Remapping controls not possible, and game doesn't respond to input devices

[[KRK] Spawnferkel]

First off, I looked for a solution to my problem anywhere, but there is currently no known related problem.

This game deliberately tries to invoke a stroke, because of it's defunct control options and the other issues.

I just bought this ... wondrous piece of software... and was on my way to check out the control settings.

Game is loading fine without problems, no graphic glitches or CTDs, everything was smooth up until the part where I had to remap my buttons.

I got presented with the screen with a circling dude, the label "WALK" above him and an icon resembling the left stick of an XBox controller. Upon pressing any (ANY) button, I got a very brief flash of text on the bottom of the screen.

After some keyboard smashing, I could decipher "<Enter> to remap: W,S,A,D". So I went ahead, pressed Enter and remapped my movement to WSAD again, in hope of the next step of the control settings. However, the menu was stuck on this part and I could neither proceed nor abort.

Hitting ESC or any other button didn't do anything, and only on pressing Enter I was able to remap the same controls time and time again. It did accept other inputs, because I could verify that I was able to remap the controls to most other keys on my keyboard. However, it wouldn't proceed to the next step and I couldn't leave the menu or the game itself. Alt-F4 was the only method to abort and restart the whole thing.

Then I tried to start a new game in hope of getting accustomed to the default controls through a tutorial.

I only got so far as to the very first speech bubble of that shabby beardy dude. Regardless of keys I pressed, the game wouldn't advance and nothing was working. Hitting ESC presented me with the menu, but I couldn't leave the game because the Enter key wasn't responding anymore, and so was ESC.

Alt-F4 got me out of my misery again.

The next thing I tried was to plug in a gamepad (Saitek P2600 Rumble Force Pad - calibrated and updated and stuff), but the game altogether didn't recognize and wasn't accepting any inputs.

I'm now officially clueless on how to fix this thing. I tried every in both FAQs mentioned (and applicable) method to fix the game:
- starting Steam as an admin
- starting the game directly from the SteamApps folder
- as above as admin
- all of the above in combination with the original version
- restarting every single time and checking for issues with my input devices on my device manager

If someone can help with this particular issue, it would be greatly appreciated.

[Skymirrh]

Hey, remapping buttons should not be needed, how come you went to that menu on your first launch?

Could you try this:

• Right-click on the game in your library -> Properties -> Local files -> Browse local files -> delete (if they exist) "achievements.dat", "keyboard.dat", "mask.nfo", "saves.dat", "stats.sav", and "tempsave.sav".
  
• Go to "C:\Users\<username>\Documents\My Games\HotlineMiami\" and delete "SaveData.sav" and "hotline.cfg".
  
• Make sure no controller is connected, only your keyboard/mouse.
  
• Try to play again and fire up the tutorial right away. You don't need to remap the controls, defaults are WASD anyway.

[[KRK] Spawnferkel]

Originally posted by Skymirrh:

Hey, remapping buttons should not be needed, how come you went to that menu on your first launch?

The arrow keys are working within the main menu, as is the enter key. Once I'm in the control setup however, the input isn't working anymore.

Could you try this:
Right-click on the game in your library -> Properties -> Local files -> Browse local files -> delete (if they exist) "achievements.dat", "keyboard.dat", "mask.nfo", "saves.dat", "stats.sav", and "tempsave.sav".
Go to "C:\Users\<username>\Documents\My Games\HotlineMiami\" and delete "SaveData.sav" and "hotline.cfg".
Make sure no controller is connected, only your keyboard/mouse.
Try to play again and fire up the tutorial right away. You don't need to remap the controls, defaults are WASD anyway.

I followed your advice, but still no luck. Once I'm in the game, it wont respond to any input save for ESC to bring up the menu. In the menu itself, the arrow keys are working, but not ESC or enter.

I will try to make a video so you can better understand what I'm talking about.

[Skymirrh]

Huh, I've never heard of this kind of issue before. Do you have installed any application emulating controllers, such as vJoy or something like that?

[[KRK] Spawnferkel]

No, nothing like that.

Although I will try to use an emulating device for xbox controller soon. Hopefully, the game will respond to my gamepad at least.

[Skymirrh]

What's your keyboard and do you have installed any special driver for it?

[CtrlZzzz]

Hi,

I encounter exactly the same problem :
The Game normally starts with splash screens and then Game menu appears.
Here i can use the arrow keys or ZQSD to select an option and "Enter" key to confirm my choice... But
- if i select "Start Game" : the game start and the guy sais to me : "i'm here to tell you how to kill people". and even i press all the keys of my keyboard/mouse, nothing appends...the controls are broken unless the ESCAP key (brings up a little menu but i can't confirm a choice here)

- if i try to remap the keys, i have exactly the same problem described by Fleischpest.

My config :
I have no gamepad plugged, no emulating device.
Simple keyboard and mouse without drivers.
I have 2 screens plugged on my PC.
I select Update version, run as admin mode and compatibility option checked (don't rescale for high DPI resolution).