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Raising Awareness of Japanese Parts and Button Layouts
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BadMouth:

--- Quote from: ahofle on March 14, 2012, 10:52:07 am ---I think that's exactly what I need to do.  My JLFs feel sloppy especially since I added the shaft extenders to them.  Where did you get your stiffer springs?
--- End quote ---

I think I ordered them from LizardLick, but that was before people started posting on here that they weren't getting their orders.  
(I wouldn't order anything unless it shows in stock)

I've placed exactly one order from www.focusattack.com and received my parts just fine.

I'd have to look at my receipt to see which spring I used.
EDIT: looked it up in my order history, it was a Seimitsu LS-55 Spring.
opt2not:

--- Quote from: rCadeGaming on March 13, 2012, 09:59:26 pm ---I've been browsing the site and the forums for a couple of years now, and have to say that I'm surprised how rare it is to see a cabinet with any Japanese parts or design elements in them.  

--- End quote ---
I wouldn't say it's rare. There a LOT of projects here that use JLW's, JLF's and LS-32's as well as button layouts similar to the candy cabinets. Even Ultimarc's P360 is based on a JLW base and parts.


--- Quote ---The first thing is the cabinet style; I always see them done in the American style.  Don't get me wrong, I understand the nostalgia, and these cabinets are often very well done, but it's not the only option.  One of my dream cabinets is an authentic American Ms. Pac-Man in mint condition.  Ms. Pac-Man originated here though.  When I'm playing something very Japanese, like Street Fighter III: Third Strike, it's sometimes nice to play it in a Japanese cabinet, like a Sega Astro City:

http://www.zax.com.au/astrocity.html

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While this may be applicable to some, most of the members on this site are American-based, so their nostagia is centered around woodie cabinets with either Happs or Wico sticks. I've found that a lot of people from this hemisphere dislike the candy style cabinets because it's not something they're used to seeing in their arcade youth.
Most people have only seen fighting games played in Dynamos or other converted cabinets, rather than candy's.  So why would someone who's building their "dream cabinet" want to build something they don't like?

Another thing to factor in is that creating those curves from a candy cabinet with wood takes a bit of experience and tools to get right. Most of the projects built here are from people that don't have the wood working skills to pull off those lines, whereas woodie stand-up cabinets are easier to get a shape out of.


--- Quote ---I would love to see a wooden cabinet built with an Astro City theme.  Cherry Wood with a light-colored stain, a real CRT, and big rounded corners in all the right places for that Astro City shape.

--- End quote ---
There are a few cabinet projects here that are based on Candy cabinets like an Astro. Try the search tool.


--- Quote ---That cabinet would also need Japanese sticks and buttons, which are rare to see here.

--- End quote ---
Again, you'll need to read more project threads. Lots of people use Japanese parts for their panels here.


--- Quote ---I don't want to insult anyone, or single out any one cabinet.  Perhaps others aren't as serious about the same genres; maybe they don't play much with a four-across button layout.  Overall cabinet style is a purely a visual preference, but it just seems to me that there needs to be more awareness of the other options available in terms joysticks, buttons, and layouts.  I hope everyone putting in the effort to make these beautiful cabinets is putting enough thought into the controls.  I think how well the cabinet actually plays should be the most important part.

--- End quote ---

While I appreciate your write-up, and agree that your heart is in the right place, there are a lot of statements here which are assumed and less factual than reality. You can still be serious about a genre and adhere to what feels comfortable to you in regards to controls. Also, raising the awareness of "japanese sensibilities" is fine, but it's not everyone's taste nor does it cater to all skill-levels.


--- Quote ---Since I'm already taking things that don't get enough attention I thought I should throw this in.  No one ever mentions the MC Cthulhu controller board:

http://shoryuken.com/forum/index.php?threads/the-official-cthulhu-and-chimp-thread-try-our-new-dreamcast-flavor.46572/

The main advantage of this board is that on top of PC, it adds easy support for the following systems:
Nintendo
Turbografx16/PC-Engine
Super Nintendo
3DO
Sega Saturn
Playstation
Dreamcast
Playstation 2
Gamecube
XBox
Wii (using Gamecube controller slots)
Playstation 3

--- End quote ---
The MC Cthultu is a nice piece of hardware, but it's soon to be out dated by the newer PS360+'s that are hopefully coming out in the next little while. (Biggest cock-tease ever? yes.)

Also note that building a cabinet with console support can be an issue depending on what monitor is being used. I.e, you need more than just this board to get the listed consoles you have there hooked up to your cabinet, like how to output the video properly.  You see a lot of people using computer LCD's, or old CRT's that take VGA connections (or s-video if you're using those Dell monitors), even actual Arcade monitors, so you'll need a video up-converter to get those console connected. This could benefit those who use regular TV's I guess, but the pain and convulsion of having a lot of consoles hooked up at once is a bit daunting.

This is why most people are build Mame PC machines in their projects and run emulators.

In any case, I for one appreciate the effort. But for me and my purist ways, I say do what makes you happy, and keep the wood-work for American style cabinets and American style sensibilities (it pains my Canadiana to say that ;) ) and fibreglass work for those with the skill...and Ond...that guy is a master at any material that is tangible in general.  :D

If anything, the thing that can be taken away from Japenese cabinet design is their use of space and accessibility to internals. The pull-out boards (akin to Dynamo drawers) is brilliant. The piano-hinged CP's, the lift-up monitor bezels and rotation mechanisms in Candy's are just plain smart. All in all, I think Candy cabinets are made very intelligent in terms of serviceability. That's what I'd like to see more of in projects here.
DaveMMR:
I think when it comes to button layout, I could be swayed in either direction. I like the simplicity and recognizability of the American "straight" layout, but I can see the aesthetic appeal of the curved (can't attest to it being "better" or "worse", haven't really tried it out all that much).

I've always been the guy who warns new designers not to "overthink" ergonomics though.  I feel that it gives birth to some bizarre button layouts (e.g. straight up?!?)  Sticking with either straight or slight curves (like discussed thoroughly here). And of course, if your goal is to become a professional-level fighting game player, definitely mimic what the layout the pros use.
paigeoliver:
If you are going for a more general cabinet you might want to note that the japanese style sticks that are so good for fighting games are not nearly so good at other genres.

I can't speak for individual stick models because I have never bothered to try to identify which ones I am using, but they tend to be worse than average at controlling classic era games, underperforming in space shooters and seriously underperforming in 4-way games (even in 4-way mode).
Ond:
I love my Japanese controls - modded JLW sticks and Seimitsu buttons in a slightly curved arrangement.  Seimitsu buttons are very quiet but not quite as super sensitive as their Sanwa equivalents (which I prefer) Rather than argue straight versus curved my suggestion is make a cardboard CP or quick plywood mock-up and try out different patterns for yourself on YOUR favourite games.  Go with maximum comfort and performance on that basis.  Everyones hands are a little different, for example I'm damned if I can make my fingers sit in a straight line either when bent or straight, I can almost manage it but I get the shakes   :laugh2: .  
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