Posted December 31, 2013
This is a complete guide to using an Xbox 360 controller to play Wing Commander 3 (GOG version) on Windows 7. The keyboard is still required for certain commands. It's assumed that you've already purchased and configured a Microsoft XBox 360 Wireless Receiver. (Note: I am using a UK keyboard).
This guide uses Xpadder and DOSBOX's built-in key remapping. Xpadder is required for certain mappings which don't work in DOSBOX (D-Pad and Left/Right on the Right analog stick). XPadder also lets you configure deadzones on the analog sticks - these ensure you don't drift off course when you're not touching the sticks.
1) In the WC3 installation folder, edit dosboxWC3.conf. Save a copy of the original just in case you make a mistake. Change the buttonwrap line to read: buttonwrap = false. This allows you to use more of the pad's buttons.
2) Download the last free version of Xpadder (5.3) from here: www.techspot.com/downloads/5869-xpadder.html (newer versions of Xpadder are available, but they are no longer free).
3) Right-click Xpadder.exe and choose Create shortcut. Right-click on the shortcut and choose Properties. Change the compatibility mode to be Windows Vista (Service Pack 2). If you don't do this, Xpadder won't run on Windows 7. Use this new shortcut to start Xpadder. You'll need it running whenever you play WC3.
4) Set up XPadder, activating both analog sticks and the D-Pad. We'll use DOSBOX to set all the other buttons later. Set the Left analog stick to use the Arrow keys. Set appropriate deadzones for the analog sticks - 25% works for me. Now map the D-Pad buttons - I use mine for Guns and Missiles. If you want to use the Right analog stick's Left and Right, map them here too. See attached images (xpadder1.png and xpadder2.png).
5) Start WC3 as normal. Press CTRL+F1 to change DOSBOX keys.
6) By default, DOSBOX maps Joystick button 1 to the A button and Joystick button 2 to the B button. Let's remove these mappings. Click on the 1 button (highlighted green in the attached screenshot wc3a.png). Click Del to remove the existing binding. Repeat this for the 2 button.
7) You fire missiles with the Enter key, so click on the onscreen Enter key and choose Add. Now click the gamepad button you want to fire missiles. I use the left trigger.
8) You fire guns with the Spacebar, so click on the onscreen Spacebar and choose Add. Now click the gamepad button you want. I use the right trigger.
9) To double movement speed, you can hold the SHIFT key. I like to map this to the Left stick's downclick (button 8).
10) Here's the full list of buttons I mapped. Feel free to change any you like:
Pitch Up (Arrow UP) -> UP on Left stick (via XPadder)
Pitch Down (Arrow DOWN) -> DOWN on Left stick (via XPadder)
Yaw Left (Arrow LEFT) -> LEFT on Left stick (via XPadder)
Yaw Right (Arrow RIGHT) -> RIGHT on Left stick (via XPadder)
Roll left (INS) -> LEFT on Right stick (via XPadder)
Roll right (DEL) -> RIGHT on Right stick (via XPadder)
Double movement (SHIFT) -> Downclick on Left stick (Button 8)
Afterburn Toggle: (`) -> Select
Increase throttle (=+) -> UP on Right stick
Decrease throttle (-_) -> DOWN on Right stick
AutoPilot (A) -> Start
Match speed of target (Y) -> Y
Cycle displays (0) -> X
Drop decoy (E) -> B
Lock target (toggle) (L) -> A
Select next target (T) -> R shoulder
Select next turret (R) -> L shoulder
Fire guns (Spacebar) -> R trigger
Fire missiles (Enter) -> L trigger
Switch gun(s) (G) -> D-Pad UP (via XPadder)
Select full guns (F) -> D-Pad LEFT (via XPadder)
Select all missiles (B) -> D-Pad RIGHT (via XPadder)
Select missile (M) -> D-Pad DOWN (via XPadder)
11) Click Save then Exit to save your mappings and return to the game.
12) As an alternative, some people prefer to swap the Yaw and Roll commands (mapped to left and right sticks). If you'd like to do this, use XPadder to change the following:
Pitch Up (Arrow UP) -> UP on Left stick (via XPadder)
Pitch Down (Arrow DOWN) -> DOWN on Left stick (via XPadder)
Yaw Left (Arrow LEFT) -> LEFT on Right stick (via XPadder)
Yaw Right (Arrow RIGHT) -> RIGHT on Right stick (via XPadder)
Roll left (INS) -> LEFT on Left stick (via XPadder)
Roll right (DEL) -> RIGHT on Left stick (via XPadder)
13) When you're in flight, press ALT+O to enter the Options screen. Change the Control to Keyboard. Click the Save button
14) See the Reference Card and Playguide PDF files (included free with the GOG version) to understand what all the controls do.
15) Flight and combat should now be fairly easy with an XBox pad, though it still takes a bit of practice. Good luck!
This guide uses Xpadder and DOSBOX's built-in key remapping. Xpadder is required for certain mappings which don't work in DOSBOX (D-Pad and Left/Right on the Right analog stick). XPadder also lets you configure deadzones on the analog sticks - these ensure you don't drift off course when you're not touching the sticks.
1) In the WC3 installation folder, edit dosboxWC3.conf. Save a copy of the original just in case you make a mistake. Change the buttonwrap line to read: buttonwrap = false. This allows you to use more of the pad's buttons.
2) Download the last free version of Xpadder (5.3) from here: www.techspot.com/downloads/5869-xpadder.html (newer versions of Xpadder are available, but they are no longer free).
3) Right-click Xpadder.exe and choose Create shortcut. Right-click on the shortcut and choose Properties. Change the compatibility mode to be Windows Vista (Service Pack 2). If you don't do this, Xpadder won't run on Windows 7. Use this new shortcut to start Xpadder. You'll need it running whenever you play WC3.
4) Set up XPadder, activating both analog sticks and the D-Pad. We'll use DOSBOX to set all the other buttons later. Set the Left analog stick to use the Arrow keys. Set appropriate deadzones for the analog sticks - 25% works for me. Now map the D-Pad buttons - I use mine for Guns and Missiles. If you want to use the Right analog stick's Left and Right, map them here too. See attached images (xpadder1.png and xpadder2.png).
5) Start WC3 as normal. Press CTRL+F1 to change DOSBOX keys.
6) By default, DOSBOX maps Joystick button 1 to the A button and Joystick button 2 to the B button. Let's remove these mappings. Click on the 1 button (highlighted green in the attached screenshot wc3a.png). Click Del to remove the existing binding. Repeat this for the 2 button.
7) You fire missiles with the Enter key, so click on the onscreen Enter key and choose Add. Now click the gamepad button you want to fire missiles. I use the left trigger.
8) You fire guns with the Spacebar, so click on the onscreen Spacebar and choose Add. Now click the gamepad button you want. I use the right trigger.
9) To double movement speed, you can hold the SHIFT key. I like to map this to the Left stick's downclick (button 8).
10) Here's the full list of buttons I mapped. Feel free to change any you like:
Pitch Up (Arrow UP) -> UP on Left stick (via XPadder)
Pitch Down (Arrow DOWN) -> DOWN on Left stick (via XPadder)
Yaw Left (Arrow LEFT) -> LEFT on Left stick (via XPadder)
Yaw Right (Arrow RIGHT) -> RIGHT on Left stick (via XPadder)
Roll left (INS) -> LEFT on Right stick (via XPadder)
Roll right (DEL) -> RIGHT on Right stick (via XPadder)
Double movement (SHIFT) -> Downclick on Left stick (Button 8)
Afterburn Toggle: (`) -> Select
Increase throttle (=+) -> UP on Right stick
Decrease throttle (-_) -> DOWN on Right stick
AutoPilot (A) -> Start
Match speed of target (Y) -> Y
Cycle displays (0) -> X
Drop decoy (E) -> B
Lock target (toggle) (L) -> A
Select next target (T) -> R shoulder
Select next turret (R) -> L shoulder
Fire guns (Spacebar) -> R trigger
Fire missiles (Enter) -> L trigger
Switch gun(s) (G) -> D-Pad UP (via XPadder)
Select full guns (F) -> D-Pad LEFT (via XPadder)
Select all missiles (B) -> D-Pad RIGHT (via XPadder)
Select missile (M) -> D-Pad DOWN (via XPadder)
11) Click Save then Exit to save your mappings and return to the game.
12) As an alternative, some people prefer to swap the Yaw and Roll commands (mapped to left and right sticks). If you'd like to do this, use XPadder to change the following:
Pitch Up (Arrow UP) -> UP on Left stick (via XPadder)
Pitch Down (Arrow DOWN) -> DOWN on Left stick (via XPadder)
Yaw Left (Arrow LEFT) -> LEFT on Right stick (via XPadder)
Yaw Right (Arrow RIGHT) -> RIGHT on Right stick (via XPadder)
Roll left (INS) -> LEFT on Left stick (via XPadder)
Roll right (DEL) -> RIGHT on Left stick (via XPadder)
13) When you're in flight, press ALT+O to enter the Options screen. Change the Control to Keyboard. Click the Save button
14) See the Reference Card and Playguide PDF files (included free with the GOG version) to understand what all the controls do.
15) Flight and combat should now be fairly easy with an XBox pad, though it still takes a bit of practice. Good luck!
Post edited January 01, 2014 by daydreamboy
