Since XIM NEXUS’ recent release we haven’t stopped working hard behind the scenes to bring new features and innovation to this new platform. Like all XIM products, we listen closely to the community which drives the project and our priorities. One common area of feedback that we’ve seen is the ask to bring something like sub-Configs to XIM NEXUS. For those that aren’t aware, prior XIM products (like XIM APEX) have the ability to switch to alternate Config aim settings and button bindings on the fly. The original intent of sub-Configs was a convenience to handle switches of aim mechanic when the player entered a vehicle or started using a turret. This wasn’t deemed necessary for XIM NEXUS since it is a game controller and provides ways to easily switch to a “classic” controller mode to handle these cases. But asks for the feature were still coming in.
Why? Because as it turns out, a major use case of sub-Configs by XIM users today is not for their original design at all. Creative and very complex “off-label” use of them enabled scenarios like automatic hold breath, slide cancel, supergliding, or crouch spamming (and more). In a rudimentary and hard-to-understand way, they offered the ability to program button sequences and automatic stick manipulation – something our disabled gamer community would also benefit from greatly if this were formalized into a first-class feature. And we did just that.
We are happy to introduce
Smart Actions for XIM NEXUS!
Smart Actions is a major redesign and rearchitect of how XIM NEXUS works. The Mapping page at first glance looks really similar to the way it is today. For example, if you want to change the binding for the A button, you select the binding and you can change what it does:
But, you’ll notice something new at the bottom, the
Smart Actions Editor. When you select that, you’ll see a new level of flexibility and functionality in that you will now have the ability to
chain up to 30 actions, in a sequence, per binding. For example:
This new system is extensive in it’s input automation capabilities and I highly recommend checking out our updated
User Guide (starting on page 26) for a more in-depth understanding of how much you can do. For now, here is a higher-level summary of some the new types of actions that you can place in your sequences:
● Console Buttons and Triggers: Like before, specify the console buttons you want pressed or triggers you want pulled (and by how much). But now, you can also release buttons as well as part of your sequence.
● Console Stick Magnitude/Angle: Use to specify a specific position you want a console stick to be held.
● Aim Magnitude/Angle: These are
special and very powerful actions that aren’t the same as the Console Stick Magnitude/Angle just mentioned. Rather, these actions operate directly on the reticle’s aim velocity by leveraging XIM’s proprietary
Smart Translator technology. As a result, you can apply any reticle speed and direction you want, and while it’s being applied, you can also aim normally using motion and/or stick aim at the same time. Because this is a XIM, the end combined result is a blended, seamless and natural aim experience.
● Wait: A common action to use in your sequences, it results in a pause (in milliseconds) between actions.
● Motion Engage/Toggle/Pause: The same function as before, these actions control when motion is active.
● Config Load: These actions allow you to load the next, previous, or now a specific Config.
The system was designed to be extensible so that
new inputs and actions will be added over time based on feedback. For example, inputs and actions to allow you to bind tilt of your controller to a stick axis (for driving or flying). Or, motion gestures to invoke sequences. This is just the beginning.
I want to give a special thanks to
antithesis and
Od1n whose feedback was invaluable during the design and implementation of Smart Actions. The XIM project is really fortunate to have them involved with their extensive knowledge of the gaming space.
Please check out and subscribe to
Od1n’s XIM Central channel where he covers everything XIM – like Smart Actions in the video below:
The Smart Action feature is available
right now in Beta to all XIM NEXUS owners in order to try it out and provide feedback!
