Zen Pinball and Android TVBox with keyboard

[c7rolek]

Hello. This game is fantastic. I have found out that the game supports external keyboard (by developer's intention or by using android's api in correct way). Left paddle, right paddle, ball launcher, arrow keys etc. - everything is ok. But the key mapping for tilt function is unfortunately missing - checked all keys. It should be mapped under space key (I guess). Could author of this great app correct it? I'm considering to buy some tables but without tilt the controls are not complete. And my TVBox doesn't have a touch screen.

[jaredmorgs]

Hello. This game is fantastic. I have found out that the game supports external keyboard (by developer's intention or by using android's api in correct way). Left paddle, right paddle, ball launcher, arrow keys etc. - everything is ok. But the key mapping for tilt function is unfortunately missing - checked all keys. It should be mapped under space key (I guess). Could author of this great app correct it? I'm considering to buy some tables but without tilt the controls are not complete. And my TVBox doesn't have a touch screen.

Have you considered rooting and installing SixAxis and using a PS3 controller. In native controller mode, you can fully navigate the game menus. And tilting is done really well using the left analog stick. Triggers for flippers.

Awesome.

[c7rolek]

Have you considered rooting and installing SixAxis and using a PS3 controller. In native controller mode, you can fully navigate the game menus. And tilting is done really well using the left analog stick. Triggers for flippers.

Awesome.

Left shift - left paddle, right shift - right paddle, enter/return - ball launcher. Only space as tilt is missing (or rather tilt is totally missing on keyboard). That is the way i have always played pinballs (many people played this way). For menu, selection and etc. i am using mouse. I have got Logitech rumble pad but I don't know if it can be used as replacement for PS3 controller. And there is one more problematic thing - TVBox has only 2 usb ports, one for wireless keyb. and mouse, second for mass storage (i know, powered usb hub will make a day). If tilt has been implemented as direction oriented shock (You hit the table from different directions according to push the analog stick) so it can really be bothersome to implemented. That way the space key could be a hit from down of table. Or just random hit. Anyway, I will look for SixAxis, but still has a hope that proposed feature can be add to the game.

[jaredmorgs]

Left shift - left paddle, right shift - right paddle, enter/return - ball launcher. Only space as tilt is missing (or rather tilt is totally missing on keyboard). That is the way i have always played pinballs (many people played this way). For menu, selection and etc. i am using mouse. I have got Logitech rumble pad but I don't know if it can be used as replacement for PS3 controller. And there is one more problematic thing - TVBox has only 2 usb ports, one for wireless keyb. and mouse, second for mass storage (i know, powered usb hub will make a day). If tilt has been implemented as direction oriented shock (You hit the table from different directions according to push the analog stick) so it can really be bothersome to implemented. That way the space key could be a hit from down of table. Or just random hit. Anyway, I will look for SixAxis, but still has a hope that proposed feature can be add to the game.

I asked about improvements a while back now, and was told that hardware controller improvements are "very low" on the list. 😕

[c7rolek]

I asked about improvements a while back now, and was told that hardware controller improvements are "very low" on the list. 

Still better than never .

[jaredmorgs]

Still better than never .

About a year ago...

[c7rolek]

Now Zen developers has more time - I have found GameKeyboard+ app (the only one with needed functions) which allows to map phisical keyboard to virtual gamepad which is native mapped to touchscreen. The app is sometimes dull and inconvenient but it has done this job. And is fairly cheap - about 1 euro.

But I still don't understand what is the big deal to add mapping for 3 keys (left nudge, right nudge and bottom nudge). Earlier pinball nudge was available only when user was shocking his phone. But due to some requests three overlays has been added and each overlay is controlled by touch in different part of screen. So for Zen developer it should be no more than 5-10 minutes.

[jaredmorgs]

Now Zen developers has more time - I have found GameKeyboard+ app (the only one with needed functions) which allows to map phisical keyboard to virtual gamepad which is native mapped to touchscreen. The app is sometimes dull and inconvenient but it has done this job. And is fairly cheap - about 1 euro.

But I still don't understand what is the big deal to add mapping for 3 keys (left nudge, right nudge and bottom nudge). Earlier pinball nudge was available only when user was shocking his phone. But due to some requests three overlays has been added and each overlay is controlled by touch in different part of screen. So for Zen developer it should be no more than 5-10 minutes.

You clearly know very little about software development based on your time estimate.

That being said, I do agree that some love should be given to keyboard tilting.