In The Black (Demo) - The Hardware Update - 1390

Steam post image What's New

We're excited to introduce the completely redesigned Input System 2.0 for In The Black! This major overhaul brings a modern, flexible input management system that makes configuring your controls easier and more reliable than ever before.

⚠️ WARNING: All previous input settings will be reset! Legacy profiles are not compatible with the new system. Your controls will reset to defaults upon first launch.

Track-IR Head-Tracking Support (NEW)

Track-IR support is now integrated, giving you true head-look in the cockpit for better spatial awareness, target tracking, and immersion.

• Look around your cockpit naturally without taking your hands off your flight controls

• Keep your nose on target while visually scanning your surroundings

• Huge boost to situational awareness during close-quarters dogfights and formation flying

Track-IR can be enabled and configured under: Settings > Misc > Head Tracking

Tobii Eye/Head Tracking support is in active development and will be coming in a future update.

New Input Profile System

Save & Manage Multiple Profiles

• Create unlimited custom control profiles for different playstyles or hardware setups

• Switch between profiles instantly from the settings menu

• Your last-used profile is automatically remembered

• Duplicate existing profiles to use as templates

• Import and export profiles to share with friends or use across different computers

Built-in Profile Protection

• The "Default" profile is now read-only and can't be accidentally modified

• Any attempt to edit the default profile automatically creates a new "Custom" profile

• Your personalized settings are always safe from being overwritten

Auto-Save

• All changes to your bindings and settings are automatically saved

• No more losing your carefully configured controls due to crashes or forgotten saves

• Changes apply immediately – no restart required

Multi-Device Support

Dual Joystick (HOSAS) Support

If you're flying with dual joysticks or multiple identical controllers, the new system properly recognizes each device individually:

• Identical controllers are numbered sequentially (e.g., "Joystick", "Joystick_2", "Joystick_3")

• Each device maintains its own unique bindings

• Devices are remembered even when unplugged or reconnected in different USB ports

Supported Device Types

The new system recognizes and organizes controls by device category:

• Keyboard & Mouse

• Gamepads: Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch controllers, and generic gamepads

• Flight Controls: Joysticks, throttles, rudder pedals

• Custom Devices: Functionality not guaranteed

Improved Control Binding

Easier Axis Configuration

• Simple Range Modes: Choose between Full, Limited, or Inverted ranges instead of dealing with offset values

• Better Binding Detection: The system now picks up the axis you're moving most, not just the first one

• Auto-Commit: Axis bindings automatically confirm when you stop moving the control – no more "must recenter" frustrations

• Real-Time Preview: See exactly what the system is detecting as you move controls

Enhanced Sensitivity & Dead Zones

• Separate sensitivity controls for different input types

• Independent mouse sensitivity settings

• Per-axis dead zone configuration

• Global pitch and yaw inversion options

Profile Import/Export System

Share Your Configurations

• Export your entire control scheme to a file

• Import configurations from other players

• Three import modes:

  • Overwrite: Replace your current profile completely

  • AddedNewCreate a brand new profile from the import

  • Merge: Combine imported bindings with your existing setup

Cross-Platform Compatibility

• Profiles exported on one computer work seamlessly on another

• Device names are automatically matched even if USB ports differ

• Missing devices are gracefully handled without breaking your profile

Quality of Life Improvements

User Interface

• Cleaner, more organized settings layout

• Device filters make it easy to see bindings by input device

• Search and filter your control bindings

• Clear visual feedback when configuring controls

• Fixed confusing error messages when saving profiles

Reliability

• Disconnected devices no longer break your control bindings

• Profile files are validated to prevent corruption

• Graceful handling of missing or unavailable devices

• Improved compatibility with Steam Input and other overlay software

Opening Profile Folders

⚠️ Known Issue: Currently not working as intended. Fix should be out shortly.

• One-click access to your profile save directory (when fixed)

• Will work correctly in packaged Steam builds

• Easy profile file management for backups or manual edits

Input System Known Issues

• Axis Range Settings: Can be finicky, particularly the "Range" option. May require toggling the "Range" setting back and forth for the desired value to stick.

• AddedDuplicate MappingsSystem currently allows duplicate mappings to be added. We recommend checking for duplicates manually.
• AddedProfile SelectorOccasionally starts with no profile selected. Choosing an option or using "Save As" to create a new profile should resolve it.

Input System Bug Fixes

• Fixed only being able to bind a single device

• Fixed controls doubling input when multiple axes were mapped to the same action

• Fixed joystick bindings being lost when devices were reconnected

• Fixed profile corruption issues when saving during gameplay

• Fixed device names changing every time the game launched

• Fixed "ghost" bindings from disconnected devices

• Fixed profile selector showing system files as options

• Fixed errors when importing profiles from other users

• Resolved issues with identical devices being treated as the same hardware

Tips & Tricks

Creating Specialized Profiles

1. Start with the "Default" profile as your base

2. Make a change (this creates a "Custom" profile automatically)

3. Using "Save As", name your custom profile to something descriptive (e.g., "HOSAS Setup", "Gamepad Casual")

4. Create multiple specialized profiles for different ships or playstyles

Sharing Profiles with Friends

1. Configure your controls the way you like

2. Go to Settings > Input > Export (Saves to [c]AppData\\Local\\InTheBlack\\Saved\\InputProfiles\\Exported[/c])

3. Share the exported file with your squadron

4. They import it via Settings > Input > Import

Backup Your Settings

• Profile files are stored in [c]AppData\\Local\\InTheBlack\\Saved\\InputProfiles[/c]

• Back up this folder to preserve your configurations

• Useful before major updates or system changes

• Syncing profiles with Steam Cloud is on our TODO list

Experimenting Safely

• Duplicate your working profile before making major changes

• You can always delete experimental profiles that don't work out

• The "Default" profile is always available as a fallback

Asset & Configuration Cleanup

• Removed a large number of unused assets, input data tables, and configuration files

• Reduced overall build size and project clutter

• Cleaned up logging configurations to focus on relevant debug information

• Makes future profiling and issue investigation less noisy and more efficient

Additional Known Issues

• Drone Sweep Mission Startup

  • On the Drone Sweep mission, there is a bug where:

    • The player spawns in

    • Nothing happens for a short period

    • Only then does the cinematic play

  • This behavior is not intended and will be addressed in an upcoming hotfix.

Head Tracking Known Useability Issue

• Under SETTINGS > MISC > MOVE LIMIT the default value shows 0cm when it is actually 200cm

• Once this value is manually changed, you will be limited to the 0cm-50cm range

• Values still persist, this is mainly a UI issue

What's Next

This is just the foundation! We're continuing to improve the input system and network experience based on your feedback. Planned improvements include:

• Additional axis curve customization options

• More granular per-device sensitivity controls

• Enhanced conflict detection and warnings

• Visual binding diagrams for common hardware

• Developer/Community-made profiles for common hardware

• "Clear All" option or blank profile to build a profile from scratch

• Clean up, add, improve input mappings.

• Improvements to the Ship Editor

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues with the new input system or this update:

1. Try selecting the "Default" profile to reset to known-good bindings

2. Check our Discord for community-shared profiles and troubleshooting tips

3. Report bugs via the in-game feedback system

Fly Safe, Pilots!

The Impeller Studios Team