This is the response i received from the Support Team:
EA Response (Bill) 10/11/2003 08:26 PM
Hi Stuart.
We test and support FIFA 2004 with all the major 6 button game controllers. In the manual we provide links to Microsoft, Logitech, Saitek, Thrustmaster, Act Labs and Gravis. In no way do we support one controller manufacturer over another and we categorically do not code our games so that they will not function with a particular brand of controller.
My colleague here plays FIFA 2004 with a Microsoft Sidewinder with no problems at all. Perhaps if you let me know which controller you have, and what the problem is, I will be able to help you.
Best Regards,
Bill Petty
Customer Support Supervisor
EA Support Centre, UK and Eire
This is my reply:
Thanks for your reply. I understand that you do support the major game controller companies. I personally use a 2-Player EMS Adapter which allows me to use my PS2 pads on the PC. I know that the usual EA response to this is: “I’m afraid I can’t help you, this pad is not supported”
However after researching around I found out how to get my controller to be mapped.
1, Look at the config.dat. Find a “supported” controller
2, In the REGISTRY change the OEM name of the “generic” pad to a “supported” controller name found in the config.dat
3, Edit the config.dat to remap the buttons. This is the only way to do it, otherwise FIFA will crash in game while trying to remap the buttons.
I really can’t understand why people like me should have to do this. This really is the ONLY game on a PC I have to EDIT the REGISTRY and a text file to play FIFA with a “generic” pad. And I can only conclude that there IS some deal going on between Microsoft, Logitech, Saitek, Thrustmaster, Act Labs and Gravis. I know their names aren’t put in there for free.
Please read this part: If you look a MVP Baseball (EA), it handles controller configurations beautifully, please explain why FIFA (EA too) can’t integrate this code into the game. I know this is probably the wrong place to send my response, so please forward this email to the developers of FIFA and please feel free to put my methods above on the support and faqs for FIFA 04.
It’s not exactly user-friendly is it? MVP Baseball can support all sorts of "generic" controllers so why can't FIFA. That is the real question I would like to hear a response to.