Main > Main Forum
4 player panel, size and joystick/interface considerations...please help
<< < (4/5) > >>
DillonFoulds:

--- Quote from: sstralkowski on June 22, 2010, 11:03:26 am ---Why did you offset players 1 & 2?  The lack of symmetry drives my OCD brain nuts, but I'm assuming you've got a rational reason for it. 

--- End quote ---

To be honest. I have -no- reasoning behind WHY they're like that. I copied the layout from my NBA JAM TE conversion kit, and it seems to fit comfortably for all players.

I could always straighten it out, but it seems to "work". Elbow space hasn't been a problem for anyone yet with this layout, and I'd like to imagine for fighting games etc, where the slanted 2p layout will shine, that the offset controls should really give that extra space.
severdhed:
well, i have an old table in my basement that was just about the right size, so i taped off an area 42x18 to see how i could layout everything...i just dont think it will work.  so i think i am going to have to make it 46x18 and that should get me the space i need. 

i found that i need at least 6 inches between the center of the trackball hole and the player 2 joystick, which puts 18" between player 1 and 2 joysticks. otherwise, the p2 joystick is in the way of my arm when using the buttons near the 4way stick. 

i also found that i need at least 11" between the player 2 and 4 joysticks in order to have enough hand space.  i think everything will work this way.

the red button in the center at the back is the exit button, and will be the only admin button on the panel. Im not 100% sure about it being a red button, but red seems to make the most sense as an exit button.   normally i dont like to have coin buttons, but the cabinet i plan on using only has a 2 player coin door and i dont feel like modifying that.  i think for the start buttons, i'll get black player buttons and swap the plungers with the matching color buttons (ex blue ring with black center) and do the opposite for the coin buttons.

players 3 and 4 look a little awkward but they seem to feel pretty good on my table mockup

does this look any better?  i'm just concerned that it will be too big for a cabinet with a 27" monitor.



Xiaou2:
1)  I believe your biggest problem is that the side players joys appear to be facing inwards...
meaning... that if they have to move a character Up on-screen... they will have to
push the joys a completely different direction in relation to the screen action.  Might seem
easy enough, but you will quickly find yourself making costly errors in heat of action.

 All 4 player arcade games mounted their joys all facing and mapped the same direction.
(Everyone who had to press up - pressed the joy in towards the monitor)
 
 They merely put the buttons in slightly odd places, yet kept the comfort levels as best
as possible.


2) Angling the buttons will only make a persons elbow stick out that much further. It also
leads to slipping off buttons, hitting the side edges instead of the middle of the button.
Your keyboard you type on is not curved. There is good reason for that.

3) Player 2s joystick is too close to the trackball.  When spinning the ball hard, you may slam
into the joy easily.  Better to move it closer to player 1s buttons.  May not be centered...but
will be better for playability.

4) 4way joystick is too deep, and will lead to extreme discomfort in minutes of play.
Better to move the 4way within a centemeter above any of the other sticks, and slightly to the
left.  This will allow the stick to be closer, but not interfere with the standard mode. Also will
make the buttons easier to reach when playing the 4way.  You can additionally add a 2nd 4way,
for dual 4way action games.

5) No Spinners?

=====

 In the pic, note the angles and placment of arms and wrists.  The left hand is vertical, & needs less
support space... but the arm angle is wide.  The right hand lays flat, needing more rest space,
but, it can comfortably bend the wrists like a snake, keeping the arm angle tight to the body.

 The placement of the 4player stick shown above player 1, easily reached & using player 1s
buttons easily. Not in the way of player 1s 8way joy.

 All players facing the correct directions.  The side players bodies can angle a little, and because
of height differences, joy and buttons can be close together to save space.  Wrists and arms
fit better, by raising the controls a little above the 1&2 player controls.  You can see this style in
most the 4player games, and works out well.

 Moved coin and start buttons closer to each players button hand.

 Trackball now has plenty of room for fast and hard spinning. (the way they are designed to be
used)

 Not accurate  in this drawing... so best to get the troops together,
make a cardboard layout, and test arm positions.. adjusting control spacings as needed.
Xiaou2:
Off-center Ball version : More 4p comfort / space

 
severdhed:
those are some great suggestions, i'll have to try them out when making my mockup panel.

when i was testing things out last night on that table in my basement, i was trying to take notice to where my arms would be at the various locations and i think i can make it work like this.  symmetry is important for some reason..i just have a hard time not centering things.  as for the trackball in relation to players 1 and 2, i know it will work fine, because that is the exact same spacing as on my existing two player panel...the joysticks have never been in the way. (the bright green rectangle on the image below shows the size and location of my current 2 player panel, which is 12x30) i dont play golden tee or anything like that.  occasionally there will be a game of world class bowling, but 99% of the time, the trackball is used only for centipede and millipede..so no big violent gestures to worry about.

i plan on keeping the joysticks all oriented the same way, it seems a little weird, but i think it is the right choice.

as for the 4way stick, that is where we have it mounted in the panel at work and it feels just fine. (12" back from the front panel, behind the trackball)  i am trying to base this off of the panel we have here at work, but it is 52" wide, so 'm trying to cut down on the width.  standing at an angle on the player 3 and 4 locations may be a little weird, but it will mostly be used when there are other peoples children over to visit...kids arent picky.

here is an updated mockup with rough estimation on the hand locations.


i really wont know how well it will work until i can get a test panel made, today is my wedding anniversary, so not work on it tonight, and we are going away this weekend, so it could be a long wait till i find out :(
Navigation
Message Index
Next page
Previous page

Go to full version