Wiimote-Nunchuk Control Guide

An in-depth guide on setting up a wiimote and nunchuk for use with Sublevel Zero using GlovePIE and PPJoy.

Overview

If you're like me you probably love 6DOF games, which means you also probably hate playing 6DOF games because there's too much DOF for your meager human hands and mind.

I saw the potential to make the DOF more natural to control using a wiimote and nunchuck and the results are magical. Be cafeful though, nearby onlookers may become entranced by how your hands are in constant motion as you sail through all the DOF.

Instead of wording more watch this video for a quick explaination of how to DOF using your spare ninja weapons.

Soothing Jazz Announcer Demo

Great, now you know how easy it is to DOF. The best part is Sublevel Zero is even smoother and easier to DOF in than Descent II.

Whoa Cowboy, Hold Your Horses

Before you ride off into the sunset there's a few things you need to know.

First thing you need to know

Your wrists will get tired. This is normal, you're not able to rest your wrists anywhere since you've moving them in 3D space. Take occasional breaks until your precious temple has gotten accustomed to the extra work you're making it do.

Second thing you need to know

This isn't a graceful setup. It's a mishmash of programs all working in concert to provide you with the maximum amount of DOF. Something may go wrong. You may not know what the Tiddlywinks I'm talking about. Don't panic. Reach under your seat, loosen the spring, lean back and imagine you're in Tahiti. Once you've enjoyed your brief vaction, bug the ever living snot out of me and I'll see what I can do.

Great, you're ready to DOF. Please continue to the next section, and good luck.

Stuff You Will Need

A Wiimote

Specifically a non -TR (every Wiimotion+ controller sold today) Wiimote, unless you're comfortable getting your hands dirty. If you have a -TR Wiimote and really want to give it a shot check out this guide by the Dolphin folks: https://dolphin-emu.org/docs/guides/wii-remote-plus-rvl-cnt-01-tr-connection-guide/

I can only provide so much support for -TR wiimotes. I completed the guide once but it also may have literally nuked my bluetooth adaptor (I got it back, but it was a process). Since I have an original gen wiimote and don't need Wiimotion+ I haven't decided to chance it again.

A Bluetooth adaptor

It may be built-in to your computer

NOTE: Originally I had linked to GlovePIE.org directly for PPJoy and GlovePIE itself, but the site appears to have been attacked, so instead I'm linking to copies I've had for years in Dropbox.

PPJoy

http://i.dysio.de/uploads/glovepie/PPJoySetup-0.8.4.5-early-release.exe
(MD5: ea889891cc340c312e8dce2988426785)
It does require Windows to support test signing and gives the command to enable it. This mode just enables a prompt to install unsigned packages.

GlovePIE

A direct link to the archive: http://i.dysio.de/uploads/glovepie/GlovePIE.zip
(MD5: 878fdbd231de9bd929794cd13d4931dd)

The Sublevel GlovePIE script

http://i.dysio.de/uploads/glovepie/Sublevel.PIE
(MD5: 5a5edde5d5706051819465ad26652c28)

The Complete Package

I like to link to the source files for everything so there's no question about where anything came from, but if you want to avoid messing around with downloading PPJoy here's a package with all the software bundled together:
http://i.dysio.de/uploads/glovepie/Sublevel-PIE.rar
(MD5: ee16090b2c33dccef7603f3c1b37e412)

PPJoy Installation and Configuration

PPJoy

PPJoy will require a bit of effort to install. It's creator couldn't afford to pay for, and keep paying for, a signing key from Microsoft so it requires allowing your computer to install test signed drivers. Windows makes it abundently clear when you're doing so, so doing so is extremely safe.

Put Windows into Test Mode

You need to open a command prompt. You can do tis one of two ways:

Win+R; cmd; 
or 
Win+X; Command Prompt

And then you need to run the following command

BCDEDIT -SET TESTSIGNING ON

and then restart your computer.

Install PPJoy

When you run the installer you'll see a dialog appear.

If you don't see a message in the corner of you screen that says something like then you'll want to follow the instructions above.

By default PPJoy should come with a single virtual joystick. We'll be using all the default settings.

PPJoy Ideal Configuration

If for some reason it doesn't, you can open "Configure Joysticks" from the start menu. If no Joystick is listed add a new one, otherwise select "PPJoy Virtual Joystick 1" and click Mapping...

From there just click next through the whole thing and close the window.

GlovePIE/Wiimote Installation and Configuration

GlovePIE

GlovePIE requires no installation, simply extract it to a folder and run PIEFree.exe.

Wiimote Connection

The Wiimote on the other hand, can be finicky.

Open GlovePIE, open the Sublevel.PIE script and start it running. GlovePIE will automatically look for a wiimote and try to connect to it. I just need to mash 1 + 2 on the wiimote until it vibrates and GlovePIE says "Connected." Depending on if Windows feels like it needs to install the Wiimote drivers again, this should only take 30-90 seconds.

Pairing the Wiimote with Windows

NOTE: I'm lucky enough to have built-in bluetooth and Windows manages the bluetooth stack for me. Depending on the adaptor you're using you may have custom software to do this.
Once I press 1 + 2 on the wiimote, all 4 LEDs flash and in the Windows Bluetooth stack I see No Passcode is needed, leave it blank and hit next.

Script Configuration Overview

GlovePIE

Glovepie is a free, scriptable middleware between inputs and outputs. It lets you manipulate the inputs for more natural outputs. While I've tweaked most settings over many hours of testing, there are a few settings you may want to tweak. Each variable is documented but I'll touch on a couple here.

Left Handed Use

The script supports swapping axial inputs between the Wiimote and Nunchuck for anyone who prefer holding the Wiimote in their left hand. This can be toggled by changing

var.leftHanded = True

Directional Offsets

NOTE: These are more like ranges, I will clarify the terminology at some point in the future.

var.yOffset
var.xOffset

If you find the controls are too sensitive or not sensitive enough you can adjust the offsets. They represent the distance your hand has to travel to reach -1 or 1. Increasing the numbers decreases the sensitivity of the controls.

Inwardness Offset

NOTE: Again, old terminology, this variable acts as a scaler.

var.inwardOffsetPercent

This value accounts for the fact our hands move asymmetrically when resting in front of us palms down. If you find you're comfortable with the outward rotation but strain to reach the edge of the inward rotation increase this value slightly (but don't get close to 1).

Script Specific Functionality

There are a few things the script does on it's own that you need to know to use it effectively.

Calibration

• Hold 1 + 2 on the wiimote (the wiimote will vibrate)
  
• Rest your hands in a comfortable position
  
• Press A + B or C + Z (the wiimote will vibrate again)

Calibration can be done at any point during use.
I usually recalibrate several times during a session.

Menu Navigration

• Hold C on the Nunchuck
  
• Use the D-Pad to cursor around
  
• A = Enter
  
• B = Esc

While C is held the script stops updating PPJoy outputs so it can also be used as a way of pausing control if you need to do something like scratch your nose.

Control Bindings

Of course you do you, but as far as the DOF axes go I recommend starting with this basic setup first. I've spent many hours playtesting the axes for the script and I feel this is the most agile setup.

NOTE: I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO KNOCK AIM AND MOVE RAMAPING DOWN EITHER TO ZERO OR ONE TICKER HIGHER.

The controls will feel -extremely- sluggish and generally awkward if you don't adjust the controller ramping. I initially disabled ramping but moved it up a tick to make the controls a bit less twitchy and move stable. Here's an example of my controls screen (yes, Windows thinks I have an ass-ton of Wiimotes).

Visual Guide to the Key Binding

Variations

It's been a long time since I played around with variations on the axial configuration, but as I find new, workable configurations I'll include them here.

Southpaw

My prefered setup is:

Nunchuck = WASD
Nunchuck Joy = Verical Movement + Roll

However, swapping those results in a pretty natural feeling setup as well, though I found myself rolling -a lot- as I moved. It didn't cause me any problems, but it may include projectile vomiting in some people.

Nunchuck = Verical Movement + Roll
Nunchuck Joy = WASD

[Judge_M0rt1s]

Thanks so much for the tip! Much appreciated!

[DYSIOD☰]

Chaostro, this certainly would not. You're better off buying a DolphinBar [smile.amazon.com] and using that with Dolphin. That'll give you the true experience and the DolphinBar makes everything stupid easy!

[Judge_M0rt1s]

Does anybody know if this setup would work well with Resident Evil 4 UHD? I miss playing that game with a wii remote, but I don't want to pay for a wii remote and go through all the setup only to find that the motion controls won't work like on the Wii.

[DYSIOD☰]

I've updated the links to point to an Amazon bucket I host. I've also included MD5 hashes to compare with.

[Ducku]

I need help with getting the required software, as all of the software needed is now unavailable. I greatly appreciate any assistance given.

[Dr.Doctor]

Seeing that D2 video brought so many good memories. Seriously hope that new Descent game doesn't turn out to be garbage. SLZ has some good points, but sure miss a good maze to go through w/o the stress of dying over and over.

[DYSIOD☰]

Haha, thanks! Scrolling through it now to get to the comments I had forgotten how large it is xD

That said, the Steam controller might actually be pretty well suited to 6-dof... I'll need to explore that at some point. Sadly I mostly agree with you. I haven't gotten around to trying it for couch gaming though!

[Dr.Doctor]

You know... tried to swing one for the Steam controller... thought that was madeness when I had my mouse-keyboard next to me. But you, sir, have bigger and more robust cajones in this mad endeavor. Kudos!