How do I Mod a New Style XBox Controller?

Setup

• 1

  Download and install the most up-to-date software for your Xbox controller, if you have not already. (See Resources.) After you download the software, all you need to do is double-click on the downloaded file to begin installation. This will install the necessary drivers and the "Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories Status" software.

• 2

  Download and install a file compression software, such as WinRAR. This is to compress the files when you're done designing your mod.

• 3

  Create a new folder anywhere on your computer. All of the mod files will go in here.

• 4

  Download a controller emulator to the folder you created. See Resources for choices of emulators.

• 5

  Install the emulator. Do not install it to the folder you created; you can use the default install location.

Connecting Your Controller

• 6

  Start the "Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories Status" software that you installed. You find it by clicking the start button in the lower-left of your screen, then "All Programs," then "Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories," then "Microsoft Xbox 360 Accessories Status." The status bar should appear on your screen.

• 7

  Press the green "Guide" button in the center of your controller to turn it on.

• 8

  Plug in the wireless gaming receiver to a USB port on your computer.

• 9

  Press the connect button on the receiver.

• 10

  Press the connect button on your controller, which is on the front of the device just below and to the right of the "Microsoft" logo.

Creating the Mod

• 11

  Locate the default settings for the game that your mod is for. These are listed in the instruction manuals and in the game itself, usually under "Options" or "Settings."

• 12

  Assign the controller buttons to fit according to your preferences for your mod. You have to tell the emulator what each button on the controller corresponds to on the keyboard or mouse. For instance, if you want the controller's "Start" button to be "Pause," you need to assign it to the "Pause" action on the keyboard or mouse, (probably the "Escape" key). Do this for each of the buttons on the controller. Since every emulator is different, for specifics you may need to look at the help information under the "Help" menu at the top of the program window.

• 13

  Assign the controller joysticks, if necessary. Many emulators default to the correct functions for the controller, but if not, you will have to set it up. Since every emulator is different, you may need to reference the information provided in the emulator's help file for specifics.

• 14

  Save or export your configuration to the new file you created. Usually this option is under the "File" menu at the top of the window, then "Save" or "Export." You might want to name the file something descriptive. This is the file that people using your mod will import. You've done all of the work assigning actions to the controller's buttons and joysticks; now all other people have to do is import your configurations and they're ready to go.

• 15

  Practice importing your configuration file. Usually this is done by clicking the "File" menu and then "Import" or "Open."

• 16

  Write a help text file for your mod using Notepad or Wordpad. This file should be in the new folder you created earlier. The help file should include information on importing your configuration, what game or games the configuration is intended for, the actions you assigned to the controller's buttons and perhaps a brief overview of using the emulator software.

• 17

  Compress the files in the folder you created. This should now include the emulator, the configuration file and your help file. Each program for compressing files is different, so you may have to check the file-compression program's help information by running the program and looking under the "Help" menu at the top of the window. Often you can compress the files by highlighting the files, right-clicking them and selecting "create zip file," "create RAR file," "compress" or "add to archive."