Controller?

[FlyinJ]

Is there controller support in this? Or does the old joystick code at least recognize Xbox controllers correctly?

[m0u53r]

I don't usually use an Xbox controller, so maybe it would be best for someone else to chime in. I do have a gamepad that is recognized as an Xbox controller

It will work with the UIM versions (this steam version is UIM06). But it may need some button mapping and tweaks to get it to work well. There is button mapping in the launcher program. But for me, it doesn't recognize the POV hat for directional thrust, or the rudder axis for moving the pilot's head. So if you know how to use a 3rd party mapping program you might want to use it to swap a few things around to see if those features can be used on a gamepad. The throttle could use some tweaking too...since I think the trigger is setup to half of the z-axis and that works but then there isn't any reverse then... so yeah basically you're gonna have to tweak things.

I hope that helps

[FlyinJ]

Originally posted by m0u53r:

I don't usually use an Xbox controller, so maybe it would be best for someone else to chime in. I do have a gamepad that is recognized as an Xbox controller

It will work with the UIM versions (this steam version is UIM06). But it may need some button mapping and tweaks to get it to work well. There is button mapping in the launcher program. But for me, it doesn't recognize the POV hat for directional thrust, or the rudder axis for moving the pilot's head. So if you know how to use a 3rd party mapping program you might want to use it to swap a few things around to see if those features can be used on a gamepad. The throttle could use some tweaking too...since I think the trigger is setup to half of the z-axis and that works but then there isn't any reverse then... so yeah basically you're gonna have to tweak things.

I hope that helps

Yeah I planned to use joytokey to map everything other than the analog sticks anyways, just wanted to make sure the game was able to recognize the analog sticks on the controller.

Thanks for the info!

[Sysgen]

Enable Steam Input -> map keys

[Dertrend]

I am using a logitech controller which is basically the same as a xbox controller and it works ok. I can't get the rudder to move the pilots head but for flying its fine overall.

[63Drone]

It's best to play Hardwar with a joystick or HOTAS peripheral rather than a controller as you'll be able to not only fly your moth more naturally but also know how to map the buttons better.

For those into HOTAS products, the ThrustMaster T.Flight HOTAS One/4/X is the best choice as the game meshes well with these peripherals, though the ThrustMaster T.16000M FCS, Logitech G X52 Pro and the non-pro variants also work well with this game. The advanced HOTAS peripherals such as the ThrustMaster Warthog, the TCA Captain Pack X Airbus Edition, and the Logitech G X56 Rhino won't work properly with the game as the game is not designed for such more advanced HOTAS products. Me, I'm currently playing Hardwar with a HOTAS One (prior to it, I used to play with a HOTAS X which is older but serves the same purpose) and it really synchronizes well with this game.

For those who aren't into HOTAS peripherals, the Logitech G Extreme 3D PRO Joystick is the best joystick not only for the money but for anybody who isn't into fancier options. It has the hat switch, throttle, and all the buttons you want for a joystick that's not meant for super-hardcore flight sims and it's really cost-effectively cheap too at around $39.99 in the market or eCommerce sites like Amazon or eBay (or if you're lucky, around $29.99 if it's on a price discount sale).

[Zwarteziel]

Hi,

I'd like to test how the game plays using an Xbox One X controller, but am wondering: should it show up in the [Controls] tab when launhing the game's option menu? Currently, it only shows Keyboard and Mouse.

[Grey/GX]

It must appear in Hardwar's Controls list and be selected. XInput is not supported - Hardwar only recognizes (older standard) DirectInput devices, only one at a time. Steam Input can work with game in Mouse or Keyboard mode, but that is not ideal. There is a better way.

Solution: Convert your device(s) to use DirectInput

For XInput devices which do not appear in Hardwar's controls list, or for using multiple devices at the same time (HOTAS, HOSAS, etc.), you need to route your real hardware into a virtual DirectInput joystick that Hardwar can recognize:

Joystick Gremlin https://whitemagic.github.io/JoystickGremlin/quickstart
-or-
Universal Control Remapper https://github.com/Snoothy/UCR

Then you tell Hardwar to pick the "vJoy Device" and bind things to buttons as usual.

Be sure to disable the virtual joystick when you play other games, so that they don't get confused receiving inputs from both the real and virtual controller at the same time.
[edit] - This is done from vJoyConf in the Start Menu

[Zwarteziel]

Originally posted by GX7.2101:

It must appear in Hardwar's Controls list and be selected. XInput is not supported - Hardwar only recognizes (older standard) DirectInput devices, only one at a time. Steam Input can work with game in Mouse or Keyboard mode, but that is not ideal. There is a better way.
[snip]

Thank you so much! Just got it working :)

[FlyinJ]

Originally posted by GX7.2101:

It must appear in Hardwar's Controls list and be selected. XInput is not supported - Hardwar only recognizes (older standard) DirectInput devices, only one at a time. Steam Input can work with game in Mouse or Keyboard mode, but that is not ideal. There is a better way.

Solution: Convert your device(s) to use DirectInput

For XInput devices which do not appear in Hardwar's controls list, or for using multiple devices at the same time (HOTAS, HOSAS, etc.), you need to route your real hardware into a virtual DirectInput joystick that Hardwar can recognize:

Joystick Gremlin https://whitemagic.github.io/JoystickGremlin/quickstart
-or-
Universal Control Remapper https://github.com/Snoothy/UCR

Then you tell Hardwar to pick the "vJoy Device" and bind things to buttons as usual.

Be sure to disable the virtual joystick when you play other games, so that they don't get confused receiving inputs from both the real and virtual controller at the same time.

I used UCR a few years ago for another older game. It actually made it so using my controller in other games stopped working completely even after following all the instructions on how to disable it and also troubleshooting it for hours trying other solutions. I actually ended up having to uninstall it as well as taking some other steps (I think having to do some registry entry) to finally get rid of it and get my controller working again.

Does Joystick Gremlin work better?

[Grey/GX]

I do not have that issue with Joystick Gremlin or UCR, and I strongly suspect that this is because I always deactivate vJoy (not Gremlin/UCR) when I'm not using it.

if your controller stops working in other games

after installing vJoy + UCR or Joystick Gremlin, when not playing Hardwar go to the "vJoyConf" Control Panel (in Start Menu Search) and turn off "Enable vJoy" in the lower left.

Explanation:
Disabling UCR or Joystick Gremlin (or unplugging your physical controller) do not disconnect the vJoy controller(s) from your system. The virtual controller remains "Connected" as far as Windows OS is concerned - and so any game which sees vJoy as "controller 1" will be accessing a controller with no input flowing to it. This is the same situation as if you left a second real life gamepad accidentally plugged into some USB port somewhere. Just like a real one, you need to "unplug" vJoy when not in use.