This is a great idea! However, I can think of a way you'd need more than 8 LEDs: Space Invaders and Asteroids. Both these games use buttons rather than a joystick for directional controls, and the buttons are used by both hands. Asteroids uses the player 1 buttons for left and right, and the player 2 buttons for thrust, fire, and hyperspace. So you might want at least 12 independent LEDs.
As for a T2 recoil output solution, I'm still working on it! ;)
shmokes, The only problem with changing from regular to diagional with the E-Stick is that the whole joystick assembly must be rotated by 45 degrees not just the restrictor plate cam. Since the E-Stick uses a threaded body, similar to the way a button to mounts, the nut can be loosened and the assembly rotated. That is why it says the "switch plate" can be rotated for games like Qbert.
I think we're getting confused here again...although it's possible to do so, the E-stick DOES NOT have to be externally rotated, and the mounting ring does NOT have to be loosened to go from straight to diagonal!!! In fact, it was not designed that way at all. Anyone who has an e-stick can check this out. Try this: grasp the top mounting plate FIRMLY, and twist the bottom switch plate (the whole thing, not just the restrictor plate dummy.) Whadya know? it rotates about 45 degrees! I cant believe that everyone with an e-stick still doesn't know how it's supposed to work... :P
Look at what you just wrote: "That is why it says the "switch plate" can be rotated for games like Qbert." Yes, the SWITCH PLATE, not the MOUNTING PLATE. The switch plate is the plate with the microswitches on it, on the bottom of the whole joystick assembly; in other words, it's the plate that the restrictor plate itself is mounted on. It is not the plate that mounts above the CP -- this mounting plate is intended to stay locked tight to the CP at all times. Note the mounting hole pictured at the bottom of the diagram above. The hole has two small notches to either side. These are obviously intended to mate with the two round protrusions on either side of the e-stick's threaded shaft, thus keeping the stick locked in place. The switch plate, however, is mounted on the threaded shaft in such a way that it can be rotated around the shaft from below, like so:
(http://1uparcade.hypermart.net/images/estick-modesfordummies.jpg)
So it would be quite possible to have a system of automatically switching straight to diagonal by some kind of motor etc, while the joystick remains securely mounted to the CP. It may be harder to come up with a system of automatically switching both the switchplate AND the restrictor plate independently though....
shmokes, The only problem with changing from regular to diagional with the E-Stick is that the whole joystick assembly must be rotated by 45 degrees not just the restrictor plate cam. Since the E-Stick uses a threaded body, similar to the way a button to mounts, the nut can be loosened and the assembly rotated. That is why it says the "switch plate" can be rotated for games like Qbert.
Look at what you just wrote: "That is why it says the "switch plate" can be rotated for games like Qbert." Yes, the SWITCH PLATE, not the MOUNTING PLATE. The switch plate is the plate with the microswitches on it, on the bottom of the whole joystick assembly; in other words, it's the plate that the restrictor plate itself is mounted on. It is not the plate that mounts above the CP -- this mounting plate is intended to stay locked tight to the CP at all times. Note the mounting hole pictured at the bottom of the diagram above. The hole has two small notches to either side. These are obviously intended to mate with the two round protrusions on either side of the e-stick's threaded shaft, thus keeping the stick locked in place. The switch plate, however, is mounted on the threaded shaft in such a way that it can be rotated around the shaft from below, like so:
(http://1uparcade.hypermart.net/images/estick-modesfordummies.jpg)
So it would be quite possible to have a system of automatically switching straight to diagonal by some kind of motor etc, while the joystick remains securely mounted to the CP. It may be harder to come up with a system of automatically switching both the switchplate AND the restrictor plate independently though....
Getting a precise 45 degrees twist is difficult. You can turn it more than 45 degrees... And if you dont turn it al the way through the end of the tread it will not be fastened securely.
I have had many occassion where the 45 degrees shifted position was dislocated slighty. And the following is even worse: in non-diagonal mode (0 degrees) there not much holding the switch plate. It will fall off if you smash a button on the control panel, which happens a lot in frantic Street Fighter II matches. :D
Unless you are prepared to superglue the switchplate it will not hold into position. Its use as a switchable diagonal/orthogonal stick is therefore exaggerated.