MakeCode on Retropie - arcade controls won't respond?

lrigbyDL

Hi, I have just put together a Retropie arcade machine using custom Arcade controls (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WDQWK5M) and running through a Raspberry Pi 3.
I can successfully get NES and SNES games working properly, and after a while I managed to get Microsoft MakeCode installed too - but whenever I open one of the elf. games the controls do not respond at all (not even to quit meaning a manual shutdown/restart each time).
I'm very new at this - but where should I look to fix the controls?
Any help would be appreciated as I'm an absolute beginner!
Thanks

mitu

Check out @Vegz78's MakeArcade installation project - https://github.com/Vegz78/McAirpos - among other features it aims to simplify and streamline the installation of MakeArcade games (including the input configuration).

lrigbyDL

@mitu Thanks, I've managed to install following the instructions but struggling to understand how to find and edit/change EV numbers and control configurations etc.
Very basic stuff probably, I'm just really new to it all!

mitu

If you're using @Vegz78's project, from what I understand it copies the input .cfg files in the /sd folder. You then customize the mapping based on your encoder using evtest.

lrigbyDL

@mitu ! I think I've found it, but I'm not sure which numbers it is?
I tried evtest /dev/input/event1b but nothing occurs.

My other idea was maybe the permissions to the makecode games weren't on? I can't find a way to see if it's on or off though.
Screenshot 2022-12-20 124542.png

mitu

@lrigbyDL said in MakeCode on Retropie - arcade controls won't respond?:

I tried evtest /dev/input/event1b but nothing occurs.

It's number 3 (the Dragonrise... device). Try running:

evtest /dev/input/event3

and press the inputs (buttons/joysticks) to see which numbers they have.

lrigbyDL

@mitu Ok I think I had a successful evtest - it was running really fast but I managed to see value 90001 etc. I managed to get a picture of it:

How do I go about customizing the mapping?
I have found the code (I think?) in the /sd.

mitu

Hm, the 90001 values is from an EV_MSC input, which is a button or joystick input, I don't think it needs to be mapped.
According to this issue, the "EG Starts Arcade" kit should be supported automatically. There's even a .cfg file posted there.

Maybe the launcher is trying to configure your keyboard instead of the controller ? Have you tried starting a MakeArcade game with only the controller kit connected ?

If that doesn't work, you may try open an issue on @Vegz78's repo, I unfortunately have no experience with the MakeArcade setup - I just know they've been working to make this work as seamless as possible in RetroPie and other gaming oriented projects (Recalbox and Batocera).