How to map keys 0-9 for SPACE WARS (0.78)

mitu

@mikemolang I don't actually have Space Wars installed, but I assumed you're not finding the input mapping configuration in RA.
I could give it a try later to see how this works on my system. What controller are you using and what keys does the game expect ?

mikemolang

@mitu

THANKS!

I have a Logitech k400 wireless keyboard (does not have a dedicated numeric pad), iPac with two sets of controls (one joystick plus 8 buttons for each set of controls).

I can hook up a wired usb keyboard that does have a dedicated numeric keypad. I saw one thread that referred to the numeric keypad, although they were not trying to solve the same problem as I am.

In addition to the typical controls for gameplay, Soace Wars needs 10 dedicated buttons to select option and start the game. Those are the ones that I cannot find listed in order to map them. If I could find them I would have no problem mapping them to the keyboard or buttons.

Thanks!
MML

caver01

@mikemolang You should be able to simply press TAB on a connected keyboard to bring up the MAME GUI and follow the menu to map keys for THIS GAME.

jonnykesh

@caver01 The TAB menu doesn't wok for some reason. I tried it. I can't get any key to work in it either apart from player 1 coin.

markwkidd

@jonnykesh said in How to map keys 0-9 for SPACE WARS (0.78):

@caver01 The TAB menu doesn't wok for some reason. I tried it. I can't get any key to work in it either apart from player 1 coin.

Can you please describe "doesn't work"?

For example, does the TAB menu not appear? Does it appear but not function correctly? Will it not allow you to reassign keys? Or does it look like keys are being reassigned, but they reassignments don't function during gameplay? Etc.

jonnykesh

It doesn't appear. TAB does nothing. Sorry, should have been clearer.

mitu

@jonnykesh Maybe you're using the lr-mame2003 or other libretro core and they don't map the TAB key ? I don't have a keyboard to test, but I think using advmame the TAB key should definitely work.

markwkidd

@mitu said in How to map keys 0-9 for SPACE WARS (0.78):

@jonnykesh Maybe you're using the lr-mame2003 or other libretro core and they don't map the TAB key ? I don't have a keyboard to test, but I think using advmame the TAB key should definitely work.

The TAB menu normally works in the libretro MAME cores as well.

jonnykesh

@markwkidd Definitely trying it on lr-mame2003 I was a bit surprised when it didn't come up. I also tried in advmame 0.94 and again the TAB menu would not come up, Perhaps it's a limitation of the game itself?

markwkidd

@jonnykesh said in How to map keys 0-9 for SPACE WARS (0.78):

@markwkidd Definitely trying it on lr-mame2003 I was a bit surprised when it didn't come up. I also tried in advmame 0.94 and again the TAB menu would not come up, Perhaps it's a limitation of the game itself?

I don't think this problem can be caused by a bad ROM.

My suspicion is that this has to do with the way your system is processing input. Can you get into the RetroArch "quick" menu once you have started lr-mame2003?

If so, could you check which Input Driver that RetroArch is using?

This information can also be gleaned from the retroarch.cfg on your system if it is easier for you to access that file and paste its contents into a service like pastebin.com.

jonnykesh

I have no issues on any other ROMs. It's udev as it is for all my other ROMs. It's no big deal to me, it's not a game I'm overly interested in playing. I just thought I would look at it since OP asked and maybe I could help him out.

jonnykesh

Using the 0.139 ROM in advanceMame 0.94 and 1.4 the TAB menu comes up and the buttons are able to be mapped.

mikemolang

@jonnykesh

SWEET!!! Thank you so much. Space Wars is the main reason I built a MAME cabinet; to play against my "little" brother. When we were kids we pumped many dollars into this game at "the good arcade" at Seaside. He is coming over with a few others this weekend, and I really want to have this up and running.

Using the page:
https://github.com/RetroPie/RetroPie-Setup/wiki/MAME#emulators-advancemame-mame4all-pi-lr-imame4all-lr-mame2003-lr-mame2010

I see...
AdvanceMAME 0.94
MAME 0.94

AdvanceMAME 1.4
MAME 0.106

AdvanceMAME 3
MAME 0.106

...and confusion sets in.

I know that newer emulators tend to be more accurate, but slower.
You mentioned that you tested 0.94 and 1.4 using 0.139. Neither list this as the "right" ROM version.

I am looking for some advice. I am DL'ing the .106 ROMs as I type, figuring that will let me try 1.4 and 3. Any suggestions to the contrary, or feedback saying this is a good move?

Thanks again folks. This was a very helpful assist. I could have spent weeks chasing vague suggestions, but you guys got the facts by testing. Thank you very, very much!!!

MML

jonnykesh

@mikemolang It's always best to use the proper ROM for the version of MAME you are using. That's a given. I was really only testing with what I had to hand in the sets I have. You would be best to use advMame 3.5 which is the latest advMame using the 0.106 set. The others seem to have a forced aspect ratio that isn't true.

mikemolang

@jonnykesh

Thank you! Downloading the .106 ROMs now. Will let everyone know how it works out. Any other advice is also welcome.

You guys were really great. I did my best reading the README files and following advice already available in the Wiki and Forums, and you guys didn't just spin me back around. You really helped me, and for that I am very grateful. Thank you.

Best,
MML

caver01

@jonnykesh when the tab menu doesn’t work in lr-mame2003 it is because the mame2003/cfg/default.cfg file is corrupt. Delete it.

jonnykesh

@caver01 Yeah that fixed it but boy that was a pain to find. (I really should read the docs!) I was looking in /opt/retropie/configs/... when it was in /home/pi/RetroPie/roms/arcade/mame2003/cfg/ Anyway, thanks.
Though, it still doesn't work in "Space Wars" in lr-mame2003which is really odd. But sure, moving on.

caver01

@jonnykesh Still couldn't map the keys? I want to load that ROM now and check it out.

jonnykesh

@caver01 Not in Mame2003. The TAB menu just doesn't come up. In mame2010 the TAB menu comes up but is sideways and it won't allow you to map the number keys on a keyboard to the 0-9 functions. Have a look.

caver01

@jonnykesh Well, you would have to do quite a few other changes if you start mapping number keys, as the default raw keyboard mapping has 1-8 spoken for already.

Finding available keys might be tricky.

Isn't space war a vector game? It is better suited for AdvanceMAME in that case anyway. Key mapping question still applies, however. I will take a look tonight.