Play first person shooters with a real gun
Mouse Emulator Mode
On Windows, when using a real gun, Interactive Gun Range will list “Mouse Emulator Mode” in the list of game options. This allows you to play other games, including first person shooters, using your gun to click the mouse.
First start Interactive Gun Range, then mouse emulator mode. Leave IGR running. Start the other game you want to play, and move it to the same display as IGR. The two windows should overlap exactly, for example by using full screen mode.
IGR will continue to detect laser strikes, and click the mouse at the corresponding location in the other game.
Most games require more controls than just click the mouse, so you will also want to at least download a free voice command system. For first person shooters, I also suggest a dance pad.
Additional Control Systems
Voice Commands
I’m really impressed by how powerful VoiceBot is, especially considering the low price. Comes with a free version which is still quite well featured. The voice recognition worked for me right away without training. The macro system is powerful. The system comes with many downloadable configurations for different games.
Dance Pads
You will want to download and run AntiMicroX or a similar program to map Dance Pad Keys to the keyboard or mouse.
After starting AntiMicroX step on the dancepad. AntiMicroX will indicate what key that is on the dancepad. You can then click the corresponding button, and assign the keyboard key or mouse press.
Game Reviews
Blamcon
With Voice Commands: Assign reload to right mouse button.
With Dancepad: Open AntiMicroX. Assign right mouse button.
Special Setup: Turn off all monitors except the one running IGR. Start the game. Turn your monitors back on. This is to force the game to be on the same monitor.
The moving targets, short time to shoot them, need to count your shots, and repeated action all contribute well to training specific skills. While there is only one shooting mode at present, the game is free and there is no reason not to get it.
Blue Estate
With Voice Commands: Assign up, right, down, left to keyboard. Assign reload to right mouse button. Assign switch weapon to double click right mouse button.
With Dancepad: Open AntiMicroX. Assign up, down, left, right on keyboard. Assign right and middle mouse button.
Special Setup: Set display options to windowed mode. If you have multiple monitors and Blue Estate is on the wrong monitor, turn that monitor off. You can turn the monitor back on later.
The best graphics of any game specifically designed as a rail shooter. Controls are easily mapped as there are not too many o fthem. Even if you are just into serious training, the wow factor of the presentation add a lot.
Grand Shooter
With Voice Commands: Assign reload to right mouse button.
With Dancepad: Open AntiMicroX. Assign right mouse button.
Special Setup: None.
The clean graphics and high framework work well when you are trying to focus on training. I also like the need to get headshots, and the ability to shoot weapons out of enemy’s hands. The game is quite difficult but I can see myself playing a lot of this.
Major Mayhem
With Voice Commands: Assign jump to right mouse button. Air Strike to 1. Robo Mayhem to 2. Hero Time to 3. Super Bullets to 4.
With Dancepad: Open AntiMicroX. Assign right mouse button, 1, 2, 3, 4.
Special Setup: Turn off all monitors off for the one you want to play on. Start IGR. Start game in full screen mode.
The game is fun, but for training value I feel like the jumping and arcade nature are a distraction. I like that there are cover mechanics, the problem is you can still see enemies and aim at them, which is the opposite of reality. The game is also a little hard to get working, with a tendency to crash if you try to move the window between monitors.
Ready or Not
Start game using borderless window. Move to the same display as IGR.
Start IGR, then mouse emulator. Change mouse movement to relative to screen center.
Map your dancepad or other controller to WADS, using AntiMicroX X if needed.
Start your voice command software if desired.
CALIBRATING MOUSE SENSITIVITY: Pick an object in the game and shoot it. The view should move towards the object. If it didn’t move the correct amount, adjust mouse sensitivity. Confirm by shooting the same object twice – the screen should not move much on the second shot. 0.12 worked for me.
LOOK BY SHOOTING SCREEN: In mouse emulator, under configuration, find ‘Move mouse without clicking.’ Click set. Press the controller input you want. While this input is held, shooting the screen will only move the mouse
LOOK BY KEY BINDINGS (Not recommended): In mouse emulator, under configuration, find 4 mouse move actions. Bind each of them, and adjust sensitivity. While you can do this, it’s not very smooth. Unfortunately, the game itself doesn’t offer controls to look using key bindings.
LOOK BY WIRELESS GAMEPAD: This means you will shoot one handed, but provides the best experience.
The slower combat and realistic theme fits Interactive gun range well. However, with no way to look around using keybindings it detracts from the experience. The are also a lot of controls in general, pretty much requiring you to have to use voice command software or a gamepad.