Joypad Support

[Toonces]

Hi,

groovygamegear.com has just started shipping a new encoder that allows the use of a Happ 49 way joystick as a 2/4/8/16/49 way switchable USB joypad. According to what I have read, it looks like a standard USB joypad to the system. This a change from the keyboard based encoders as the mappings are to joypad buttons rather than keyboard mappings. MAME and most other emulators should support it without problems. I'm not sure about GameEx unless joytokey is used. Rather than using joytokey I am wondering the possibility of GameEx supporting joypads directly at some point in the future.

The product looks promising as a better alternative to the Ultimarc t-stick+ (which I have now and though it works, I don't care for the tight controls) and the GGG OmniStick.

Another possibility with the new encoder is the ability to set the control type based on which game is loading. This will take more development and some as of yet, undeveloped hardware. To switch modes there is a dedicated button (like the JPAC's shift key) that you press along with 1 of 7 buttons. That sets the control type to 2H/2V/4/8/16/49 RAW/49Progressive. I am looking at building a small board that would attach to the parallel port and to the encoder to set the mode automatically. The front end would then need to send the appropriate signal to the parallel port which would simulate pressing the appropriate buttons to activate the desired mode. There are quite a few possibilities here as it could also include an LED driver to display the joystick's mode or even seperate LEDs. All kinds of things. Unfortunately, the developer did not put support for mode changes into the product so it could be done on the fly by sending a command via USB. I don't know why as it seems like a natural thing to do.

Anyways, it's a new product and has potential to be a great solution for those of us that do not want 16 joysticks and 50 buttons on our panels just to play the majority of games. The t-sticks & OmniSticks are an option but are just too tight to be able to play games like Robotron very well. The Happ 49 way at least feels more like the arcade controls I am used to (more like the Happ Super). GGG sells the 49 way sticks for $33 each and the GP-49 encodeer is $20-35 depending on the version (solder vs non vs screw terminals). You require 1 encoder for each stick used. as a bonus you get 23 other switch inputs on each stick so if you do like a plethora of buttons it can be done :-) If it seems expensive for a 2 stick setup consider that a pair of t-stick+ with balltop handles runs $91 shipped. Going with 2 solder type encoders and 2 49 way sticks runs about $110 shipped. Not really that much more and you get many more possibilities.

Tom, would you consider looking at adding joypad support to GameEx? I am sure it would be an evolutionary thing especially if the additional switchboard for automatic mode switching were made but it would be a huge step towards better controls. I'll even offer to send you an encoder board if it helps :-)

As for the switching board, I am going to start looking at what is necessary on the hardware end but I am not a programmer so any assistance on writing a control program for it would be most welcome.

Best Reagrds,

Toonces

[Toonces]

Ok, so I should have looked at the documentation BEFORE posting this as GameEx already supports a gamepad although not completely :-) So, my question for Tom is, would you consider exapnding joypad support to allow exiting the game, etc from a joypad. The offer of a free encoder stands though if it will help support the encoder to the fullest extent allowable by law

Thanks!

Toonces

[Toonces]

Here's a link directly to the product: GP-49 Encoder

[Tom Speirs]

Ok, so I should have looked at the documentation BEFORE posting this as GameEx already supports a gamepad although not completely :-) So, my question for Tom is, would you consider exapnding joypad support to allow exiting the game, etc from a joypad. The offer of a free encoder stands though if it will help support the encoder to the fullest extent allowable by law 

Thanks!

Toonces

I am glad you spotted that, and I did not have to tell you

I have tried your suggestion already before, and I could not do it.

i wont get too technical, but the problem is that emulators/mame override the gamepad use in GameEx. If there was source code for JoyToKey or something similar then I might be able to build something more seemless rather than having to use JoyToKey

[Toonces]

I am glad you spotted that, and I did not have to tell you

I have tried your suggestion already before, and I could not do it.

i wont get too technical, but the problem is that emulators/mame override the gamepad use in GameEx. If there was source code for JoyToKey or something similar then I might be able to build something more seemless rather than having to use JoyToKey

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Here's a cool little program that just might do the trick. http://www.autohotkey.com/

It also happens to be an open source project and source code is available. Can handle 1-32 joysticks and buttons as well as other keyboard stuff.

[Toonces]

Here's a cool little program that just might do the trick. http://www.autohotkey.com/

It also happens to be an open source project and source code is available. Can handle 1-32 joysticks and buttons  as well as other keyboard stuff.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hi Tom, how did this look to beef up the joypad support in GameEx? The source is included and as it also has a scripting language it might make more things possible?

Toonces

[Tom Speirs]

Hi Tom, how did this look to beef up the joypad support in GameEx? The source is included and as it also has a scripting language it might make more things possible?

Toonces

Sorry Toonces, no time yet.