Home Page Forums MAME MAME Use of Stable Controller IDs

I created a .cfg file to set an order of mapping between controllers.
Everything works fine if all the controller specified in the .cfg file are connected before launching MAME.

But in case the controller I assigned as #1 in not connected for example, Mame slides the list, assigning the #1 to the second controller, #2 to the third etc ect.
Is there a way to keep every controller assigned to the same position?

Thanks.

It's a bit complicated but this method does work. You need to have MAME 0.178 or newer to use it, if I recall correctly.
https://docs.mamedev.org/advanced/devicemap.html

Thanks Stiletto, but that's what I already did.
Actually, I have 4 controllers regularly mapped in order by the .cfg file I created following the guide of the link you posted.

Everything works fine but only if all 4 controllers are connected, or maybe just the first 3 of the list, or just the first 2.

The problem happens for example when the controller I assigned as #1 is not connected, leaving one empty position in the list, and MAME assigning the #1 to the second controller, #2 to the third etc ect.
It should left the #1 unassigned and keep the other controllers to their position instead of slide the entire list to the previous slot.

Is this on Windows? Stable controller IDs only works on Windows, and even then it can fail due to issues with the gamepads' firmware and such. PCs are not designed for this use case, unfortunately, so you really need to leave all of the controllers always connected.

No, I'm using SDLmame on MacOS.
As I wrote, IT DOES works perfectly if I connect the first controllers of the lists without leaving empty any position.

No, I promise, there are no stable controller IDs on MacOS. It's working by accident when everything's plugged in.

You are right, I extensively tested Mame 0.218 and it's working by accident when everything's plugged in.

But during the past, I remember I used it a lot, so I tried with an old version, Mame 0.203, and I can assure you, It's working perfectly. Also in case one of the controller is not connected, it keeps the position assigned.
For example, if I unplug controller #1 and start MAME with just #2 and #3 connected they keeps their position, and #1 remains unassigned (you must use the keyboard).

This is the content of my .cfg file placed inside the "ctrlr" folder:

<mameconfig version="10">
<system name="default">
<input>
<mapdevice device="8BitdoNES30Arcade" controller="JOYCODE_1" />
<mapdevice device="Nimbus" controller="JOYCODE_2" />
<mapdevice device="PLAYSTATION(R)3Controller" controller="JOYCODE_3" />
<mapdevice device="PS4Controller" controller="JOYCODE_4" />
</input>
</system>
</mameconfig>

Would you be able to bring back that function please? It was awesome!