Re-using iCade technology

[Man-Machine]

Hi guys,

I want to build an iCade like cabinet with my own layout of joysticks and buttons. I haven't opened the iCade yet to see if I can re-use its bluetooth technology but I'm assuming it would be possible, right?

I'm also assuming I will not be able to use controllers like spinners or trackballs, correct?

I want to maybe have the option of using two joysticks for Robotron like games but I'm not sure the mapping limits are for the iCade. I normally don't need more than three buttons for my games.

Does anyone has experience with this?

Thanks.

[TheGatesofBill]

I've ripped apart an iCade. It's pretty simple to swap out sticks and buttons. Anything that uses microswitches should be easy to hook up, but things like trackballs won't work.

[Man-Machine]

I actually want to do more than swap out parts. I want to install the bluray technology on another bar top I'm designing with swappable control panels

Did you try to add more buttons?

I want to use two sticks so I'll need to map 4 keys for the extra stick. I don't know how many buttons that will leave me with, or if there any extras hidden keys that I can use.

thanks

[TheGatesofBill]

You only have the number of inputs that it has currently. You could conceivably replace four of the buttons for a joystick or something.

As far as the iPad knows, it is just a keyboard. It sends one key when a button is pressed and another when it is released. All games that support the iCade rely on that.

However, if you are planning on using it for some other purpose (your goal is a bit unclear), you could hack up a bluetooth keyboard instead and use that to send input to the iPad.

[jammin0]

However, if you are planning on using it for some other purpose (your goal is a bit unclear), you could hack up a bluetooth keyboard instead and use that to send input to the iPad.

This was my thought exactly?  Are you trying to interface still with an ipad?

You might want to check out this website discussing how iCade sends multiple signals on a key press.

http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/24774/icade-bluetooth-keyboard-mappings-for-mame

[Man-Machine]

I basically want to continue playing MAME on my iPad (just like i've been doing with the iCade) but I want to for sure use a  switchable 4-8 way joystick and better button switches. I'll need to rebuild the case because I can't find any switchable joysticks that will fit the plastic control panel.

I was thinking in perhaps adding an extra stick for games like Robotron and Crazy Climber. I don't know if it's going to worth it . Even though I don't play fighting games, this setup will leave me only two buttons to play the classic games.

I was hoping that someday I could play spinner and trackball games with it but I guess it won't be through the iCade technology since it shows up like a regular keyboard...

[Cynicaster]

I basically want to continue playing MAME on my iPad (just like i've been doing with the iCade) but I want to for sure use a  switchable 4-8 way joystick and better button switches. I'll need to rebuild the case because I can't find any switchable joysticks that will fit the plastic control panel.

I was thinking in perhaps adding an extra stick for games like Robotron and Crazy Climber. I don't know if it's going to worth it . Even though I don't play fighting games, this setup will leave me only two buttons to play the classic games.

I was hoping that someday I could play spinner and trackball games with it but I guess it won't be through the iCade technology since it shows up like a regular keyboard...

I’m assuming iMAME works the same as real MAME.  If so, you could “share” the inputs for (4) of the buttons with a second joystick, and configure each game accordingly.  This would at least get you into some twin-stick shooter action. 

 You may even be able to get some 2-player simultaneous stuff going, but you’d be limited to 1 button per player, which is very restrictive if not completely useless.   

 

[jammin0]

I've got iMame4all 4 on my iPad.  I had an iCade at one point but gave it away.  I just checked it out and it's looks like the key mapping is specifically for iCade and at least in the version that I have there is no control to custom map buttons.

[Man-Machine]

Since I'm replacing the joysticks and buttons with better quieter microswitches, I'm just going to wired them how I like it. So I could give up 4, of the six buttons, to add a joystick.

Still, I'm trying to avoid having to re-do the cabinet. I would be really happy if I could just replace the original joystick with a switchable 4-8 way from Ultimarc or similar. Has anybody here done that?

[TheGatesofBill]

Yea, electrically it's the same, so it'll work fine. I've got a IL Eurostick in mine.