I was planning on buying Freespace 2, and noticed it supports force feedback. Problem is I'm running on Windows 7 64 bit and don't know if there are any joysticks that support that feature AND Windows 7. Can anybody confirm a good, reasonably priced stick that works with Freespace 2 in a Win 7 environment and supports force feedback? Thanks.

This GOGer found a force-feedback stick (only can find these stick used though) that worked with his Win7 install (32-bit):

http://www.gog.com/en/forum/il_2_sturmovik_1946/logitech_wingman_force

I don't know how general his solution is to 64-bit systems.

I am sure there must be new sticks being made with force feedback though.

The whole package is insanely expensive, but this stick features force feedback and says it is compatible with Win7 (doesn't specify 32 or 64 bit): http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Flight-System-Feedback-Joystick/dp/B002G1YPP2

Here's a list from Google: List - note that some of these joysticks are indeed old and may not have official compatibility or may simply be truly incompatible with Win7 64bit. Some however do say Win7 compatibility.

I'm one of the rare few that own a MS Force Feedback 2 joystick and have had Freespace 2 for a long time and can tell you that FF works fine. My system runs Win7 64-bit.

Fortunately, Win7 has been very friendly automatically installing a compatible driver once I plugged it into a USB port.

Today, alas, there's not many FF joysticks on the market unless you go the used route and hope it works fine.

Major manufacturers: Microsoft, Logitech, Saitek,, Thrustmaster

Getting one brand-new at a decent price won't be easy. Best bet is craigslist or ebay.

Yeah, I used to own the Microsoft Force Feedback 2 but I broke it because I loved it and used it all the time (Mechwarrior 4). I found some used for about $50, so I guess that's what I will try. After all, it was the joystick I adored back in my youth, so it's neat to be able to get another one - if it works, of course.

I really appreciate your letting me know that it works with Win 7 64. Couldn't get anybody to confirm this elsewhere.

The only other option that officially supports Force and Win 7 is the G940 from logitech, which includes rudders and a thruster. I just don't want 3 huge devices, nor do I want to spend $250. Plus I heard that since all 3 devices appear in your device list seperately, and that only one device will be recongnized by Freespace, you don't even get to use the additional equipment... just the stick itself (which doesn't even have a twist feature.) So yeah, it's a crappy time for us older gamers who enjoyed force feedback flight games back in the day when joysticks were king.