Support for iCade announced at CES

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http://www.ionaudio.com/icade

Original issue reported on code.google.com by a2...@hotmail.com on 11 Jan 2011 at 11:23

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Sorry -- meant to submit as enhancement.

Original comment by a2...@hotmail.com on 11 Jan 2011 at 11:24

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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...

Original comment by miklos_t...@yahoo.com on 22 Apr 2011 at 10:29

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Agree with this support. would love to see icade support

Original comment by Look...@gmail.com on 30 Apr 2011 at 4:06

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

Original comment by huffmans...@gmail.com on 24 May 2011 at 11:41

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Just got my iCade too - Would LOVE to see support

Original comment by craig.ir...@gmail.com on 25 May 2011 at 12:14

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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

Original comment by Dustin.W...@gmail.com on 25 May 2011 at 5:04

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Please add support, would be awesome..

Original comment by esone...@gmail.com on 1 Jun 2011 at 9:12

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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 ...

Original comment by nuclearf...@gmail.com on 15 Jun 2011 at 4:34

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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.

Original comment by yehezkiy...@gmail.com on 17 Jun 2011 at 7:34

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I would love to see this as an added feature!

Original comment by sbaugu...@gmail.com on 18 Jun 2011 at 2:36

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

Original comment by nuclearf...@gmail.com on 24 Jun 2011 at 11:55

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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...  

Original comment by chris.sw...@gmail.com on 1 Jul 2011 at 4:09

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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.

Original comment by z...@zachfine.com on 1 Jul 2011 at 10:05

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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

Original comment by tod...@gmail.com on 1 Jul 2011 at 10:48

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

Original comment by craig.ir...@gmail.com on 2 Jul 2011 at 11:19

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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!

Original comment by ktzg...@gmail.com on 2 Jul 2011 at 4:47

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An official  deb will be released soon

Original comment by tod...@gmail.com on 2 Jul 2011 at 4:53

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

Original comment by chris.sw...@gmail.com on 2 Jul 2011 at 5:10

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Awesome!cant wait!

Original comment by ktzg...@gmail.com on 2 Jul 2011 at 5:20

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works like a charm !!!Yee haa!!

Original comment by ktzg...@gmail.com on 3 Jul 2011 at 1:36

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

Original comment by holger.b...@googlemail.com on 4 Jul 2011 at 10:38

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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!!!

Original comment by M...@martinseweryn.com on 4 Jul 2011 at 8:18

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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...

Original comment by muellerj...@gmail.com on 6 Jul 2011 at 12:09

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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. 

Original comment by seleuco....@gmail.com on 6 Jul 2011 at 3:26

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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!!)

Original comment by M...@martinseweryn.com on 6 Jul 2011 at 3:55

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

Original comment by jmann99...@gmail.com on 6 Jul 2011 at 6:05

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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!!

Original comment by muellerj...@gmail.com on 6 Jul 2011 at 9:01

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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.

Original comment by rgs...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 1:02

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

Original comment by jmann99...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 1:14

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Im in..

Original comment by muellerj...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 3:01

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

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

Original comment by seleuco....@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 4:47

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

Original comment by rgs...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 11:37

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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?

Original comment by mat...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 2:12

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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. 

Original comment by seleuco....@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 3:03

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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.

Original comment by mat...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 3:34

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

Original comment by seleuco....@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 8:31

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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 :)

Original comment by mat...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 9:54

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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.

Original comment by jmann99...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 10:02

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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 :)

Original comment by mat...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 10:05

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Mat-

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

Original comment by jmann99...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 10:10

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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, imame4all@googlecode.com escribió:

Original comment by seleuco....@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 10:12

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Hi seleuco

I'm using an iPad 1.

Thanks again.

Original comment by jmann99...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 10:13

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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, imame4all@googlecode.com escribió:

Original comment by seleuco....@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 10:22

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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

Original comment by mat...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 10:53

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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, imame4all@googlecode.com escribió:

Original comment by seleuco....@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 11:04

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

Original comment by rgs...@gmail.com on 7 Jul 2011 at 11:38