why don't more games have 2 joystick support?
Zarathos
This is one of the things that is the most lacking in PC fighting games. If
all the different soundcards came with 2 joystick ports, then more games
would support 2 players! It's that simple! Why isn't this being done?
Dan
Jason G Fourier
more games have 2.. by Zara...@getty.onu.edu
Simple: You don't need 2 joystick ports to use 2 joysticks. In fact,
it's usually better to have only one port. Just buy a Y-cable. Plug it
into the joystick port, and plug two joysticks on the other end.
I say that it's better to have just one port because some controllers
use the inputs for 2 joysticks. For example, a joystick with a throttle
control uses 1 joystick input for the stick X and Y-axes and another
input for the throttle value. Also, a 4-button controller uses 2
buttons from each joystick input. If you plug one of these conrtollers
into a single joystick port, then it will work properly. If you have 2
ports, it may not work.
-Jason Fourier
Galasso Emilio N
Not true... in fact most cards that support two joysticks will have two ports
on them (Gravis Eliminator game card for example). Most cards that have one
port (such as typical IDE controllers) will not let you access the 3rd and
4th button on joysticks such as the Gravis Gamepad, or the throttle on the
CH Flightstick. I'm not familiar with how the Y-cables work... will they
allow two joysticks to be used on a single-joystick port?!? That doesn't
sound right...
Just make sure that however your card works, it supports two seperate joysticks
whether it be through a Y-cable or 2 ports. I never use the second port,
personally, so I'm not sure if an attached joystick will actually affect
the throttle and extra buttons of a joystick on the first port. The buttons
might work, but the throttle may give conflicting readings.
BTW, anyone know of some sort of switchbox that will allow you to switch
between two joysticks on a single port?!? I remember reading about something
called the JoySwitch over the summer. I'd love to be able to swap my
Flightstick and Gravis Gamepad without have to dig through all cables (my
system is somewhat built-into my desk). I've searched around the Toronto
area and I can't seem to find such a device...
--
Emilio Galasso
a260...@cdf.toronto.edu
University of Toronto, Computer Science.
Amiri Jones
>
[stuff deleted]
>
> Not true... in fact most cards that support two joysticks will have two ports
> on them (Gravis Eliminator game card for example). Most cards that have one
> port (such as typical IDE controllers) will not let you access the 3rd and
> 4th button on joysticks such as the Gravis Gamepad, or the throttle on the
> CH Flightstick. I'm not familiar with how the Y-cables work... will they
> allow two joysticks to be used on a single-joystick port?!? That doesn't
> sound right...
>
The standard game port is a DB-15 connector. A two button joystick needs,
at most, six lines: a voltage line, an x-axis line, a y-axis line, two buttons lines,
and a ground line. If the card supports two sticks but only has one port, then
these functions are duplicated on additional pins (stick 1 usually uses the
lowest numbered pins).
> Just make sure that however your card works, it supports two seperate joysticks
> whether it be through a Y-cable or 2 ports. I never use the second port,
> personally, so I'm not sure if an attached joystick will actually affect
> the throttle and extra buttons of a joystick on the first port. The buttons
> might work, but the throttle may give conflicting readings.
>
> BTW, anyone know of some sort of switchbox that will allow you to switch
> between two joysticks on a single port?!? I remember reading about something
> called the JoySwitch over the summer. I'd love to be able to swap my
> Flightstick and Gravis Gamepad without have to dig through all cables (my
> system is somewhat built-into my desk). I've searched around the Toronto
> area and I can't seem to find such a device...
>
Get a computer gaming mag and call any of the mail-order dealers there.
You have the right name; any decent company will have them (approx $45 US).
AJ
Amiri Jones
Well, part of your argument falls apart because it's my understanding
that not all sound cards support two joysticks, nor do all 'built-in' game ports.
The only way to be 100% sure is to buy an add-on card...
AJ
Amiri Jones
>
[much snipping done]
> I remember seeing one ad that listed the product at $59 at some
> computer gaming mag. My question is, why can't they sell a cheaper
> one?? Does a joystick switch box have to be auto/electronic?
> Why can't it be the cheap manual type (like my $5-10 printer
> switch box)??
> >
> >
The Joyswitch IS a manual switching device. There are two knobs
on the front. One of them chooses from among 4(?) joysticks, while the second
one controls access to foot controllers: you can connect 2 of them, and there
is also an OFF position, for games that don't support foot controllers. If
memory serves me correctly, it also provides support for the Thrustmaster
WCS Mark II.
As you can probably tell by now, there's a lot more wires and
switch contacts involved than in a simple A/B printer switch. There are
also start-up costs, as well as a lower demand. All of this adds up to
a higher cost. Try to build one yourself and see what the cost looks like.
As for me, the convenience outweighs the price.
AJ
Greg Limes
In article <SA073.126...@getty.onu.edu> SA...@getty.onu.edu (Zarathos) writes:
| I don't understand why soundcards don't come with 2 joystick supports.
Most soundcards have single joystick connectors that actually carry
all the signals for two joysticks. You can get a "Y" cable pretty
cheaply that will allow you to plug two joysticks into such
connectors.
I agree, tho, that more games should support two joysticks ... for
instance, in space-based dogfiging games, roll should be via the 2nd
joystick, not through some kludge like "hold button 2 and push
joystick 1 left" which causes you to be unable to pitch or yaw at the
same time (my only beef with X-Wing and Tie fighter, BTW).
--
-- Greg Limes li...@3do.com, li...@netcom.com
"Your reality check is in the E-mail"
Not speaking for my employer, of course
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