Request for advice: making a virtual gamepad for the ps2

joshware · Post by **joshware** » Sat Jan 07, 2006 2:49 pm

Greetings -

this is my first post to ps2dev; any advice would be appreciated.

I intend to write a program that runs on my PC that, when the PC is connected to the PS2, functions as a virtual game pad - a gamer will be able to play the game by using the software interface on the PC instead of an the physical gamepad.

Is this feasible? I have several ideas for taking it on, but I have no idea what difficulties I am taking on. I've searched the forum and haven't found any information specific to controlling a PS2 with a PC. From what I have read, it seems the controller is a simple communication device so I think the idea is possible.

Some ideas:
1. Using a USB to PS2 cable that connects the PC to the PS2 gamepad port and performing i/o to send the commands and respond to the PS2?

2. Using a USB to USB cable and performing i/o directly to and from the PS2's USB port?

Any experienced opinions out there?

Thanks in advance,

Josh

JorDy · Post by **JorDy** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 4:22 am

im not at all sure on how to do this but my siggstion would be to use te network adapter instead of usb but that would mean building a host and if you plan on using this for nondev games then it wont work because they will not pick up on what you are sending across the usb

joshware · Post by **joshware** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:08 am

Thanks for the reply; since the ethernet route won't work for nondev games, it won't suit my needs.

Ultimately, I want to use this virtual gamepad software to adapt arbitrary PC peripherals to be controllers for any game (from mice to microphones to graphics tablets)

Might it be as simple as making a cable that connects a COM port to the PS2's controller slot, and simply writing software that writes to and reads from that port? Perhaps the same way that a PSX gamepad can be modified to connect to and control a PC?

Josh

JorDy · Post by **JorDy** » Thu Jan 12, 2006 7:35 am

that would be your best bet to just connect to the controller slot and write to it usb would not work because the game wouldnt be able to interperate the commands and it may not have any usb modules