DDR, DWI, PIU, Stepmania controller ideas?

[NoBonus]

I am considering building a multiple use Stepmania/Pump It Up/DDR/DWI controller for my PC.  Has anyone ever done this via a gamepad hack? My goal would be to use only buttons for the dance pads instead of directional commands as there has been rumor of an inability for the PC to register two opposite directional commands simultaniously... is that true?

  Further, it would require all 9 panels to be switches. Does this pose a problem? Would I be better off making separate Pump it Up and DDR/Clone platforms?  See, the Pump it up uses the middle square and the diaganols <sp?>, and DDR and clones use a cross formation.  
THe more I think about it, the more it seems like a platform with 9 buttons would be inclined to failure as the buttons would be touching... but it could be extra cool too if it works out right... ideas?

Also, I do not want to use any sheet metal or plexi for this project, but mostly painted wood. Perhaps instead of a sheet metal/plexi top, I might have a wood and non-slip, hard foam rubber top so one can play barefoot or in socks without slipping. Would this detract from playability?

Finally, I have seen the weather stripping for button return, but are there any different options?


Thanks!

[sac01]

You might be better off using an encoder like an I-pac to wire the pad up to rather than a gamepad hack.. that should solve the 2-keys at the same time problem.  I've been planning a similar project for stepmainia on my cab.  I'm just gonna add a plug to the bottom of the cab so i can remove the pad when not in use, and wire it into the up,dn,lt,rght on the i-pac.


sac

[NoBonus]

That would be the best solution, but I (as always) am low on the $$ department.  I think if I just use buttons, it should work out fine.  

[paigeoliver]

I am considering building a multiple use Stepmania/Pump It Up/DDR/DWI controller for my PC.  Has anyone ever done this via a gamepad hack? My goal would be to use only buttons for the dance pads instead of directional commands as there has been rumor of an inability for the PC to register two opposite directional commands simultaniously... is that true?

The rumor is false, you are getting playstations confused with computers. Seems to be a very common thing to do on this site, confusing playstations with computers.


Some playstation controllers and PC adaptors for them cannot register two opposite directions at once. Computer keyboards can do it all day long.

[NoBonus]

So, if I can use a gamepad hack controlled by my feet for directional commands, then make a button board for hand controls, I can make a game like NBA Live 2005 or any game played with a standard gamepad a bit more interesting... hmm... horizons opening... visions of a healthier me emerging... arcade games going to prevent heart attack and help lose weight...

WOW!

[sac01]

Track and Field... Lol

[paigeoliver]

So, if I can use a gamepad hack controlled by my feet for directional commands, then make a button board for hand controls, I can make a game like NBA Live 2005 or any game played with a standard gamepad a bit more interesting... hmm... horizons opening... visions of a healthier me emerging... arcade games going to prevent heart attack and help lose weight...

WOW!

Using a gamepad would not be the best idea, MANY of them cannot register opposite directions at once. Just use a keyboard encoder, it will be easier and will get you more inputs anyway.

As for playing other games, more like make normal games impossible to control.

[NoBonus]

I think they would be more difficult to control, but exercise, not score would be the main motivation, so, as long as they are playable...

[SirPoonga]

So, if I can use a gamepad hack controlled by my feet for directional commands, then make a button board for hand controls, I can make a game like NBA Live 2005 or any game played with a standard gamepad a bit more interesting... hmm... horizons opening... visions of a healthier me emerging... arcade games going to prevent heart attack and help lose weight...

WOW!

Using a gamepad would not be the best idea, MANY of them cannot register opposite directions at once. Just use a keyboard encoder, it will be easier and will get you more inputs anyway.

As for playing other games, more like make normal games impossible to control.

Actually, a game pad would be the best solution.   Get a cheap one or two with tons of buttons.  Don;t use the directionals.  Configure stepmania to use whatever buttons you wired up.

[HaRuMaN]

Use a DDR pad to play Pacman...  now that would be fun.  

[markb]

How about hacking a joypad specifically designed for a dance game.

http://www.venomuk.com/search/index.asp?platform=1000&offset=7

About halfway down the page is the Mini dance pad.

I bought one of these a while ago as it looked extremely easy to hack whilst being very cheap(albeit with a PSX convertor). I haven't got around to hacking it yet but I have opened it up and the PCB is flat with excellent access to all of the weld points. This sounds about ideal for what you are after.

[NoBonus]

I would think hacking a gamepad would be easier than hacking a mini-dance pad and they would end up with similar results...  I am going to stick with hacking a PC gamepad... I have done it before and have a good system to do it.  If the mini-dance pad is a pliable material like the larger dance pad, it could a keen wrist-mounted game controller or a cool addition to your next finger pupper movie.