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What's up with the angling?

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Peja:


--- Quote from: DaveMMR on February 22, 2012, 12:35:24 pm ---Peja, keep in mind that control panels you hold in your hand and controls permanently installed into a stationary panel are not the same.  With little exception, they should be straight.

I think a lot of issues could be solved by separating any comparisons between the home console and the arcade machine.  ;)

--- End quote ---

I get what you are saying, I really do.  In fact, even while typing it out, in the back of my head I knew I should probably word it in a way that I wasn't comparing the two apples to apples. 

With that being said, on a setup like mine(which is set on being a 4 player panel), would you make almost a rectangular CP or still have curves for the 3 and 4 player to stand on the side but make their controls still aim up.  For some reason I can't grasp my head around that being a very comfortable layout for the 3 and 4 players. 

Time for a few different cardboard mockups I suppose.

Green Giant:


--- Quote from: Peja on February 22, 2012, 12:30:03 pm ---
I keep thinking about me playing a game on a console at home.....I don't need to be directly in front of the screen to know up is up.  I can sit off to the side slightly and still function just fine. 

Decisions Decisions.......

--- End quote ---
But think about it like this.

When you play a console you still hold the controller parallel to your body.  When you approach an arcade control panel, you will almost inherently align your shoulders parallel to the control panel/face of the cabinet.

I would imagine you would still feel more comfortable on a showcase control panel with the joysticks pointing up even if the tv was off to the left.

Peja:


--- Quote from: Green Giant on February 22, 2012, 12:45:54 pm ---
--- Quote from: Peja on February 22, 2012, 12:30:03 pm ---
I keep thinking about me playing a game on a console at home.....I don't need to be directly in front of the screen to know up is up.  I can sit off to the side slightly and still function just fine. 

Decisions Decisions.......

--- End quote ---
But think about it like this.

When you play a console you still hold the controller parallel to your body.  When you approach an arcade control panel, you will almost inherently align your shoulders parallel to the control panel/face of the cabinet.

I would imagine you would still feel more comfortable on a showcase control panel with the joysticks pointing up even if the tv was off to the left.

--- End quote ---

This is something I will have to try with a mock cut out.  I am not sure I would face straight at it if I was player 3 or 4.  When two other people are already on players 1 and 2, to give myself the most room and be comfortable, I see myself not minding the angle and getting used to it. 

Once again, this is my first CP I am making so the safe bet would be on me not knowing what the heck I am talking about.....

paigeoliver:

I know your brain might keep saying angle, but your brain is wrong there. Even if the player is basically standing on the side of the panel (like player 3 and 4 on a dedicated Gauntlet) you STILL need to have the sticks face north.

Also, that mameroom panel you linked has the button bank angled, not the joysticks.

Here is another gauntlet legends control panel. this one a showcase. All the joysticks face the monitor.

You can trust darn near every factory built game ever made and the combined knowledge of all the experienced builders here.

Or you can listen to that little part of your brain that can't stop thinking about gamepads (and the people who listened to that part of their brain and refuse to admit they made a mistake).

You will also find that it won't matter much, your cabinet probably won't see much 4 player action regardless (unless you have children). 4 player cabinets were mostly gimmicks to convince game operators that they could get twice the income on one machine. It was rare to see more than 2 people on one out in the arcade, unless the game was brand new. When I owned 4 player machines in the past people would literally just swap out two at a time rather than all cram in around the same machine. Adults just don't like doing that.



Peja:

I hear ya paigeoliver. 

Now if only I could find a template of a comfortable 4 player CP with trackball I could use as my cutout, I may give it a shot.  Not only will this be for adults but for my hordes of nieces and nephews.  We have a close family so there is a lot of family time. 

Thanks for the advice.

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