fully-functional gamepad driver for all Pocket PCs

[Russ Smith]

It works with Pocket Quake<br><br>GCMapper is a program which allows you to use a gamepad with your Pocket PC (all three processors).  It allows you set buttons to emulate on-board buttons, keystrokes, and even screen taps.  (Yes, you did read that correctly)  It can be configured differently for each game and will automatically use the right configuration for each one.<br><br>The program<br>* Supports text-based configuration files<br> (may have one for each game, or combine many into one file) <br>* Automatically detects game that is running and switches to appropriate configuration <br>* Supports buttons that toggle on and off <br>* Supports automatic rapid-fire <br>* Supports button 'chords' (multiple buttons acting as one) <br>* Supports simulation of screen taps in one location or in a series with 'sliders' <br>* Supports rotation of directionals for games that can run in portrait or landscape <br>* Supports 'auto-run' on directionals (pressing slightly walks, pressing more runs) <br>* Uses a higher priority processing thread so there is less delay between gamepad button presses and actions <br>* Has a built-in test mode to verify functionality <br>* Can enable or disable the gamepad from the menu <br>* Has a timer to disable gamepad (shut down serial port) after period of inactivity, to save power <br>* Has a built-in display of configuration information<br> (currently editing is done on your desktop system) <br>* Has a Message log to display configuration files detected (also can be used to help determine window titles for auto-detect mode and to detect errors in gamemap files) <br>* Solves the backlight-shutting-off problem for iPAQs<br> (external input doesn't reset the backlight off timer) <br>* Is small enough (~45K) that you can install the program itself into your "Windows/Start Menu" folder for easy access. <br><br>The program is named GCMapper, because of it maps Game Controllers and Game Configurations.  Read the review and download the program, documentation, and gamemap files

[Zathras]

Thanks Russ, David Miller, and Larry Bank.  Great work.<br><br>I need to figure out the gamemapping.  I tried the Doom and Quake ones and I need to change a couple of things.  I think I want to mouselook with the joypad, and I definately want to strafe left and right with the front buttons.  I'm not sure how I'd move forward and aft.  I need two thumbs on my right hand, one for forward and aft and one for fire.<br><br>I had a fps config for my old Playstation.  I can't remember how I set that up.  It had 4 front buttons though.<br><br>I hope Gravis keeps making the Stinger.  I get the feeling they are not selling that well.  My local Wichita, Kansas Compusa doesn't carry them any more.  I got the last one for $5.00.  I kid you not.<br><br>It would be great if Gravis made us an even smaller version.

[Russ Smith]

As laptops have become increasingly USB capable, the "need" for a serial gamepad decreased.  If the response is good to this new use, Gravis will continue to make it.<br><br>David's also working to make the GCMapper program support a variety of input devices (serial mice/trackballs are next).

[Zathras]

Could Gravis make a USB stinger and would that work with the iPAQ also?<br><br>I think I remember how I configured my Playstation controller.  Mouselook was on the joypad, lower front left and right were strafe, upper front right was fire, front left was next weapon.  Hmmm....  I need to do something else with the Stinger.

[Dan East]

Etherage will be releasing versions of their slide-on QWERTY keyboards for the various Pocket PC devices later this year. What I want to see is for them to produce a slide-on game pad. Now that would be an optimal solution. It could have buttons on the sides and back as well.<br><br><br><br>Dan East

[TBone]

I guess technically there's no reason you couldn't use this keyboard as a gamepad, though. Find four keys on the left side to act as a directional pad, keys on the right to be the trigger, and you've got it. <br><br>Of course, Palm device (as usual) already have a gamepad, made by some company with a lot of W's in the name, that clips onto the bottom of the machine. A port of that would be sweet.

[KiLLaBytE]

Even with the gamepad, the iPAQ can't take syncronous button presses, meaning you can only press one button at a time, so that'll kinda suck. I hope they fix this in the next ROM upgrade.

[Chris Edwards]

it's not ROM -- it's the hardware that's causing the problem.. (according to compaq)

[TBone]

I'm pretty sure that's not the case, actually. I know that it's perfectly possible to hit more than one key on the Stowaway and have it interpreted properly.<br><br>The error with the 1-press rule made by Compaq was choosing a poor way to measure the voltages coming from the buttons. Keyboards and external peripherals, however, do not go through that interface. For example, the Stowaway connects through the serial port and therefore doesn't have anything to do with Compaq's crappy detection code. Instead, its keys are interpreted as serial bits by the driver, converted to keydown messages, and sent to the CE operating system. That's why Quake and Doom can be played with a keyboard if you feel limited by the 1-press rule, and why the Stinger Gamepad driver can support chording.<br><br>Compaq has even stated that its problem with the buttons is nothing more than sloppy coding that they could probably fix if they took the time to alter the code and create a new flash rom image. My guess is that they're not doing it after the cold reception the last ROM image got and all the repairs they had to do.

[TBone]

I think I lost track of my point in that post. And I could be wrong about the ROM issue, Chris. I'm not sure. My point is: the gamepad can and will support multiple button presses. Which is a good thing.

[Chris Edwards]

Thomas is right. The multiple button presses issue only affects onboard buttons on the ipaq.. it will not affect gamepad/external devices unless those devices are designed poorly.

[R0B]

Now, all we need is support for a gamepad with analog support so we have a mouse and a gamepad in one .

[TBone]

Know what would be sweet? A conversion of the N64 gamepad for PPC. Just think, you'd get analog control, digital, and all the buttons my poor eyes can stand.

[Moose or Chuck]

You don't need a mouse, it's a touch screen. That's just... now you're thinking like ... ugh. Nevermind.

[R0B]

Go on, say it.  Just say it.  I was talking about for the mlook feature.  You could just look around with the analog stick, just like you would a mouse.