My perspective on Deficient Keybinding implementation for PoE 2

In a high speed and precise challenge "WASD" type game, please address the keybinding deficiency that continues from PoE 1 but is much more relevant for what the changes demand of gameplay.

First, let me provide some context, since this is a decades long problem from way back when Windows defined some standardized but nonsensical (for gaming) key-reading standards and many games switched from completely custom solutions to being lead by what Windows provided: even the Unreal Engine poster-child (to my perception) Fortnite, while it almost handles it properly, has the most common oversight related to it, though I believe some UE releases tweak things better. The most recent game I recall that handles it completely is BattleBits.

What I'm referring to is the completely nonsensical way, for gaming instead of data entry, Windows standard key reading treats the Numeric Keypad. Where the Num Lock switches what keys register as, where Numpad Enter is treated as the same key as the regular Enter key (the common problem Fortnite shares), and (the worst failing, which unfortunately includes PoE which also does all the rest) where some of the keys aren't even recognized as keypresses.

Now, with it being called "WASD" type controlling, and gaming keyboard key lighting customizations lighting them up differently, etc., many are simply used to following along and using those keys. But both in concept and mechanical evaluation while considering the keyboard as a controller implementation, it is inferior until perhaps you get into something like extensive usage of the number keys at the top in the way some MMOs do.

I argue this because a keybinding solution that fails to address the Numeric Keypad is both deficient at its heart, as well as, obviously as I post this, frustrating to my personal preference of usage as well.

For those who don't use the NumPad, or didn't when it was commonly supported...if stopping to reconsider the conventional norm of WASD and look at a NumPad is insufficient to understand what I mean, I will try to provide support for the first argument efficiently:

1) I will describe that the Num Pad is physically a distinct grid of keys, without a slant, with a few unique sized and shaped keys that lend themself to unique feel and usage (+, Enter, and 0), and a significant amount of extra keys to use besides those for direction.

2) I'll point to "Gaming Keypads" that grew to popularity after Windows key-reading implementation made good NumPad support rarer: they are basically fancy numeric keypads that press the WASD keys instead...simply doing the job of keybinding for $20-$90. One example that visually makes this clear is the "HORI Tactical Assault Commander Mechanical Keypad (PC Style)" you can find on Amazon, and there are similar for the PC explicitly.

3) That the key common failures all make sense for reading the NumPad to enter numbers, but no sense for keybinding for gaming usage: geography (pressing -in this location- results -in this action-) is the basic starting element of a controller, and that is what keybinding, especially for "WASD", is turning the keyboard into. Pressing NumLock doesn't change the location of the keys beneath it, so shouldn't change what they register (if it will toggle the ways keys behave, it should be keybound to do so by the game the same way any other key the user might prefer should be able to do). Keys providing unique locations on the "keyboard controller" should neither be ignored or read the same as keys in a completely different location.

...

I do not wish to engage in a scarcity mindset argument about development time and priorities, which is why I tried not to frame this as an ultimatum or demand. I am providing the feedback that this is adversely affecting my gaming experience with the game significantly more than the annoyance I had in PoE where "WASD" usage wasn't a focus, and trying to provide evidence that it should be done to do keybinding correctly and that the result of it being done could potentially offer a better experience to people who are often denied the option by deficient keybinding implementation, if they have Numeric Keypads and desire to explore this usage.

NOTE: didn't see a way to move the post from the general Feedback section.

I started using an XBox elite controller with POE when my computer was in the shop. It stuck. Its a superior means of controlling the game.

Meditate .... relax ... try controller.

+1
Also, they should allow multiple keybinds for each action, like Last Epoch does.

+1 for this and multiple keybinds for each action, like Last Epoch does.

most of the reason i want numpad entry is because i use a mouse with extra buttons. numpad buttons are used for my mouse buttons to not interfere with other buttons i use on my keyboard.