Hi all,

I've been working on a side project for a while and want some feedback. (TLDR: Video Below)

I wrote a small Linux program that makes a Microsoft Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 work again in modern flight sims. It reads flight state from MSFS 2024 (running under Proton) or X-Plane 11/12 (native Linux), and drives the stick's motors through the Linux kernel's evdev force-feedback interface. No plugin needed in either sim. It should also work for other old FFB joysticks, I just don't have any others to test. 

Yes, I know that most people don't run MSFS 2024 on Linux. But maybe you do, and this also works for XP 11/12..

Microsoft dropped support for ffb in Windows 11 for these old sticks, so sorry, can't do anything about that... It could work in Windows 10, but I haven't bothered building for that. If there's interest I could look into doing that. Are many of you running MSFS 2024 on Windows 10? 

I'm about to open a small beta if there's any interest. I want to be sure the app doesn't fall over on hardware and distros I haven't touched. I've only tested on my own machine (CachyOS + KDE Plasma 6). If you fly on Linux (Fedora, Ubuntu, Mint, Pop!_OS, openSUSE, Arch, anything with systemd) and you've got an FFB2 or even any other force feedback joysting sitting in a drawer, I'd really appreciate you trying it.

If you're interested, leave a comment here and I'll come back to you with how to get it. 

FAQ

1. Is this free -> YES. The version I'm showing will be released as a totally free version. This is a super niche product.. if it takes off, I could perhaps build a version with cloud saves, profile sharing and other value added features, and maybe charge 5 bucks. but that's far away, and this version will be free. 

2. Will the source be released -> Maybe, haven't decided yet. 

3. YOU ASKED FOR ROOT!! -> Yes, many people are new to Linux. If you know what you're doing, just create that one file yourself and you don't need root. 

4. AI SLOP!! ->  Yes, I used Ai to help me build this. Yes, I tested it and read the code.. I do know some programming. Feel free to ignore this if you hate it.

 

Demo video covering Mock mode, MSFS 2024, and X-Plane 12: (it's not a polished marketing demo, just a quick demo)

Chapters:

00:00 Intro showing features

03:53 Mock mode walk-through

07:05 MSFS 2024 under Proton

10:45 X-Plane 12 on Linux

 

Three screenshots:


t

 

 

Edited April 21Apr 21 by JonathanC

Update: This works on Windows 11 as well! Just got it working on Win 11 Pro, latest version, all updates applied. 🙂 

This is really nice for anyone with older forcefeedback sticks.

I'll be launching the beta this week, just cleaning up stuff. 

I’m surprised your announcement didn’t get more traction. There are a lot of us (or at least I’d like to think so, judging by the FFB requests on the official forum) who still use FFB2 in every session. Both under W11 with FS24 and Linux with Xplane12. Personally, I can’t use any simulator anymore without trim input. 

Unfortunately I'm stuck using very old apps (Airforce Player or simFFB) that not only were abandoned by their authors but also don't take advantage of what the simulator's API can do. And there's no way to access the original code to bring them up to date. I refuse to use Xforce because its developer keeps charging for it despite not providing support.

For all these reasons, I encourage you to consider releasing the app under an open-source license that fits your needs. At the same time, I’d urge you to provide a way for people to donate for the time you’ve put into this project.

I think FFB2 still has a lot of potential. Not only does it work fine after all these years, but it could also be the basis for countless mods. I've been considering building a yoke based on its hardware for several years. I'm currently learning electronics and Arduino, and it's one of the projects I'd like to take on.

Thanks a lot for your initiative.

 

 

Don’t worry - I am about to launch the beta today. Full windows support has been added - lots of clean up since the video I posted. 
 

regarding the license - the app I showed will be totally free. It’s fully featured as well ( I built it for myself after all). 
 

I have considered building a paid version that allows for things like easy profile sharing (like ChasePlane does) but that will only happen if there’s interest. This is a very niche product so no point charging for it as a standalone app.
 

 I want simmers to be happy! All solutions for the FFb2 are terrible. 
 

I think you’ll be pleased with it 🙂 

Regarding the open source question - I havent' decided. If I do decide to make a Paid version that requires on going costs (infra to host cloud tuning profiles, email, rating etc), then the source needs to be closed. If this is a one and done.. I can release the source. 

But either way, my committment to deliver a high quality, totally free to use V1 that covers a LOT of ground stands. I'm using the app right now and it is SO GOOD to finally use my FFB2 as it's supposed to be used. 

Edited April 22Apr 22 by JonathanC

I've been successfully using my MS FF2 joystick ever since it came out.  With P3d, I use Russell Dirk's software, FS Force, and with MSFS, I use XP Force.  I am totally happy with both of these programs, and I will NEVER give up my MS FF2 joystick.  You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands!

I bought several of them from Ebay just so I'm never without one.  I've tried dozens of other joysticks, but once you feel the runway texture with a slight jolt on landing, and the runway rolling on takeoff, you'll NEVER go back to another joystick without the capability. Land correctly and you have a normal touchdown feel...land hard, and you certainly feel the force of that landing with this joystick.

It's as real as it gets.

Yes,

2 minutes ago, spilok said:

I am totally happy with both of these programs, and I will NEVER give up my MS FF2 joystick.  You'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands!

Same. I have purchased a couple as well. 

If you like XP Force and FS Force.. well, just wait a few hours 🙂

 

 

3 minutes ago, spilok said:

With P3d, I

Hmm havent' yet built in any P3d support btw, but it might work if it is sending the same simconnect variables. Can be added of course, if enough people show interest. Right now I'm targeting MSFS 2024 and XP 12, but I believe 2020 and XP 11 will work as well, just haven't tested that yet. 

 

It's coming soon! 

It's here -> https://ffb-bridge.com/

Free as promised. Would love feedback even if you don't have the stick - tell me about the install process, the interface and so on. 

Downloaded and tried. 1st attempt in MSFS2024, I couldn't get it to work.  I'll keep trying to find out what I'm doing wrong here.  I hit the space bar but it didn't seem to change anything.

Wondering where I should place the program?  It goes to my C drive (App data).  It asks if I want a different location.  Where should the correct install location be?  I have separate drives for MSFS 2020, MSFS 2024, and P3dv5.4.

thanks for the feedback. the app should just install normally without asking for where to install - defaults to your %APPDATA% folder as Microsoft recommends. 

Can you run the diagnosis and/or the doctor pages and either paste screenshots, or simply upload the support bundle zip file at ffb-bridge.com/feedback. Or just email it to [email protected]

All the files in the zip file are plain text, all PII should have been removed. You can easily open them up in notepad and take a look. 

I'd be happy to help you get it working.

26 minutes ago, spilok said:

Downloaded and tried. 1st attempt in MSFS2024, I couldn't get it to work.  I'll keep trying to find out what I'm doing wrong here.  I hit the space bar but it didn't seem to change anything.

Wondering where I should place the program?  It goes to my C drive (App data).  It asks if I want a different location.  Where should the correct install location be?  I have separate drives for MSFS 2020, MSFS 2024, and P3dv5.4.

 

'Gonna dig out my (three) MSFFB2 sticks and give this a whirl later tonight.

Thank you very much for doing this Jonathan, much appreciated 🫡

2 hours ago, JonathanC said:

thanks for the feedback. the app should just install normally without asking for where to install - defaults to your %APPDATA% folder as Microsoft recommends. 

Can you run the diagnosis and/or the doctor pages and either paste screenshots, or simply upload the support bundle zip file at ffb-bridge.com/feedback. Or just email it to [email protected]

All the files in the zip file are plain text, all PII should have been removed. You can easily open them up in notepad and take a look. 

I'd be happy to help you get it working.

 

Getting lots of Orange and Red (Simconnect) comments in Diagnostics.  Red are Timeout Exceptions which say "Timeout Exception: autodetect neither MSFS nor X Plane responded within 3s".  Orange are "re-trying" comments.

The DOCTOR says MSFS Reachable and SimConnect Config.

I know its Armed and it is definitely powered on.

I'm sure I'll figure it out, but if you have any ideas, I'd appreciate it.

2 hours ago, spilok said:

Getting lots of Orange and Red (Simconnect) comments in Diagnostics.  Red are Timeout Exceptions which say "Timeout Exception: autodetect neither MSFS nor X Plane responded within 3s".  Orange are "re-trying" comments.

The DOCTOR says MSFS Reachable and SimConnect Config.

I know its Armed and it is definitely powered on.

I'm sure I'll figure it out, but if you have any ideas, I'd appreciate it.

MSFS 2024 is the Windows Store install, correct? There's a bug where it works with the Steam version but not with Windows store (looking for the wrong file). I'll install from the Store and trouble shoot. 

Is the stick working with the Mock page? Do you see it move when you go to the mock page, switch to Mock (UI-Driven), and then arm the stick and move the sliders and click the test buttons?