Thustmaster WCS Mark2 and FCS MK1 \ VOGONS

Thustmaster WCS Mark2 and FCS MK1

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First post, by Sirius

Posted on 2024-09-09, 18:45

Sirius Offline

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Joined: 2024-09-09, 18:28
Location: Minden, Germany

Hi Guys, I have questions regarding the WCS MK2 and the FCS from Thrustmaster. In my youth those Sticks where a dream, now I found an FCS and a WCS on FleeBay and I try to find out, how they are working/ being programmed. I use them on my Retro Machine.

After a long search I found some software on the Archive, the Mark2 Utils, where you can download specific files to the WCS for certain games. I tried a few out, but I struggled. I loaded the Wing Commander files on the stick, but handeling the throttle is kind of unstable. Sometimes it works , most of the times it need pulling back and forth in order to accelerate. In X wing the throttle doesn’t do anything and in Descent it also won’t work. Is there anyone who has the full software and experience with those joysticks, who could help me out? The usual internet has not so much information about it. Thanks in advance!

Retro Computing Enthusiast. Gear: MS DOS Machine Pentium MMX 233, ATI Mach 64, Soundblaster AWE 32, PicoGUS + Wavetable PI(MT32-Pi), Netgear LAN, BlueSCSI, Thrustmaster WCS+FCS

Amiga 500, Amiga 1200, CD 32, Amiga 500 Firebird, C64

Reply 1 of 3, by Sirius

Posted on 2024-09-09, 19:04

Sirius Offline

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Joined: 2024-09-09, 18:28
Location: Minden, Germany

Sorry, the software is called Thustmaster Mark 2 Command and Control Center v1.8.

Retro Computing Enthusiast. Gear: MS DOS Machine Pentium MMX 233, ATI Mach 64, Soundblaster AWE 32, PicoGUS + Wavetable PI(MT32-Pi), Netgear LAN, BlueSCSI, Thrustmaster WCS+FCS

Amiga 500, Amiga 1200, CD 32, Amiga 500 Firebird, C64

Reply 2 of 3, by BaronSFel001

Posted on Today, 17:04

BaronSFel001 Offline

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Sorry, I know this is a couple years old but just noticed while looking for something else. I have these devices and played with their software a bit, but that was last decade (retro PC has other peripheral configurations right now). Thrustmaster programmable controls from the gameport era use their own language: while loading control files (the correct ones for the type of controller) may be enough in some instances you NEED the documentation to make heads-or-tails of it and, unfortunately, scans of the manuals seem to be a slim find.

Further details may help narrow down the problem. I recommend first using TMScope (found here, alongside a wealth of other resources: https://tmoldest.racesimcentral.net/techsup/tech-pc.htm) to make sure the controls are operating as they should. Erratic analog behavior could be an issue with a gameport lacking speed regulation, or it could be aging components in the sticks themselves. If it passes, Windows-based tools to simplify programming may still be found at http://www.flyfoxy.com/.

System 20: PIII 600, LAPC-I, GUS PnP, S220, Voodoo3, SQ2500, R200, 3.0-Me
System 21: G2030 3.0, X-fi Fatal1ty, GTX 560, XP-Vista
Retro gaming (among other subjects): https://baronsfel001.wixsite.com/my-site

Reply 3 of 3, by SScorpio

Posted on Today, 17:14

SScorpio Offline

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Joined: 2020-08-31, 13:19

I bought an FCS Mk1 and WCS Mk2 a few years ago and even have the rudders. The stick and rudders connect to the WCS which is newer. The stick is passed as joy1 x/y and throttle and rudder are joy2 x/y. The trigger on the FCS is the only button passed and it's joy1 button1.

The WCS also has a large keyboard 5 pin din, though it's compatible with an adapter to the ps/2 style connector without issue. All of the other inputs get sent as keyboard key presses, and that's what the configuration software is changing.

The WCS's analog is very jumpy, at least on the one I have. The stick and rudders are solid. And the buttons on the WCS are fine.

That said, IMO Xwing wasn't very good with a real throttle. I played it back in the day with the CH Flightstick Pro that had a throttle wheel on it. I mainly ended up using the keyboard shortcuts to instantly toggle between the various throttle percentages. Descent also plays more like it was design around digital forward and back versus a throttle.

Make sure you calibrate the analog controls in the game if possible. And I believe there's should be a calibration tool in the Thrustmaster software archive you grabbed.

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