Finally play Assetto Corsa with a controller in a natural console-like way.
Thanks to Content Manager's new GamepadFX scripts, gamepads are now usable in Assetto Corsa. Gamepad FX allows a LUA script to monitor and change inputs to aid controllers. If anyone's enabled 'Steering Assist' for gamepads in ACC, that's pretty much what this is.
This script is based on one built by @Akeyroid7. This genius made a wonderful script which had a lot of potential, but the response rate was a little slow for grip driving, giving a 'pendulum' and almost tank-slapper effect if you were to steer a little too harsh where it was trying to correct it. My version tightens things up a lot.
How does it work?
AC's primary input is with a wheel, not a gamepad. Imagine flicking the stick from left to right; that gamepad equates to a full 900 degree lock to lock, hence why it's hard to drive with a gamepad without assistance. This script irons out any harsh inputs, flatten force feedback movements, and counters small unintentional slips and slides, allowing your intended inputs to be translated to the car properly via thumbsticks.
It doesn't drive for you, nor will it stop you from spinning if you drive too hard. It's essentially what console games are doing under the hood when you drive a car with a pad.
Show me!
Here's a video showcasing three separate cars:
- A modern GT3 car
- A Group C LeMans car
- A Formula 1 Car
All of these have very different steering feel, but they're all playable via a gamepad.
Why use a gamepad?
Because it's still a game, and the ability to sit back and enjoy a race on the TV, sat on the sofa with a gamepad is a very inticing prospect. You can always set up the rig for more serious races.
For example, enjoying the full F1 2022 season on Assetto Corsa in the comfort of my living room means I don't have to pay £50 a year to EA for a broken game.
Installation
- Move the folder into:
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\assettocorsa\extension\lua\joypad-assist
- Navigate to Settings > Custom Shaders Patch > Gamepad FX, and select the new script.
- Set controller settings to:
- Speed Sensitivity: 100%
- Steering Speed: 1%
- Steering Gamma: 100%
- Steering Filter: 0%
- Steering Deadzone: 35%
- Navigate to Settings > Assetto Corsa < View & UI, and change the 'Steering Wheel Limit' to 180°.
- Enable ABS and save your ABC/TC settings as a 'Gamepad' preset. This is due to the script having no gamma to control the brakes if they lock up, so you'll have to use ABS.
Troubleshooting
- "I can't see GamepadFX!"
Update your Content Manager, and possible Custom Shaders Patch too.
- "My wheel looks crazy!"
Be sure you've completed the installation step 4 above
- "Why can't I drift?"
There are other scripts for drifting, this is for grip driving. Sorry!
Known Issues
- The car will fish tail if you let go of the steering mid-turn, rather than peacefully return to the middle. There's not much I can do about this sorry.
