Main > Main Forum

Newbie 4 Player Control Panel Thoughts

Pages: << < (20/22) > >>

mapsking:

Hello Bobgilb1,

I have not posted much, but after reading all these forum posts, I wanted to share my brief perspective on the number of buttons for the two outer players.  I'm currently in planning stages on my cabinet, and I've decided to build a 4 player cabinet as well.  All the build aside, I disagree with most people here regarding the number of buttons, and explain why.  Of course, realize my situation is most likely different than yours is, but again, such is life.  In my case, I am making a 4 player cabinet because I wanted to do something our family could all do together, that is fun, creates bonding time, and (except for initial cost), is something that will not have much extra expense added to it.  My wife loves old arcade games, and of course, I grew up with a lot of them also.  My kids also love the games, but I'm also a tech. junkie, of sorts.  You mentioned you were in IT, so I'm guessing you have a decent computer, and that is why I post an opinion IN FAVOR of 6 buttons for each player.  While I agree playing some console games via arcade controls, such as the N64 specifically, is basically a nightmare, it is a perfect setting for 4 player PC games.  A perfect example is Street Fighter X Tekken.  It is a really fun game, 4 players, and uses a 6 button layout.  That is a game my kids and I play all the time, and it would be really unfair for two players to only have access to 2/3 of the buttons.  Now, in truth, if you don't play that, or other similar PC games that use numerous buttons, (which there are some, but honestly, not too many to my knowledge), it probably is best to save the space, and not have them, as 4 player panels are still big, and saving several inches in width is a good thing.  However, in MY specific case, after much consideration, there is no real alternative other than to have 6 buttons per player.  Will they all get used all the time?  No.  However, when you need them and don't have them, you'll wish you did.  :-)  Just my thought on the matter.

p.s. Bob, if you haven't, and depending on your intention with it, I'd recommend checking out some PC games, there are quite a few good 4 player ones.  In my own experience so far, I've found 39 4 player games I feel are appropriate for my kids, and are fun, and there are many more that are not "age-appropriate" for my kids.

BTW, I forget who posted that 4 simultaneous players will NEVER happen, it really depends on your circumstances.  Since I'm making mine explicitly and intentionally for my family, I can tell you that, at least in my case, that statement is just not true.  Even though the cabinet itself is not built yet, the software is mostly completed and tweaked, and I can tell you there are many nights we all sit down and play together, everything from a 1 player game, 2 players swapping a controller, or everyone having their own controller, it is a lot of fun.   :)

CoOlSlY:


--- Quote from: yotsuya on December 10, 2013, 02:47:13 pm ---The only thing I would add is not to be so OCD about the P3-P4 buttons. Look at this example here:



Nicely done. Why add 4 buttons that will never get used?

--- End quote ---

The link supplied in this thread for the plans of this control panel are no longer available (all the files). Anybody know where I could find them? There's not a lot of 4 players plans available as far as the search i've made :| Would like a 4 player layout + spinner + trackball

wp34:


--- Quote from: CoOlSlY on June 12, 2014, 08:00:37 am ---
--- Quote from: yotsuya on December 10, 2013, 02:47:13 pm ---The only thing I would add is not to be so OCD about the P3-P4 buttons. Look at this example here:



Nicely done. Why add 4 buttons that will never get used?

--- End quote ---

The link supplied in this thread for the plans of this control panel are no longer available (all the files). Anybody know where I could find them? There's not a lot of 4 players plans available as far as the search i've made :| Would like a 4 player layout + spinner + trackball

--- End quote ---

That is a real nice example of a great 4-player layout.  The only thing I really don't like is that you can't easily play two-player Smash TV.

Xiaou2:


--- Quote ---That is a real nice example of a great 4-player layout.
--- End quote ---

 Actually... Not so great.    Arts pretty cool..  but try to reach that deep into the CP for extended periods of time.. 
Also, where do you place your arms to get to those sticks & controls?   On the buttons... with your arm pressing into the other joysticks.
Very poor comfort and useability.

 All they would have had to do...  is place the top controllers diagonally to the left of the main sticks.   They would be far less deep in the CP, and you wouldnt have to rest your arm on top of a set of buttons to use them.

 The Trackball "Symmetry Bug", is also an issue.    Anyone who plays a trackball game with any intensity... is going to smash their hands into the blue stick.

 Had they moved the ball closer to the red buttons... there would have been far more room to sweep your hand around... without slamming into anything.

 Im also not sure about the angles of the yellow buttons either...


--- Quote ---I really don't like is that you can't easily play two-player Smash TV.
--- End quote ---

 Word.

 However, Id have to say Robotron.. because Robotron is much more intense and gratifying.   And either way... you really cant play
Robotron with those Happs Comps.   You need real Wico 8way leafsticks to make it anywhere in that game.  Partly due to the very long throw the Happs sticks have... and partly the fatigue from the microswitchs (and the associated long activation distances), as well as the hard slam that happens at the end of travel on fighter sticks.  Gota love the Rubber Grommet on the Wico sticks, that keep that from happening...

 Also, are there any leaf buttons on there?   Id make a least the bottom button a leaf - for non autofire, rapid shot games.. such as Galaga, Asteroids Deluxe..etc.   These games would fatigue you in mere minutes with a Microswitch.  They also have that same "Slam into the CP" issue.. further effecting comfort and fatigue.   Where as leafs have a wonderful buttery smooth bounce...



CoOlSlY:


--- Quote from: Xiaou2 on June 12, 2014, 09:49:59 pm ---
--- Quote ---That is a real nice example of a great 4-player layout.
--- End quote ---

 Actually... Not so great.    Arts pretty cool..  but try to reach that deep into the CP for extended periods of time.. 
Also, where do you place your arms to get to those sticks & controls?   On the buttons... with your arm pressing into the other joysticks.
Very poor comfort and useability.

 All they would have had to do...  is place the top controllers diagonally to the left of the main sticks.   They would be far less deep in the CP, and you wouldnt have to rest your arm on top of a set of buttons to use them.

 The Trackball "Symmetry Bug", is also an issue.    Anyone who plays a trackball game with any intensity... is going to smash their hands into the blue stick.

 Had they moved the ball closer to the red buttons... there would have been far more room to sweep your hand around... without slamming into anything.

 Im also not sure about the angles of the yellow buttons either...


--- Quote ---I really don't like is that you can't easily play two-player Smash TV.
--- End quote ---

 Word.

 However, Id have to say Robotron.. because Robotron is much more intense and gratifying.   And either way... you really cant play
Robotron with those Happs Comps.   You need real Wico 8way leafsticks to make it anywhere in that game.  Partly due to the very long throw the Happs sticks have... and partly the fatigue from the microswitchs (and the associated long activation distances), as well as the hard slam that happens at the end of travel on fighter sticks.  Gota love the Rubber Grommet on the Wico sticks, that keep that from happening...

 Also, are there any leaf buttons on there?   Id make a least the bottom button a leaf - for non autofire, rapid shot games.. such as Galaga, Asteroids Deluxe..etc.   These games would fatigue you in mere minutes with a Microswitch.  They also have that same "Slam into the CP" issue.. further effecting comfort and fatigue.   Where as leafs have a wonderful buttery smooth bounce...

--- End quote ---

Would you by any chance have a plan of the "perfect" 4 player controller? I read a lot and getting ready to do one but would really like a layout for the symetry of the buttons and everything, thank»'s

Pages: << < (20/22) > >>

Go to full version