Gamepad on PC
I'm planning to buy a Logitech Dual Action gamepad for my PC, because
1) You cannot walk slowly using keyboard. Altair always seems to be in a hurry. He's not like that.
2) You can only move in 8 direction relative to the camera angle, which makes his movement twitchy, robot-like, and strangely bound to an unnatural geometry.
Anyway. Logitech Dual Action is cheap enough that I am ready to try it.
But will it work? Does anyone have any experience with PC + gamepad?
I've read contradicting reports. Some people seem to have had no problems with it, while others reported that it was not working.
I can only comment on the Xbox 360 controller (which works in Windows) for PC games, including AC 1 & 2. Many modern games have specific support for it so it works right out of the gate, even being preconfigured for you. And it's just a wonderful controller in general. I highly recommend it.
Well, if I can know for sure that the XBox 360 controller will work, but cannot know that the Logitech Dual Action will, then probably it's smarter to go with the XBox 360 one even if it costs more.
How do I connect the XBox 360 gamepad into the PC, btw? Does it connect through USB?
This must be it:
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=091
Can you walk slowly and move in more than 8 directions relative to the camera angle with it in the PC version?
How do I connect the XBox 360 gamepad into the PC, btw? Does it connect through USB?
Yep. You have to be sure to get the wired controller, not the wireless one. The wireless one requires an extra piece of hardware to work with the PC and you usually need to order that online (and it just inflates the total amount you'll be spending). The wireless one also has a few minor incompatibilities with some Ubisoft (and other) games, so I don't recommend it.
Go wired. You're probably sitting right near your PC anyway, so it's not a big deal.
This must be it:http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/gaming/ProductDetails.aspx?pid=091
You could get the "For Windows" version, but it is 100% the same hardware as the regular wired Xbox 360 controller. The difference is that the "For Windows" version comes with a driver disc (mini-CD-ROM) and costs $5 more. You can download the driver for free from microsoft.com and it'll be a newer version than the one on the disc anyway. In fact, Windows Vista and 7 come pre-equipped with the drivers for the Xbox 360 controller, so you don't even have to download anything. Just plug it in and away you go.
Can you walk slowly and move in more than 8 directions relative to the camera angle with it in the PC version?
Yes, you get full analog control over both character movement and camera movement. The control in the PC version is 100% identical to the Xbox 360 version if you're using a 360 controller. The game was designed for a controller in the first place, so it works as well as it possibly could. 
O, that sounds wonderful. Thank you.
I clicked around a bit more, and people seem to say that the XBox360 controller is also much better in terms of usability compared to the generic, PS2-like gamepad.
I can't wait...
I recently bought a PC Gamepad. A Saitek PS2700 game pad.
http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/9701451/Saitek-PS2700-Rumble-Pad/Product.html
I think it's good value for money, it feels quite well built and you can swap round the configuration of the left analogue and the dpad so its either like the Xbox 360 controller, or a Dualshock controller. If I go to a friends house, with a PS3, I can use it there too.
Thanks to SBIzokronus for the fantastic sig!