Hacking GamePad to PC Controller [RELEASE/TUTORIAL]

[vashgs]

Hello there, tempers! Thought I'd make a new thread for the official release of my GamePad to PC Input application. I've also included a tutorial for how you can get it going on your local machine. WARNING: This tutorial requires a small amount of technical know-how.

Downloads:

The downloads come in two flavors: Regular and Fat-Free! The "normal" download includes Node with NowJS (which is required for the server-side of this application). If you'd like a lighter download and to run your own Node/NowJS copy, feel free to grab the fat-free version.

Normal Release:
GamePadtoPC.rar [8.7MB]

Light Release (sans Node/NowJS):
GamePadtoPC-nonode.rar [332KB]

Tutorial (PC-only):

Installation:
1) Extract the contents of the archive to a directory on your local web server. I prefer to use XAMPP, but there are certainly plenty of options out there.

2) Open index.html in your favorite editor and change the IP address pointing to now.js to your PC's local IP address (ie. http://192.168.2.1:8080/nowjs/now.js). The port (although you can change it if you please, within server.js) will remain 8080, and the path to now.js will remain constant as well.

3) Run "regplugin.bat" OR alternatively, open a command prompt in the extracted content's directory and run "regsvr32 npWiiU.dll /s".

Usage:
1) Run "simpleserver.bat" OR alternatively, open a command prompt in the extracted content's directory and run "node server.js".

2) Navigate to the extracted content's directory on your local web server (ie. http://192.168.2.1/wiiu/) in the Wii U's Internet Browser.

3) Navigate to the pc.html page in your browser on the PC (ie. http://localhost/wiiu/pc.html).

4) Set your hotkeys from the PC side and enjoy!

By request, a quick XAMPP tutorial video:

Demonstration Video:

Demonstration Video #2 (Mouse/CS:GO):

Kotaku Article:
http://kotaku.com/5981657/the-wii-u-controller-now-works-on-pc-games-courtesy-of-this-handy-software

 

[Pattonfiend67]

thanks a lot, vash! going to try it out now!

 

[wiibob]

Looking good! Could you add an in depth tutorial on how to use this with XAMPP? I've never used it and im not sure on where to put the files.

 

[vashgs]

By default, the web server root for XAMPP is the htdocs folder in the XAMPP directory. You can certainly change that, but that is the default for a fresh install.

 

[wiibob]

By default, the web server root for XAMPP is the htdocs folder in the XAMPP directory. You can certainly change that, but that is the default for a fresh install.

Alright, I have done that but its not loading my pages. Do i need to start any of the services other than simple server? I've changed the IP to my local one but it still doesn't want to load the pages.

 

[vashgs]

Oh, if you're using XAMPP, you'll have to open its control panel and actually start the web server.

 

[GorTesK]

A little tutorial on how to properly use this XAMPP program would be very much appreciated. Sadly I can't seem to make it work either.

 

[vashgs]

Quick tutorial video added to the first post, by request.

 

[lampjese]

Good work, thx for the release.

 

[vashgs]

Added demonstration video

 

[Maxternal]

Does the computer running the server have to be the computer being controlled or is there a way to just pair up any Wii U and computer that connect to the server?

 

[vashgs]

Does the computer running the server have to be the computer being controlled or is there a way to just pair up any Wii U and computer that connect to the server?

Excellent question! The computer running the server does NOT have to be the computer being controlled. Both the GamePad side and the PC side connect via a web page, so you could in theory host your server on a separate rig.

 

[Plunt]

I'm able to connect with the game pad, but none of the set keystrokes seem to be working pc side. No firewall enabled, server seems to be running correctly otherwise (I'm able to connect with the gamepad) I'm just getting no response from button presses. Tried setting different keys/buttons no response in Windows or VBA.

 

[vashgs]

I'm able to connect with the game pad, but none of the set keystrokes seem to be working pc side. No firewall enabled, server seems to be running correctly otherwise (I'm able to connect with the gamepad) I'm just getting no response from button presses. Tried setting different keys/buttons no response in Windows or VBA.

Did you follow the installation instructions properly? You need to run regplugin.bat prior to doing any of the other fun stuff. Also, restart your browser if you haven't at some point (although that sounds kind of silly). It needs to register the npapi plugin properly.

 

[vashgs]

Updated first post with link to Kotaku article

 

[Plunt]

@vashgs, I did restart my browser (firefox). I also did a Windows update in between, plus reset (couldnt even connect with gamepad prior to update)... I was about a month or two behind on Vista updates. Now everything connects properly minus input access.

edit, I ran the the .bat's as well as tried them in a cmd prompt... and they appeared to work properly

edit edit: I am quite intoxitacted right now, so I will retry again tomorrow when I wake up and present my results... but prior to this I was in a sober state of mind, and I am not a complete noob.

 

[vashgs]

@vashgs, I did restart my browser (firefox). I also did a Windows update in between, plus reset (couldnt even connect with gamepad prior to update) I was about a month or two behind on Vista updates. Now everything connects properly minus input access.

edit, i ran the the .bat's as well as tried them in a cmd prompt... and they appeared to work properly

Very interesting. Did you edit the files to your local IP (of the PC) properly?

 

[Plunt]

Yes, though my ip isn't static to my computer I have edited it corespondingly as needed... again, intoxicated tonight.. Will retry tomorrow and give sober results

 

[vashgs]

Yes, though my ip isn't static to my computer I have edited it corespondingly as needed... again, intoxicated tonight.. Will retry tomorrow and give sober results

The only thing I can think might be your problem is that you're not using your local ip (from ipconfig). I'm not really sure, keep me posted, though!

The download files have been updated to a newer version which supports DirectInput. This means games (and emulators) relying on DirectInput scancodes rather than virtual keys can now be used with your GamePad.

 

[Devin]

After tons of tinkering I got it to work. Now I can play Pokemon Emerald without using my keyboard. If you're somehow about to get video/audio from the computers to the gamepad I will love you forever. Thanks a bunch for this.

P.S. If you need any testing of more things let me know.