Designing a "Staggered" 4-Player Control Panel - Any thoughts?

[ButterGuns]

Wow, great GREAT SITE people.  I've lurked for a bit and it's time for my first post -because now, I too, have the arcade bug now.

I would like a to build a 4-player cab to play Gauntlet II and The Simpsons, but the 4-player control panels I've seen can be huge. Sometimes it's like a person is playing on the back of a surfboard.  It's amazing after trying to design a space economical 4-player cp, how well The Simpsons and Gauntlet did it.

The idea is to "stagger" the layout of the players' 3 & 4 controls and reclaim/repurpose precious inches.


This image shows the cp top in blue, the staggered design of players 3 & 4 (assuming 3124), and the outline of the cp box below.  It was a struggle. I had MANY smaller designs and there was never enough room to for controls to mount, or I'd lose a good palm rest, or the players themselves would be way to crowded.  This design features a full 5" palm rest, proper spacing between players' controls, thought given to player standing position and spacing, AND shaves 10" off the width of a similar non-staggered design.  -BUT now it's 18" deep, sooo I guess i have a boogie-board instead of a surfboard, laugh-out-loud.

Any comments appreciated.
Should I scrap this and just use a section of a poker table?
Is there some consideration I'm forgetting?

[migraineman]

I'm currently building a surfboard-style 4P control panel.  Here's an observation that I haven't seen mentioned before - Confirm your sight lines for Players 3 & 4.  If the monitor is deeply recessed in the cab, their views of the playfield may be partially obstructed.

Are you planning to have admin buttons, or use shifted keys for ESC, Enter, Tab and Pause?

[Xiaou2]

One thing you are not considering is the arm and elbow angles.

 In our pic, the left players right elbow will be resting on the left side of the next players joystick.  Giving him no way to move the stick.

 On the far Right side, this players left elbow will be resting on the other players buttons, or too close to them.

 If you extend your elbows deep in front of you, it might be possible.. however, I think you will need the extra table space to support them, else fatigue will kill them in a very short time.

 I think you need a little more spread to get things right.  Get some foam board or cardboard to mock things up, and a bunch of larger guys to try it.

[ButterGuns]

Hey, I like the foamboard mock up idea -that's an excellent idea.

the thoughts on when there's actually 4 people wanting to play is that they would just be cozy; multiple players would actually spread out a little from there perfectly in line position -but maybe that's a bit short-sighted.

As for monitor sight lines, I believe we're good.



The Simpsons and Gauntlet 2 did it by having 3 & 4 stand almost 90 degrees to 1 & 2



Thank you for the foamboard idea! See, I asked for ideas and you guys deliver!

[compute]

I never really liked the 4p Konami cab design.  Too easy to get stuck at a goofy angle to the monitor.  If I had a 4p panel I guess I'd prefer it also make the cabinet flight-capable.  At least then everyone can get a good angle on the monitor.