Time for a new mini/side project so I can procrastinate on my VPin some more.
CONCEPT: Create a 'legal' bar top that plays classic, casual & console games from legit sources using classic arcade controls.
Features:- Single Player Bartop with 16:9 Panel.
- Classic arcade joysticks, buttons and trackball
- Dual operating systems, XBox and Android
- Front or side loading DVD Tray for XBox disks
- Wifi enabled Android OS with Play store to update & install new games
Why do I want to build this?I get bored easily.
But apart from that, I think building bartops for people is a great hobby and potentially a way to make a little money on the side if you are that way inclined. The two issues that I see creating a fly in the ointment are the legalities of distributing copyrighted material for profit and also the fact that the new gaming market is competing for gamers' attention with modern titles.
I'd like to build a machine that enables kids from 1-100 years old to play classic-thru-new titles but using classic controls in an arcade cabinet scenario. The casual gaming explosion on iOS and Android has created many great new titles that take all of their cues from the classic games of the 70's and 80's, so why not play them in a classic 'enclosure' and bring some of that retro magic to new titles too.
Technical ChallengesIn my head this seems like it should be easy enough to do, I want to...
- dual wire the controls so they send to both the Xbox and the Android OS at the same time
- use a 'mechanical' switcher to jump between the boxes instantly
- incorporate two analog joysticks with fire buttons for better xbox support
- use a trackball as a USB mouse on Android
I think I can achieve these things by hacking an USB game controller and using a USB interface for the trackball-mouse conversion.