Main > Main Forum

49-way vs 4-way vs 8-way in MAME: Differences...

Pages: << < (6/33) > >>

AndyWarne:


--- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on April 13, 2005, 11:55:54 am ---Howver, at least at face value, it was the whole concept, and not the methodology that Andy was initially questioning.

Whether his question was meant as a way of seeing whether or not he should try to exploit the methodology I guess time will tell.

--- End quote ---

Absolutely, it was the concept I was questioning. It was an attempt at getting an answer to the question, and I did in fact get some very helpful answers.

Unfortunately, as I suspected, just like one of those Rottweilers that, when you pat them and say "nice doggie" they bite you on the leg, things turned nasty.

Before posting this, I discussed this subject with a local MAME enthusiast who does some testing for me (I know he will be reading this) and neither of us could come to any firm conclusion on the value of mapping. Hence turning to the obvious place to research the subject! So, yes, based on the replies I have changed my mind on this!
I have not changed my mind on other issues, for example:
Gamepad issues with certain combinations of OS/software. I allude to this on the A-PAC page and state that XP should be used.
4-Way sticks are best with a restrictor plate.
I personally don't like the Suzo stick, but do sell them.

I have been speaking to manufacturers about our analog stick for some months, the A-PAC was designed specifically for this stick. The stick will have restrictor plates. If I do decide to do any mapping this will in no way be based on Randys product, and in fact could not be, as an analog stick is not the same as a 49-way. I would probably just carve up the circle of movement into 4 or 8 equal sectors.
I feel that analog sticks have too much physical travel to be used as 4 -8 way sticks without a restrictor anyway.
Andy




Tiger-Heli:


--- Quote from: Flinkly on April 13, 2005, 12:28:44 pm ---so andy, do you know of a competitively priced analog stick that has a good feel to it?

--- End quote ---
Andy has stated that he is coming out with an analog stick, so I'll let him provide more details.

Define competitively priced and analog stick.  Saitek makes some $15 PC joysticks that are pretty decent.  RandyT sells the 49-way for about $33.  1Up has a trigger-stick version of it for around $80.  Happ wants I think about $100 for theirs.  The same Happ stick goes on E-bay for $15.


AndyWarne:


--- Quote from: Flinkly on April 13, 2005, 12:28:44 pm ---so andy, do you know of a competitively priced analog stick that has a good feel to it?
--- End quote ---


mrdriver:

Hi to all, hey my first post :D
I have visited this site for years, have a couple of examples in here and feature in Project Arcade. Anyway, I just wanted to say...


--- Quote from: Tiger-Heli on April 13, 2005, 10:14:06 am ---A few weeks later, Andy introduces the A-PAC, basically a Gamepad encoder with support for analog inputs, sortof a combination of the Daveb's AKI and the GP-Wiz.
--- End quote ---


Tiger-Heli:

Andy, you are talking apples and oranges here, but let me explain (well, it seemed less like apples and orange as I typed it).

I agree that an analog joystick will need it's range of travel restricted to feel right in digital games.  This makes sense to me and is actually a very interesting concept.  Two points:

First - You are not doing the same thing.  RandyT is taking an optical stick, reading the inputs and then feeding it to the computer as (analog or digital outputs, depending on mode) from an analog joystick.  You will be starting with an analog joystick, so not sure how much translation will be required for digital games, but some will, since even with a restricted 4-way, your stick will (essentially) be able to hit two switches at the same time.  (I realize it is pot values and not microswitches, but you get the idea).

Second - You will need some way to ensure that the restriction doesn't interfere with the functioning.  I.e. if you move the stick up but the restriction stops it at 1/3 travel, MAME still has to interpret this as UP (but the deadzone command can hopefully handle this).

--- Quote from: AndyWarne on April 13, 2005, 12:30:40 pm ---If I do decide to do any mapping this will in no way be based on Randys product, and in fact could not be, as an analog stick is not the same as a 49-way.

--- End quote ---
Well it could be - depends how you look at it.  A 49-way stick has 3 level of travel in each primary direction, an analog has 128, but if you resolve the analog values into 3 "bands", you essentially mimic a 49-way stick.  From there, you could mimic a 4-way just like Randy's product does.

--- Quote ---I would probably just carve up the circle of movement into 4 or 8 equal sectors.

--- End quote ---
Well, Randy said that he initially tried that and it didn't work to well.

Sounds like a cool idea, though.

Pages: << < (6/33) > >>

Go to full version