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Overview

The [controller] section allows you to configure gamepad support for Halo, including custom button mappings and axis configurations.

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Enable Controller Support

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enabled
boolean
default:"0"
Enable controller support. Must be set to 1 to use gamepad features.
[controller]
enabled=1

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Button Mappings

You can customize button and axis labels for your controller. The format follows these patterns:

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Button Format

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button_N
string
Label for button N, where N is the button number.
button_1=Button 1
button_2=Button 2

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Axis Format

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axis_N_p
string
Label for axis N positive direction, where N is the axis number.
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axis_N_n
string
Label for axis N negative direction, where N is the axis number.
axis_2_n=Axis 2 (-)
axis_3_p=Axis 3 (+)

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POV Hat Format

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pov_N_direction
string
Label for POV hat N in the specified direction (n, e, s, w for north, east, south, west).
pov_4_e=POV 4 (East)
pov_1_n=POV 1 (North)

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Example Configuration

Here’s an example configuration with various button types: 
[controller]
enabled=1

# Face buttons
button_1=A Button
button_2=B Button
button_3=X Button
button_4=Y Button

# Shoulder buttons
button_5=Left Bumper
button_6=Right Bumper

# Analog sticks
axis_1_p=Left Stick Right
axis_1_n=Left Stick Left
axis_2_p=Left Stick Down
axis_2_n=Left Stick Up
axis_3_p=Right Stick Right
axis_3_n=Right Stick Left
axis_4_p=Right Stick Down
axis_4_n=Right Stick Up

# Triggers
axis_5_p=Left Trigger
axis_6_p=Right Trigger

# D-Pad
pov_1_n=D-Pad Up
pov_1_e=D-Pad Right
pov_1_s=D-Pad Down
pov_1_w=D-Pad Left

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Premade Controller Configs

Chimera provides premade controller configurations for popular controllers. You can find them at:github.com/SnowyMouse/chimera/tree/master/controller_config
Instead of manually configuring buttons, you can:
  1. Download a premade config for your controller
  2. Copy the settings from that config into your chimera.ini
  3. Adjust as needed

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Common Controller Types

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Xbox Controller

[controller]
enabled=1

# Standard Xbox layout
button_1=A
button_2=B
button_3=X
button_4=Y
button_5=LB
button_6=RB
button_7=Back
button_8=Start
button_9=Left Stick Click
button_10=Right Stick Click

# Left stick
axis_1_p=Left Stick Right
axis_1_n=Left Stick Left
axis_2_p=Left Stick Down
axis_2_n=Left Stick Up

# Right stick
axis_3_p=Right Stick Right
axis_3_n=Right Stick Left
axis_4_p=Right Stick Down
axis_4_n=Right Stick Up

# Triggers
axis_5_p=LT
axis_6_p=RT

# D-Pad
pov_1_n=Up
pov_1_e=Right
pov_1_s=Down
pov_1_w=Left

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PlayStation Controller

[controller]
enabled=1

# PlayStation layout
button_1=Cross
button_2=Circle
button_3=Square
button_4=Triangle
button_5=L1
button_6=R1
button_7=Select
button_8=Start
button_9=L3
button_10=R3

# Left stick
axis_1_p=Left Stick Right
axis_1_n=Left Stick Left
axis_2_p=Left Stick Down
axis_2_n=Left Stick Up

# Right stick
axis_3_p=Right Stick Right
axis_3_n=Right Stick Left
axis_4_p=Right Stick Down
axis_4_n=Right Stick Up

# Triggers
axis_5_p=L2
axis_6_p=R2

# D-Pad
pov_1_n=Up
pov_1_e=Right
pov_1_s=Down
pov_1_w=Left

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Testing Your Configuration

  1. Enable controller support: enabled=1
  2. Add your button mappings
  3. Save chimera.ini
  4. Launch Halo
  5. Test buttons in-game to verify mappings
  6. Adjust as needed
If you’re unsure about button numbers, start with a premade config from the Chimera repository and modify it to match your preferences.

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Troubleshooting

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Controller Not Detected

  • Ensure enabled=1 is set in the [controller] section
  • Verify your controller is connected before launching Halo
  • Try a premade config from the Chimera repository

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Wrong Button Mappings

  • Button numbers may vary between controllers
  • Use a controller testing tool to identify button numbers
  • Reference premade configs for your controller type

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Axis Inversion

  • If an axis is inverted, swap the _p and _n labels
  • For example, swap axis_2_p with axis_2_n

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