Keyboard being a joystick

CLXIV · 26 January 2022, 23:18

Hello Amigans!

I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a utility that converts keyboard signals to joystick signals to allow the arrow keys plus some other key to trick games into thinking those are signals coming from the joystick?

I don't know if such a thing exists but figured it probably does! Any guidance would be appreciated.

Korodny · 27 January 2022, 19:35

On real hardware, that's pretty much impossible, since most games completely take over the system. Your "utility" simply wouldn't survive the startup process of the game.

CLXIV · 27 January 2022, 21:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by Korodny

On real hardware, that's pretty much impossible, since most games completely take over the system. Your "utility" simply wouldn't survive the startup process of the game.

That's disappointing. I have no experience with Amiga utilities so wasn't sure how they'd run but had hoped for an ADF you'd boot like a game that then throws you back to the disk hand screen with the utility in memory and then you load the game.

Worth asking anyway :-)

Retro1234 · 27 January 2022, 22:14

What game is it?

CLXIV · 27 January 2022, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retro1234

What game is it?

Nothing specific. Just anything that lacks keyboard controls (e.g. Ruff N Tumble, James Pond 2, Assassin etc).

Retro1234 · 27 January 2022, 22:42

Sorry I read that wrong - I thought you wanted it the other way around.

Jope · 28 January 2022, 10:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by CLXIV

That's disappointing. I have no experience with Amiga utilities so wasn't sure how they'd run but had hoped for an ADF you'd boot like a game that then throws you back to the disk hand screen with the utility in memory and then you load the game.

Worth asking anyway :-)

If the games were OS friendly, then this would be possible. :-)

CLXIV · 28 January 2022, 12:25

Well thanks anyway guys!

I have a couple of Mega Drive pads so could plug in one of those instead of the joystick (not as good as keyboard but I guess it's the next best thing).

I understand that involves a slight risk of frying a CIA though if I don't use an adapter? Am I correct in thinking the CIA chips are identical and it's just the socket they're plugged into that determines what functions they provide?

So in a fully working system you could swap them with no effect? Just because I have a spare board, so if I did break a CIA then I have either one or two spares from the spare board. Course I'd rather not fry any chips to begin with but good to have a backup plan.

Jope · 28 January 2022, 12:36

The current understanding is that mega drive pads will not kill the Amiga.

CLXIV · 28 January 2022, 14:25

Nice! I know that's always been a controversial one so glad the truth is what we wanted it to be :-)

Thanks all for the helpful advice.

26 January 2022, 23:18	#1
CLXIV Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Eastbourne Posts: 157	Keyboard being a joystick Hello Amigans! I was wondering if anyone could direct me to a utility that converts keyboard signals to joystick signals to allow the arrow keys plus some other key to trick games into thinking those are signals coming from the joystick? I don't know if such a thing exists but figured it probably does! Any guidance would be appreciated.

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27 January 2022, 19:35	#2
Korodny Zone Friend Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Germany Posts: 812	On real hardware, that's pretty much impossible, since most games completely take over the system. Your "utility" simply wouldn't survive the startup process of the game.

27 January 2022, 22:14	#4
Retro1234 Phone Homer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: 5150 Posts: 5,773	What game is it?

27 January 2022, 22:42	#6
Retro1234 Phone Homer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: 5150 Posts: 5,773	Sorry I read that wrong - I thought you wanted it the other way around.

28 January 2022, 12:25	#8
CLXIV Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Eastbourne Posts: 157	Well thanks anyway guys! I have a couple of Mega Drive pads so could plug in one of those instead of the joystick (not as good as keyboard but I guess it's the next best thing). I understand that involves a slight risk of frying a CIA though if I don't use an adapter? Am I correct in thinking the CIA chips are identical and it's just the socket they're plugged into that determines what functions they provide? So in a fully working system you could swap them with no effect? Just because I have a spare board, so if I did break a CIA then I have either one or two spares from the spare board. Course I'd rather not fry any chips to begin with but good to have a backup plan.

28 January 2022, 12:36	#9
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,861	The current understanding is that mega drive pads will not kill the Amiga.

28 January 2022, 14:25	#10
CLXIV Registered User Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Eastbourne Posts: 157	Nice! I know that's always been a controversial one so glad the truth is what we wanted it to be :-) Thanks all for the helpful advice.

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