Mass Effect MAME cabinet *updated Oct. 1

[ainGide]

Hello, everyone!  I wanted to start a topic about my cabinet to sort of get myself motivated to finish.

This cab is based on the SSV Normandy, which is the hero ship in the Mass Effect game series.  The theme isn't strictly arcade, but ME is pretty sci-fi, Bladerunner...ish and '80s, so I went with it.  The left side is the SR1, the model from the first game, and the right side is the SR2, the model from the sequel.  Control panel is based on the navigation deck of the ship.

There's nothing particularly new regarding the physical design of the cab.  It's just a tweaked version of the basic Lusid design from Project Arcade and a bunch of stolen ideas from improvements people have made over the years.  The guts are an AMD machine from a few years ago running Hyperspin.  The setup is fast enough to run SF4 at 60fps, which was my baseline.

Thanks for looking!

[jimmy2x2x]

Very nice work!

Are the sides a vinyl print?

[emphatic]

Lovely artwork! Really digging the borders on the CPO. 

[KagatoAMV]

Cool theme choice, I'm a big fan of ME and ME2. I'm looking forward to seeing more pics as you progress.

[ainGide]

Very nice work!

Are the sides a vinyl print?

Thanks!  It's actually just paint.

There was some fumbling around to get something that looked good, but I ended up finding a good combination of flat paint, masking tape, hammered spray-paint and markers.  The main idea behind using hammered paint was stolen from the awesome Heavy Metal Arcade (http://bellsouthpwp2.net/g/c/gcnewsome/fin001.html).

I attached a photo of the first scrap of wood I tested on (final version is a lot less sloppy ).  The 3D effect from the combination of paints really works when you walk around and see all of the different highlights and textures.

[jimmy2x2x]

Thats even more impressive!

I bet you have a lot of time invested in the paint job

[Rick]

OMG, what a fantastic idea...  Your cab gives me SUCH a great idea for a themed cab...  Edit: I'm not going to steal your thunder.

[EvilNuff]

That paint job is fantastic...really nice.

[mgb]

Yeah
The cabinet is looking real nice.
I love the control panel

[DirtyDachshunds]

Awesome job.

Just curious, but what games do you plan on playing that use all 8 buttons?

[ainGide]

Just curious, but what games do you plan on playing that use all 8 buttons?

Probably none.  If I ever shove a PlayStation or Xbox in there all eight might get some use, but that'll probably never happen.

I did the 8-button layout so I could have have four across the bottom for Neo Geo games and the standard(ish) six-button layout for SF.  I could've gone with a 7-button layout (four on bottom, three on top), but no eighth button at the top-right looked weird to me.

[mgb]

I think the 8 buttons often looks better than 7. It gives the 4 in a row for neo geo and still has a balanced look.
I would have gone the same way on my latest cp but room was a little bit of an issue with mine so I went with 6

[ainGide]

Was able to get some more things done this weekend.  Biggest were t-molding, finishing more side art (about 90% complete), joysticks, kb tray, front door, bezel and speakers.

I also did a little photoshopping to see what the marquee will look like installed.  It needs some work.

Big things left are finish SR2 logo on right side, install bezel glass/trim, print/install marquee, electrical and putting final touches on software.

[releasedtruth]

Could definitely add some flair to the marquee with something in the background. A nice space scene, the ship in flight or the like. Any reason why no trackball in the middle of that galaxy? Seems like a good fit for a white one.

[ainGide]

Could definitely add some flair to the marquee with something in the background. A nice space scene, the ship in flight or the like. Any reason why no trackball in the middle of that galaxy? Seems like a good fit for a white one.

For sure, I built the panel with a 3" back-lit trackball in mind.   One day I'll add it and RBGs for all the buttons.

I spent the last few weeks getting all of the guts to work, so it's pretty much up-and-running.   There's just a little bit of detail work with the art left.

Anyway, I finished the marquee and sent it off for printing.  It's the name of the ship, Normandy, and the Illusive Man from ME2.

[releasedtruth]

I'm a big ME fan so I dig what you're working and the new marquee is much improved. Gives you some pop for that spot. Matches the subtlety of the design without losing impact. I do feel like I'm missing some gratuitous Miranda cleavage, however.

[javeryh]

I just beat "Horizon" yesterday in ME2.  So far so good but I don't get why so many people think this series is the greatest ever.  I beat ME1 and liked it and I like ME2 so far but your cab will be a billion times more fun to play!

[Rick]

Best part of ME2: