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[Redhades]

I just got me a new HD tv, and it has a PC video input.
So I tried hooking it up with my laptop and running DF on it.
It looks pretty cool, except that the 16x16 tileset is a bit hard to see from couch distance.
I had to setup my video so that the primary screen display is the HD tv, because DF was giving fullscreen mode errors otherwise. So my laptop screen is the secondary one.
I setup the "ini.txt" to a fullscreen resolution of 1360 x 768, which is the maximum that my video card and tv allow, and set the grid size to 85 x 48.

I was wondering if I could make a bigger tileset, but considering DF's minimum of 80 in X and my maximum resolution, I calculated that the tile could only 17 of width, which isn't much of an improvement. I could do something like a 17x24 tileset, but I think I would get annoyed by the stretched-out display.

Now I'm thinking of making a little app that would make it possible to play DF using an USB game controller, which would be perfect for playing while relaxing on the couch.
It would probably be something that sends virtual keybord inputs to the laptop. I could make it so I can select keys from a sort of wheel controlled by the analog thumbstick, and make it so that it adapts the key selection according to what menu is active in DF. I'm still not sure how to synch the system with DF that way. Maybe by loading the "interface.txt" and generate the menu structure out of it.

Let me know if you have ideas or suggestions about that game controller thing.

[Labs]

I have to say, that's pretty damn cool.

[LegoLord]

Dang.  That's just . . . no words can describe just how awesome that is (except the pharse: "No words can describe" . . .).

[Skorpion]

Why not just get a wireless keyboard, instead of trying to map all the keys to buttons?

[Warlord255]

Why not just get a wireless keyboard, instead of trying to map all the keys to buttons?

Wireless keyboard is your best bet, amigo.

Get us some pics once you get the fortress running on that monster monitor.

[Redhades]

I do have a wireless keyboard. But it's so damn cumbersome, not much less then holding the laptop itself. It just can't compare to the lightness and comfort of game controller.
I'm using it with the PC in my room now, and if I use it in the living room, then I don't have any to replace it with.
Plus the wireless receiver is a bitch to unplug from behind my desk. I wouldn't want to keep plugging/unplugging it all the time whenever I alternate from my laptop in the living room and the PC in my room.

Also, I was looking some project to apply my programing skills. Doing a game controller app for DF seems to me like a proper challenge, and fun thing to share with other DF players. 

My HD tv is not much of a monster really. It's just a 26 inch Bravia from Sony.

[Shaostoul]

I was contemplating purchasing a 52 in, thought that'd be amazing to play DF on.

As for control aspects... the hot keys would disappear. You'd be stuck scrolling every where to select something, you could still have a shift button, but hot keying buildings wouldn't be possibly on a controller form.

Enter, Shift, Space, Esc, A key for going down Z levels and up. I at least never see my self using more...

Wait you can't scroll the main menu... You might be stuck with a keyboard...

Maybe like a scroller thing on the "joystick" could make that possible. Where it'd have a-z on it and a button to activate that button, that's about as compact as your getting. A small wireless keyboard is your best bet, I prefer wired...

Anywho, best of luck with it all dude.

[Jurph]

Head to Home Depot and buy a few hundred small water valves and switches.  Connect a beer keg (by the couch) to a pressure manifold, and then run the plastic tubing over to your wireless keyboard.  Now move the valves around until they're in the shape of a game controller covered in switches.  For example, you'll want a single switch that runs the up arrow and the minus key and the slash key, with a solenoid-powered "shifter" that reads the memory to detect which menu is up.  Once you've got this complex but straightforward arrangement built, you're ready to go.

Pump up the keg to full power, release some beer into the system, and then use the valve-and-switch system as a controller.  Vented (run-off) beer should be captured in a large pilsener glass and consumed, as re-insertion into the keg is impractical and will slow down gameplay.

[LegoLord]

Red, I think you may have thought of the perfect way to convert any PC game into a console game.

[Zironic]

And any liver into a Cirrhosised hulk of scar tissue.

[Sourlout]

I have actually stumbled upon a joystick to keyboard program. It works by running in the background and replacing the joystick input with keyboard commands.  It also has macros, repeating key strokes, etc.  I just gotta search for it now...  Ah-ha, it is called JoytoKey!  http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm

Now, if you actually want to program it yourself, you can disregard the above. and then, good luck.

[GenericOverusedName]

Head to Home Depot and buy a few hundred small water valves and switches.  Connect a beer keg (by the couch) to a pressure manifold, and then run the plastic tubing over to your wireless keyboard.  Now move the valves around until they're in the shape of a game controller covered in switches.  For example, you'll want a single switch that runs the up arrow and the minus key and the slash key, with a solenoid-powered "shifter" that reads the memory to detect which menu is up.  Once you've got this complex but straightforward arrangement built, you're ready to go.

Pump up the keg to full power, release some beer into the system, and then use the valve-and-switch system as a controller.  Vented (run-off) beer should be captured in a large pilsener glass and consumed, as re-insertion into the keg is impractical and will slow down gameplay.

This is appropriately dwarven. I approve.

[Magnnus]

Head to Home Depot and buy a few hundred small water valves and switches.  Connect a beer keg (by the couch) to a pressure manifold, and then run the plastic tubing over to your wireless keyboard.  Now move the valves around until they're in the shape of a game controller covered in switches.  For example, you'll want a single switch that runs the up arrow and the minus key and the slash key, with a solenoid-powered "shifter" that reads the memory to detect which menu is up.  Once you've got this complex but straightforward arrangement built, you're ready to go.

Pump up the keg to full power, release some beer into the system, and then use the valve-and-switch system as a controller.  Vented (run-off) beer should be captured in a large pilsener glass and consumed, as re-insertion into the keg is impractical and will slow down gameplay.

This is appropriately dwarven. I approve.

Beer powered DF is the purest form of DF.

[Zaranthan]

We have discovered the true dwarven way. Time to close the forums.

[Redhades]

Ah-ha, it is called JoytoKey!  http://www.electracode.com/4/joy2key/JoyToKey%20English%20Version.htm

Oh sweet. I'll try this out for kicks.