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View Full Version : You can play this game with a USB PC game controller (instructions inside)


Tomkatt
03-28-2008, 01:50 PM
This game will work with a USB game controller, just an FYI for people. I've been looking into it since I like the game, but I'm more of a console gamer, and I've been able to play PSone games on my laptop with a USB controller. Mashing the F keys and hovering over mouse and keyboard has left me with an aching wrist and seeking alternatives, and last night I was successful in mapping most functions to a controller instead.

I'm using a Playstation 2 controller with a USB converter, but it should work the same way with a generic USB PC game comtroller as well.

For all of you, here's som advice on how to do it in Windows XP(should work in 2000, and maybe Vista as well):


Step zero: please accept my apology, this is longer than I expected ;)



1. First (obviously) you need a controller. I use PS2 dualshock with an EMS Dual shooter converter (about $15 USD for the adapter), but any should work.



2. Download JoyToKey freeware software from this site (http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm).



3. Set up your Fkey shortcut bar the way you like, and you'll be mapping keys to the Fkey slots and mouse clicks/movements in JoytoKey. Note: JoyToKey does not appear to work with analogue joysticks, but can map mouse movements to d-pad/arrowpad without issue.




4. Go to your windows control panel, then to Game Controllers. This will bring you to your controller's drivers and configuration window. How this looks may vary, but it should have an interface that shows the number of corresponding button presses. As an example, in the EMS software, there are "lights" on the right of the window labeled "button 1, button 2" and so on. Pressing, for example, triangle on the dualshock lights up the "button 1" light, x button is "button 3," etc.



5. Make note of what buttons on your controller correspond with button numbers.



6. Create a new controller profile and map buttons to your liking. Make sure of three things: the controller profile should have at least 2 joystick configurations, D-pad is mapped to mouse horizontal and vertical. Also, map one button of your choosing to activate joystick two. This will act as a sort of "shift key" to add multiple functions for buttons.

For example, in my layout, d-pad moves mouse around, x is mouse click, o button is "threaten" skill, and [] button is "blindside." R2 and L2 do "enhance" and "accuracy." When I hold R1 "shift" button, R2 is magic potion, L2 is health potion, d-pad mouse movements are slower for more precision, [] is heart emoticon, and o button is right click for examining and rotating screen.



Put simply:

o = threaten, R1+o = right-click (mouse)
L2 = "accuracy", R1+L2 = red health potion
etc.



7. Make sure JoyToKey is running when you play, and you're good to go! JoytoKey doesn't affect any DRM or anti-cheating software because it's literally just remapping stuff to the controller, it's not in-game software, but remaps all in Wndows to whatever you choose. If you want to, you could control anything else with it too (I actually launch joytokey before I start playing and control my mouse outside the game with it too because it's kind of cool.)



8. Have fun!





This actually sounds more complicated than it is, the entire process of setting it up and configuring to my liking only took me about 20 minutes and was well worth it for a console gamer such as myself, for me the controller is just more natural to use.


You will probably still need the keyboard for a fiew things. I still user alt+e for inventory, and occasionally alt+s to access "unvisible" since it wasn't important enough or used often enough to be worth mapping. However, if you really want to, you could map a 3rd or even 4th joystick layout to map as many key combinations as youd like so everything works from the joystick. For me it was enough to map everything I need during fighting, but everyone will enjoy mapping a bit different.




If you have any questions or comments on this, post here or drop me a PM.
Hope this helps someone! :D

Edit: Also, a big thanks to Greeklover, who brought the JoyToKey software to my attention and suggested I try it out.

Tomkatt
03-28-2008, 08:06 PM
bumpity bump bump

Tomkatt
04-01-2008, 02:12 PM
bump again. I'm hoping this info will prove useful to people.

d4rkhalf
04-02-2008, 01:30 AM
Nice one, I'll try it later this week.

BattleAngelAlita
04-02-2008, 07:02 AM
Sounds cool, never thought someone would pop up with such idea...
Can you make it work for Wii controllers??? XD

xsirtristan24x
04-02-2008, 07:34 AM
Thnx for this one I'm using this tool for 2 days now


Totally Funnnnnnnnnn :)

Tomkatt
04-02-2008, 11:05 AM
Sounds cool, never thought someone would pop up with such idea...
Can you make it work for Wii controllers??? XD


I don't think so. Partly because the Wii controller has so few buttons, and partly because I haven't heard of any adapters to user the wii controller on a PC. However, I have heard of people modding wii controllers and sensors for computer use (mostly for development purposes), so it might be possible.

*EDIT* Doing this might void your warranty or ruin your controller, btw.

There may be an adapter that lets you use a gamecube controller or the Wii classic gamepad, but I don't have any info on it currently.

BattleAngelAlita
04-02-2008, 11:23 AM
Well a friend of mine plays Half-Life 2 with a Wii controller on PC... so i think it may be possible...

And how the heck can software ruin your controller since Controllers are pure hardware there is no Bios, Firmware whatsoever.... oO

But yeah since you're the creator of this guide/tutorial you should add that you take NO responsiblity about ANY damage the described steps could cause(software or hardware sided). Do youself the favor and add this to your first post :P

Tomkatt
04-02-2008, 11:43 AM
Well a friend of mine plays Half-Life 2 with a Wii controller on PC... so i think it may be possible...

And how the heck can software ruin your controller since Controllers are pure hardware there is no Bios, Firmware whatsoever.... oO

But yeah since you're the creator of this guide/tutorial you should add that you take NO responsiblity about ANY damage the described steps could cause(software or hardware sided). Do youself the favor and add this to your first post :P


It's not software that can ruin your controller. Nothing in this guide will void any warranties or ruin a controller. I was talking specifically in terms of the Wii controller. In some cases I've seen people make the Wii controller work for PC based development, specifically working on 3d design space or VR simulations, but in order to do this in a few cases, they're modding either the controller, or more commonly, the Wii sensor bar. That is what I meant could ruin your controller or void your warranty. Sorry for the confusion.

As for taking no responsibility...Well, yeah, I claim no responsibility for injuries, damage etc, but at the same time, nothing in my guide will cause any HW or software problems. Even JoyToKey can be removed simply by deleting the folder it was unzipped to, it doesn't install anything.\

As for your friend with HL2, that's pretty cool, I haven't heard of anyone doing that with much success. If that works than it's likely it'll work with this (as long as you can figure out a way to map the mouse movements with it.)