More then four joysticks?

[Malic]

Currently Voice attack can only set up to four joysticks.  Is there any way to allow more?

As an example, I am currently running nine joystick devices on my flight sim cockpit alone, with plans to add at least three more to it (for now), so over half of the devices on it currently are not able to be setup to react to commands.

With VR announced for some games recently, the issue compounds as I would like the ability to also transfer to my dedicated race cockpit for wheeled vehicles, that has an additional four devices on it, so with everything plugged in, my computer will be seeing 16 joysticks.

I know this is edge case, but thought I would ask.

[SemlerPDX]

Not to be a contrarian, but realistically, how many of those human interface devices (DIY/etc. controllers) would actually need to be linked to button triggered commands in a VoiceAttack profile for any given game or sim?  While it is certainly useful to have the ability to set more than one control device for such command triggering, voice control is still the primary focus of the application as opposed to such direct controls across so many devices.  It makes me curious what type of control concept would have or require so many input devices each needing to be able to directly trigger a command in VoiceAttack.  I get that a sim cockpit (aircraft or vehicle) requires loads of control panels, but how many truly need to 'talk' to VA?

[Malic]

With my current setup, I have many commands that uses no voice trigger, and instead it looks at the position of a three way switch on my throttle that allows me to create different "modes" that changes what full layouts on the other controllers do.

On the joystick, I have a small gray button under my pinkie.  Depending on the way you press it, it does three different functions, single press, double tap, or hold.  Multiply that by the position of the switch, which I use for what "mode" I am in.

For my Elite Dangerous profile for example, with the switch in the farthest position is my "travel" mode, that button when tapped opens the galaxy map.  When held, it opens the system map.

With the switch in the forward position, I am in "normal operation" mode press that same button now shows and hides the HUD.  Holding it shows and hides the orbit lines.

With the switch in the middle position, I am now in "combat" mode.  This button is now changed to launch chaff


That same three position switch also effects a red button on the back of my throttle, in one position it activates supercruse, in another it only uses hyperdrive, and in the last it does context specific jump.


With the switch in the middle position, and in "combat" mode, it also changes my power functions to automate to press the keyboard buttons to automatically fill instead of go single power units, for fast changing.


Another non-voiced command I have is for the boost key under my thumb, it watches that button, and uses the game API to determine where you are.  That three position switch also functions as a safety, to prohibit the ship from boosting if in mode 1, so it is not pressed accidently when in confined locations.

If your landing gear or cargo scoop is deployed, it retracts those.

When you press that hyperdrive button, it does the same, and also puts hardpoints away if they are out because of the interface with the API.



With Star Citizen, I have it watching the A-10 throttles, which turns off the aircrafts if you pull it all the way back, lift up and then pull back even farther.  Pulling the left one back turns off only the engines, but keeps the ship running, while doing that with the right one, turns off everything.

When the throttles are moved forward and off those buttons, voice attack triggers on release to either turn on the engines or the entire ship as needed.

It gets even more complicated as when they are turned off or on, it looks at the position of a switch, in one position it does nothing, in another, it causes the rear door of the ship to open when turned off, or closes when the ship is powered on.

It also watches the Throttles "flap" switch, which is a three position switch to the far left side on its base.  The ship I fly flys in a vertical config, but lands horizontally, and that switch uses voice attack without voice commands to automate the deployment of landing gear or to switch into vertical flight mode on where that switch is. 

The position of that also changes the spacecrafts modes, the issue I am running into right now is all of my MFDs are locked to single function and the current 4 joystick limit is prohibiting me from doing any more with it which is why the thread exists.

[Malic]

Another example of a reason why I would like it.

Playing the new MSFS 2024, on one of the MFDs I have LittleNavMap, however its keybinds only work when it is in focus.

Wanting to use the buttons to zoom in out, as well as show/hide aircraft trails, and center on aircraft.

Want to have it focus, do the keybind to do the action and then focus back on the simulator instead of having to take off VR headset, find mouse and do it manually.

Now multiply by 2x, as I have two MFDs that have screens and the programs that display on them do not have keybind that work when not in focus so needing the automation.

Because I stream, also using extra buttons to change sources and scenes on OBS that I can see past the nosegap in the VR headset to show and hide maps or other info for the people watching.

Issue is I cannot because of the joystick limitation.

I am having to take the headset off and mouse to do everything

Currently cant do any of that because the existing four are already filled up and being used already.