ScummVM and RetroArch

[luk]

Hi, I'm importing some ScummVM games in LaunchBox and I'm trying to understand which way is better: the included ScummVM, or RetroArch.

I tried both and they both work fine (I used the epicfail launcher).

 

If I could, I'd like to use RetroArch for all platforms but I have 1 problem....ScummVM games are better with mouse and keyobard but I'm trying to use it with the gamepad controller only.

It works fine, but sometimes I need the keyboard anyway (i.e. when I need to write the save game name) so I'm wondering if there's some virtual onscreen keyboard that I can use. The only thing I've found is the "oncreen overlay" where i can load some keyboard presets...I see the keyboard, but it's only an image...i cannot use it as a keyboard.

 

So my question is: is there any "virtual keyboard" for RetroArch I can use?

Thanks so much bye

luk

 

p.s. I did post it in the wrong forum section so I just moved it here now, sorry

[sundogak]

@luk No, there isn't a RA core for ScummVM that will do what you want.  Some cores do (e.g., Atari 800, Intellivision) have the ability to select a key and bring up a virtual keyboard but it would have to be coded into  the core to interact with the emulator.  An example for the Atari 8-bit computer core is shown.  So you would have to get the developer of the core to add that feature which may or may not be high on their list of things to add. 

Plus, the virtual keyboards leave a lot to be desired.  If it is just the occasional key you have to pull up, it isn't a big deal, but it is a pain if something frequent or "rapid" as part of the game since it will take multiple button pushes and joystick movement to get to a letter. One in-between alternative if it is in a TV type setup is getting one of the smaller Bluetooth keyboards, like those you can use with tablets or iPads. 

If really want to use only a controller than can use something like JoyToKey or Xpadder to program keys on your controller to emulate keyboard press.  There are others besides that but those are what I have used.  AutoHotKey is also an option but can be complicated if just looking to map buttons to keyboard. All of those can get cumbersome though if lots of key combos to map because games didn't really follow a fixed convention on what does what.  

 

Edited March 18, 2020 by sundogak

[luk]

@sundogak thanks so much...it's not exactly what I needed but maybe it's better than nothing

[Hifihedgehog]

 

On 3/17/2020 at 10:28 AM, luk said:

ScummVM games are better with mouse and keyobard but I'm trying to use it with the gamepad controller only.

Well, I was just adding some Freddi Fish and I stumbled on the same issue as you. You can add the following line in the [scummvm] section of the config file "epicfail_scummvm.ini" located under the relative directory "LaunchBox\ThirdParty\ScummVM".:

joystick_num=0

..., which is described here. It doesn't give you a full keyboard, but you can use your gamepad with the keyboard keys and mouse actions that does everything I need, at least. You can use the gamepad analog stick as a mouse, for example. It works well for me in testing Humungous Entertainment, but your mileage may vary.

Edited May 24, 2021 by Hifihedgehog

[mepperoni]

Sorry for the very late reply.

You can push ScrLck (ScreenLock) on your keyboard.

You will see left under the message Game focus on....Now you can use the keyboard for type for save or use in police quest or other games that need typing.

Push ScrLck again to go back to use the keyboard if you need it for Retroarch Hotkeys ( Game focus off)