VKB Joysticks
in Star Citizen

This page is an HOWTO that will guide you step by step in order to configure the dual VKB Gladiator NXT (EVO) Premium joysticks using the VKBDevCfg configuration software so they can be used for Star Citizen with the BuzZz-Killer Bindings without the need to install the Joy2Key utility software.

You can follow BuzZz-Killer Youtube Video on how to apply those bindings in the game.

At the end of this page, I give a link with my own custom binding, which is BuzZz-Killer's with a few modifications that felt more natural for me.

First, we will change the configuration of the right joystick's analog mini-stick, so it acts primarily as a POV (hat switches) and secondary as a Mouse.

In VKBDevCfg, select the Right Joystick, then go Common > Global, and activate the Mouse as Relative and Always On.

Go to Profile > POVs, and replace the first POV Type output with the Mouse.

At this point you have replaced the POV with the Mouse.

Go to Profile > Axes > Axes2Buttons and activate Edges2 with Num 1 on both axis 5 and 6. Set a VBut1 of 19 for axis 5 and 17 for axis 6.

Now you have created buttons at the ends on the analog stick axes, and assigned them to the POV physical output (but it's reversed).

Go to Profile > Axes > Logical axes, uncheck Vs for the axis 5 and 6, and check R for those axes too.

This will deactivate the Analog Axes on the joystick, so they don't appear anymore on Windows (and in games settings), and also reverse the direction so the POV output from the previous step are now in the correct direction.

Go to Profile > Buttons > Physical layer and select the item noted uSSw on Reg#3/Line 5, and uncheck POV mode on start.

This will set the "new" POV function as default when the joystick boot-up (just like it was originally).

Go to Profile > External > LEDs and uncheck Invert for LED 4.

This will set the red LED off when in POV mode, and on when in Mouse mode (just like it was originally).

You then need to save the configuration on the joystick with Action > Set.

That's it! You have recreated a functioning POV just like originally, with the Mouse instead of Analog Axes on the secondary functions.

You can test the POV in Test > Buttons / POVs, test that the Mouse mode works, and also that the Rot X and Rot Y are not available anymore in Test > Axes1.

Second, we will change the configuration of the left joystick's pinky button, so it acts primarily as 1st / 3rd view switch and, when holding it, as a Modifier to activate secondary functions. And also change the direction of the joystick's Y axis (thrust) as it is reversed in the game.

In VKBDevCfg, select the Left Joystick, then go Common > Global, and activate the Keyboard as Classic with no delay.

Go to Profile > Buttons > Physical layer and select the item noted B on Reg#2/Line 3, select Keyboard and KEY_F4, and check RIGHT Ctrl.

This will simulate a Keyboard press of Right Ctrl + F4 when you press the pinky button on the joystick.


Go to Profile > Axes > Logical axes, check R for the axis 2.

This will invert the direction of the joystick's Y axis (thrust).

You then need to save the configuration on the joystick with Action > Set.

That's it! You have created key presses when using the pinky button.

You can test the key presses in Test > Buttons / POVs, check the Keyboard option, and use the pinky button. Both keys should appear in the list. Also test that the Y axis is reversed in Test > Axes1.

Finally , I will add an S response curve on both joysticks' axes, so the response will be precise on the first 50% of movement, and more aggressive on the last 50%.

In VKBDevCfg, select the Right Joystick, then go to Profile > Axes > Response curve, and add the following values in the first three lines: 60, 72, 87, 106, 128, 143, 147, 143, 136, 128.

You can duplicate a line by selecting the line you want to duplicate, and click on the other line while holding the Shift key.

This will create a nice S shaped curve, you can adapt to your liking by clicking on the curve and moving the point manually.

Go to Profile > Axes > Physical Axes, and check Eq for the axes 1, 2 and 3.

This will apply the S shaped curve to the three joysticks' axes.

You then need to save the configuration on the joystick with Action > Set.

That's it! You have applied an S response curve to the joysticks' axes.

Now, do the exact same steps for the Left Joystick.

And here is my modified version of BuzZz-Killer's bindings: DOWNLOAD BINDINGS - DOWNLOAD PICTURE.

Extract the ZIP, and copy the two .xml files in the folder C:\Program Files\Roberts Space Industries\StarCitizen\LIVE\USER\Client\0\Controls\Mappings.

In the Star Citizen menu, first clear the current joysticks bindings: click on Options > Keybindings > Advanced Controls Customization > Control Profiles and select BK_Clear-Bindings, then select the following options:

  • Keyboard = None,

  • Mouse = None,

  • Gamepad = None,

  • Joystick = Joystick 1,

  • Joystick = Joystick 2.

Then, load the bindings: click on Options > Keybindings > Advanced Controls Customization > Control Profiles and select BK_VKB-EVO_3-17-2_Modified, then select the following options again:

  • Keyboard = None,

  • Mouse = None,

  • Gamepad = None,

  • Joystick = Joystick 1,

  • Joystick = Joystick 2.

If the joysticks are swapped (left is on the right or vice versa), in the Star Citizen console (accessed by pressing the ~ key) type the following command: “pp_resortdevices joystick 1 2”.

More information in the file READ ME (Setup and Troubleshooting).rtf from BuzZz-Killer.