Crazy thoughts on shifters for driving games


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Posted by Marshall on 21, 2000 at 9:43 AM:

I have a questions regarding shifters in MAME. In Outrun and Hot Chase, MAME uses a two position shifter. Pressing one button activates high gear and pushing the other button activates low gear. This seems consistent as Happ sells a two position return to center shifter which would work for these games.

Some newer driving games use a three or four gear shifter. I don't think these shifters use a return to center, but I don't know if they keep a microswitch depressed continuously, (the game is in neutral unless Gear 1, 2, 3, or 4 microswitch is closed), or if the shifter actuates the switch and then backs away a little, pressing and releasing the switch. If the switch is continually depressed, when these games are emulated in MAME, would MAME require the switch to be held depressed or would MAME use a press and release method similar to OutRun and Hot Chase?

The reason I want to know is I am considering adding a Happs Super Joystick to my steering wheel panel. If it uses momentary switches, I can map the up and down directions to High and Low (which I know will work), and map the diagonals to 1, 2, 3, and 4. It will also allow this to serve as a poor man's Pac-Man control!

Otherwise, I need a way to have the joystick return to center in the primary directions and lock to the diagonals when these are selected, although I could use a switch or lever to change modes. Does anyone know of an easy way to do this?

I don't think springs would work. Maybe a circuit that keeps a diagonal closed until another diagonal is pressed?

Your comments will be appreciated.


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