The Xoom will be my first android device picking one up this week. My only other tablet/mobile experiences were on an iPodTouch4G. As a C++ / Java dev, I've skimmed some of the Android App Dev books (though those were written for 2x about a year ago, not 3x/HoneyComb); though, I couldn't quite see anything in the syntax that would suggest preventative measures to stop people from doing this.
I'm assuming that any particular game from the android marketplace that enables multiplayer pools users from all android devices, tablets, phones, etc. With that said, I'm sure there's a few devices that can utilize either a Bluetooth or USB keyboard/mouse combo to play in these games.
I'm assuming I just didn't see the code though, and I am curious as to if devs are taking preventative measures for this in their app code to make sure people are all using the device (let us face it, it's easier to play an FPS with a mouse/keyboard, by a mile).
I ask this question partially as a curious developer, but also as a player of these games who enjoys them, and could foresee moments playing some shooter on my xoom swiping my fingers across the screen wondering if that guy owning me is using something a bit more accurate than finger swiping.
I don't play these games so I hesitated to respond...waiting to see if anyone else would. Do you have the Xoom yet? I can say that I have and use the Moto bt keyboard a MS bt mouse. They work perfectly for the usual business applications and I have used the mouse anywhere I wanted more precision of selection. I guess it may come down to whether the gaming app supports the keyboard and mouse inputs from the Xoom.
Just now searching for app to make possible android gaming with mouse + keyboard...
Just now searching for app to make possible android gaming with mouse + keyboard... no results... i have usb wireles keyboard and mouse logitech a320 - all works nice. but in games - just one touch from mouse - keyboard buttons not works at all. rummor say that full support of mouse is in android 3.0... Now will wait for custom rom with 3.0 to my haipad m7
Hey guys, I thought I'd share my experience so far with using my stock .30 FW TF700 as a gaming console device. My setup is using a MicroHDMI cable to output to a 55" TV with a 5.1 surround sound receiver and speaker set, and using the dock, I am able to use the wired, PC version of the Xbox 360 controller. There are ways to use the wireless console version using a wireless receiver, but I won't get into that as I have no experience with it. There are, however, how-to's on YouTube and other sources. You can also use Wii and PS3 controllers over Bluetooth. I chose the Xbox controller because I am used to it and more comfortable with wired versus a wireless connection.
First I'll get movies out of the way. I'm using BS Player with the the BS Engine hardware acceleration (after some very basic and general testing I found this option to yield the most/best average frames per sec, which comes out to an average of 23.97 FPS). The video is a DVD rip, standard 700ish meg file. The movie is Snow White and the Huntsmen (I chose this because it has a LOT of dark scenes and dark scenes always yield the worst viewing distortions in my experience). The movie looks and plays perceptibly identical as when I play the file on my PC and output via HDMI to the same TV, so no complaints there. I'm happy with movie playback here. My one complaint, though, is that you are not able to either close the tablet docked or power off the tablet screen and keep playing the movie on the screen. If anyone knows a workaround to this I would really appreciate some feedback. My only workaround atm is to turn the tablet away from me so I don't see the screen glow that distracts me from the movie. This also drains the battery faster if you don't have the option to be plugged in.
For gaming, the first game I tried was Dead Trigger, available for free, using a pay to win type strategy I think. Prior to plugging in my Xbox controller, I did not have any game pad options. After plugging in the controller, I was given a game pad option to map keys, and after that setup, I was able to play the game with my Xbox controller with no problems. Controls are very smooth, but fine tuning options you get on console games are absent, like aim down sights toggle versus hold and release, but I can live with that. When playing through the MicroHDMI cable on the TV, it would be very easy to confuse this game with an Xbox arcade game, if not even a retail title, the graphics are really clean and crisp. This game doesn't have bloom effects and other types of high end graphics tricks, so I'm not sure what it's fully capable of. But I did not notice any difference in performance between playing on the tablet itself and the TV. One hiccup though that I found annoying was that despite using a game pad, I was still required to use the touchscreen to advance through the menu. Maybe there is some mapping options I can tweak to fix this, because it is very annoying with the tablet having to be in the dock to use the controller. If anyone has successfully used a USB to MicroUSB to use the controller without the dock I'd love to hear about it. All in all I was happy with it.
Next game up was N.O.V.A. 3. This game does not appear to natively support game pads. If it does please someone correct me and tell me what I'm doing wrong. In order to address this, I picked up a couple apps off the app store, Joystick Center 6 and Joy2Touch, both by the same author, Poke64738. I'm struggling to get these to work, but I am sure it is ID 10 T error on my part, as many people have had success using his apps to play android games using USB and Bluetooth controllers, as well as keyboard and mouse combos. These apps work by using controller input from USB and Bluetooth devices to emulate touch input on the capacitive touchscreen, and involve a mapping overly while in the game requiring you to touch the screen and map that screen tap to the appropriate button on your input device. Once I get it sorted out, I'm sure it will be right as rain, and if anyone has a source for a walk through or how-to I would greatly appreciate the link, or better yet, a source for Xbox controller profiles would be better. N.O.V.O. 3 loading times seem to take a very long time, which I think is caused by our tablets' I/O issues, and I don't see how JB/Project Butter could address that. But has for video and audio quality, just as Dead Trigger, it looked great and ran at good speed with no tears or artifacts or any noticeable defects. Once I figure out my Joystick Center 6 setup I'm sure this will be a fun game to play.
All in all I'm having fun using my tablet as a console like device, aside from the few minor issues i described. I hope this was helpful to anyone trying to decide if they want to invest in the stuff needed to do this. Also, any feedback for the issues I'm having, apps I'm using, or ways to improve the experience are very welcome, for the benefit of myself and the community.
TL;DR TF700 makes a pretty good gaming console IMO.
WeSiDe said:
Hey guys, I thought I'd share my experience so far with using my stock .30 FW TF700 as a gaming console device. My setup is using a MicroHDMI cable to output to a 55" TV with a 5.1 surround sound receiver and speaker set, and using the dock, I am able to use the wired, PC version of the Xbox 360 controller. There are ways to use the wireless console version using a wireless receiver, but I won't get into that as I have no experience with it. There are, however, how-to's on YouTube and other sources. You can also use Wii and PS3 controllers over Bluetooth. I chose the Xbox controller because I am used to it and more comfortable with wired versus a wireless connection.
First I'll get movies out of the way. I'm using BS Player with the the BS Engine hardware acceleration (after some very basic and general testing I found this option to yield the most/best average frames per sec, which comes out to an average of 23.97 FPS). The video is a DVD rip, standard 700ish meg file. The movie is Snow White and the Huntsmen (I chose this because it has a LOT of dark scenes and dark scenes always yield the worst viewing distortions in my experience). The movie looks and plays perceptibly identical as when I play the file on my PC and output via HDMI to the same TV, so no complaints there. I'm happy with movie playback here. My one complaint, though, is that you are not able to either close the tablet docked or power off the tablet screen and keep playing the movie on the screen. If anyone knows a workaround to this I would really appreciate some feedback. My only workaround atm is to turn the tablet away from me so I don't see the screen glow that distracts me from the movie. This also drains the battery faster if you don't have the option to be plugged in.
For gaming, the first game I tried was Dead Trigger, available for free, using a pay to win type strategy I think. Prior to plugging in my Xbox controller, I did not have any game pad options. After plugging in the controller, I was given a game pad option to map keys, and after that setup, I was able to play the game with my Xbox controller with no problems. Controls are very smooth, but fine tuning options you get on console games are absent, like aim down sights toggle versus hold and release, but I can live with that. When playing through the MicroHDMI cable on the TV, it would be very easy to confuse this game with an Xbox arcade game, if not even a retail title, the graphics are really clean and crisp. This game doesn't have bloom effects and other types of high end graphics tricks, so I'm not sure what it's fully capable of. But I did not notice any difference in performance between playing on the tablet itself and the TV. One hiccup though that I found annoying was that despite using a game pad, I was still required to use the touchscreen to advance through the menu. Maybe there is some mapping options I can tweak to fix this, because it is very annoying with the tablet having to be in the dock to use the controller. If anyone has successfully used a USB to MicroUSB to use the controller without the dock I'd love to hear about it. All in all I was happy with it.
Next game up was N.O.V.A. 3. This game does not appear to natively support game pads. If it does please someone correct me and tell me what I'm doing wrong. In order to address this, I picked up a couple apps off the app store, Joystick Center 6 and Joy2Touch, both by the same author, Poke64738. I'm struggling to get these to work, but I am sure it is ID 10 T error on my part, as many people have had success using his apps to play android games using USB and Bluetooth controllers, as well as keyboard and mouse combos. These apps work by using controller input from USB and Bluetooth devices to emulate touch input on the capacitive touchscreen, and involve a mapping overly while in the game requiring you to touch the screen and map that screen tap to the appropriate button on your input device. Once I get it sorted out, I'm sure it will be right as rain, and if anyone has a source for a walk through or how-to I would greatly appreciate the link, or better yet, a source for Xbox controller profiles would be better. N.O.V.O. 3 loading times seem to take a very long time, which I think is caused by our tablets' I/O issues, and I don't see how JB/Project Butter could address that. But has for video and audio quality, just as Dead Trigger, it looked great and ran at good speed with no tears or artifacts or any noticeable defects. Once I figure out my Joystick Center 6 setup I'm sure this will be a fun game to play.
All in all I'm having fun using my tablet as a console like device, aside from the few minor issues i described. I hope this was helpful to anyone trying to decide if they want to invest in the stuff needed to do this. Also, any feedback for the issues I'm having, apps I'm using, or ways to improve the experience are very welcome, for the benefit of myself and the community.
TL;DR TF700 makes a pretty good gaming console IMO.
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do you have any pics? i'd love to see some you should try asphalt 7
PantechBurstOwner said:
do you have any pics? i'd love to see some you should try asphalt 7
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Asphalt 7 won't install from the play store for our device, i had bought it on my phone but am unable to install it.
PantechBurstOwner said:
do you have any pics? i'd love to see some you should try asphalt 7
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user311 said:
Asphalt 7 won't install from the play store for our device, i had bought it on my phone but am unable to install it.
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I'll see what I can do....
Edit:
I've managed to dig up an old copy I had of the game and forgot I backed up from my Galaxy, if I can get it running I'll take some pics or maybe a video, but not sure where I could post the video, haven't done this sort of thing before. Youtube? Or this there an easier option?
No need for a video unless you want to, I just wanted to see how that was set up. does it look good on the TV?
Sent from my PantechP9070 using Xparent Cyan Tapatalk 2
Yeah, every thing looks great on the tv, same quality as what appears on the tablet. I had to fiddle with the ratio button on the TV remote to get it to fit right, set it to "Just Scan" and it all fit nicely.
I got asphalt 7 on my tf700, and it runs and plays nice, but it doesn't support game pad natively, so I gotta wait until I figure out the joystick center 6 app. It's starting to seem like none of the Gameloft games have support for game pads built in. I really hope developers get in the habit of including this.
I've tried a couple of games on my TV and I always have a very noticeable, yet small, delay from the tablet screen to the tv screen. I find it makes some games difficult to play. Have you noticed this at all?
Sent from my Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
Does anyone happen to know if Shadowgun THD happens to support game pads natively?
newellj79 said:
I've tried a couple of games on my TV and I always have a very noticeable, yet small, delay from the tablet screen to the tv screen. I find it makes some games difficult to play. Have you noticed this at all?
Sent from my Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
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No, fortunately I haven't noticed this issue, not that I was looking for it though. I was having to use the touch screen while playing so I think I would have noticed. But now that you have mentioned it I will keep an eye out for it. Just a shot in the dark, but does your TV operate at 120Hz? Not sure if that would cause the delay, but it wouldn't surprise me if it did. Also, it may be the cable. I know that it's a digital signal and a crappy cable is suppose to work just like a good one, but there might be an issue there in the cable. I would try a different cable, and / or a different TV, if you are able to. Then you could narrow it down. If it's still doing it after a different cable and on a different TV, then it's more then likely something to do with the tablet itself.
newellj79 said:
I've tried a couple of games on my TV and I always have a very noticeable, yet small, delay from the tablet screen to the tv screen. I find it makes some games difficult to play. Have you noticed this at all?
Sent from my Transformer Pad TF700T using Tapatalk 2
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OK so I went and did some testing, with games, movies, and web browsing, scrolling up and down and stuff, and I didn't notice any lag between what was being displayed on my tablet and what was displaying on the TV. Hope this is helpful to you.
One workaround to the tablet screen issue is using an app like rootdim to decrease the backlight of your tablet to zero. This would turn the screen off on the tablet and not the tv. Getting the backlight back on wouldn't be too hard since you can use the mouse on the dock to control things on your tv instead of the touchscreen.
Oh and there are some ways to navigate the tablet easier. With the joystick app you bought, it's possible to use the joystick on your controller as a mouse. This could easily be activated with the touch of a button that isn't really used on the controller, making it possible to switch back and forth. A downside of this is that games that natively use the gamepad (such as dead trigger and shadowgun) won't work if you're using the joystick center app.
Another way to navigate is blueputdroid. Simply download this app on your phone and now you have a bluetooth mouse and keyboard. This could control virtually everything on your tablet. Games like dead trigger could be navigated from the couch and you could even easily browse the internet since you now have a keyboard.
hajalie24 said:
Another way to navigate is blueputdroid. Simply download this app on your phone and now you have a bluetooth mouse and keyboard. This could control virtually everything on your tablet. Games like dead trigger could be navigated from the couch and you could even easily browse the internet since you now have a keyboard.
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LOL I was just thinking earlier today "How can I use an android phone to control an android tablet?". Thank you so much for that info, and I am most definitely going to check it out! But wouldn't this require some kind of server app running on the android tablet? I've used my phone as a keyboard/nouse with my pc before, and they all required the pc side to have a server program running in the background.
WeSiDe said:
Does anyone happen to know if Shadowgun THD happens to support game pads natively?
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I believe it does.
If you're rooted and have a PS3 controller, you can always install Sixaxais Controller. It lets you maps virtual controls. I've done it with Dead Trigger. It works pretty good, but I can't quite get the movement setting just right.
I risked it and went ahead and spent the five bucks on Shadowgun THD. It does support game pads natively, so that's awesome. Plays like a Gears of War Lite.
My next endeavor will be to get the TF700 LTE model when it comes out, unless a better option comes along. I want to use a data plan with it along with something like splashtop to remote into my pc at home.
I can see it now, grinding out levels in guild wars 2 at the bus stop. I did this over my home wireless network and it worked great.
I'm curious about some things concerning the differences between the current TF700 and the LTE TF700 coming out, but I'm gonna make a separate post about that.
WeSiDe said:
LOL I was just thinking earlier today "How can I use an android phone to control an android tablet?". Thank you so much for that info, and I am most definitely going to check it out! But wouldn't this require some kind of server app running on the android tablet? I've used my phone as a keyboard/nouse with my pc before, and they all required the pc side to have a server program running in the background.
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It doesn't need an app installed on the tablet because it acts as a bluetooth mouse and keyboard, which the tablet natively supports.
Another alternative to blueputdroid is the app called tablet remote, the buttons are similar to that of a tv remote, so it's not as versatile as blueputdroid, but and you can connect via bluetooth or over wi-fi. You'll need the app installed on both the tablet and phone.
I'll maintain this thread so long as there's interest. In order for an emulator to be listed here, it needs to meet the following criteria
-must be able to open the app with the OFFICIAL Nexus Player gamepad (NPGP)
-must be able to exit the app with the official NPGP
-Must be able to configure all in-app options, to include gamepad button assignments, with the NPGP.
-Must be installable from the Nexus Player (waivable if installable from Play Store on PC)
-Must have a leanback launcher shortcut
Basically, if the emulator requires root, ADB, third party peripherals (for use or configuration), sideloading, etc., it won't be on this list.
NES:
NES.emu ($3.99)
Open the Play Store on your Nexus Player, and scroll up to search. Type or speak "Nintendo" or "emulator" and this will be one of the options that comes up. Alternatively, you can purchased and push install from the web-based Play Store. Open installation and first run, you should go to the settings and configure the gamepad for in-game actions (specifically, to exit the app).
SNES:
Snes9x EX+ (FREE)
Same as above (same developer and menu system).
I'd advise using the SNES emu first (as it's free) to learn how his menu/control setup works, then move on to his other paid emulators. You can see his other emulators at this page here - https://play.google.com/store/apps/developer?id=Robert Broglia&hl=en
Alternatively, you can open the Play Store on the Nexus Player, scroll up to search, and type/speak "emulator." Pretty much all of those are his. As I purchase his other emulators I'll add them to the above list when confirmed. If others wants to try them and report back, I'll also update the list based on that. If you find other emulators that meet the above criteria, please share.
Won't they get removed from the store soon? Emulators are banned quickly on Google Play, aren't they?
Magnesus said:
Won't they get removed from the store soon? Emulators are banned quickly on Google Play, aren't they?
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Most emulators on Google Play have been there for years. Nesoid and the other emulators made by that developer were removed for a specific violation. Here's a good article on the subject.
http://www.androidpolice.com/2011/0...nded-are-emulators-soon-to-be-banned-content/
Also, I'm going to go out on limb here. It's normally bad form to distribute links of ROM distribution website (and I won't post it here unless a moderator explicitly tells me that it's ok). However, there's one website that is actually legal (and as such, don't expect to find the best games here). Basically, the ESA has set up a way of protecting the rights of gaming companies and their work, while also offering some ROMs to gamers. Read more on the ESA here:
http://www.theesa.com/ (NOTE: Not a ROM distribution site)
Due to this, one website is completely ESA compliant and has, at the request of Nintendo (and other parties) intentionally set up dead links that will usually be at or near the top of Google results. If you search for a specific ROM on a Nintendo platform, and you click on the link for this specific website, all you get is a link that says "This page has been removed due to copyrights." What few ROMs are available on this website are legally freely distributed. Have at it.
The only problem I have with console emulators has always been the controller lag. This has been true even on my gaming PCs. Playing Super Mario 3 for example, on my SNES (bought one just for this game - lol) it's smooth and does what I expect it to. On my PCs, ADT-1, etc., there's always a minor lag that's just enough to throw timing off.
Mame for the most part on the PC has worked very well for fighting games. Chankast with MvsC2 was damn smooth for me. I'd love to see Android get to this level of emulation.
Mi|enko said:
The only problem I have with console emulators has always been the controller lag. This has been true even on my gaming PCs. Playing Super Mario 3 for example, on my SNES (bought one just for this game - lol) it's smooth and does what I expect it to. On my PCs, ADT-1, etc., there's always a minor lag that's just enough to throw timing off.
Mame for the most part on the PC has worked very well for fighting games. Chankast with MvsC2 was damn smooth for me. I'd love to see Android get to this level of emulation.
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There are two types of lag that you'll have to deal with here: system timing and input lag.
System timing - Each emulator developer takes their own approach to this. For the SNES, for example, SNES9X and ZSNES took two different approaches. ZSNES made the system timing more consistent, while SNES9X attempts to emulate the system timing of the SNES to a fault. As a result, playing a game on SNES9X will more closely mirror the actual SNES than ZSNES will. Basically, if you're playing a game that requires timing, you'll have to completely relearn your timing on ZSNES, whereas SNES9X will require less (if any) adjustment.
As for Sega 8/16-bit systems and the 32X, you should ONLY be using Kega Fusion on the desktop. This emulator is made by the same guy who has been hired by Sega numerous times to help them port their "Ages" collections to various platforms. He has inside knowledge of the hardware which is why his emulation is so spot on. There should be no noticeable difference in timing between an actual SMS/Genesis/SegaCD/32X and Kega Fusion. Unfortunately, the emulators available for Android aren't based on Fusion.
Input lag - All monitors/HDTVs have a degree of input lag. If you're gaming at 60fps, you want input lag to be <16.67ms, or 1 frame. This ensure that your button response is never more than 1 frame off. NOTE: This has NOTHING to do with pixel response time advertised by LCD manufacturers. Do NOT confuse these two specs. Here's a database of PC monitors and their associated input lag - http://www.displaylag.com/display-database/
HDTVs have an inherently high input lag due to all of the processing that they attempt to do. If you're going to game on these HDTVs, you want to disable as much as possible by using any built-in game mode that the HDTV has. For example, I use a Samsung L46A650. I bought this HDTV in 2008 because, at the time, it had the best input lag control. To date, no HDTV has bested it, so I'm keeping it until it dies. If I use HDMI input 2, set the source to 1080p (possible with Xbox 360, not with PS3), and set it at PC mode, it acts as a PC monitor. Input lag is <16.67 ms in this mode. For other inputs, enabling game mode has an input lag of 16.67ms to 33.33ms (1-2 frames). VGA (Dreamcast) is <16.67ms. If you dare use standard or movie mode, input lag is 3-4 frames. And if you have component hookups (like my PS2) and forget to enable game mode, it's a horrid 4-6 frames worth of delay. Here's an AVS thread on it - http://www.avsforum.com/forum/166-l...-results-your-lcd-display-here-reference.html
Bottom line is that you can greatly reduce the timing issues that you're having by ensuring that you're using the optimal emulator, and properly configuring your display.
^Thanks for all the detail man! I'm using a Samsung TV as well and had been using game mode for my ADT-1 input. Switching it from Game to PC, I saw a significant improvement in the input lag; however, I do see occasional screen hiccups (just a quick flash while navigating). The SNES games (Mario 3 in this case, for comparative purposes) plays almost flawless and as smooth as my SNES. Not perfect, but a helluva lot better than in game mode. It's comparable to my PC at this point, from the quick 10 minutes of testing I did.
Mi|enko said:
^Thanks for all the detail man! I'm using a Samsung TV as well and had been using game mode for my ADT-1 input. Switching it from Game to PC, I saw a significant improvement in the input lag; however, I do see occasional screen hiccups (just a quick flash while navigating). The SNES games (Mario 3 in this case, for comparative purposes) plays almost flawless and as smooth as my SNES. Not perfect, but a helluva lot better than in game mode. It's comparable to my PC at this point, from the quick 10 minutes of testing I did.
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I'm glad that you found it useful. I want to clarify something from my prior post that I was misleading on.
There are essentially 3 classes of "modern" emulators for the SNES, and there are many that fall in around or between these classes. For this example, I'm going to refer to Higan (formerly BSNES), SNES9X, and ZSNES.
Emulation is tricky. The more accurate you attempt to be, the higher the system specs that you need. Due to this, Higan stands alone as the most accurate emulator. It won't do any graphics filters. It won't speed up games. If a game had a scene with horrendous slowdown on a physical SNES, it will have the same horrendous slowdown on this emulator in the same spot. If you want to perfectly emulate an SNES, don't care about modernizing the graphics, and have the specs to run it (quad-core 3ghz+ Intel Core series CPU), then go for Higan. Note: There's no equivalent for Android, nor could there be at this point.
At the opposite end of the spectrum is ZNES (and there are far worse emulators, but I'm picking on them). Like all emulators not named Higan, this program takes shortcuts to mimic functionality. More shortcuts means better speed and lower system requirements, but also more compatibility issues. Try playing Earthworm Jim 2 and you won't hear most of the sound effects.
SNES9X is a compromise. It is far more accurate than ZSNES and therefore has higher system requirements. It takes more of a 95/5 approach. It won't have the accuracy as Higan, but it also won't have the slowdown found in Starefox to the degree that a real SNES or Higan would. It also allows you to enhance the graphics with filters and such. It's also ported to damn near every platform (including the Android TV app mentioned in the OP). It won't be exactly like playing on an actual SNES, but it will be closer than most emulators while offering enhancements, and consistency across multiple platforms.
I have installed these emulators and these are superb.