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Mere Mortal Video Game Module — Parallax Forums

Mere Mortal Video Game Module

BeanBean Posts: 8,129
edited 2006-03-09 04:28 in General Discussion
Has anyone made their own joystick / game controller.
I was going to just put four small tact switches in a diamond pattern, but I don't think that would work too well.
This is for a project I'm thinking about making and selling, I thought about just putting a DB9 for the Atari-Type joysticks, but they seem to be hard to find.
If I could find PS2 controller connectors I would use them, but I have not been able to find them either.
Any suggestions ?
·

[noparse][[/noparse]edit]
The project is called the "Mere Mortal Video Game Module" it will allow you to create simple video games very easily (with SX/B of course).
I need to decide if I should use the SX28 or the SX48. The SX28 will allow for a screen of 16Hx11V tiles (8x8). Do you think that is enough ?

Bean.

▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
"SX-Video·Module" Now available from Parallax for only $28.95

http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012

"SX-Video OSD module" Now available from Parallax for only·$49.95
http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30015

Product web site: www.sxvm.com

"Wise men know when they're right. The wisest also·know when they're wrong."


Post Edited (Bean (Hitt Consulting)) : 3/9/2006 2:36:21 PM GMT

Comments

  • Rory StormRory Storm Banned Posts: 16
    edited 2006-03-06 01:47
    How many do you need?

    http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/item/JS-5/search/JOYSTICK_.html

    ·
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2006-03-06 01:48
    Rory,
    Thanks but that is way to expensive. I need something close to $1.
    I know that's asking alot, that's why I was thinking about making my own.
    But I'm not a game player so that's why I'm asking.
    Bean.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "SX-Video·Module" Now available from Parallax for only $28.95

    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012

    "SX-Video OSD module" Now available from Parallax for only·$49.95
    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30015

    Product web site: www.sxvm.com

    "Wise men know when they're right. The wisest also·know when they're wrong."
    ·
  • ForrestForrest Posts: 1,341
    edited 2006-03-06 11:51
    Here's a small joystick for $1.99. I don't think you'll be able to build one that last's as long for less money.
    www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G14071
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2006-03-06 12:31
    Bean,
    I have been meaning to build a device like a joystick, but a bit handier.
    I do understand that this may not be a presentable retail product, but it is an alternative.

    First of all you have your 4 switches in a diamond. These can then all be glued with silcone rubber to a somewhat large steel or brass washer.

    You would have 4 lines of I/O to indicate direction or combinations of direction.

    Additionally, you can include a 5th switch in the center and by using diodes to eliminate backflow, it can be coded the same as all four lines on.· This is similar to the interface on the Palm PDA.

    So you end up with 4 or 8 directions AND an Enter/Fire button.

    Obiviously this would require a bit of coding to support it, but it seems to not be very much and could easily be done in PBasic or SX/B.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "When all think alike, no one is thinking very much.' - Walter Lippmann (1889-1974)

    ······································································ Warm regards,····· G. Herzog [noparse][[/noparse]·黃鶴 ]·in Taiwan

    Post Edited (Kramer) : 3/6/2006 12:34:09 PM GMT
  • KenLemKenLem Posts: 94
    edited 2006-03-06 16:43
    16Hx11V tiles (8x8) is enough but more is always better.

    So what are you thinking? Something like the xgamestation but smaller?

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    www.speechchips.com

    Speech & Video IC's for BasicStamps
  • KenLemKenLem Posts: 94
    edited 2006-03-06 16:44
    You want joysticks, we've got joysticks...

    http://atariace.com/atari/joysticks.php?LID=5933709&gclid=CNqU7dnjyoMCFQgxSAod52A06w

    Too bad they are used.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    www.speechchips.com

    Speech & Video IC's for BasicStamps
  • BamseBamse Posts: 561
    edited 2006-03-06 16:55
    I use Happ Controls for my Game Controllers...

    The ultimate Joystick is really nice and I have used a few of them, works great...
    http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/joysticks_amusement.htm

    I also like their Ultimate Pushbutton, looks and feels great...
    http://www.happcontrols.com/pushbuttons/pushbuttons.htm

    /Bamse
  • steve_bsteve_b Posts: 1,563
    edited 2006-03-06 17:25
    Does it have to be a joystick?
    what about those old nintendo game pads?

    No "anaolog" sticks...just digital buttons.

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    ·

    Steve

    "Inside each and every one of us is our one, true authentic swing. Something we was born with. Something that's ours and ours alone. Something that can't be learned... something that's got to be remembered."
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2006-03-06 23:30
    KenLem,
    Yes, kinda like the xgs, but much simpler to program. Kinda like the old home computers that connected to your TV.
    It is based on the SX-Video module. In fact I will probably use the SX-Video module for the PCB, just connecting the joystick to the 8 expansion pins. The code already has the background sound and interrupt driven video generation.

    You will be able to do something like:

    FOR cnt = 0 to 15
    · PutTile cnt, 5, TILE_MAN
    · PAUSE 50
    · PutTile cnt, 5, TILE_BLANK
    NEXT

    I had found HAPP controls, but their products are too expensive.

    I would consider any production joystick that I could buy the mating connector for.

    Thanks for all the suggestions guys...

    More info here: http://user.pa.net/~bean/MMVGM/

    Bean.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "SX-Video·Module" Now available from Parallax for only $28.95

    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012

    "SX-Video OSD module" Now available from Parallax for only·$49.95
    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30015

    Product web site: www.sxvm.com

    "Wise men know when they're right. The wisest also·know when they're wrong."


    Post Edited (Bean (Hitt Consulting)) : 3/7/2006 12:28:58 PM GMT
  • BeanBean Posts: 8,129
    edited 2006-03-09 04:28
    KenLen & everyone,
    · Here is the first demo of the "Mere Mortal Video Game Module". The games uses about 28% of the available code space.
    · I welcome comments...
    · A video (5.4MB) can be downloaded from here: http://user.pa.net/~bean/MMVGM/

    · Remember this is running on a lowly SX28 @ 20MHz with nothing more than a couple resistors.

    Bean.

    ▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔▔
    "SX-Video·Module" Now available from Parallax for only $28.95

    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30012

    "SX-Video OSD module" Now available from Parallax for only·$49.95
    http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=30015

    Product web site: www.sxvm.com

    "Wise men know when they're right. The wisest also·know when they're wrong."


    Post Edited (Bean (Hitt Consulting)) : 3/9/2006 12:02:31 PM GMT
    SXB
    SXB
    Drive Game.SXB
    7K
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