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MAME - 4-way emulation

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degenatrons:
I've recently implemented virtual 4-way restriction on the KADE encoder (in the devices firmware).  I'm one of the developers on that project and am happy to run through with you how it was done. 
To get accurate 4-way restriction in firmware was not as easy as I had first expected.

paigeoliver - i appreciate your reservations on this one.  I will explain how it is done and feel free to comment.

To do it.  I take the current position and work out the most probable indended direction based on the movement.

e.g.
If you have stick in "up" position.
   If joystick move to down/right:  It is most likely that you intended to move down.  The stick has travelled further than the mid-point.
        If joystick move to up/right: It is most likely that you intend to move right because you are already "up" and a direction change was made.

The direction logic changes depending on the current direction.  I check both directions that make up the diagonal and take the first engaged direction i find,  using this logic:

If Up,  check: Down, Left then Right

If Down, check: Up, Left then Right

If Left, check: Right, Up then Down

If Right, check: Left, Up then Down

*Note that the order of 2nd and 3rd checks is not relevant as both directions cannot be engaged simultaneously.

I have this working in my arcade cabinet and it plays really really well on 4-way games.  It gives a significant improvement to my play on Rally-X and Ms Pacman and definitely has a better feel. 
Feedback has been good from our beta-testers.

The KADE device will support MAME and various consoles and will be out soon.
A little background information here - http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,122023.msg1307414.html#msg1307414.  More info soon.

yotsuya:
Very cool. You've piqued my interest!

paigeoliver:
Certainly that sort of logic is a huge improvement over just tossing an 8-way at the game but it still isn't a real replacement for having the game software handle the diagonals directly. If the game software was handling it then it could be much more refined than just using a basic set of rules (it would certainly be situational).

Of course the other problem is that a lot of 4-way games are difficult to play even with a 4-way stick if they don't have a diamond shaped restriction pattern.


--- Quote from: degenatrons on October 15, 2012, 09:42:47 am ---I've recently implemented virtual 4-way restriction on the KADE encoder (in the devices firmware).  I'm one of the developers on that project and am happy to run through with you how it was done. 
To get accurate 4-way restriction in firmware was not as easy as I had first expected.

paigeoliver - i appreciate your reservations on this one.  I will explain how it is done and feel free to comment.

To do it.  I take the current position and work out the most probable indended direction based on the movement.

e.g.
If you have stick in "up" position.
   If joystick move to down/right:  It is most likely that you intended to move down.  The stick has travelled further than the mid-point.
        If joystick move to up/right: It is most likely that you intend to move right because you are already "up" and a direction change was made.

The direction logic changes depending on the current direction.  I check both directions that make up the diagonal and take the first engaged direction i find,  using this logic:

If Up,  check: Down, Left then Right

If Down, check: Up, Left then Right

If Left, check: Right, Up then Down

If Right, check: Left, Up then Down

*Note that the order of 2nd and 3rd checks is not relevant as both directions cannot be engaged simultaneously.

I have this working in my arcade cabinet and it plays really really well on 4-way games.  It gives a significant improvement to my play on Rally-X and Ms Pacman and definitely has a better feel. 
Feedback has been good from our beta-testers.

The KADE device will support MAME and various consoles and will be out soon.
A little background information here - http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,122023.msg1307414.html#msg1307414.  More info soon.

--- End quote ---

swindmiller:
Thanks for all of the replies.

Can I replace the sticks with ones that are easier to switch to 4 way and back? Are there josticks that can switch with the flip of a switch mounted on the outside of the CP?

Thanks,
Scott

sharpfork:

--- Quote from: swindmiller on October 15, 2012, 12:09:13 pm ---Thanks for all of the replies.

Can I replace the sticks with ones that are easier to switch to 4 way and back? Are there josticks that can switch with the flip of a switch mounted on the outside of the CP?

--- End quote ---
Ultimarc has a few:
Mag-Stik - http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html
servostik - powered http://www.ultimarc.com/servostik.html

GGG has one:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=195
they have a below CP changing one too:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=383

There might be others out there.


--- Quote from: paigeoliver on October 15, 2012, 11:01:57 am ---Certainly that sort of logic is a huge improvement over just tossing an 8-way at the game but it still isn't a real replacement for having the game software handle the diagonals directly. If the game software was handling it then it could be much more refined than just using a basic set of rules (it would certainly be situational).

Of course the other problem is that a lot of 4-way games are difficult to play even with a 4-way stick if they don't have a diamond shaped restriction pattern.

--- End quote ---

I agree.
I tested the beta KADE against my JLW's in 4 way mode and I have to say that the emulated 4way on the KADE isn't as good as physically restricted 4 way but is much better than a standard 8 way.  This option is intended for that middle ground and I think it succeeds: improved 4 way gameplay for folks who only have 8 way sticks.

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