arnc] 30
soO 27
Sexy 26
Noble 23
Bale 22
sorry 21
Yoon 19
yabsab 18
Shine 17
SilentControl 17
ajuk12(nOOB) 16
Free 13
Terrorterran 13
NotJumperer 9
Sacsri 9
zelot 9
Icarus 7
Dota 2
Gorgc4634
qojqva3594
Dendi2026
BananaSlamJamma310
Counter-Strike
byalli683
Other Games
singsing2434
hiko828
B2W.Neo705
XBOCT525
crisheroes363
Liquid`VortiX189
KnowMe127
QueenE65
ArmadaUGS44
[ Show 11 non-featured ]
StarCraft 2
• AfreecaTV YouTube
• intothetv
• Kozan
• IndyKCrew
• Migwel
StarCraft: Brood War
• BSLYoutube
• STPLYoutube
• ZZZeroYoutube
League of Legends
• Nemesis1767
• Jankos877
• TFBlade309
Upcoming Events
The Patches Monday
2h 23m
Afreeca Starleague
20h 8m
Soulkey vs PianO
JyJ vs sSak
GSL
21h 8m
PiGosaur Cup
1d 10h
Afreeca Starleague
1d 20h
Mini vs Calm
Queen vs EffOrt
Replay Cast
2 days
The PondCast
2 days
Replay Cast
3 days
Escore
3 days
IntoTheTV X SOOP
3 days
[ Show More ]
Korean StarCraft League
4 days
GSL
4 days
Replay Cast
5 days
Sparkling Tuna Cup
5 days
WardiTV Weekly
5 days
Liquipedia Results

Completed

Proleague 2026-08-23
PiG Sty Festival 8.0
META DYMY #4

Ongoing

KCM Race Survival 2026 Season 3
K-JUNGMAN
ASL Season 22
Super Anchor Qualifying S3
CSL Season 22: Qualifier 1
RSL Revival: Season 6
Esports World Cup 2026
Esports World Cup 2026: LCQ
BLAST Bounty Summer 2026
BLAST Bounty Summer Qual
Stake Ranked Episode 3
XSE Pro League 2026
IEM Cologne Major 2026

Upcoming

CSL Season 22: Qualifier 2
BSL 2026 LAN: Kraków
CSL 2026 AUTUMN (S22)
Acropolis #5
Acropolis #5 - TRS
Blizzard Classic Cup 2026
Acropolis #5 - GSA
HSC XXX
SC4ALL II: StarCraft II
Kung Fu Cup 2026 Grand Finals
RSL Offline Finals
Calamity Invitational
Big Dog Cup 2026 Div 1
IEM Beijing 2026
Stake Ranked Episode 5
PGL Masters Bucharest 2026
Thunderpick World Champ. '26
ESL Pro League Season 24
Stake Ranked Episode 4
1win Private Club #1
Logitech G Play Connect 2026
SL StarSeries Fall 2026
FISSURE Playground #3
BLAST Open Fall 2026
TLPD

1. ByuN
2. TY
3. Dark
4. Solar
5. Stats
6. Nerchio
7. sOs
8. soO
9. INnoVation
10. Elazer
1. Rain
2. Flash
3. EffOrt
4. Last
5. Bisu
6. Soulkey
7. Mini
8. Sharp
Sidebar Settings...

Advertising | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact Us

Original banner artwork: Jim Warren
The contents of this webpage are copyright © 2026 TLnet. All Rights Reserved.