SUGGESTION: Joystick compatibility

[Kinoko]

Joystick/controller pad compatibility - Because I don't really understand how it works, I'm only suggesting it if it's not something incredibly complicated. It's not necessary at all but just something that I think would be a nice feature. I notice only one person (that I can find) has asked about it before and only got a very short answer so I didn't know if there was any particular reason this wasn't implimented yet.

[Gilbert]

Yeah it's brought up several times before, but I think the problem was that it didn't draw enough people's attention, afterall it was intended for making point and click adventure games. But it would be cool if joystick support is added.

[Phemar]

In a sense the joystick would only really be used to control the character, unless you used it to move the mouse around, which would be rather unpractical.

[Gilbert]

Well actually as far as I remember (I can be wrong), you can config some of teh SCI games to move the cursor via keyboard or joysticks, it's crap but vintage fun.

Anyway, allowing joystick controls can help in action sequences, etc.

[Gregjazz]

Joystick ability would be cool, but I think it's a bit too specific to be put into AGS. It is "Adventure Game Studio", after all.

If anything, maybe someone could come up with a plugin for you.

[Gilbert]

Well it just add more capabilities to the engine. I think it's not a good idea to make such basic stuffs a plugin, as it's not really that difficult to add (I think), moreover, plugins are teh EVIL beasts that break compatibilities.

[Pumaman]

This has been discussed before; the general feeling was as Gilbot and Geoffkhan have said, that it was not really necessary functionality for an adventure game engine. Although it could be handy for a couple of minigames, the vast majority of players wouldn't use a joystick in an adventure game.

[Kinoko]

Understood ^_^ Again, it's not like my game will suffer for it, I was just curious.

[darkx5]

ok so how it is done i wanna make a game that can use a controler or a mouse

[strazer]

Joystick control is not directly possible at the moment. I think there are some programs out there that can translate joystick movements to keyboard keys. Try your favorite search engine.

And as CJ said, it won't be natively supported. I guess in theory someone could write a plugin.

[darkx5]

ok so were do i go to learn how to make & write plug ins?

[strazer]

The plugin API is explained here.
I don't think it's a trivial task and you'll have to have some programming experience.
I'm no programmer so I can't help you there. Maybe some plugin authors care to chime in?

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

I think there are some programs out there that can translate joystick movements to keyboard keys. Try your favorite search engine.

Hmmm, this does interest me - I always liked experimenting, and making an adventure game which can be played via joystick à  la Grim Fandango (only not 3D) is... interesting. But I couldn't find any program, because I didn't know what to search *for*. "Joystick to keyboard" is the only thing I could think of, and I got zero relevant results...

EDIT - ...meaning, can anyone help me find it? Or at least suggest different ways to word the search?

[Pumaman]

It'd be interesting to add joystick support to AGS at some point; as Gilbert says, it's extra functionality that can't hurt, and the older Sierra games did allow you to use a joystick.

However, it's low low low priority, plus the fact I don't have a joystick would make it rather difficult

[strazer]

Tracker'd: http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/tracker.php?action=detail&id=518

[quintaros at work]

I think there are some programs out there that can translate joystick movements to keyboard keys. Try your favorite search engine.

Hmmm, this does interest me - I always liked experimenting, and making an adventure game which can be played via joystick à  la Grim Fandango (only not 3D) is... interesting. But I couldn't find any program, because I didn't know what to search *for*. "Joystick to keyboard" is the only thing I could think of, and I got zero relevant results...

EDIT - ...meaning, can anyone help me find it? Or at least suggest different ways to word the search?

http://www.softwarevault.com/Download/JoystickCursor-Control-Tool-Download

[Ashen]

quintaros beat me to it, but:
I Google-d the phrase "translate joystick movements to keyboard key", and came up with a couple of results, of which this one (via Tucows.com) was most immediately promising. Most of the others look like pay programs, or even hardware.

[Rui 'Trovatore' Pires]

Ah, thank you so very much! Now I can finally perfect my template. I don't suppose anyone remembers it, it's quite old and experimental and had graphics from Police Quest 2 and you controlled the player via mouse movements, not the mouse cursor? ANyway, I COULD have done it with keyboard keys (and will have to program in keyboard keys anyway, of course), but a joystick is SO much nicer! Maybe I can even make a "Shadow of the Comet" template...? : (BTW, I NEVER got the mouse to work on that game, and always wished I had a joystick back THEN. )

EDIT - Ok, I'm doing it, and I'm having a lot of fun! I'd just like some feedback. How does this sound for the average 2-button joystick?

Things are somehow marked when the player is near them (BS3-style stars?).

Up, down, left, right:
--Normally moves character
--In INV, changes between selected items and "save/load" general options*
--In action-list, change between the actions

Primary button:
--Brings up a list of actions to be done: "Look at thing, talk to thing", etc.
--In action-list, choose one such action
--In INV, choose an item OR an option
  --Inv items also have ACTION lists
--If an INV item is being carried, try to use it on the current thing


Secondary button:
--Toggles the INV/MENU screen on/off. This menu includes the INV and all game options: Save, Load, Restart, Quit, and More Options (volume, speed, and whatnot go in a separate screen).
--If an INV item is being "carried", remove it

*I know it sounds iffy, but I've got a good layout planned, methinks

How does this sound? Like a nice interface? Any suggestions? Incidently, it's child's play to add "Configure Joystick: 2/4/6" buttons and such, so don't pick on that.

[GarageGothic]

Who uses joysticks these days anyway, except for flight sim geeks? Aren't gamepads a lot more common? I would probably never use the option, but full gamepad support would be an intersting addition. With two thumbsticks you could add ultimate confusion, with one controlling the cursor and the other controlling the character

[Dan2552]

a gamepad and joystick are the same to the system (except the drivers and stuff...)

adding joystick to AGS would also add gamepad

just, if AGS does ever have joystick support - make your games have keyboard support too!!!