FirstOnes.com : FAQ

Controls Configuration

Color code : Official Word / Confirmed First-Hand Experience Comments

From the beginning, the developers knew that players would want a realistic flight model, and set out to create one. But controls for such a fighter would require two joysticks, as seen on the show. Not many of us have two joysticks. There was also the problem of creating a simpler flight model, one where players could hop in and play without being overwhelmed by the style of control in the game. With some experiementation, and on certain joysticks, a suitable compromise was achieved.

At the Electronic Entertainment Expo in May 1999, this is how the MS Sidewinder Precision Pro joysticks were set up to fly the Starfury. Although this is different from the base model that Kevin Miller came up with and from the one Mara created, it is simple enough for new players to play with a large degree of realism. For more advanced players, the Page Up and Page Down in inertial mode gives the pilot full realism.

(Note: Slew is the traslational thrust. i.e. Straight up and straight down while facing forward)

Joystick X-Axis -> Yaw (Left and Right)
Joystick Y-Axis -> Pitch (Up and Down)
Joystick Twist -> Roll

Throttle Wheel -> Requested Velocity (+ and -)

Trigger -> Main Weapon
Main Button -> Secondary Weapon

Hat Switch Up/Down -> Vertical Slew
Hat Switch Left/Right -> Horizontal Slew

A Button -> Toggle Intertial / Advanced Mode (Non-Assisted Flight)
Page Up/Down -> Forward / Reverse Slew (When in inertial mode only.)

All controls, keyboard and joystick are customizable to your desires.

Will there be Force Feedback support?

We will be supporting force feedback.

Remember that it will be of a different flavor than your typical "aero" flight sim since your ship doesn't have any control surfaces which you push against the air. (since there is no air) There are still things like impact, discharge of your weapons, rumbling of engines during burn, etc.

While it is true that some of these things really wouldn't necessarily be felt in your control inputs (more like in your seat, etc), remember that the force-feedback stick is going to be the only haptic (touch) feedback channel for the majority of users. (6.18.99)

Kevin Miller and Mara Jade, both earlier followers of the Babylon 5: Space Combat Simulator, each came up with their own Starfury piloting controls for a single joystick. These controls were a topic of hot debate in spring of 1998, an early period in the design of the game. Although they may be complex, it gives you a good grasp of the Starfury and Newton's Second Law of motion. Kevin's controls are more of a base reference, while Mara created a more specific and rationalized set.

Kevin's Star Fury Control Guidelines
Mara's Advanced Star Fury Controls

Corrections or Additions - Last Update : Tuesday, 29th of June, 1999