[Solved] Activate Second Controller

mitu

@Griz952 said in Activate Second Controller:

Only port 1 is populated.

That's normal, because the game supports just one player. For the 1st (and only) player, RetroArch maps the 1st gamepad it detects to it, if you want to change it, open the P1 settings and change the Device Index to the controller you want.
NB: make sure you're 2nd controller is properly mapped in RetroArch, otherwise you won't be able to use the menu or exit the emulator.

Btw, any reason you're using the 4.7.1 version instead of the 4.8 release ?

Griz952

@mitu A couple of concerns...
Have only recently resurrected my RetroPie build, and contemplating moving the hardware to a more permanent (and inclusive) box. Just haven't gotten around to upgrading to 4.8.

How do I bring up the controller menu?
Is switching controllers 1 & 2 a global change? I assume it is temporary unless specifically saved. I really only want the joystick as primary controller for doom. And, perhaps I may just make the switch on each game start up.
As I am uncertain of the joystick button assignments, my thought is (once operational) to experiment with configurations to determine the best joystick button arrangement. Your response would seem to indicate that a proper configuration should be in place prior to switching slots 1 & 2.

mitu

@Griz952 said in Activate Second Controller:

How do I bring up the controller menu?

You just access the Port 1 menu item from the list - Hot Key' + X. Selected 'Quick Menu', 'Controls'. Five ports are listed

Is switching controllers 1 & 2 a global change? I assume it is temporary unless specifically saved. I really only want the joystick as primary controller for doom. And, perhaps I may just make the switch on each game start up.

Yes, it's temporary.

As I am uncertain of the joystick button assignments, my thought is (once operational) to experiment with configurations to determine the best joystick button arrangement. Your response would seem to indicate that a proper configuration should be in place prior to switching slots 1 & 2.

The question is - did you configure joystick #2 with the necessary buttons (and hotkey enable) to be able to perform the same operations that you're doing right now with the other joystick ? I.e. open the menu (hotkey + X) or exit the game (hotkey + start), etc.

Griz952

@mitu OK, back to working through this problem. Since last post, I have...

Upgraded to RetroPie 4.8 (fresh install), and
Successfully configured Freedom 2.4 Joystick buttons.

Now when I run 'Doom 2' -- joystick not functional (anticipated).
I use my primary controller (Logitech Rumblepad) to open ES Settings, navigate to 'Port 1', change input to 'Joystick', and resume game. And, voila, joystick is functional in Doom 2.

Two minor issues remain,

As currently configured, the joystick has directional control using the D-pad, but not the analog joystick. I tried mapping (left) joystick directions and changing 'analog to digital type to 'left analog'. This didn't seem to work. thoughts?
Assuming No. 1 (above) is resolved, how to 'fix' my joystick configuration to the doom port so I don't have to manually select it each time?
Thanks in advance,

mitu

As currently configured, the joystick has directional control using the D-pad, but not the analog joystick. I tried mapping (left) joystick directions and changing 'analog to digital type to 'left analog'. This didn't seem to work. thoughts?

For the analog to digital type to work, you don't need to re-configure the controller - on the contrary, you need to have both D-Pad and Left/Right joysticks configured.

Assuming No. 1 (above) is resolved, how to 'fix' my joystick configuration to the doom port so I don't have to manually select it each time?

Save a core input remap after you change the input configuration - see the docs.

Griz952

@mitu Thanks mitu. I'll be trying this evening.

You mention configuring the D-pad and both right and left joysticks. Note that the Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick is a single joystick configuration. In my brief experience with RetroPie controllers, it is my understanding that one cannot assign multiple functions to a single button. I am anticipating a problem in attempting to assign both right and left analog functions to a single joystick.

Thoughts?

mitu

@Griz952 said in Activate Second Controller:

I am anticipating a problem in attempting to assign both right and left analog functions to a single joystick.

You only need to configure one (left, for instance).

Griz952

@mitu Left is configured but not functional. I only have D-Pad for directional movement.

Griz952

@Griz952 OK, I think I may have resolved this. I went back to the original Logitech Freedom 2.4 Cordless Joystick configuration (at /opt/retropie/configs/all/retroarch/autoconfig) and confirmed each assignment. Turns out two were missing; up and down analog. I edited the Freedom 2.4 config file, adding these two elements.
Then from Doom, entered 'Quick Menu', changed Device Index = Freedom 2.4, and verified the addition of assignments. I also set Analog to Digital Type = left analog (forced). This combination seems to have resolved the 'no joystick' issue.
Performance is not great, but I was more interested in getting the thing functioning. Well this has been educational. Thanks for your assistance.

mitu

@Griz952 said in [Solved] Activate Second Controller:

Performance is not great, ...

You can give lzdoom (standalone Doom port) a try, it has controller support, though you may need a keyboard to set it up. Haven't used it with a controller, but it may have better performance.