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Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 7:10 pm
by mrneo240
Hello!
Strange one today but had some ideas and wanted to toss em out and see what people think.
I've been wondering about dual analog input for the every-person and came up with 2 possible control schemes.

EDIT:
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Video showing these off in case they dont make sense:
https://streamable.com/jvv5jp
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Option 1: Controller + Fishing rod.
Controller (Left) contributes LTrigger, Analog, DPAD and start.
Fishing Rod contributes analog stick, 4 buttons acting as DPAD and start
20210630_175936.jpg
Option 2: Controller + Sideways controller.
Fingers go into back vmu slot (keep em clean and washed)
Controller (Left) contributes LTrigger, Analog, DPAD and start.
Controller (Right/Tilted) contributes contributes analog stick and DPAD mirroring the other DPAD (directions will be rotated 90°), LTrigger acting as start.
20210630_175655.jpg
Video:
https://streamable.com/xjnn0f

Option 3: Controller (Fallback)
Controller contributes LTrigger, Analog, DPAD and start, 4 buttons acting as second analog, Rtrigger.
Dreamcast-controller-dirty.jpg
Option 4: Controller + Light gun.
Controller (Left) contributes LTrigger, Analog, DPAD and start.
Light Gun contributes dpad emulating Analog, two buttons and maybe trigger, the actual lightgun stuff could be ignored.
SSEGDREACGUN01_l.jpg
Option 5: Controller Wonderswan style
Controller held sideways like the Wonderswan. Minimal input, only the left trigger usable "easily" start and others could do really low impact stuff.
20210701_152428.jpg
Do you have any ideas? Thoughts?

Re: Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 7:40 pm
by Cass
Very interesting idea lad. The first two options give real dual analogue input on the DC by using two control ports? That would be incredible to experience in a homebrew FPS port of something like Quake but would probably need a bespoke controller to take advantage of it in a practical way. Is there not also a possible fourth combo? I might have this wrong but from memory I think one of the DC light guns may have an analogue stick - maybe it's just a dpad.

As a compromise the faux dual analogue from the Brook Wingman at £30 pairing with one of my kids old Xbox controller is a great option for me. MDK2 was a great game already but with the Wingman and an Xbox controller it is enhanced further. Maybe not a route for everyone and certainly not authentic but with that combo I'd say it's possibly the most enjoyable game on the system.

Re: Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 8:04 pm
by mrneo240
Cass wrote: Is there not also a possible fourth combo? I might have this wrong but from memory I think one of the DC light guns may have an analogue stick - maybe it's just a dpad.
That is actually precisely where we started, someone suggested lightgun dpad. I didn't add it here as I didn't want to influence anyone but I'm incredibly pleased you also arrived at that thought. I will add that to the post. Thank you for the input!

I've heard of the brookman and I think that's definitely valid.

This would provide true dual analog inputs. But until a single dual analog controller is created, it would require 2 controllers.

Re: Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2021 9:52 pm
by Alexislight
I was thinking of using a third party controller that has analog, dpad, start button, abcxyz and trigger l and trigger r, trigger l and r are analogs, therefore they can be used as arrows, move left or right, etc., and the Y and Z buttons as up or down for example.

i dont know if it is valid...

Re: Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 3:16 am
by runkthepunk
Cool idea. My most wanted unreleased game is the original version of Gun Valkyrie which of course was due to use controller and light gun combination so I like the sound of that. I also like the idea of the fishing rod (although aesthetically it wouldn't look as cool :lol: )

Using a third party light gun if one does have a proper analogue would be cool but limited availability of them would be a concern unless it was a widely available accessory back in the day.

If there was a way to implement the trigger on the gun or movement on the fishing rod (for melee attacks for example) that could really enhance any experience.

I hope you continue with this concept :)

Re: Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 4:34 am
by Ian Micheal
Controller+Fishing rod :) just feels right

Re: Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 2:32 pm
by megavolt85
Something else :lol:
PS3 controller + BlueRetro

Re: Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Thu Jul 01, 2021 3:32 pm
by mrneo240
After some more clarification i think this is the current dc hardware only list:
```
Control types
0 = Single Controller: Left = Analog, Right = DPAD Emulation
1 = Single Controller(Tilted/Wonderswan): Left = DPAD Rotated 90deg, Right = Analog
2 = Dual Controller (Left normal, Right claw grip): Left = Left Controller Analog, Right=Flipped Right Controller Analog
3 = Controller+Fishing: Left = Left Controller Analog, Right=Fishing Rod Analog
4 = Controller+Lightgun: Left = Left Controller Analog, Right=Lightgun DPAD Emulation
```

Video:
https://streamable.com/jvv5jp

Re: Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 2:34 am
by machomanmo
I play a lot of Xeno Crisis on Nintendo Switch and actually prefer to use the Analog stick for movement and the 4 Face Buttons for 8 way direction shooting.
You should also consider that as an option.

Re: Possible Ideas for Dual Analog input for Indie Game

Posted: Tue Jul 13, 2021 9:40 am
by mrneo240
That doesn't provide analog though, it's a definite downgrade