What do you think of my custom Street Fighter II: CE MAME Pedestal?

[kaneda]

It's not quite finished yet, but the guys at Dream Home Arcades have done a stellar job brining my vision to life.  Just need to fix a minor paint hiccup, and it will be done soon.   The base, sides and back will all be the Capcom Z-Back red, since this pedestal has a z-pattern to it.   The CPO was designed by me to pay homage to the classic SF:II CE bezel and the kick plate is of course the marquee.   What do you guys think?   Can't wait to share photos when it's all done.

[harveybirdman]

Like the art.

You are going to catch hell for angled joysticks and 6 buttons for P3 and P4

[lcmgadgets]

Looks sweet! But, yeah, why 6 buttons for players 3 & 4?

[yotsuya]

Like the art.

You are going to catch hell for angled joysticks and 6 buttons for P3 and P4

Disapproving glances, maybe? But catch Hell? Naw.

[Malenko]

Like the art.

You are going to catch hell for angled joysticks and 6 buttons for P3 and P4

Disapproving glances, maybe? But catch Hell? Naw.

it looks like a spacious ugly dinner table

[harveybirdman]

Like the art.

You are going to catch hell for angled joysticks and 6 buttons for P3 and P4

Disapproving glances, maybe? But catch Hell? Naw.

Jusy trying to insulate the gentleman from the inevitable aircraft carrier zinger. After all he did put thay monitor in, he might get the impression we're all insufferable ---meecrobs---.

[severdhed]

Looks awesome...man you guys are harsh.

Sent from my Galaxy S4 using Tapatalk 2

[DarakuTenshi]

Yeah, I like it. I would have only gone 4 buttons max on the extra players and maybe added a 4/8 way joystick so that the additional joystick didn't need to be place (assuming that is a 4 way joystick). But overall I like it. The colors and graphics really bring me back to my middle school days.

[BadMouth]

We need to come up with a meme pic that can be posted every time someone angles their joysticks.

[Xiaou2]

The arts nostalgically gaudy (most orig arcade cabs are gaudy), but very nicely composed.

  But the controls are going to be hell to play.

 1)  The spacing on the buttons is insane.  Unless you & your buddies can easily grasp a basketball, covering 1/2 its diameter with one hand...  I think you will find it very difficult to execute multi-button spans... such as pressing the top 3 buttons all at once.

 The original game had the buttons spaced very tight.  About 2mm distance.

 2)  4-way?  Is too close to the 1p stick.  Your elbows gona rub into it, and be quite uncomfortable.  Plus, its Very deep into the CP... meaning, you will have to extend and lean.. which will cause strain and fatigue quickly.

 3)  Diagonal Mounted 3 & 4 player sticks.   Bad idea.  When people play, they will think Up is vertical on the stick - towards the monitor.. and end up going / jumping  diagonal.  This isnt like a console hand-held (Hands locked In place on the handles) cross-dpad gamepad, where you can tell what direction is what.. by mere feel.  Theres nothing on the smooth surface to feel.. and theres no indication of orientation, when moving the stick around.
 
 4) Trackball -  Too close to p2 stick, if used for gaming.  Plenty are going to experience painful collisions into it.   
 
 5) Cant play Smash TV or Dual Stick / Tanks games on it, with the sticks rotated.

 6) No spinners


 I don't understand how a company can allow others to do something like this, without any warnings.   Maybe they just get extra income from making new control panel tops, a few weeks later,   ... after the Ops realize their design flaws?

[harveybirdman]

We need to come up with a meme pic that can be posted every time someone angles their joysticks.

[Slippyblade]

Xiaou2, looking at Slagcoin, the button spacing looks about right for the US SF2 layout.

[Typefighter01]

Definitely pays homage to SF:II CE, good work on the art, really ties it together (whether it is gaudy or not is up for debate, but the same can be said of the original, so  ). Don't really see an issue with the button spacing, but the 4-way stick probably will annoy you, but it's done now, so no point beating you up over it. For the few times you play any 4 player games on it, I am sure your guests can deal with the angled sticks, don't lose any sleep over that one either. Also, giant CP's attached to a cab bug me, but for some reason, on pedestals they don't (I think its because they are usually housed under 32"-50" monitors and the scale looks proportional).

Looks like you put a lot of work into it and it shows, so take all the comments as valid criticisms for future builds, but I guarantee none of your friends will point any of them out, only the arcade connoisseurs of BYOAC. So get the boys over and start fighting  .

[ark_ader]

Is it designed for short people or children?

[DarakuTenshi]

Is it designed for short people or children?

I think that is just the angle of the shot. If you look above the SFTCE logo you can see a slight bit of an angle starting.
My question is why are there so many people ripping on him. I think the build is really quite nice. Sure there are a couple flaws but most people's build will have flaws unless they are a professional.

[Malenko]

My question is why are there so many people ripping on him.

I think Im the only one who "ripped" on him. I can offer up a ton of constructive criticism ; but the thing is already built. Its WAY too big, pretty sure its at least as big as the 6 player Xmen control panel. The angled sticks, 6 buttons for players 3 and 4, poor track ball placement, dedicated 4 way stick out in the middle of no where , laughable trackball button placement.... you would think that since he isnt building the thing himself (this is Buy Your Own Arcade Controls forum isnt it?) that the builder would at least offer suggestions to improve the ergonomics of his dinner table. The worst part? This guy is probably dropping like $800 on this ......thing.

As for the height, its supposed to be like a Z back cab, so its taller than it looks.

[brad808]

My question is why are there so many people ripping on him.

I think Im the only one who "ripped" on him. I can offer up a ton of constructive criticism ; but the thing is already built. Its WAY too big, pretty sure its at least as big as the 6 player Xmen control panel. The angled sticks, 6 buttons for players 3 and 4, poor track ball placement, dedicated 4 way stick out in the middle of no where , laughable trackball button placement.... you would think that since he isnt building the thing himself (this is Buy Your Own Arcade Controls forum isnt it?) that the builder would at least offer suggestions to improve the ergonomics of his dinner table. The worst part? This guy is probably dropping like $800 on this ......thing.

As for the height, its supposed to be like a Z back cab, so its taller than it looks.

+1. Whoever built it should have advised him of this obvious stuff before it was built. If he chose to continue with it, then that's on him.

[BadMouth]

I like the artwork.
I'd be proud of it if it were mine, except for the angled sticks.   
Most new people probably don't even know what is meant by angled sticks. 
(It's not that the player stands at an angle or the buttons are at an angle)

In regards to button spacing, I played a genuine NEO GEO cab last week and couldn't believe how bad the button spacing sucked.
That thought never crossed my mind when playing it as a teenager.
Sometimes we remember things as better than they really were.

[kaneda]

Hey guys,

Thanks for all the feedback.  I hear most of your issues and most don't bother me.  The main problem with his build since day one is the builder hasn't communicated anything to me.  I designed the artwork, the layout, and they just started building without any communication or suggestions.  Super annoying if you're me.  The main point of this machine is to play 2person fighting games, which this will be fine for.  The second point was to just be an awesome piece of art that pays homage to SF:II CE.  I understand the 3-4 player joysticks will be hard to get used to, but I'm sure we'll get used to it.   BUt yeah, do I wish they would have said at that angle, gameplay will be tough, yes...Did they, no.  And $800?  I'm paying way more than that.  So yeah, I'm sort of taking a bath on this thing. 

Question, is the angled joystick something you eventually get used to, or will it just suck playing on, always?

I'm beyond the point of being annoyed with my builder, and just going to say, it is what it is and enjoy it.  I'm sure everyone who comes over to play will have a blast.  Angled joysticks or not.

[Malenko]

if you're paying more than 800 then you are getting hosed. You should have just bought a dynamo cab for street fighter and a TMNT/XMEN/Simpsons/NBAJam/etc for 4 players, would have cost you less.

[pbj]

File a "not as described" chargeback if you made the mistake of paying up front.   

Not sweat on players 3 & 4, you'll never have more than one player on that thing.

Personally, I like it.

[BadMouth]

Question, is the angled joystick something you eventually get used to, or will it just suck playing on, always?

It's just not how the original machines were made.  Even though it doesn't look intuitive, when people who haven't played before start staring at the screen and moving the stick, they push toward the front of the CP for up no matter what angle they're standing at.

There are people on here who have built CPs with angled joysticks and claim they're fine with them.
There are others who regret doing them that way, but I don't remember anyone redoing their CP over it.
People will probably screw up the first minute of play, then adjust to it.

EDIT: tried to warn you: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135309.msg1397344.html#msg1397344

[tron84]

No sir I didnt like it.


To bad there is not a Qbert or Congo Bongo battle royale / head to head for players 3 & 4 joysticks.  Then they might get used. 
WOW, for more than $800, it better have a 24kt gold plated beer keg in the base, with a hottie bar wench on call 24/7. To pour me a fresh cold one.

[yotsuya]

My question is why are there so many people ripping on him.

Criticism isn't ripping on someone. This isn't 1st grade. We don't need to boost confidences.

If I say I wouldn't angle the side joysticks, it's because of all the experimentation, experiences, and feedback over the years that say it's not optimal. It's not personal.

[yotsuya]

Badmouth's link shows that sound advice was offered in the planning phase but ignored. I mean, it is what it is.

Not sweat on players 3 & 4, you'll never have more than one player on that thing.

Sad but true. 

[yotsuya]

BTW, Kaneda, if you enjoy it, that's all that matters. But the topic of this thread is "What do you think of my custom Street Fighter II: CE MAME Pedestal?" so I hope you value honest opinions.

[Ginsu Victim]

Over $800?!?

[tron84]

+1 for yotsuya's words of wisdom & truth 

[BadMouth]

Build quality and artwork look good.  I'd charge more than $800 to build it....of course I wouldn't have angled the joysticks.

[opt2not]

Nope, i cant say i like it.
The whole thing is monstrous, button spacings are killing me (reminds me of the hack-job conversions of every cab that got turned into an SF2). Those are not the original layout spacings. Go take a look at a Dynamo cab's CP, you'll see they are closer than what you have there. Either slagcoin has it wrong, or your guys done messed up.

The angled joys are going annoy people during gameplay, believe me, i made that rookie mistake on my
El Mechanico Diablo cab, and i still get heat from people that play it now, and i completed that cab years ago. So, no, people don't get used to it.

But hey, its your cab. If you like it, then mission accomplished.
Its just not my taste.

[kaneda]

Nope, i cant say i like it.
The whole thing is monstrous, button spacings are killing me (reminds me of the hack-job conversions of every cab that got turned into an SF2). Those are not the original layout spacings. Go take a look at a Dynamo cab's CP, you'll see they are closer than what you have there. Either slagcoin has it wrong, or your guys done messed up.

The angled joys are going annoy people during gameplay, believe me, i made that rookie mistake on my
El Mechanico Diablo cab, and i still get heat from people that play it now, and i completed that cab years ago. So, no, people don't get used to it.

But hey, its your cab. If you like it, then mission accomplished.
Its just not my taste.

You really think a few CM in button spacing is going to make / break playing street fighter?   I mean, come on now.  The amount of nit picking and whining about this and that is so annoying.  I get I asked to see what you guys thought, but man, like this thing will work just fine for 99% of gamers out there....you act like people will walk in and say, "OH NO, LOOK AT THAT BUTTON SPACING!!!"  Or "Why is the joystick angled?  I'm not playing!!!! WAAA WAAA"   

I guess it's just the way some of you have commented that annoys me.  Like you act as if this is some horrendous mistake that will make this pedestal un-playable and unenjoyable.  Bunch of babies some of you are.

[yotsuya]

  I get I asked to see what you guys thought, but man, like this thing will work just fine for 99% of gamers out there....you act like people will walk in and say, "OH NO, LOOK AT THAT BUTTON SPACING!!!"  Or "Why is the joystick angled?  I'm not playing!!!! WAAA WAAA"   

I guess it's just the way some of you have commented that annoys me.  Like you act as if this is some horrendous mistake that will make this pedestal un-playable and unenjoyable.  Bunch of babies some of you are.

Right. So then you really don't care what we think of your custom Street Fighter II: CE MAME Pedestal. You're pretty thin-skinned for a New Yorker.

[kaneda]

  I get I asked to see what you guys thought, but man, like this thing will work just fine for 99% of gamers out there....you act like people will walk in and say, "OH NO, LOOK AT THAT BUTTON SPACING!!!"  Or "Why is the joystick angled?  I'm not playing!!!! WAAA WAAA"   

I guess it's just the way some of you have commented that annoys me.  Like you act as if this is some horrendous mistake that will make this pedestal un-playable and unenjoyable.  Bunch of babies some of you are.

Right. So then you really don't care what we think of your custom Street Fighter II: CE MAME Pedestal. You're pretty thin-skinned for a New Yorker.

I thought people would find the pedestal to be more cool and fun, not whine about button placement.  I mean seriously.  But again, this is a forum that's the 1% of gamers out there.  So enjoy measuring the button placement while the rest of us enjoy playing the games.

[opt2not]

You asked, and I told you. I don't like it because it's big, the button spacings are too separated, and the angled joysticks are going to be troublesome to play.
Simple as that.
99% of gamers will not be comfortable playing that, I can guarantee it.
Maybe more like 25%, 35 tops.

The whole concept of functionality of an arcade machine is the intuitive connection between controls and gameplay. For the highest performance of play, you really need to have solid controls.
I mean, what you have is fine, if you're looking for a cabinet that you casually sample games here and there. But if it were me, if I was paying $800+ for this beast, I'd be damn sure the control layout was perfect for high performance play.

Now if you are just looking for a pat on the back, fine I can do that. I'm just one to call a spade a spade.

"But if you like it that's all that matters. Nice job." <pat pat pat>

[yotsuya]

Now if you are just looking for a pat on the back, fine I can do that. I'm just one to call a spade a spade.

"But if you like it that's all that matters. Nice job." <pat pat pat>

[yotsuya]

I thought people would find the pedestal to be more cool and fun, not whine about button placement.  I mean seriously.  But again, this is a forum that's the 1% of gamers out there.  So enjoy measuring the button placement while the rest of us enjoy playing the games.

So then what did you expect? Would you go to a custom woodworkers forum and ask them what birdhouse you should buy at Wal-Mart?

Oh, and none of us are whining about button placement. You're the one stuck with it. This is BYOAC, we roll our own.

[DaveMMR]

Basically this thread and the other thread should have been "What do you think? It's great right? Tell me 'it's great'."

I mean, as Badmouth pointed out, you were given constructive criticism that you said "nah, it's going to ruin the theme" and rolled with it. That's fine. But it's a little weird to be somehow expecting a different reaction showing us the final result.

However - as Yotsuya said, it's yours and if you like how it turned out and you're playing the games fine without issue then enjoy it.  And as PBJ mentioned, players 3 & 4 won't even get all that much action compared with the main controls.

[opt2not]

Xiaou2, looking at Slagcoin, the button spacing looks about right for the US SF2 layout.

Actually, slagcoin does state this:

"This is the American Street Fighter layout given by Capcom USA. It has some strange wide-spacing and does not suit the structure of the human hand. I do not advocated squared layouts like this one and others. You can feel some of these even layouts for yourself and assess the level of awkwardness from bending some fingers more than others."

But like I said, on a dynamo cab, this isn't the case. They aren't as spaced out as what's on Slagcoin. And dynamo's were the most popular SF2 cabinets.
I'm looking at the CP right now as I'm typing...

Kaneda, you really are getting a rough ride here, probably due to your unwillingness to listen to some of the good advice members are giving you. Or, at least, your reactions to it.
This is just like that monitor thread you started. You initially thumbed your nose at all the good advice, then eventually got over yourself and listened, and how did it turn out?  You were able to accomplish the  monitor swap yourself! Didn't that turn out well?

Listen to some of the veterans here, we're not just saying this ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- for sake of it. Some of us genuinely want to see top quality projects created and put out into the world.

[mmg1design]

At least you have the player two joystick straight. In my pedestal, I have player 2 and player 3 at a slight angle. I wish I read this forum before doing it, it would have helped me in the design. Even at a slight angle, it affects how you have to play. The nice thing is that it gives me a slight edge, when playing street fighter with a friend, since I use the stick that's not angled.

[yotsuya]

Here's a question- from the intial picture, it looks like players 3 + 4 aren't actually standing against the angled side, but rather on the corners of each angle. Was that intentional? Because if they stand against the angled side, then angled sticks are really out of whack. If they stand parallel to the controls, then they have the corner sticking them in the gut. Just curious.