I got my joystick working on the Origin version. It's a Sidewinder Force Feedback 2 but that's mostly irrelevant, it should work with everything. I used x360ce but there's a catch. Here's how I did it.
For those who don't know, x360ce is a piece of software that emulates an Xbox360 controller using input from your joystick or another device. Basically it tricks your computer into thinking that a xbox 360 controller is plugged in, and this virtual x360 controller is "controlled" by your physical joystick. It translates your joystick inputs into x360 language that BF2042 understands. But as I said there's a catch. So here are the instructions.
1. Make sure that the joystick you want to use is the only game controller that is plugged in. Open the windows settings, search for USB Game Controllers, open it, and make sure there's only one controller and that it is the one you want to use. If for some reason you want to use more than one controller, then I cannot help you because the game just doesn't like it when there are multiple controllers plugged in. If you have used things like vJoy or other joystick emulators in the past, they may show up here so make sure to remove them.
2.Go to x360ce.com and download the latest version (4.17.15.0 as I'm writing this)
3. You need to map your joystick in x360ce (use controller 1) and make sure it's working. There are instructions on the x360ce.com website that you can follow.
4. On the x360ce website there are instructions to install HIDGaurdian. PLEASE READ THE WARNING CAREFULLY. Then, install HID Guardian following these instructions. Do not tick the Configure Automatically checkbox.
5. In x360ce, go to the Devices tab. Look for your joystick and make sure that the "hide" checkbox on the right is ticked for your joystick. Click Save All on the top right. Make sure everything is still working in controller 1 (test your joystick inputs and verify that x360ce is still interpreting them correctly, if not, unplug your joystick and plug it back in then save all and restart x360ce, if that doesn't work go back to step 3). Repeat step 1 and this time make sure the only device showing is "Controller (XBOX 360 For Windows)" (your real joystick should be hidden and therefore shouldn't be in the list).
6. You can them minimize x360ce (don't close it) and start BF 2042.
Hope this helps.
