Topic: Help needed with computer thing

Ok so I am currently developing the most ambitious game I have ever attempted via Game Maker. I wanna eventually get it all developed on XNA and get it on XBLA Indie games. So anyway, the problem is, for this testing period I just use the keyboard for controls. However, there are some functions of the game that simply don't work well on keyboard and NEED 360 controller control to work properly. So to anyone that knows about stuff like this, is there some cord, or program, or something that will enable me to connect my 360 controller to PC? Along with this, can I very simply tell this program something like "A button on 360 pad=space bar on keyboard?" I'm not an expert on things like this and want the simplest set up possible. Can anyone help me??

http://www.microsoft.com/nz/digitallife/gaming/how_to_connect...

it involves dowloading a driver and plugging the controller in

@TBD: Thanks a bunch! That sounds very close to what I'm looking for. I just have one question that you may or may not be able to answer: I have a USB cord that charges the controller and also connects it to the 360 instantly. Will I be able to get away with plugging it into my PC USB port and use it that way or will this destroy the controller because of the cord's charge functionality?

@bboy - that cord is actually the one they expect you to use for said function. You're good to go

@bboy: from the page i just linked you to:

After you install the Xbox 360 Controller for Windows software, connect the controller to a powered USB 2.0 port on the computer.

:3

Nope. That cord only does power. The only way to connect is with either the Wireless adapter or with a wired controller. I've tried.

Well Idk who is right about the use of this cord but I'm gonna go ahead and try it out anyway. Thanks for the help everyone!

Sorry everyone, I'm still not quite there I have the controller all connected to the computer (The player 1 indicator is lit) but I can't figure out the second part of my original post. Is there someplace to literally tell the computer to use the controller's various buttons as certain buttons on the keyboard? Sorry for my total cluelessness...

@bboy: i use xpadder, you can get it for free here.

It's a shame that most newer PC games only support the 360 pad as a controller option and not other gamepads

@TBD: That looks perfect! unfortunately it won't work on this PC as it is running Windows 7. I'll just have to wait until I'm near my mom's XP computer. Thanks again for the help TBD! :3

really? it won't work under 7? it works fine on vista, lol.

anyway, good luck with your game :3

Its a shame Microsoft never made the drivers for the charge and play kit for windows to allow it to be used as a controller through that cable. From what I've read it should have been possible.

The charge and play kit sends data to show it is connected and the controller stays in wireless mode for it's controls. That forces us to uses either the wireless controller adapter or a wired controller.

http://forums.xbox-scene.com/lofiversion/index.php/t484207.html
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/906206

EDIT:
To use a wireless controller you need the Microsoft Xbox 360 Wireless Receiver.

http://www.microsoft.com/games/en-US/Hardware/Controllers/Pag...

Oh wow....you were right. This cord isn't gonna get me anywhere. The reason I thought it was connected was because....it turned my 360 on and connected to that, not my PC. SO here I am thinking everything is peachy and then I accidentally tell the 360 to open the disc tray and realize what happened. I feel so stupid lol. Anyway, I guess I have to go get proper hardware now. sigh....

@TBD: Great news! I successfully got my PS3 controller all hooked in to my PC. I even got a version of Xpadder that is working on my computer! I'm just having one little problem......How do I make it so that Xpadder actually affects my computer. For example, how do I make it so Xpadder is able to make my computer think I'm pressing up on the keyboard when I'm actually pressing up on the PS3 pad?

NAver mind I got it! I'm so happy I didn't have to spend any money on a worthless gamepad!

Why would you want to do that? Why not, in Game Maker, just ask it to detect gamepad press up?

Blah blah blah ignore that.

I use JoytoKey for my USB controller needs. And by USB controller I mean my PS3 controller. I love that thing

@zez: ha, thanks for reminding me! i used to use JoytoKey way back myself, but this time around when i needed a controller for Steam i had forgotten what i'd used before and wound up with xpadder. both work great IMO :3