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Digital Joysticks

956 bytes added, 19:03, 19 December 2010
* [[Amstrad JY-1/JY-2 joysticks]]
For the Amstrad's two-button joysticks. The quality isn't spectacular, so most CPC users tended to use third-party sticks, with only 1-button, but better quality. The JY-2 version contains a connector for a second joystick (equivalent to a built-in Y-cable). == Official CPC+/GX4000, Amstrad seems to have also made Joypads (which == [[Image:Gx4000.jpg|50px|right]]The CPC+ and GX4000 were shipped with one or two digital joypads included. Technically, they work identically same as normal joysticks. But, they have two buttons. And, the GX4000 doesn't have a keyboard which could be used instead of a second fire button. In result, some CPC+/GX4000 games may rely on 2-button hardware, making them incompatible with regular 1-button joysticks).
== Compatible Standard Joysticks ==
[[Image:Joystick Competition PRO 5000 box front.jpg|50px|right]]
All Atari-compatible digital joysticks with ''Single Fire Button and Four Direction switches'' should be usually working with the CPC. For example, classic Competition Pro joysticksor the [[Konix Speedking]].
== Incompatible Standard Joysticks ==
== Y-Cable ==
 
[[Image:CPC Plus Joystick Port.gif|50px|right]]
The original CPC models have only one joystick port, but can be used with 2 joysticks when using a Y-cable:
* [[Joystick Y-cables]]
The CPC+/GX4000 have two digital joystick ports (which work equivalent to the an incompletely implemented Y-cablewith only 8 diodes - there are no diodes in the fire button lines, so fire buttons '''do not work properly''' with two players).
== Is this true? Joystick Related stuff... Sega Controllers... ==
Some modification occured in the "Atari" standardNot problematic most time on a CPC old as ALL oone button joysticks will fit.* [[Digital Joystick Related]]
But may put some difficulties with the PLUS range.== Developing programs that use joystick ==
In the CPC world it is more common that a game supports both digital joystick and keyboard for those users who don't own joysticks.
Amstrad aimed the console market (GX4000) and used There are some kind of politic of "Exclusive Hardware" (like all console manufacturers of the time). common keyboard configurations used:
Not that it was changed compaired to Old * '''Cursor keys & SPACE''' ** This configuration is often used and is great for the CPC6128 and Plus and playing using emulators. ** This is '''not good''' for CPC generation 464 and 664 (yet few CPC games actually supported the 2 button feature, despite availablewhich have uncomfortably arranged cursor keys).
And of course the Atari standard was originally * '''Q,A,O,P,SPACE''' - (Q up, A down, O left, P right, SPACE fire) ** This is a 1 button good solution , and it's a sort of standard (Atari 8 bit 2600 consolesused by many games) but cxould easily . ** Note: On french keyboards it'd be improuved to more buttonsA,Q,O,P - anyways, the "UP" key is always Row8.Bit3, no matter if it's locally called "Q" (english QWERTY keyboard), or "A" (french AZERTY keyboard).
Sega Megadrives managed easily 6-8 button Best would be to support joysticks, plus the above two keyboard mappings. Best to support them all at once (Street Fighter 2 standardwithout needing the user select which one to use). In addition, it is also nice if the keys could be redefined but that is not necessary.
== Relevant locations in Keyboard Matrix ==
The most notable differences with other consoles using the Atari specs is with Sega systems {|{{Prettytable|width: 700px; font-size: 2em;}}|''Direction''||''Joystick 1''||''Joystick 2''||''Cursor,Space''||''Q,A,O,P,Space''|-|Up ||Row9.Bit0 ||Row6.Bit0 (Master System and Megadrive6) as the Atari standard became Sega standard ||Row0.Bit0 ||Row8.Bit3 (most sold console using this standardQ)|-|Down ||Row9.Bit1 ||Row6.Bit1 (5) ||Row0.Bit2 ||Row8.Bit5 (A)|-|Left ||Row9.Bit2 ||Row6.Bit2 (R) ||Row1.Bit0 ||Row4.Bit2 (O)|-|Right ||Row9.Bit3 ||Row6.Bit3 (T) ||Row0.Bit1 ||Row3.Bit3 (P)|-|Fire2 ||Row9.Bit4 ||Row6.Bit4 (G) ||Row5.Bit7 ||Row5.Bit7 (Space)|-|Fire1 (*) ||Row9.Bit5 ||Row6.Bit5 (F) ||(wherever) ||(wherever)|-|}(*) Mind that Fire1 isn't supported on normal 1-button joysticks. When using it, also provide an alternate key on the keyboard.
Yet simple re-cabling can be achieved thanks to get a proper adapter made simply :* a pair of "Atari / 9 pin serial" connectors (one male and one female) * and simply rewire between both as fit.== Other game controller inputs ==
This allows to keep the original configuration of Sega compatible PadsThe CPC+/joysticks GX4000 additionaly have an [[Analog Joysticks|15pin Analog Joystick]] Port, and benefit from the higher quality level from thema [[Connector:Aux socket (CPC Plus only)|6pin Lightgun socket]] (AUX).
A clever move too may be to put such converter as a box with wires easily removable/changeable (not soldered, but inserted thank to proper solutions). (A clever move from Amstrad may have been to use SEGA standards).  This would allows to configure more easily different configurations depending on the Game controllers you may find. *Sega Master system or MegaDrive/Genesis*Mais even be suitable with Sega LightGuns or Atari/Amiga mouses if you == Other hardware that can find a proper Power source and perhaps cables with a bit of electronic composents integrated (diodes, resistors ?).  As a result it may be a problem connected to find proper Joysticks for your PLUS/GX4000 with benefit from 2nd button, as Sega models won't often fit entirely but are often of a better quality/availability. Megadrive paddles use Start button as Amstrad fire1 and Button 1 as Amstrad Button 2. Other noable differences are compaired to Atari ST as the mouse can't fit unless powered.As a result, different Mouse standards appeared on Amstrad, using Joystick CPC joystick port Or Extension port.The same goes with lightphaser solutions. Both could use Joystick port (added power suplly) or Extension port, or even the special LightGun port on Plus range (Is it powered ?). by adding a power derivation on their Joystick port, Amstrad could have standardised it's technology and ease the CPC community. == Joystick Related stuff... Sega Controllers... == * [[Digital Joystick Related]]
== Analog Joysticks ==The CPCs digital joystick port is occasionally also misused to connect other hardware, known examples are:Some Lightguns: ([[Gunstick]], [[Loriciel Phaser (West Phaser)|West Phaser]]).Amstrad's Lightpen ([[Amstrad LP-1 light pen]]).A rather crappy 8bit printer port extension ([[CPCI 8bit Printer Mod]]).And, various mouse interfaces ([[AMX Mouse]], [[Atari-ST mouse adapter]], [[dk'tronics Mouse Interface|Dk'tronics Mouse Interface]], [[CPC-Mousepack 2.0]], [[GEOS mouse|GEOS mouse]]).Plus exotic things like the [[Ambug|Ambug Robot]] and [[Codemasters CD]].
The On the original CPCs, the direction/button inputs can be reprogrammed as outputs (via PSG/PPI config). However, this will NOT work on the CPC+/GX4000 additionaly have an [[Analog Joysticks|Analog Joystick]] Port's dual joystick ports - which include diodes (like normal joystick Y-cables).
[[Category:HardwareInput Device]][[Category:Peripherals]][[Category:Stub]]
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