New JoypadMod Version 0.1

Thanks to hard work of ahickey and our contributors, the new version of the joypad mod for Minecraft is out, and it is ambiguously versioned as 0.1, because frankly - why not :)

It is not to be confused with the original Forge-less joypad mod v0.1 - which was never released ;-)

This new version contains the following improments over the previous release:

Joypad/Split Screen mod for Forge - v0.0952

It's time for new round of improvements for Joypad Mod for Forge. New version 0.0952 contains a lot of improvements that should make using controller much more enjoyable. Here's the full changelog:

• Map any key to a joypad button - great for mods!
• Axis calibration menu - no more spinning in circles!
• New and improved controller button options menu
• Container scrolling up/down via buttons
• Improved sensitivity options in menu
• Allow choosing of any connected controller even if it doesn't meet input requirements
• All joypad input will go through the keyboard / mouse buffer for full compatibility with mods
• Lots of minor tweaks for a better in game experience
• .minecraft\config\JoypadSplitscreenMod.cfg updates:
• Make logging verbosity an option
• Share joypad settings across all users (thanks stcrowe!)

As always, you can get the newest version from the mod page.

How to Splitscreen Co-op Minecraft JoyPad Mod

Minecraft forum user stcrowe created a video on youtube covering basics of installing Forge and Joypad Mod, as well as some nice tricks like how to play local game with multiple players on the single account.

Joypad mod goes Forge

A lot of cool things happened since the last update. A new developer - eastsider98052 - has joined, and finished the Forge port that I started long time ago. Although he's new to Minecraft development, he managed to make a fully playable mod, and even included a virtual cursor, making it possible to navigate all menus and inventory screens! If you're eager to try it out, head to the Joypad Mod page here:

Up to 1.6 - Minecraft Joypad Mod v0.14

I've updated the Joypad Mod to version 1.6.1 of Minecraft. It's compatible with the new launcher, and contains all of the old features of previous versions + the workaround for the "auto-strafe upon entering the world" issue. It's still not Forge-friendly, but it'll get there eventually ;).

Enjoy this version, and report bugs, so I can fix them for 1.6.2 ;)

Playing Minecraft in split screen on PC and other funny stories

A few weeks ago I felt a sudden urge to play some Minecraft with my brother. We both have accounts on minecraft.net, but my PC is the only one in our household capable of running it smoothly. Besides, we prefer the same-room multiplayer, preferably hot-seat (like in Worms) or split screen (so many hours lost on Left 4 Dead), so regular Minecraft multiplayer was out of the question.

I started looking into available options. Minecraft didn't have a split screen option, unlike the upcoming XBox 360 version. Searching for mods that added the functionality revealed no results. Then I remembered of a method of playing another game, Borderlands, in semi-splitscreen. It was based on running two instances of a game in a window, and connecting to each other in LAN. Add a bunch of scripts, boarder-less (no pun intended) windows, and you have yourself a playable game.

So, if I could run and control two instances of Minecraft, after connecting to the same server I would have some real world, first class, same room multiplayer fun. I could even connect a second monitor and play it really comfortably.

The quest was on finding a way to control both instances separately. Minecraft didn't support joypad input, and I haven't found a mod that does that neither. Other possible solutions included programs like Joy2Key and xpadder to map the joypad buttons and axes into keyboard and mouse input. But doing so would not resolve the problem because only one window can receive keyboard and mouse input at a time, and having two windows open, only one would be focused. Having found no available solution to the problem, I decided to try and develop one myself.