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Control Panel Mock Up
PL1:
Trying to design a panel that plays every game in MAME is a guaranteed loser.
Start with a list of the games that you can't live without and work your way through the process in this post.
Slagcoin is your friend for button layouts.
+1 on the P3/P4 being at a bad angle.
In place of P3 and P4 dedicated controls, consider using Neutrik USB feedthrus so you can plug in gamepads or other external controllers -- many people build a 4P panel and later realize that P3 and P4 hardly ever get used.
IIRC, there are only 3 games that use the push/pull spinner. (Discs of Tron, Zwackery, Forgotten Worlds)
My workaround for not having a push/pull spinner is a rocker footswitch that also doubles as a microswitch gas/brake for driving games. YMMV.
For admin buttons:
- Each player should have a Coin (on panel, coin door, or both -- your call) and a Start
- Exit (Esc)
- Pause
- Add other admin buttons only if you're sure you'll need them *after* you finish configuring the software (front end, emulators, etc.)
Scott
keilmillerjr:
If you don't have the room for 4 players to fit comfortably, why not just make a really well designed 2 player panel and add 2 bluetooth ps3 controllers so they can still join in on the fun?! :cheers:
Still crazy admin buttons. Select is not even needed due to a player button doing the same thing. Scripting or control interface built in shift functions can help you out. Be careful with buttons above the trackball. I can imagine some intense rolling hitting those buttons on accident.
PL1:
Forgot to mention that for an Asteroids/Gravitar layout, you can re-map the controls in MAME to spread it across your P1 and P2 buttons like this:
123 123
456 456
7 7
Scott
Afterburner:
I have old dual rotary 8ways in my CP.
The only games that give me trouble are 4way games. Don't know if there are newer options for rotary that make them 4/8way switchable.
Dawgz Rule:
--- Quote ---If you don't have the room for 4 players to fit comfortably, why not just make a really well designed 2 player panel and add 2 bluetooth ps3 controllers so they can still join in on the fun?!
--- End quote ---
This. If space is a consideration, go two player. Guaranteed that with the current config, player 3 and player 4 won't get used as it won't provide a good experience.