A-PAC and Consoles? Any support? If not why?

[Aberran]

Since its getting to the end of the year I felt I would love to throw out some of my wishes I have for the future of DIY Arcade controllers.  I am not complaining just wishing out loud and maybe I am the only one that wants the following things to exist, but I felt it would be good to get it out there.  I have found that a lot of what I want is not popular and I understand if its not popular and you can't do it yourself it will never exist.  So with a heavy sigh here I go.


Currently I am looking at an all digital setup but I can't help wantingt an A-Pac just in case I do switch to analog sticks in the future.  I would not need to buy another encoder.  Yet it does not seem that it has any Console support like the I-PAC does and console support helps me a lot and not just with playing games on consoles.  I really don't feel I need to go into much detail about why Console support is useful.  I just feel that even if it was only digital through the A-PAC into a console system; it would still make the A-PAC all that the I-PAC is and more. Yet as it stands it seems if I want the best of both world's I need either two CPs or to be able to swap out encoders.  The latter is an option I am seriously considering, but I rather just not have to hassle with it.  

Maybe 4 more buttons on a U360 or someway to chain two and have them seen as a single controller would make that joystick all the A-PAC is and more (for joystick only games of course would not really help with flightsticks racing wheels and pedals and things of that nature.) I know now this idea is really reaching and rather silly but it is still an idea.  I only had this thought because Ultimarc only sells one Analog Joystick that being the before mentioned U360.  Moreover the U360 is rather a pain to use through an encoder and keep it in Analog mode.  Another simpler Analog joystick for the A-PAC or U-HID would be nice.  This would do away with having to trick the thing into thinking its on an encoder or worrying that it calibrates correctly.  I know, no maps for outputs but that is a small issue to me.   As it stands the U360 is the only one of its kind I can find in my price range, but using one would be a lot of work and come with no guarantee of success.  Also if I ever went to a CP with dedicated second sticks for twin stick games the 4 U360 limit might be an issues.  Even though in all honesty I most likely would make swappable top panels and make controllers with more virtual on-esque sticks for such games (built out of sacrificed computer/console joysticks).  I have played Robotron with dual flight sticks and had a blast.  Hey its not traditional but neither am I.  I like to have function over tradition personally.

So I must admit not all of this rambling is truly my concerns for myself just general ideas and concerns I have been kicking around while I design and plan for my own project.

Thank you all who lasted through that pile of words,

Peace and Balance be and Happy Holidays
Aberran