Guide: Advanced Controller Mappings

[mediamogul]

@guydot

Have you updated RetroArch in a while? This may not be the issue, but recently a fix was implemented to avoid controller ordering based on detection. Before hand this was messing with tools like joystick selection utility. If you haven't already, try updating and see if the behavior continues.

[guydot]

@mediamogul said in Guide: Advanced Controller Mappings:

@guydot

Have you updated RetroArch in a while?

I did a Retroarch update but it did not solve the issue. I am running RPi3 B+/Stretch/RetroPie 4.4, so it is a very recent image.

At some point, Retroarch (yellow text on bottom just before the game starts) shows an incorrect port joystick mapping and the game does not work. Killing xboxdrive restores the use of Controlblock to exit the game, but Retroarch would not get the right mapping if I launch a new game unless I reboot. Frustrating.

[mediamogul]

@guydot

This may be able to be sorted out as-is, but if you're open to an alternative, let me suggest something more reliable. I avoid the uncertainty of these particular situations by having a keyboard map set for players one and two in RetroArch. To correspond with this, I also have my two controllers fully key-mapped with xboxdrv to match. Once everything is launched, it really doesn't matter which controller RetroArch tries to grab hold of, because it'll be acknowledging the keyboard map regardless.

[spud11]

@mediamogul @guydot I agree 100% with this approach. Mediamogul put me onto this method about 2 years ago and it just works. 99% of cores and emulators have keyboard mapping. I've only struggled with one or two eg reicast; otherwise, all good.

[guydot]

@mediamogul I will give it a shot, as all other methods failed. The closest I got was with Joystick Selection "by name" method: the games work well even when Retroarch shuffled the ports, but Emulationstation crashes when I exit a "port-confused" game.

If I understand the method correctly - I will have to change Controlblock to "MAME" mode = keyboard emulation and then run 2 xboxdrv configured to match the keys generated by my controllers. Correct?

[mediamogul]

@guydot said in Guide: Advanced Controller Mappings:

If I understand the method correctly - I will have to change Controlblock to "MAME" mode = keyboard emulation and then run 2 xboxdrv configured to match the keys generated by my controllers. Correct?

Actually, you would just change your xboxdrv maps to be complete key-mappings of the Controlblock. From there, you'd assign those keys to players one and two in RetroArch.

[guydot]

@mediamogul @spud11 I am missing something here.

Right now:
(1) Controlbox is creating 2 joypads: JS0/JS1 and event 2/3
(2) I use 2 xboxdrv commands, each has --evdev-absmap and --evdev-keymap that correspond to a joypad joystick + buttons
(3) In Retroarch.cfg, I tried to use input_player1_joypad_index = "2" and input_player2_joypad_index = "3" to map

Is proposed method to add --ui-buttonmap to map xboxdrv to keyboard keys? I guess I need more steps... Thanks for all your help!

[mediamogul]

@guydot said in Guide: Advanced Controller Mappings:

Is proposed method to add --ui-buttonmap to map xboxdrv to keyboard keys?

It is, yes. As an example, below is an excerpt from my retroarch.cfg file where I've mapped my desired keyboard inputs for player one. Below that is a 4-way strict xboxdrv map that corresponds to those keys.

retroarch.cfg excerpt:

# Keyboard input, Joypad and Joyaxis will all obey the "nul" bind, which disables the bind completely, 
# rather than relying on a default.
input_player1_a = "a"
input_player1_b = "b"
input_player1_y = "y"
input_player1_x = "x"
input_player1_start = "t"
input_player1_select = "e"
input_player1_l = "l"
input_player1_r = "r"
input_player1_left = "left"
input_player1_right = "right"
input_player1_up = "up"
input_player1_down = "down"
input_player1_l2 = "d"
input_player1_r2 = "f"
input_player1_l3 = "c"
input_player1_r3 = "v"

4-way strict xboxdrv command:

sudo /opt/retropie/supplementary/xboxdrv/bin/xboxdrv \
	--evdev /dev/input/by-path/platform-3f980000.usb-usb-0:1.2:1.0-event-joystick \
	--detach-kernel-driver \
	--dpad-as-button \
	--trigger-as-button \
	--deadzone-trigger 15% \
	--deadzone 4000 \
	--device-name "Logitech Rumblepad 2 (xboxdrv)" \
	--silent \
	--four-way-restrictor \
	--axismap -Y1=Y1,-Y2=Y2 \
	--evdev-absmap ABS_X=x1,ABS_Y=y1,ABS_Z=x2,ABS_RZ=y2,ABS_HAT0X=dpad_x,ABS_HAT0Y=dpad_y \
	--evdev-keymap BTN_THUMB2=a,BTN_THUMB=b,BTN_TOP=x,BTN_TRIGGER=y,BTN_BASE3=back,BTN_BASE4=start,BTN_TOP2=lb,BTN_PINKIE=rb,BTN_BASE5=tl,BTN_BASE6=tr,BTN_BASE=lt,BTN_BASE2=rt \
	--ui-axismap X1=KEY_LEFT:KEY_RIGHT,Y1=KEY_UP:KEY_DOWN,X2=KEY_1:KEY_2,Y2=KEY_3:KEY_4 \
	--ui-buttonmap a=KEY_A,b=KEY_B,x=KEY_X,y=KEY_Y,lb=KEY_L,rb=KEY_R,lt=KEY_D,rt=KEY_F,tl=KEY_C,tr=KEY_V,du=KEY_UP,dd=KEY_DOWN,dl=KEY_LEFT,dr=KEY_RIGHT,start=KEY_T,back=KEY_E \
	--ui-buttonmap guide=void \
	&

[guydot]

@mediamogul I think I had my aha! moment :-) I am away but will test in a week or so and report back. Thanks!!!

[mediamogul]

@guydot

Not a problem. Let us know how it works out.

[Riverstorm]

@mediamogul - Post 534...action...wow long thread! ;) I was wondering if I could get your help with setting up XBOX 360 controllers if possible, please, when/if you have time. I am in no hurry but not quite sure what to do next once I get the controllers setup.

I have four XBOX 360 controllers using a wireless dongle. I use the Arcade folder running mame2003, FBA and Advmame for about 300 games. Basically I just want to break down the games for 4/8-way restriction. Good 4-way games are lost to simple mistakes of not hitting that ladder squarely in Donkey Kong, etc. using controllers.

I am running RP 4.3 on a Pi 3 updated to the latest RetroPie script as of yesterday. My cores are recent from source and Advmame is on 3.8.

I went through the tutorial and here's what I ended up with but I had a few questions. For calibration axis name. Do I use the output from evtest /dev/input/event[event1] and add it 3 times as shown below?

evtest output for 360 controller:

A = BTN_SOUTH = 304
B = BTN_EAST = 305
X = BTN_NORTH = 307
Y = BTN_WEST = 308
LB = BTN_TL = 310
RB = BTN_TR = 311
LT = BTN_TL2 = 312
RT = BTN_TR2 = 313
BACK = BTN_SELECT = 314
START = BTN_START = 315
GUIDE = BTN_MODE = 316
TL = BTN_THUMBL = 317
TR = BTN_THUMBR = 318
X1/Y1 = ABS_X (UP/DOWN) | ABS_Y (LEFT/RIGHT)
X2/Y2 = ABS_RX (UP/DOWN) | ABS_RY (LEFT/RIGHT)
DPAD_Y/DPAD_X = ABS_HAT0Y (UP/DOWN) | ABS_HAT0X (LEFT/RIGHT)

Also with a 360 controller I didn't get output for rt/lt or at least I assigned them to buttons TL2 & TR2 as they aren't an axis? So I have two fields below still using asterisks.

Lastly should I use the option to make the triggers into buttons on a 360 controller. I added the option below.

Lastly, lastly do I need to use the rename parameter for each controller as I have 4 but they are all the same. Well they are 2 different models among the 4 but they are all detected as the same. Do I need to define 4 controllers in the rc.local file?

If I get this first step implemented correctly is there a guide restricting games to 4/8 way? Disclosure I didn't read all 533 posts so if there's a relevant section I can read through or a link to what steps I should think about next. Thanks Media for all this information, it's pretty incredible stuff. I wish 4/8 restriction was a controller feature as it's kind of relevant-ish to good gaming.

sudo /opt/retropie/supplementary/xboxdrv/bin/xboxdrv \
	--evdev /dev/input/by-id/[usb-©Microsoft_Xbox_360_Wireless_Receiver_for_Windows_E0C26450-event-joystick] \
	--silent \
	--detach-kernel-driver \
	--force-feedback \
	--deadzone-trigger 15% \
	--deadzone 4000 \
	--calibration X=-32767:0:32767,Y=-32767:0:32767 \
	--calibration RX=-32767:0:32767,RY=-32767:0:32767 \
	--calibration HAT0Y=-32767:0:32767,HAT0X=-32767:0:32767 \
	--trigger-as-button \
	--mimic-xpad \
	--evdev-absmap ABS_[X]=x1,ABS_[Y]=y1,ABS_[RX]=x2,ABS_[RY]=y2,ABS_[•]=lt,ABS_[•]=rt,ABS_[HAT0Y]=dpad_x,ABS_[HAT0X]=dpad_y \
	--evdev-keymap BTN_[SOUTH]=a,BTN_[EAST]=b,BTN_[NORTH]=x,BTN_[WEST]=y,BTN_[TL]=lb,BTN_[TR]=rb,BTN_[TL2]=tl,BTN_[TR2]=tr,BTN_[MODE]=guide,BTN_[SELECT]=back,BTN_[START]=start \
	&

[Riverstorm]

Also something odd is it seems the X/Y axis is "inverted" on the d-pad vs. the left/right stick on a 360 controller using evtest /dev/input/event[event1] so in the script above I have HAT0Y as X and HAT0X as Y.

[mediamogul]

@Riverstorm

Good 4-way games are lost to simple mistakes of not hitting that ladder squarely in Donkey Kong, etc. using controllers.

I hear you. Correcting that issue is probably my favorite use of all this stuff.

Do I use the output from evtest /dev/input/event[event1] and add it 3 times as shown below?

Seeing as how you have two different models, I'd at least confirm that they're all identifying the same way. When mapped, xboxdrv will delineate them from the --evdev location you enter. I assume that there are four unique entries at /dev/input/by-id/?

Also with a 360 controller I didn't get output for rt/lt or at least I assigned them to buttons TL2 & TR2 as they aren't an axis?

Based on your listing, they appear to be buttons, as BTN_ denotes buttons and ABS_ denotes an axis.

Lastly should I use the option to make the triggers into buttons on a 360 controller. I added the option below.

That's what I do and mine are definitely buttons already. If I'm remembering correctly, it adds a bit of flexibility for using them as hotkeys if need be.

Lastly, lastly do I need to use the rename parameter for each controller as I have 4 but they are all the same.

I would, yes. It helps certain software delineate the controllers and it really helps visually when you're trying to identify them yourself.

Also something odd is it seems the X/Y axis is "inverted" on the d-pad vs. the left/right stick

This seems to be normal behavior with all controllers for some reason. Our approaches may differ, but below, you'll see I used --axismap -Y1=Y1,-Y2=Y2 to correct the issue on mine. The example is a base command I use for 4-way restriction with no other fancy additions, so it should also answer your question about the restriction method itself. All that ever needs to be added to any command is --four-way-restrictor to make it happen. However, you can also restrict the DPad with --modifier dpad-restrictor=fourway. It's arguably unnecessary due to most DPads being restricted by design, but I usually add it anyway for good measure.

Below that I'll post a listing of all the arcade ROMs that I currently 4-way restrict. Over time, I've actually started doing this for similar games on most older console platforms as well. It really pays off more often than you'd think.

sudo /opt/retropie/supplementary/xboxdrv/bin/xboxdrv \
  --evdev /dev/input/by-path/platform-3f980000.usb-usb-0:1.2.1:1.0-event-joystick \
  --detach-kernel-driver \
  --force-feedback \
  --trigger-as-button \
  --deadzone-trigger 15% \
  --deadzone 4000 \
  --device-name "Logitech Rumblepad 2 (xboxdrv)" \
  --silent \
  --axis-sensitivity X1=-0.00,Y1=-0.00,X2=-0.00,Y2=-0.00 \
  --four-way-restrictor \
  --modifier dpad-restrictor=fourway \
  --axismap -Y1=Y1,-Y2=Y2 \
  --evdev-absmap ABS_X=x1,ABS_Y=y1,ABS_Z=x2,ABS_RZ=y2,ABS_HAT0X=dpad_x,ABS_HAT0Y=dpad_y \
  --evdev-keymap BTN_THUMB2=a,BTN_THUMB=b,BTN_TOP=x,BTN_TRIGGER=y,BTN_BASE3=back,BTN_BASE4=start,BTN_TOP2=lb,BTN_PINKIE=rb,BTN_BASE5=tl,BTN_BASE6=tr,BTN_BASE=lt,BTN_BASE2=rt \
  --ui-buttonmap guide=void \
  &

ncv2.zip
mspacmnf.zip
alibaba.zip
amidar.zip
armwrest.zip
astinvad.zip
atetris.zip
anteater.zip
armorcar.zip
astrob.zip
astrof.zip
bagman.zip
ballbomb.zip
barrier.zip
blkhole.zip
blasto.zip
blockade.zip
btime.zip
carjmbre.zip
carnival.zip
cavelon.zip
chameleo.zip
checkman.zip
chinhero.zip
circusc.zip
ckong.zip
commando.zip
dazzler.zip
devilfsh.zip
digdug.zip
digdug2.zip
digger.zip
disco.zip
dkong.zip
dkong3.zip
dkongjr.zip
docastle.zip
dommy.zip
dorodon.zip
frogger.zip
galaga.zip
galaxian.zip
galxwars.zip
guzzler.zip
invrvnge.zip
invinco.zip
jjack.zip
joust2.zip
jrpacman.zip
jumpcoas.zip
jungler.zip
kchamp.zip
kchampvs.zip
kicker.zip
kingball.zip
ladybug.zip
lasso.zip
levers.zip
lnc.zip
locomotn.zip
logger.zip
lrescue.zip
lupin3.zip
mappy.zip
marvins.zip
mikie.zip
mmonkey.zip
monsterb.zip
moonal2.zip
moonqsr.zip
mrdo.zip
mrflea.zip
mrjong.zip
mrtnt.zip
mspacman.zip
mystston.zip
naughtyb.zip
netwars.zip
olibochu.zip
ozmawars.zip
pacnpal.zip
pacplus.zip
pengo.zip
perestro.zip
pickin.zip
pignewt.zip
pisces.zip
pleiads.zip
pooyan.zip
popflame.zip
puckman.zip
pacman.zip
pulsar.zip
qix.zip
radarscp.zip
retofinv.zip
rocnrope.zip
route16.zip
samurai.zip
tsamurai.zip
scregg.zip
sindbadm.zip
solarfox.zip
sonofphx.zip
invadpt2.zip
panic.zip
shollow.zip
spclaser.zip
streakng.zip
sbagman.zip
superpac.zip
superqix.zip
ssi.zip
swat.zip
tactcian.zip
tankbatt.zip
taxidrvr.zip
elecyoyo.zip
theend.zip
timelimt.zip
tomahawk.zip
todruaga.zip
tranqgun.zip
triplep.zip
tutankhm.zip
vanvan.zip
volfied.zip
vsgongf.zip
wiping.zip
warpwarp.zip
zigzag.zip
zzyzzyxx.zip
alphaho.zip
pacnchmp.zip
comotion.zip
copsnrob.zip
cosmicg.zip
cosmos.zip
crash.zip
crush.zip
redufo.zip
diamond.zip
dorunrun.zip
dominos.zip
drmicro.zip
drgnbstr.zip
dremshpr.zip
elvactr.zip
eyes.zip
firetrap.zip
40love.zip
galpanic.zip
gundealr.zip
hardhat.zip
headon.zip
headon2.zip
heiankyo.zip
hexa.zip
hustle.zip
intrepid.zip
ironhors.zip
karianx.zip
kungfum.zip
lvgirl94.zip
logicpro.zip
logicpr2.zip
msjiken.zip
kikcubic.zip
mineswpr.zip
mtrap.zip
dowild.zip
mrgoemon.zip
natodef.zip
rallyx.zip
nrallyx.zip
pepper2.zip
pettanp.zip
popeye.zip
punchout.zip
raiders5.zip
rampage.zip
reikaids.zip
robby.zip
rthunder.zip
sidetrac.zip
schaser.zip
spaceinv.zip
spacezap.zip
spectar.zip
springer.zip
stratvox.zip
sia2650.zip
spnchout.zip
tapper.zip
rbtapper.zip
targ.zip
telmahjn.zip
theglob.zip
thief.zip
timber.zip
toypop.zip
wwjgtin.zip
wndrmomo.zip
yamyam.zip
zerozone.zip
zookeep.zip
pairs.zip
higemaru.zip
elecyoy2.zip

[mediamogul]

@riverstorm

Ah, I almost forgot to give an example of how you would handle this ROM-specifically from the runcommand-onstart. There are quite a few ways actually, but this is probably the easiest to illustrate and it uses the xboxdrv launch command I posted above. You'll notice I only used three games, but you can add as many as you want accordingly.

ROMNAME="${3##*/}"
if [ "$ROMNAME" = "pacman.zip" ] || [ "$ROMNAME" = "mspacman.zip" ] || [ "$ROMNAME" = "jrpacman.zip" ] && [ "$2" = "advmame" ]; then
  sudo /opt/retropie/supplementary/xboxdrv/bin/xboxdrv \
    --evdev /dev/input/by-path/platform-3f980000.usb-usb-0:1.2.1:1.0-event-joystick \
    --detach-kernel-driver \
    --force-feedback \
    --trigger-as-button \
    --deadzone-trigger 15% \
    --deadzone 4000 \
    --device-name "Logitech Rumblepad 2 (xboxdrv)" \
    --silent \
    --axis-sensitivity X1=-0.00,Y1=-0.00,X2=-0.00,Y2=-0.00 \
    --four-way-restrictor \
    --modifier dpad-restrictor=fourway \
    --axismap -Y1=Y1,-Y2=Y2 \
    --evdev-absmap ABS_X=x1,ABS_Y=y1,ABS_Z=x2,ABS_RZ=y2,ABS_HAT0X=dpad_x,ABS_HAT0Y=dpad_y \
    --evdev-keymap BTN_THUMB2=a,BTN_THUMB=b,BTN_TOP=x,BTN_TRIGGER=y,BTN_BASE3=back,BTN_BASE4=start,BTN_TOP2=lb,BTN_PINKIE=rb,BTN_BASE5=tl,BTN_BASE6=tr,BTN_BASE=lt,BTN_BASE2=rt \
    --ui-buttonmap guide=void \
fi &

[Riverstorm]

@mediamogul - Thank you for the help and information. I am going to give it a shot and will let you know how it turns out. I have a few more questions but you've given me plenty here to get started, thank you good sir and have a great weekend.

On a side note, are from the Carolina's? I have no idea why I keep thinking you are from that area and I was thinking of you during the weekend of that devastating hurricane. If I remember you were doing yard work in like April with some nice weather and we got hammered here for one of the biggest snows on record that month. I almost posted a pic for you to check it out. ;)

[Riverstorm]

@mediamogul - Just to clarify one thing below. I've been following your guide and in the example you'll see tl and tr in the keymap line shown below from the guide examples but on the controller mapping diagram it shows as lt and rt is that a typo in the line?

--evdev-absmap ABS_[X]=x1,ABS_[Y]=y1,ABS_[RX]=x2,ABS_[RY]=y2,ABS_[•]=lt,ABS_[•]=rt,ABS_[HAT0Y]=dpad_x,ABS_[HAT0X]=dpad_y \
--evdev-keymap BTN_[SOUTH]=a,BTN_[EAST]=b,BTN_[NORTH]=x,BTN_[WEST]=y,BTN_[TL]=lb,BTN_[TR]=rb,BTN_[TL2]=tl,BTN_[TR2]=tr,BTN_[MODE]=guide,BTN_[SELECT]=back,BTN_[START]=start \

Also since my triggers register as buttons do I just delete these two entries from absmap line and only use the keymap entries ?

ABS_[•]=lt,ABS_[•]=rt

[mediamogul]

@riverstorm said in Guide: Advanced Controller Mappings:

On a side note, are from the Carolina's? I have no idea why I keep thinking you are from that area and I was thinking of you during the weekend of that devastating hurricane.

I am indeed sir. Born and bred in the briar patch of beautiful South Carolina. We got really lucky in my area. Of course, I'll still be spending most of the weekend and probably next on cleanup. However, no trees came down, which is always a good thing.

I almost posted a pic for you to check it out.

Hey, never hesitate. I love seeing that stuff. Nature, with all of its crazy ups and downs, is the main reason I enjoy living here so much.

I've been following your guide and in the example you'll see tl and tr in the keymap line shown below from the guide examples but on the controller mapping diagram it shows as lt and rt is that a typo in the line?

Actually, they're a separate entry. The 'tl/tr' listings are the xboxdrv equivalent to what's more commonly referred to as 'l3/r3', which are the buttons activated by pressing down the two thumbsticks.

Also since my triggers register as buttons do I just delete these two entries from absmap line and only use the keymap entries ?

I believe you would, yes.

[Riverstorm]

@mediamogul said in Guide: Advanced Controller Mappings:

I am indeed sir. Born and bred in the briar patch of beautiful South Carolina. We got really lucky in my area. Of course, I'll still be spending most of the weekend and probably next on cleanup. However, no trees came down, which is always a good thing.

In the briar patch eh, love it! ;) That's great to hear! Mother nature can be a nasty girl for sure. I'll be spending about half my weekend outdoors too just "winterizing". It's getting pretty cold at night. I think the 30s this evening (frost advisories) and 50s during the days.

I replaced the soffit and fascia on the shed that needs painting, replace an outdoor water faucet, seal my garage floor (the chemicals on the streets they use to melt snow eats concrete pretty good), drain hoses, pack-up summer deck chairs, tables, umbrella, bikes, etc.

You can delete this pic as not to to go off topic with pics of snow and controllers but here's a pic of what's happening on the west side of the state, here, today. Way to early for this stuff but the good is we won't see it here on the east side of the state, today at least but it's coming soon. ;)

I'll get you a pic of that storm this past spring. It was pretty neat to see it that deep so late in the season, my youngest daughter had a ball in it!

[mediamogul]

@riverstorm said in Guide: Advanced Controller Mappings:

here's a pic of what's happening on the west side of the state, here, today.

Wow, that was yesterday? With enough distance you can't help but see it as a work of art, but I'm sure you guys feel a fair amount dread along with it. Exactly where do you hail from again?

[Riverstorm]

@mediamogul said in Guide: Advanced Controller Mappings:

Exactly where do you hail from again?

Yeah that was this past weekend even though it's a bit early for snow. To be honest I actually love the snow and cold. It's the cold and wind combined that I don't care for so much.

I am in South Dakota. So we here can appreciate that north/south distinction like you but some just don't care and lump as one in their mind. ;)

The Missouri river divides the state almost down the middle and that's where the time zone changes from Mountain to Central. People in Mountain time are referred to as West River and those in Central are East River. West has the scenic Black Hills, Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Sylvan Lake (it was in the movie National Treasure but it's not behind Mt. Rushmore). The area is surprisingly great for really decompressing and taking all that scenic nature in if you can break yourself away from the tech you remember how nice it can really be outdoors. The East is much flatter more about agriculture and livestock. It's more metropolitan but still good hunting, camping, fishing, etc.

I love camping and fishing but not so much hunting but we will drive out in the country to shoot guns at whatever. Hunting is huge here and brings in a lot of tourists in the fall. Our population density is real low so if you like wide open spaces or a quiet acreage you got it within 10 minutes in any direction. We did make the top 5 places to live this year but the one demographic that is highly held as negative is the weather, people just don't like snow and cold. They just need to get in touch with their inner child and build a snowman again! ;)