I ran into a peculiar issue. I just finally got a joystick again after a long time (CH Products Flightstick Pro - love it!), and while the stick works perfectly otherwise DOSBox just doesn't want to recognize the hatswitch in-game. This I find very odd because it does recognize the hatswitch directions when I try to map it to particular keys via DOSBox itself, but when I go back into the game nothing ever happens when I try to use it.

So I started to look at other games as well like Descent 1&2. Both of them also work fine with the joystick, but can't make use of the hatswitch even though I'm able to use the exact profile for the game. Trying to map the damn thing within those games doesn't work one bit. But the thing obviously works outside of DOSBox: Descent 3 and Freespace have no problems working with it. Being able to strafe up and down with the hatswitch is almost essential in the Descent series.

Obviously it's some issue with DOSBox itself. Is there a way to fix this issue? I know I probably could work around the issue with something like Xpadder, but that'll be my last resort if there's nothing else I can do.

I've noticed that several buttons are mapped to the same input signal and the hat may not be mappable at all. I'm using a wired xbox 360 controller and the B button and Right bumper are the same signal. One trigger can only be used. Etc.

Also, some have weird effects together. When I had a button (I think X) mapped to afterburner, I couldn't steer and afterburner at the same time.

I have the left trigger mapped as afterburner and the Y button for lock target. The rest I haven't been able to get working properly. Sometimes I can't shoot and afterburner at the same time, but I can live with that.


It's weird and requires a bit of experimentation.

Indeed, that was all I needed to do. Man, now I just feel stupid for not looking at that config file again. I didn't think they had anything for specific joystick configurations, but I'm glad they did have it in there. Both the Descent games and Privateer recognize the hatswitch now without fault. No, Privateer itself doesn't recognize it, but DOSBox key mapping does the trick.

You can't even imagine how happy that makes me. I just want to give you a big fat smooch! .... No homo. LOL ;)

Edit: After further testing I noticed that in Privateer I was also firing missiles when using the hatswitch. Switching it to the Thrustmaster config fixed it though. *shrug* Dang if I know, but at least it works.