Maybe Next Year :( 2011 BYOAC Tokens - FRONT Side design thread

[Santoro]

Update July 17 2011.

We are moving forward again. See here:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=106114.msg1201693#msg1201693

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This thread is for the design discussions and proposals regarding the FRONT side of the 2011 BYOAC token.

We are designing  .984" (25mm) tokens.  So that all entries are judged equally, submissions should be in grayscale only, without bling. (Bling refers to color, photorealistic renderings. If we get a volunteer to bling all entries at the end equally, we can do that.)  White should indicate the lowest point of the token, black the highest.  If you want to show partial-height details use shades of gray, Different levels of gray are OK.  Of interest as you design,  the 'lowest' or 'deepest' point on the token will usually be shiny because it doesn't require machining.

So that those of us who are not Photoshop Gurus are given a fair shot , no 'blinged' renderings should be posted.

Guidelines/Rules
-No R-Rated material
-No trademarked or copyrighted images. (Pacman, etc...)
-MAME references are OK though, we have approval to use the logo if we like as long as we respect the spirit of MAME - i.e. no references to playing thousands of games, etc.
-No Bling - refer to the 2004 thread below to see how blinged line art turns out.
-Should display "Build Your Own Arcade Controls" (or at least "BYOAC") and the www.arcadecontrols.com URL   because BYOAC is the whole point of the tokens.
-If at all possible you should have your art in vector format. (Adobe Illustrator AI for example.)  Next best is very high-res raster (Hi-res meaning greater than or equal to 300DPI,) but I discourage it because we have always used vector with superb results.  Low-res artwork won't work, you will need to have someone fix it up for you.
-Vector fonts need to be converted to curves.
- .002" is the absolute minimum line width.  While lines can be reproduced at this scale, text may not be readable for being too small.
-The 'lowest' or 'deepest' point on the token will usually be shiny because it doesn't require machining.
-Keep in mind that almost 30% of my customers are outside the USA, so specific references to US currency, flags, etc may hurt your chances of winning.
-If you are submitting what you consider your final proposal, please say so in your post. Otherwise we will assume you are submitting it for group discussion and tweaking.

This is a good sample from 2004:


I like to sketch my ideas first and I am awful at freehanding circles so I created a template that is just a page full of circles.  I have attached it if anyone wants to use it.



Here are previous years' threads for reference.
2010 Front
2010 Back
2007 Back
2006 Front
2006 Back
2005 Front
2005 Back
2004 combined thread

Final Designs must be submitted to this thread no later than October 24, Midnight Eastern Time.  This is a strict deadline so that we don't wind up delivering the tokens after the holidays.

After that date I will create voting threads with the final entries.

[Santoro]

Just a note that I added a few items to the guidelines and I also added circle template for those that want to sketch out some token ideas by hand first.

[Santoro]

It's been a week, nothing yet?  Everyone is feverishly at work... right?    RIGHT? 

[Marsupial]

how about that?



how does it work for the front VS back? should we post the same design on both threads?

[Marsupial]

altough playing with deepness might do it good

[Santoro]

It seems a bit too familiar, but here's an idea I was toying with.  I still need to add the rest of the text, just wanted to get reactions and suggestions for tweaks.  I kind of like the idea of the Atari guy winning and the 'men's room' guy losing.



Is anyone else working on designs? 

[Pixelhugger]

I hoping to.

[Santoro]

Well consider the contest extended.  We may not make Christmas, but I'd prefer to have a wider selection of choices before the voting.

[Vigo]

I'll see if I have time to do a design this weekend. No promises, but we gotta have some design choices.

[saint]

Some of my favorites from past years that might be considered?

Last attempt by me.

Front design.

AAAARRRRRRGH.

Out of time. Please understand this is rough. I would still need to add tools to the tool belt, redraw the measuring tape, add byoac to the swimsuit etc. And of course vectorize the whole thing since this is still a pencil sketch compiled from a bunch of different drafts in an attempt to save precious time.

Ran out of time doing the matching (and appropriately designed "tails") side.

Guess there's no pleading for an extension.... :'(

Here is the t shirt and shorts version. Still rough. Added tshirt, carpenter shorts and reduced certain "proportions"

Ouch this was painful to vectorize and keep the details big enough.

Background (carpet and "sky") would be stippled to give the image lots of depth.

Here's my backside. Errr. Entry.





And here's the blinging I'm talking about. I decided to post this (even tho it makes me a hippocrite) because it seems like enthusiasm for the design process doesn't really pick up until the bling stage. So again, if anyone has final entries they'd like blinged send them my way. Final entries only. It definitley makes a big difference seeing how the designs will look in relief. Santoro.... let me know if you're OK with this. If not I'll pull it.

Now lets see more designs!!

I should probably post these in their respective threads for front and back, but to keep things simple I'm just gonna put all blinged entries here. Is that OK santoro?

If Troz is still around I would like to see him work on this some more:

Blinged so far:

and

And another. Background stippled.

EDIT: Ooops. Forgot to put ball tops on the foreground cab. Will fix later....

---------

jfunk



Pixelhugger



xbakesx



MrCurmudgeon



Missioncontrol



sez1



sez2



dstone

-----------------

I am really sorry for the delays in getting the polls up.  Life's been hectic, thanks for your patience.

I will leave them open until October 16th, and a few days after that I will begin preorders.  If there is enough demand we will order, and I hope to have the tokens ready for shipping before the Christmas Holiday.


Pixelhugger:



fatfingers



xbakesx 



missioncontrol



dstone




sezzie

[Vigo]

OK! I found some time this evening, so I have an entry to submit.



I was going for a very official, yet simple design. I tried to translate "Build You Own Arcade Controls" to Latin, I'm not 100% sure on the translation, but I'm pretty sure it's an okay translation.

Also, I know there is some dead space on the Shield, i can try filling it with something, but I'm getting some sleep soon. I just wanted to get something out tonight.

[Marsupial]

I like this one. It could be cleaned up or modified a bit, but this is a great concept!
I'd remove the 3-d aspect of tha asteroletters.




How does it work... do we need to have separate threads for the front and back, or all the art should be shown here?

[Aithos]

Not sure if this is dead or not, but I would be interested in ordering if something gets figured out.  I'll also try my hand at a submission if I get some time here, I have a couple 4 day weekends coming up and since I haven't been able to order my parts for my MAME machine yet I might be able to whip something together!  I'm not great with computer art programs, but I'm pretty good with designs!

[dstone]

How did I miss this? I'll have to hop on it tonight and see what I can come up with.

[dstone]

Edit: This one is not going to be used for a BOYAC token. Thanks.

[Marsupial]

For some reason, the mushroom rings with console games for me. but the 1up on the other thread, I really like.

[saint]

 

Heh. Direct sprite rips or close proximities to copyrighted characters will get us in trouble unfortunately.

[dstone]

The fighter ship and invader were a 'close proximity' from last year...

I'll see if I can cook up something different to go with the back.

[dstone]

A more generic, non-infringing design. 1up= extra man. 

[dstone]

Another go, not so sure I like this one now that I've drawn it up.

[Marsupial]

nobodyelse?

[dstone]

Apparently not... It's been over a month since my last submission, and it's only had 7 views. I'm kinda surprised by the low turnout of designs this year.

[lilshawn]

Apparently not... It's been over a month since my last submission, and it's only had 7 views. I'm kinda surprised by the low turnout of designs this year.

most unfortunate.

i would take a stab at this, but i suck at drawing.

how about a coin that just says "continue?" on one side and "continue!" on the other. adorned with BYOAC stuff around the outside of course.

[Marsupial]

Well consider the contest extended.  We may not make Christmas, but I'd prefer to have a wider selection of choices before the voting.

yeah, I think we won't make christmas. Now... my question is. People might suck at design, they might still want tokens. Is this still going to happen?

[ChadTower]

 

Heh. Direct sprite rips or close proximities to copyrighted characters will get us in trouble unfortunately.

As nice as that one is it seems more like a console icon anyway.

[gaffner]

Any way we can get a reprint of the 2010 tokens?  They were pretty awesome; they sold out so quick!  It was a good design, and I would love to buy some of those.

I think the big issue is that it's going to be tough to beat the design of those.

[lilshawn]

Any way we can get a reprint of the 2010 tokens?  They were pretty awesome; they sold out so quick!  It was a good design, and I would love to buy some of those.

I think the big issue is that it's going to be tough to beat the design of those.

you could scratch out the 2010 and write 2011 by it. XD lol

[Marsupial]

or use only one face, changing the other one.

[dstone]

Since there was some interest in last year's design, I tweaked it a bit, merged it with what I had going for this year, and changed up the invader (removed the 3D effect, made it less "chunky").

[yotsuya]

I would buy that design.

[bleargh]

Ditto; I'd buy a hundred or two of those.  dstone++

[tsaylor]

Yeah, thumbs up on that.  I'm getting out my wallet... 

[Garebear911]

I never noticed this thread before. I usually don't pay attention to the sticky threads. I can dig the last design.
I really wanted to get some last year but they sold out. If anyone has some for sale I'd be interested.

[Nephasth]

Since there was some interest in last year's design, I tweaked it a bit, merged it with what I had going for this year, and changed up the invader (removed the 3D effect, made it less "chunky").

You know what would be punny, if "Build Your Own Arcade Controls" above the invader was replaced with "In Vader We Trust." 

[gaffner]

Same... I'd buy some of last year's tokens and this year's if it was the design above.

Also, let me know if anyone has last year's tokens for sale as well.  Thanks!

[tho]

I'm no artist, but what about one side having a hand holding a trophy that's in a shape of an arcade cabinet?  Not my most creative idea, but this year I'm finishing (relatively speaking) my arcade cabinet and I definitely feel that I've won something.

[Marsupial]

I think santoro completely abandonned the idea altogether.


somehow, I feel that the participation in design contest has nothing to do with intention to acquire tokens, so I think this is a shame.

[Garebear911]

I think santoro completely abandonned the idea altogether.

Sigh...

[Santoro]

I'm here. I am very sorry for the non-response, but I have been struggling with what to do.  Here is my dilemma:

1) Even in previous years when we had 10+ page-long design threads (indicating heavy interest) we usually just eeked by the 'break-even line' for the minimum order.  In fact often I wound up taking a minor risk and funding some some tokens before the break-even point just to get it done.  In the past I was reasonably confident I would sell the rest anyway.  In this economy I am not so confident and my family finances would not allow me to cover it even if I wanted too.
2) This year the interest level has been very, very low, no offense to the few that spoke up here or on my website.  I cannot see any scenario where we will get critical mass for a full order.
3) My family and professional lives don't give me much online time lately to manage the design threads/polling/etc.
4) Brass prices have gone up again, which will not help demand either. 

My gut tells me it would be wasted effort to continue right now, and so I am considering freezing this years's run for 6 months and then evaluating things then.  I am interested in other's thoughts however before deciding for sure.

[bleargh]

My gut tells me it would be wasted effort to continue right now, and so I am considering freezing this years's run for 6 months and then evaluating things then.  I am interested in other's thoughts however before deciding for sure.

Although I'm sorry to hear that this is the decision you've come to, I can appreciate and respect the position you're in.

If/when you change your mind or are considering a re-evalution, please do let us know; I'm totally interested in a new set of tokens and wouldn't want to miss out.

And just to refresh my memory, how big an order do you need to make?  e.g. to gauge what level of interest you'd need in order to make a full order, how big is that order?  10,000?  100,000?

Santoro++ for all of your efforts in previous years; I love the BYOAC tokens I've got, and you've always been a responsive and responsible seller here.

[Santoro]

10K tokens is the minimum in order to get a price any of us can afford.

[bleargh]

10K tokens is the minimum in order to get a price any of us can afford.

Thanks for reminding me Santoro.

If/when you rethink your decision, count me in for 500 (which based on other years of tokens on your site would be approx $125 USD).  I'd also be happy to pre-pay, so you know you've got the $$$ in-hand before committing to your order.

So... 19 more of you want to see/raise me on that?

[JONTHEBOMB]

I'll preorder/buy 500 tokens anytime, anyplace, anywhere.

Only 18 more!

Anyone else?

[tsaylor]

I'm too cheap for 500, but I'd be in for 200.

...and pre-paying would be fine.

[lilshawn]

Can we put the date on them as "2011.5" ?

[Marsupial]

I fail to see how a lack of interest on designing the tokens translates in a lack of interest on acquiring any.

Having a design finalized doesn't entitle you into making them if there's not ennough interest, but not having any design will not gather any interests.

In the end, its your decision, but I think you've been taking this the wrong way about the lack of people with coin design skills...

[stan2323]

I am in for 200 any time.  I would pre pay as well.

Stan

[spllbnd2]

I'd pre order at least 200. And would love to see some re runs of previous years. Maybe that would make more people order. Dunno.

[gaffner]

I'd be in for 500; especially if it's last year's design!  I didn't get a chance to get those before they sold out.  Now I have some money to buy, but they are gone. 

[JohnnyRocket76]

yeah I'd buy 200 tokens for sure!

[vorghagen]

I'd be in for 200. Also willing to pre-pay.

[yotsuya]

I'd prepay for 200.

[bleargh]

If I'm adding this up right, that makes 2,700 so far (which although great to see, is only 1/4 what Santoro would need as commitment in order to place his order).

Anyone else?   

[dstone]

Depending on the design, I'd be in for 1,000 prepaid.

[bleargh]

Depending on the design, I'd be in for 1,000 prepaid.

Lemme guess... if its your design, you're in for 1,000?

kidding...

[dstone]

Hey, that's how I did it last time.    I'd still get some if another design was chosen, just not as many. 

[DeLuSioNal29]

I ordered some last year, but to be honest, the brass ones don't really go with my cab.  I prefer the nickel ones, but not enough people ordered.  So I'd only be interested if enough people order the nickel colored ones.

Also, have you guys considered not having a year on the token to make it more generic?

D

[ChadTower]

I would prepay for 200 regardless of design.

If there isn't enough bandwidth to run the design contest just use designs from past years that did not win.  They're all good.  I don't care which gets picked.  Change the date on it to 2011 and you're all set.  We have enough designs built up to last years without another contest.  The contest is fun but I think we can all accept losing the contest over losing everything.

[tho]

I'm definitely in for 500 pre-paid as well. 

1000 depending on design as well.

TD

[Marsupial]

I think Santoro simply passed to other things, and don't want to put energy towards this anymore.

[bleargh]

I think Santoro simply passed to other things, and don't want to put energy towards this anymore.

Sorry, but I'm gonna take Santoro's statements about needing enough to make it worth the risk of making an order as a clear statement of his position.

While I'll agree that he may not be putting the energy towards this that he's done in previous years with running a design contest, I also can't say that I blame him; he made it clear how many he'd need to order in order to make it worthwhile and we're only at maybe half that amount.  Adding up the numbers here, (and giving some leeway for those that said they may order more/less based on the design) I'd say that we've got verbal here for between 4000 and 5000 tokens.

Reading back through thread, though, I don't see a note indicating how many you'd be willing to pre-pay and order for.  What can we count you in for?

[Marsupial]

you know what?

people won't commit to a purchase without a design being selected. Passing trough a design contest might not prove efficient, regardless of people's interest, as not every coin-interested arcade people are graphics-savyy.


Soooo... stating that there's not ennough interest when not making anything to stir interest in the first place, is the easy way out.
Truth is, he said it himself. Other things came about in his life.
He passed to something else.
Have you seen him chime in lately? he's just not that interested in having this going. He's done his part and now wants out.

It is sad, because people come and leave here, some would order new tokens, and maybe even some of the previous year's while doing an order. I know I would. But the delay result in loss of interests. I personally have passed to an alternate way of getting tokens. Oh, they're not BYOAC, but they are great and suit my needs.

In the end of the day, nobody is blaming him, but the truth is, we're relying on someone who doesn't want it that much.

[lilshawn]

In the end of the day, nobody is blaming him, but the truth is, we're relying on someone who doesn't want it that much.

I don't blame anybody who doesn't want to stick their neck out on the line, especially with people already walking a thin line between survival and living in a box. He has already stated he had to cough up a bunch of his own money (more than once) to get these tokens made. With money for many people the way it is, I don't blame him one bit.

[tumult]

Hope I'm not too late to the party. I'm definitely in for 200, 500 if we need it to reach 10000.

thx,
tum

[bleargh]

you know what?

people won't commit to a purchase without a design being selected.

Sorry, but even without a decision being made on a design, people chimed in above for a total of ~4-5k.

However, if I read that as you won't commit to a purchase without a design being selected, I'll respect your decision to wait.

[80sMike]

I think after nearly 10 years doing this, Dave has a pretty good handle on the make-or-break to get this done.  There are a few of us who have been collecting these from the beginning, and like Chad said will buy regardless of the design, if for no other reason than to have a complete collection.  Heck, I've been away from this scene for four years (starting to ramp up again), but still pop in once a year to see the new token design and buy some when they're ready.  I do agree that there are plenty of excellent designs from previous years that should by default be entered in the running.  Not having a large number of new designs isn't necessarily an indication of a lack of interest... 

[Marsupial]

you know what?

people won't commit to a purchase without a design being selected.

Sorry, but even without a decision being made on a design, people chimed in above for a total of ~4-5k.

However, if I read that as you won't commit to a purchase without a design being selected, I'll respect your decision to wait.

However, if I read that as "bleargh don't care understanding my posts", it makes more sense.


There is no point to commiting to a certain number, if the maker of said tokens is no longer interested in producing them.

I can do like others and say fictivious numbers of what I would buy. Let say, a whole thousand. Or twelve, why not. No matter, being that nobody will ever produce the 2011 tokens.

The main problem here isn't interest in purchasing tokens, but in interest making them.

You know, the same person taking charge of thise yearly isn't a small task, its OK that he found something else on which spending his time.

[WindDrake]

I just wanted to chime in.

I love the guy climbing out of the machine. That design is awesome. I want a couple hundred of them.

[Zlaticko]

Work in progress.

[Nephasth]

You know, the same person taking charge of thise yearly isn't a small task, its OK that he found something else on which spending his time.

Yearly does seem like a lot of trouble. How about making a BYOAC token with no date? From what I have found it's a one time charge per side for a custom design. Run a first batch of tokens (minimum 5,000). And if there is enough interest a year or more later, it wouldn't cost as much for the next batch of the same design.

[yotsuya]

I think that's a great idea. Non-year specific ones would be nice.

[tsaylor]

That would be excellent!  The year is cool if you're commemorating your first build or something, but aside from that the year doesn't matter much.  A single "yearless" design would be easy to sell in future years.  If it looked anything like the 2010 version mentioned earlier in this thread I would be in for certain.

[Nephasth]

Well, should we create another design/interest thread? Would you be interested in this Santoro?

[Santoro]

I am going to pick this up again this weekend so stay tuned.

I am not sure about a 'yearless' design, people seem to really like the dates. 

[Santoro]

Hey everyone.

Thanks for your patience.  Things have been a bit hairy at home and work, but seem to be settling down slightly. I have also seen an uptick in existing token orders, so I am hoping that is an early indicator for a slightly better 'token market' overall.

So let's try this again.  I will do it the same as previous years except that if we don't get a a reasonable amount of new designs (including the ones in this thread already,) we can open it up to some of the previous designs too as suggested if the artists still want in.

I will not be able to kick in cash to get us over the line this time around, so we need the pre-orders to break even for real.  I don't care if I make a profit right away, if we break even, we go.  In my experience the rest will sell eventually.  The pre-orders alone will decide whether we move forward.

In order to get this done in a predictable way I am going to try to publish a schedule right now, unlike previous years where I just sort of went with the flow. 

Here are my proposed dates...

August 21 - Midnight EST - Final designs due.
August 22-September 1 - Voting
September 2- October 1 - Preorders
Week of October 1 - Place order if we broke even
Late October-mid November - Ship tokens

Barring any catastophies I promise to stick to these dates give or take a week here or there.

Thanks again for your interest.

[bleargh]

Here are my proposed dates...
...
September 2- October 1 - Preorders

w00t!

Anxiously awaiting the end of summer, so I can order a set.  As indicated earlier in this thread; the minute you'll take a pre-order, I'll cough up my cash for 500 of these tokens.

Thanks Santoro!

[Woodshop Flunky]

If you're keeping track... I'd cast a vote for yearless tokens.

I've never designed anything that has been reproduced on something like a token.  Are there any design guidelines or restrictions due to the physical manufacturing process?

Thanks.

[Santoro]

yep, it's all in the first post.

[g0pkh]

As a new member of BYOAC. I would love to order 500 of these for use in my first homebuilt MAME cocktail cab.

I assume ordering information will be posted somewhere when they are available ?

[Yeah8a8y]

Hi Guys,

New to the forums, been planning my cab for a while.

Done a design, see what you think.

Chris

Edit: Design dependant I'll be in for 500 - 1000. And no, 1000 isn't just if it's my design 

[Donkbaca]

Sweet!  Speaks of the fighting game renaissance in 2011.

Someone should do a design with zombies.  Zombies are hot nowadays

[AlienInferno]

Woot!  I was one of the people that helped with the uptick of token sales.     I'll be in for 500 more come preorder time.  Was really hoping for a token with the 2011 date to comemmorate my cab.  I was thinking with one of those token spinner tops but whether they have dates or not I'll still buy.  I'll have to see if I can't design something.  I'm not good at it but I'll give it a shot.

[Mark Thomas]

Hi guys,

Im pretty new around here and am embarking on my first cab conversion. Its pretty daunting but you have all been so helpful so far. Iv not even looked into my coin door yet or how it works but can these tokens be used on the actual machines or are they collectors items?

I am in the UK and may be interested in buying a load for my cab if they can be used? How much are they?

Thanks

Mark

[lilshawn]

Hi guys,

Im pretty new around here and am embarking on my first cab conversion. Its pretty daunting but you have all been so helpful so far. Iv not even looked into my coin door yet or how it works but can these tokens be used on the actual machines or are they collectors items?

I am in the UK and may be interested in buying a load for my cab if they can be used? How much are they?

Thanks

Mark

http://www.arcadetokens.com/ past years still available here.

almost any mech can be modified to accept tokens, or anything for that fact. or give this a try: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=111317.0

[Katana Man]

I love this!

[tsaylor]

I love this!

+1

[migraineman]

I'll toss my hat into the ring.  This was a good excuse to learn Inkscape.

[Vigo]

Nice! That's definitely something very different from what has been entered in previous years, and I mean that in a good way.

[yotsuya]

I'll toss my hat into the ring.  This was a good excuse to learn Inkscape.

Classy. I like it.

[drventure]

Migraineman's is definitely nice. Very classy, as yotsuya said.

I still like the gears logo from several years back, but then, it's steampunk!

[migraineman]

There are a couple of elements that are still bugging me.  The perspective on the BYOAC text isn't quite right, and I'd like to add some depth to the interior of the arcade.  Graphic artist, I am not.  The day-job impinges on available time to focus on artistic endeavours.

Here's the other concept that's been rattling around inside my cranium.  Takes me back to my yoot, which was largely mis-spent feeding quarters into vector games.

[Vigo]

Haha. Although I think this design still needs a little clean-up, I really like your perspective. I can't really think of many design submissions posted for previous years that showed the uninstalled arcade parts. It's nice to see a design that incorporated that element into the look. 

[Woodshop Flunky]

I'll toss my hat into the ring.  This was a good excuse to learn Inkscape.

I really like the Art Deco look of this!   

If I could make a few suggestions...  I would center the building on the token and remove the "BYOAC" and replace it with "ARCADE".  Build Your Own Arcade Controls is already around the outside of the coin, and I think "ARCADE" in an art deco font would look nice there.  Also, the outer ring design could use some art deco influence also.  Finally, the player one seems too rounded for this style token.

I love art deco, and I think this could be a really sharp token design.

[tsaylor]

There are a couple of elements that are still bugging me.  The perspective on the BYOAC text isn't quite right, and I'd like to add some depth to the interior of the arcade.  Graphic artist, I am not.  The day-job impinges on available time to focus on artistic endeavours.

Here's the other concept that's been rattling around inside my cranium.  Takes me back to my yoot, which was largely mis-spent feeding quarters into vector games.

Nice!  Really like the concept.  It may be a little crowded at this point but I love the vector concept and also the arcade components!  Really brings to mind what this site is about.

[migraineman]

In the art deco design, I really didn't like the arcade cab and the Player One icon.  Honestly, I tossed them in at the last second to fill the white space. 

Updated artwork, below, does a better job of staying within the art deco "rules."  The arcade cabs are much more commanding and massive.  I think the people fit better too.

[Vigo]

Very much an improvement! 

[muttieb]

any idea when a vote might happen and if there will still be a presale

[Turnarcades]

I'm no good at freehand on PC, so how about someone knocking up designs based on a premise?

I'd love to see a designed using the Tron styling, o peraps a play on one of the ideas here with Flynn's arcade front.
How about the 'evolution of man' walk with the stick figures going from stooping monkey up tostood stick man wih arcade machine?
The Tempest premise works well,wold look even better extended to the very perimeter with some larger 3d text floting in the middle.
How about a scanline effect for a background to something bolder upfront?
How about an M.C.Escher arcade themed design, like the birds blending into fish, or an impossible drawing like 'up and down'?

Just some food for thought.

P.S. Ignore thetypos, my keyboard's wrecked.

[Donkey_Kong]

In the art deco design, I really didn't like the arcade cab and the Player One icon.  Honestly, I tossed them in at the last second to fill the white space. 

Updated artwork, below, does a better job of staying within the art deco "rules."  The arcade cabs are much more commanding and massive.  I think the people fit better too.

That's some good stuff right there!

[yotsuya]

Inspired by Turnarcade's suggestion that someone do a Tron-flavored token, I took the design from the Flynn's Arcade tokens being handed out at Disneyland and adapted them to this site. Here are the front and back together.

[migraineman]

Yotsuya, nice job with the Tron-theme.  I like it.

I updated the fonts in the art-deco arcade.

[JONTHEBOMB]

The art deco design looks great.  One thing I would like to see is something in the sky.

I'll throw some ideas out:
- a pattern of clouds (maybe something like this http://www.bradbury.com/aow_600_sky-blue.html )
- a blimp that says something
- sun
- moon
- stars
- space invaders

[Nephasth]

The art deco design looks great.  One thing I would like to see is something in the sky.

- space invaders

This.

[lilshawn]

#whathesaid

[Woodshop Flunky]

+1 on the Zepplin or Space invaders.

[migraineman]

I tried the invaders, but it gets cluttered pretty quickly.  I'm rather a fan of whitespace, as it emphasizes the foreground image.  However, some aura-radials would be appropriate, and they do add some depth.

Nothing personal, but as much as I love steampunk and airships, I think a zeppelin would be a distraction.

[yotsuya]

I like the radials!

[Vigo]

I tried the invaders, but it gets cluttered pretty quickly.  I'm rather a fan of whitespace, as it emphasizes the foreground image.  However, some aura-radials would be appropriate, and they do add some depth.

Nothing personal, but as much as I love steampunk and airships, I think a zeppelin would be a distraction.

I agree with your direction on this. Whitespace is fine, and the radials are fine as well.....The invaders look really cool in themselves, but I don't know if it quite works out in this design.

[Turnarcades]

Thanks for the Tron style yotsuya, love it!

[yotsuya]

Thanks for the Tron style yotsuya, love it!

Thanks. I used Illustrator to trace the design and redraw everything.

[Woodshop Flunky]

I think the radials look good.

[yotsuya]

My only question would be how the radials would translate over to the minting process.

[Santoro]

I don't think it will work as is.  The mint is funny about anything other than distinct levels. This borders on '3d' and they might want to charge 'coin' rates over 'token' rates.  I had this problem with the 3d ball on the Arcade Memories tokens. I convinced them to charge me the token rate, but it was a battle.



You might be able to do the rays in stippling (the 'roughed-up' part in the pic above.)

[migraineman]

Santoro, as you've had experience with this in the past, is there a guide regarding the token manufacturer's capabilities and process requirements?  I'm making some grand assumptions in my artwork - 20 mil border around the perimeter, minimum 2 mil line width, minimum 2 mil spacing between features, etc.  I would equate this to the capabilities offered by printed circuit board manufacturers.  However, looking at the different token manufacturers' websites, not one of them provides a reasonable tech guide for artwork generation.  Seems "call us" is the norm in this industry. 

I'll be happy to update artwork to deal with production constraints, but I don't know what those constraints are.  For "token" production rates, are we restricted to 3 or 4 or howevermany flat depth levels?  I'm guessing that the continuous depth gradient is more costly to reproduce, thus the "coin" rate.

[Santoro]

Everything I know is the first post of this thread.

[Santoro]

Oh - and yes, gradients are pretty much out. I will try to make that clear in the guidelines.

[JONTHEBOMB]

Aura-radials look great!   

[migraineman]

I have it down to four distinct levels - black, dark grey, light grey, and white. 

[Nephasth]

Can we start voting yet?

[tho]

Can we start voting yet?

+1 

I had an alert on my phone to remind me to pre-order tokens.  Just checking on status...

[JONTHEBOMB]

Here are my proposed dates...

August 21 - Midnight EST - Final designs due.
August 22-September 1 - Voting
September 2- October 1 - Preorders
Week of October 1 - Place order if we broke even
Late October-mid November - Ship tokens

Barring any catastophies I promise to stick to these dates give or take a week here or there.

I hope Santoro is alright.

[Santoro]

I'll set up the voting thread in the next few days.

[muttieb]

Cant wait to vote, are any of the previous years entries going to be up to vote as well. There have been so many great ones submited in the past!

[Marsupial]

Santoro, glad to see you back.

I'd too vote for a yearless design. Once sold out, make up a new one. I don't care for the year, but I do care for the design.

So... is it me that's missing the location of the voting thread?

[dstone]

Is everything OK? A few days has turned into a month.

[Nephasth]

I don't think 2011 tokens will be a reality.

[Nephasth]

2012 tokens anybody? I still would like to see a yearless design... hmm...

[muttieb]

i second a yearless design!!!

[Q*Bert_OP]

I am willing to manage this year's tokens, if Santoro isn't going to do them.

I would not be doing the art for them, but rather turning to the BYOAC community for that.

Below is a photo of some tokens I had made for my business. The "QBT" logo is custom designed, the other side is a stock die.

[yotsuya]

I'd be in for some, Yearless or 2012.

[Nephasth]

I am willing to manage this year's tokens, if Santoro isn't going to do them.

I was thinking the same thing. I've been waiting for Santoro to comment back about the tokens, but he hasn't been logged on since Nov 30th. If you're willing to take this on, I say do it. It would be a shame if no tokens were made this year either. Perhaps a new thread should be started?

I had a design thought for one side of the 2012 token (if a dated token is made); a Mayan calendar-esque design with recognizeable arcade characters, such as space invaders, instead of Mayan symbols... with the end of the world coming up and all...

[wp34]

I am in to purchase some if this moves forward.

2012 is the year my cabinet will finally get done.   

[gamepimp]

I would take several hundred if the design was clean and simple and preferably yearless. I'd also prefer a nickel token. I think having more of a "universal" design that wasn't specific to BYOAC or MAME might appeal to a broader audience. I kind of like the idea of an arcade machine on one side and maybe a "one-up" mushroom on the back. This would sort of cover the arcade aspect of this hobby as well as the console emulator aspect.

[Q*Bert_OP]

I'd also prefer a nickel token.

One warning about nickel plated tokens: the plating comes off with use. I was warned about that before I had mine made, and some small flakes are already coming off, even on un-circulated tokens.

They do look nicer, however. I also went with nickel plate since many of my games use electronic comparators that reject other place's brass tokens.

[gamepimp]

That's a bummer. I wonder if a company that does plating can "refresh" tokens that might be losing their nickel finish? I still think I'd prefer nickel over brass since my brass tokens tarnish so easily...

I really hope u can make a go of minting some new tokens. I know there are many users like myself that would like to add some new tokens to their collections. 

[Santoro]

Sorry gang I am out this year.

The problem is that with my life the way it is right now, I just don't have the time or the energy to do token threads.  I have 2 hours of commuting now that I did not have last year and work is taking all my mental energy. I have been unintentionally stringing the forum along and it's not fair.  I was  hoping to make time soon but I just can't.

I am very sorry,  and I hope to be back when things settle down next year.   I may do some re-runs if I can scrape up enough preorders, stay tuned.


The mods probably ought to unsticky my 2 threads. - thanks