Has anyone tried modding a gamepad for dual analog controls?

[voltz]

I have this future project in mind where I'll either be building a custom arcade stick or cabinet that will be exclusive to games that are on console and one of the problems is they require the use of analog to function.  If I were to do a theme on say... Gunvalkyrie or perhaps Dragon's Crown (imagine a 4-player), I'll be needing to have that function properly in order to consider even starting.  You guys got any ideas?

Yeah I'd love to see a Dragon's Crown showcase setup. 

[drewjbx]

Would like virtual on twin stick control on a cab, maybe some clean detachable setup
Not sure what u mean modding gamepad for dual analogs.. They already got em... Do you mean joystick


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[voltz]

Well if I can purchase a 3rd party controller and rip out the pcb board, I could see about using it as a way of getting the controls hooked up, but that's more by traditional methods.  Getting analog to work directly is another issue altogether and I've no knowledge on that field.

Also I've tried looking into different arcade sticks from places like HAPPS and they're well beyond what I'd like to consider reasonable pricing.  I could go with the full set up to games that need it, but on something like Dragon's Crown, I'll probably require a set of analog nubs just to keep out of the way while maintaining a uniform appearance with the rest of the layout.

Now I don't know if the idea of gutting a twin stick controller is the economical thing to do, but I'll probably take that into consideration.

[vwalbridge]

Are you just looking for an analog joystick?

If so, the U360 can be analog.

But I have no idea if it would work for your application.

[paigeoliver]

What you are wanting to do doesn't really work. Modern console games want dual analog sticks, 2 analog triggers and something like 10 buttons and it seems like most games strive to use all of it. Whatever you build will end up being inferior in control to just using the gamepad, even if the parts you use are themselves superior.

[voltz]

Are you just looking for an analog joystick?

If so, the U360 can be analog.

But I have no idea if it would work for your application.

That looks sexy!

If there's a way to wire them to 3rd party controllers, I don't see where this should be a problem.

What you are wanting to do doesn't really work. Modern console games want dual analog sticks, 2 analog triggers and something like 10 buttons and it seems like most games strive to use all of it. Whatever you build will end up being inferior in control to just using the gamepad, even if the parts you use are themselves superior.

Well I'd like to see it as dependent on the way you want things set up.  I could deal with the usual 8-button fightstick layout and set two smaller analogs more below/center with an additional set of thumb buttons for easy access, but for those games that would otherwise require full stick support, I could do with that twin-stick method and lay out the extra buttons to the sides.  I've taken a look at the control setting they had on War Final Assault and I believe the idea of that set up can work in a full setting.

[PL1]

What you are wanting to do doesn't really work. Modern console games want dual analog sticks, 2 analog triggers and something like 10 buttons and it seems like most games strive to use all of it. Whatever you build will end up being inferior in control to just using the gamepad, even if the parts you use are themselves superior.

Good point.

As the FAQ recommends:
- Make a "can't live without" game list
- Figure out exactly what controls you need to play those games

Once you know the required controls you can decide whether it is worth it to proceed.

If you decide to proceed with analog controls on your panel, here is a place to start for analog encoders:  http://newwiki.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?title=Analog_Encoders

Also look into making your own KADE maxArcade (currently an abandoned prototype) -- the firmwares are available in KADE Loader and the board to order is here.

The "USB/HID Joystick 2 Player with Analog (Beta)" maxArcade firmware supports:
- 4 analog axes, D-pad, and 15 buttons for player 1.
- 4 analog axes, D-pad, and 14 buttons for player 2.

Before you commit to this option, ask Sharpfork if maxArcade works with the console you want to use -- I've only used it with a PC.   


Scott

[voltz]

That is some very helpful into I'll gladly look into.  Thanks!

As far as compatibility goes, I'm thinking "all of them" when you consider the fact I'm looking into the idea of a "Universal Arcade Stick" design which basically leaves the controller as just the base, but the pcb boards are typically 3rd party controllers used as an adapter so I have official support on all systems without having to spend $150-$300 on a stick per console.    

I'll be on easy street if I'm lucky enough for this to work out.

[PL1]

"all of them"

Three words that have exponentially increased the odds of failure on many BYOAC projects.   


Scott

[voltz]

heh heh!

Well I get to thinking if I do the cabinet projects, I'm only going to have one game in mind for each of those, so that makes it a little easier. 

[BadMouth]

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=128941.msg1317749.msg#1317749

The hard part is finding suitable joysticks.  The 5k pots in analog arcade joysticks don't work very well and pots with the correct amount of rotation are hard to find.  The best option would be ordering 100k "pc" joysticks from Happ, but the price isn't pretty.

[BadMouth]

Not sure what consoles are covered by the cronus device, but that would get you the other consoles of the xbox360 era and slightly earlier.  Won't be quick switching between them though.

EDIT: Looking at the games you mentioned....they aren't going to play well on an arcade style control panel.

[drewjbx]

This setup looks interesting...




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