Support for iCade announced at CES about imame4all HOT 82 OPEN

Sorry -- meant to submit as enhancement.

iCade support would be amazing. I have just ordered the iCade, and being able 
to use it with mame games would make it way more useful than just the handful 
interesting Atari games currently supported...

Agree with this support. would love to see icade support

Please support icade.  Just got one... Need support... +1

Just got my iCade too - Would LOVE to see support

Did some leg work with my icade.  Keyboard codes as follows, letter 1 is 
keypress, letter 2 is key release.
Up=we, Down=xz, Left=aq, Right=dc, Button1=yt, Button2=uf, Button3=im, 
Button4=og, Button5=hr, Button6=jn, Button7=kp, Button8=lv
https://twitter.com/#!/thatdecade/status/73101462904909824

Please add support, would be awesome..

[deleted comment]

imame4all on the iCade: an entirely new dimension -- and, quite honestly, the 
main reason I bought the iCade and, ahem, the iPad in the first place. Is there 
anything, one can do to support the development effort? I guess "thatdecade" 
already mapped the controls ...

I put my iCade together yesterday and would love to use it with iMame4all. 

In an attempt to do more than just ask  for support, I downloaded the source 
and took a gander at src/input.cpp and src/input.h. Unfortunately a way to add 
iCade support didn't immediately come to mind --but then again I'm not much of 
a developer.

So add me to the list of folk that are hoping someone who knows what they're 
doing can poke around in there and add support for the iCade.

I would love to see this as an added feature!

The iCade SDK is now available ... 
https://twitter.com/#!/ionaudio/status/84358112819154946 -- Not sure if that is 
too helpful though.

I would love to see iCade support as well. Can you let us know if this is being 
considered for the next release? I'm probably going to hack a wii controller 
into it if not...  

Anyone out there ever compile this beast? I've only compiled iPhone apps before 
using XCode, but this looks very different, and I'm not sure how to set up a 
build environment for it or where to find documentation that'd set me on the 
right path. The makefile starts with lines like:

/home/david/Projects/iphone/toolchain/sdks/iPhoneOS2.0.sdk

The reason I ask is that, being the impatient sort, and wanting to help if I 
can, I figured I'd attempt to hack support in there for the iCade. Given my 
skill level it wouldn't be quality code, but I can't imagine it could be that 
difficult to get some simple iCade support in there, maybe by modifying 
whatever loop looks at keyboard input to know that iCade keys are considered to 
be pressed until the key's "release" key is struck.

I have added iCade support to this app, yes I needed to change the makefile to 
remove all the hardcoded stuff.

you can find a build, and the source changes here
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/64469/imame4all-iCade.zip

Way too Cool!!!! Downloaded it, SSH'd it to the folder and viola - Things are 
AWESOME! Thank you so much!

Tried to SSH,no dice:( Could you detail a little more as to the location,and 
what folders go where?Im pretty adept,but this one has me stumped!! Thanx for 
any suggestions!

An official  deb will be released soon

Thanks so much!!! I'm going to download and install it tonight. I can't wait to 
play some donkey kong! :)

Awesome!cant wait!

[deleted comment]

works like a charm !!!Yee haa!!

I just testet it - It DOES NOT work. iMame4all is closing instantly afer 
starting it. The prevous stable version was working like a charm

Hope this helps anyone having problems installing.......I had the same issue 
with iMame4all closing instantly but then realised I'd forgotten to set 
permissions to 777.  I re-copied the files across using winscp with 777 
permision and it now works perfectly!!  The directory on the ipad is "root" 
/Applications/iMAME4all.app/ and you will be asked if you wish to overwrite 
existing files.....click yes.  Then reboot the ipad, pair the iCade as a 
bluetooth device and iMame4all should just see it (there is no need to go into 
the wiiMote option).  Enjoy!!!

So,heres what I found:When playing scrolling games,whether it be 
horizontal(Defender)or Vertical(commando,galaga,etc)Game gets real choppy as 
you start to advance through the game.Now after much tweaking and trial and 
error,I have come to the conclusion this only happens when using the iCade.If I 
use on-screen controls,no problem.And games like Pacman and Donkey kong work 
fine.It dosent seem to be bluetooth lag,so Im hard pressed to wonder why this 
is happening,and has anybosdy else expierienced this happening?Very strange 
indeed...

If finally I recive an icade to test it from iON... I will improve the support. 
Meantime I can't figure the problems...as I tested with an apple keyboard. Feel 
free to email ION to support me. 

I've found the same.  If I pause the game by going into options and then return 
to the game it is back to full speed without the stuttering (for a few minutes 
at least!!)

I've emailed ION to see if they will send you an iCade.  Thanks for all the 
hard work! 1941 Rocks.

By no means am I complaining about lack of support,just figured beta test, and 
keeping everybody aware of bugs or glitches,all in all, the icade works pretty 
F'n great.Im pretty pleased with it so far,and after the Atari App(joke)its 
awesome to be able to play even over half these games with no problems!Becasuse 
its always been MAME baby!!

I'd be happy to contribute towards a fund to get you an iCade so it can 
officially be supported.  Let me know if there is a paypal fund or something I 
can send you some money if ION won't send you one.

Count me in on Mullerj's Paypal idea.  I'm more than happy to support this 
project.

Im in..

There is a paypal link to support me on my other project. 

http://code.google.com/p/xpectrum/

Done.  Thanks for everything you've done so far on this project.  It is much 
appreciated.  

After testing various games in Mame, it seems what is happening with slowdown, 
is that the keystrokes are being backlogged.  the iCade has two keystrokes sent 
over bluetooth with each button press as ION designed it.  simple games like 
Pacman, where only the joystick is used, there is no lag and it stays at 60fps 
and you can move the joystick rapidly.  shooters where you move the joystick 
and press fire at the same time rapidly Mame + iCade starts to have 2 frame 
skip, then fighters where you move the joystick in a circle and press buttons 
at the same time (roundhouse, fireball moves), frame skip goes to a point where 
its too choppy to play.  if you dont press anything for a moment, the frame 
skip returns to normal and its smooth again, but as soon as you start moving 
the joystick and buttons rapidly, its goes back to slowdown.  perhaps it needs 
some sort of clearing of keystrokes so that it doesn't overlap them as its sent 
through bluetooth?

[deleted comment]

I have take a look to Stuart Carny (Manomio) iCade integration code and he is 
clearing a keyboard internal buffer doing a BFR, RFR cycle. Maybe this is 
helps. Damm it I want an iCade to test it. 

hi seleuco, i think that is the solution.  clearing keyboard buffer and making 
imame4all not hold many keystrokes sent  other apps that use icade, such as 
platform game 'mos speedrun' and the atari emu package, you can move the 
controller as fast as you want with button presses at the same time, and it 
doesnt start to lag.  imame4all if you move the icade joystick in a circle 
quickly many times, the framerate drops to unplayable.  once the keystrokes 
over bluetooth are cleared, and the other issue of setting the buttons so that 
1 key is for imame4all settings, then everything is good.  6 buttons then could 
be mapped for street fighter II, then it really is a portable mini arcade and 
everyone will be happy.  all the older games that dont need many buttons (ms 
pacman etc) are already perfect using icade with the beta test version.

I have uploaded another beta version clearing the keyboar buffer... tell me if 
it works. It should be versioned as 1.7b

tested 1.7b:
1) the notice regarding iCade support popups up correctly
2) the touch screen to select L2 (quit game) R2 (options) works correctly
3) add coin & start game (red buttons) work correctly
4) 6 additional buttons for mapping (can map street fighter II all punch/kick 
buttons) works correctly
5) slowdown happens with 2 or more buttons pressed at once (joy+key, key+key)
slowdown when two buttons are pressed at same time and if one button is pressed 
very fast.  as if the 2nd keystroke of an icade button (its release mapping) is 
busy while the other button press happens at same exact moment.  causes 
frameskip to go very high.  maybe something to do with keystrokes overlapping 
and sending at same moment, or that imame is still looking for wiimote or other 
bluetooth signals?  its getting close to being solved :)

[deleted comment]

Tested 1.7b as well...

1. Previously on a game like 1943, it would get choppy (vertical scroll with 
lots of button presses) after a few minutes.  This no longer happens.  Seems to 
work perfectly for me at least on this game.  I was pressing buttons pretty 
fast along with moving Joystick, so not sure if I just didn't encounter Matt's 
finding (#5) because I didn't happen to move the Joystick and press a button at 
the exact same time (pretty unlikely though).

2. The two left black buttons (next to red) used to bring up Options and 
Exit... but they no longer seem to on my setup.  Could be unique to me.  No big 
deal though...as the on screen buttons work fine.

Awesome work seleuco.  Thanks so much.

hi, the two left black buttons are now used for mapping so you can use them as 
game buttons, and when you need 6 buttons, such as fighting games.
options and exit are done through touch screen only.  that way there are more 
real buttons for people to setup how they want in the future.
for those new to reading this and buying icades (as it becomes more popular)... 
pressing both RED buttons will bring up the Mame options to set up button 
mapping how you want for all games and for specific games.  sometimes punch and 
kick are in the wrong spots (as with double dragon), so you can switch them to 
make sense with icade :)

Mat-

Thanks for the explanation.  That makes complete sense and sounds like a great 
feature!

Fine... :) good to know 1943 is playable now...

Do you have a iPad 1 or 2?

2 is not an issue, i remapped that buttons as l1/l2 so games with 6 buttons 
could be played...

Enviado desde mi iPad

El 08/07/2011, a las 00:00, [email protected] escribió:

Hi seleuco

I'm using an iPad 1.

Thanks again.

Good findings...

This is not related to wiimote since I use a different bt stack... I hope this 
issues will not be related to icade limitations... It is not  more than a fake 
hid keyboard with a custom firmware. I think that now is when I need the real 
hardware... What kind of iPad do you have one or two?

Enviado desde mi iPad

El 07/07/2011, a las 23:55, [email protected] escribió:

i am using ipad 1 with 4.2.1 firmware.  i decided to delete all the mame .cfg 
files to see if there were too many mappings for buttons, but it didn't improve 
the mystery of slowdown with fast key presses.
if the slowdown is related to icade limitations it will be sad, but it doesnt 
make sense that the itunes store apps that work with icade have no slowdown.  
hopefully with a few more donations you can get an icade and everyone can then 
test it.  the three main icade pages for mapping are here...

**  iCade-iOS SDK open source:
https://github.com/scarnie/iCade-iOS
**  ipad notepad app capturing keystrokes of iCade:
http://twitpic.com/520vhp
**  bluetooth keyboard mappings with icade and mame (on pc):
http://gaming.stackexchange.com/questions/24774/icade-bluetooth-keyboard-mapping
s-for-mame

iMame is a very demand app... Atary classics are working also on iMame as I 
know... I would know how it works on iPad 2 (mine is :) ... But you right, 
maybe there are things that could help like working with threads priorities, 
but I need the hw ASAP... ;)

Thanks 4 the links, but my implementation is already based on that samples and 
findings and patches sent to me by Todd Laney

Enviado desde mi iPad

El 08/07/2011, a las 00:54, [email protected] escribió:

Not sure if anyone else donated but how close are you to being able to get an 
iCade?

Matt

For what it's worth, I'm 4.3.3 and every game I've tried seems fine. I haven't 
tried any of the fighting games with multiple buttons, though. 

Good news, Martijn.Bosschaart has gift me an iCade to test, that I will 
received in a week ... I can't wait to check iCade support.  Thanks 4 your 
help. 

In portrait mode, there a way to remove the DPAD and button pictures and just 
go full screen while the iCade is detected? If not automatic, is there an 
OPTION to make games go FULL SCREEN in iPAD and lose the DPAD and buttons? 
Thanks in advance. 

It doesnt work options/portrait/fullscreen? 

Enviado desde mi iPad

El 09/07/2011, a las 17:15, [email protected] escribió:

Yep. It was there. My bad, and thanks for the quick response. Most appreciated. 
(I simply overlooked it.) !

I have uploaded a release candidate with some improvements. let me know how it 
works... ;)

Issues with 1.7

* do you have to show the Alert saying you detected an iCade on every launch? 
The user knows he has an iCade he is sitting right in front of it!

* also the iCade disconnected Alert is annoying too, modal alerts are almost 
always a bad UI idea

* When the onscreen controls fade in/out the game screen jumps (I guess to fill 
the entire screen) this is distracting.  It was much nicer for the game to stay 
in one place and the controls fade out (no jump).  considering you need to 
activate the on screen controls for OPTIONS/EXIT this is something everyone 
will see.

* Now a real bug. enable fullscreen/protrait, start game from scratch, select a 
ROM and start a game using only iCade controls (except for dismissing iCade 
alert at start) on screen controls do not fade out, you have to touch the 
screen once then touch iCade to get them to go away.....

Issues with 1.7

* do you have to show the Alert saying you detected an iCade on every launch? 
The user knows he has an iCade he is sitting right in front of it!

Yes but i like to notice what happen there, and i want to warn users that iCade 
could not suited for all games... (and that they can put iMame on fullscreen 
;))... anyway it only should bw ahowed one time per launch isnt't it?

* also the iCade disconnected Alert is annoying too, modal alerts are almost 
always a bad UI idea

but... this is a situation... that shoud not happen in normal use... isnt't it?

* When the onscreen controls fade in/out the game screen jumps (I guess to fill 
the entire screen) this is distracting.  It was much nicer for the game to stay 
in one place and the controls fade out (no jump).  considering you need to 
activate the on screen controls for OPTIONS/EXIT this is something everyone 
will see.

When the touch acreen controls are showed, the arcade window is relayaut using 
the rom resolution, so not much arcade screen are hidden by your fingers (this 
is its normal behavieur with the  touch controls)... when iCade is working, the 
arcade screen is centered... this aproach is also used also with wiimotes..

* Now a real bug. enable fullscreen/protrait, start game from scratch, select a 
ROM and start a game using only iCade controls (except for dismissing iCade 
alert at start) on screen controls do not fade out, you have to touch the 
screen once then touch iCade to get them to go away.....

Ok.. i take a look 

Thanks for your testing

> i want to warn users that iCade could not suited for all games...
just put some instructions in the help, or at least only show the alert once 
and only once (write a flag to disk)

> but... this is a situation... that shoud not happen in normal use... isnt't 
it?
I want to leave my iCade in "attract mode" after a few minutes the iCade will 
go to sleep messing up the game attract mode. I want to just walk up to it hit 
the COIN and START button, not have to dismiss alerts! we want the full 
illusion of a real arcade machine.

> i want to warn users that iCade could not suited for all games...
just put some instructions in the help, or at least only show the alert once 
and only once (write a flag to disk)

i already have put it on in help... like full screen option ... but as you can 
see not all people read help... :(

> but... this is a situation... that shoud not happen in normal use... isnt't 
it?
I want to leave my iCade in "attract mode" after a few minutes the iCade will 
go to sleep messing up the game attract mode. I want to just walk up to it hit 
the COIN and START button, not have to dismiss alerts! we want the full 
illusion of a real arcade machine.

sadly you always see a keyboard fade in- fade out... because that it is how 
iCade works when disconect. i will think on doing an automatic dismiss after 
some time for the alerts windows... but it has not high priority.

* Now a real bug. enable fullscreen/protrait, start game from scratch, select a 
ROM and start a game using only iCade controls (except for dismissing iCade 
alert at start) on screen controls do not fade out, you have to touch the 
screen once then touch iCade to get them to go away..

i can't get this bug...  can you elaborate more?

When i dismiss the alert window and send a iCade key with my keyboard, the 
controls are hidden...

OK i get the bug... :) Thanks again. It's the problem to test with a keyboard 
and not the real HW

I have upload 1.7 again fixing Todd bug... and auto dismissing alert views... 
but the first one..

hey guys thanks for adding the icade support, version 1.7 seems to be working 
great so far, i have not noticed any lagging issues like 1.6 had, i do have one 
question i cannot access the menu (in game) where i can change button mapping 
and autofire setting, how do i access that menu, again, i am not referring to 
the imame4all menu.

push the START and COIN buttons (both RED buttons)

Tried that many times, doesnt seem to work for me, ill try to remove and 
reinstall imame4all and try again. Thanks.

you must have selected a ROM and have it running before the START+COIN will 
bring up the MAME menu.

You should remove manualy Mame files on roms folders.. The rom's keyboard 
mappingn are stored there,...

One thing for GERMAN users of iCade: On a GERMAN keyboard "Y" and "Z" are mixed 
up by design - we have QWERT"Z"-Keyboards, not QWERT"Y".

If you start MAME (or the ATARI-Collection or every other iCade game) the games 
doesn`t work with "German" settings, because if you use "down" on the joystick, 
releasing expects "z" but gets a "y", and "UP" does not work anymore... If 
"button 1" is pressed (sending "z" instead of "y") it works till you move the 
joystick "down" - but "button 1" does not work as expected too. 

I needed 5! hours to find the solution after receiving the iCade (with help of 
comment #6)!

Solution: Set the soft keyboard to "english (us)" before using the iCade. It 
works, but is anoying, because if iCade is already connected the soft keyboard 
doesn't work untill you stop bluetooth, and after gaming the keyboard and 
autocorect (from german view) is mixed up with english ... 

In Deutsch (for deperate German userslike me): Lösung : Um in imame4all mit 
der iCade auf dem ipad und mame oder atari zu spielen, vorher das iPad bzw. die 
Eingabesprache auf "english (us)" stellen, damit der Joystick-Bug behoben ist! 

Is it possible that imame4all detects the settimg of the keyboard, and if it is 
set to "German" just exchange "Y" and "Z" internaly? Or displays a warning? Or 
makes it possible to set the key/button-mapping manually?

This is a nasty iCade behaviour, but it is a fake keyboard with a custom 
firmware ... when i recive the cabinet i will think on it... now I already have 
sent the deb file to publish on Cydia.

Hi everybody. I'm running the experimental version published by Todd via a 
precompiled "mame" executable for ipad with my recently received iCade and an 
iPad one and it works pretty well. I'm just noticing glitches when I press too 
many buttons (like firing a lot). There's image freezes but sound is still on 
and I can hear myself being killed :-)

I just wanted to say THANKS and add a feature request: wouldn't it be great to 
have an option for a full-screen non-portrait (cabinet?) mode? It would fit the 
iCade and the iPad screen size perfectly.

If there´s any other place to add feature requests I'd love to post it there 
if anyone's kind enough to send me a pointer.

Thanks a lot

Seleuco put 1.7 on Cydia, should have all that and more. 

oh, yes! upgraded, tested and beautifully working!! Thanks!!

[deleted comment]

[deleted comment]

The source is only up to 1.6.1  - will you be posting the 1.7 source soon?

I'm not tagged it yet, but it is all in main trunk

iCade support is not working whit iOS 6 and the new jailbreak.

Imame4all is only supported on ios 5.x.  It has issues on iOS 6.  

I'm not currently supporting imame4all since it has been replaced by mame4ios 
reloaded. 

I will update mame4ios reloaded on cydia to support iOS 6.x. 

Can you add an option to where I can make the controller and buttons smaller 
for the iPad? Maybe a slide bar or something. By the Gridlee is working great.

Is this you? 
http://www.mameworld.info/ubbthreads/showthreaded.php?Cat=&Number=303303&page=0&
view=expanded&sb=5&o=&fpart=1&vc=1

Anyway it have not been taken down from the iTunes yet. Only have Gridlee on 
it. Been over a week since the released. After the app loaded up the 
gridlee.zip become unhidden. I think the name of iMAME4All or anything that 
have MAME name will be taken down from iTunes.

Oh I forgot to ask. Can you add second player start button? Just for Pacman and 
some others that switch players.

Gridlee can't load neogeo.zip (MAME). Therefore NEO-GEO games like Puzzle 
Bobble will report missing roms.