36" wide 4 player MAME Control Panel Designs

[dholcombe]

Does anyone know of any existing designs this size? I've browsed around a bit, searched, etc. but haven't come up with anything. I have a 25" 4:3 monitor so don't want to go wider than 36". There was a 3 player 32" wide originally on this cabinet. I think 36" should be enough if carefully designed and was wondering if anyone has already designed, built, and playtested something similar. I'm thinking 36" wide and 14-15" deep at the center and angled slightly for player 3 and 4. Ultrastick 360 for player 1, 8-way sticks for players 2-4, 6 buttons for players 1 and 2, 4 buttons for players 3 and 4, no trackball, no additional fancy sticks.

In addition I'd like a start button for each player. Hidden coin buttons on the front or bottom or sides for each player. Any hidden admin buttons I might need, but I think escape at minimum so I can easily get back to the games list.

I really want a trackball, but I think the best option is to build a whole different control panel and swap it out as including one will make things too wide for good 4 player viewing angles.

[dholcombe]

The blue sections represent the wood box. Red lines indicate overhand of the top wood panel. The box is 36" x 15.5" so the panel top is slightly larger.

Will players be too crowded? I don't initially plan to put the asteroids buttons on, but there is room for them so I put them into the mockup.

[GregD]

It doesn't seem wide enough for 4 players to be comfortable IMHO.  I know I am at least 2 feet wide

[dholcombe]

Do you just have 4 sticks and buttons or do you have other things on yours as well? I've heard you can do it in 36" but I haven't seen an actual layout examle or photos of anyone who's actually done it. I will probably push out the side panels for the box to attach to the edge of the back piece. If I use 1/2" wood I'll actually end up 37" outside dimensions on the box with 36" of empty air space to work with on the bottom side of the panel. At this size I would imagine every inch counts.

I'll probably end up trying something out and putting just the player 1-2 controls on it with this spacing and seeing how that feels and then if those work  I'll see about adjusting where player 3/4 before drilling/routing. just sort of threw them on and didn't check for palm rest space, etc. for player 3/4.

[bkenobi]

Looks to me like position 2 will have his elbow bumping position 3's joystick hand.  I would probably rotate the buttons for P2 such that the elbow will be brought in a bit.  I have a 2 player panel with a similar 7 button layout and my right 3 buttons are more flat whereas yours are angled by ~10°.

[rapomstage3]

I have almost the same layout but its 48" wide. I have a trackball but even if i didnt, the extra space is necessary. All my friends are full grown adults and were still touching a little.

[dholcombe]

How far across is the flat section where player one and two stand before the angles for 3 and 4 on your panel?  I know I'm going to build a smaller player 1 and 2 only prototype first so it'd be good to know for reference. If I build mine a bit smaller and it works I'll know I can scale things down a bit, but getting down to 36" sounds like it may be a pipe dream.

Do all 4 of your players touch a little or just some of them? Which players are most problematic?