The 2014 BYOAC User Choice Awards need your nominations!

[UCA]

Welcome to the 4th Annual BYOAC User Choice Awards Nomination Thread!

We are back to recognize the most innovative, well executed, original, and fun builds completed in 2014 across a broad range of categories.  Feel free to nominate more than one project and don't feel obligated to nominate something for every category.  Your participation is paramount to having another great event so let us know what knocked your socks off.   

As you may well know the UCAs are administered by a board of forum members to ensure that the BYOAC UCA process remains above reproach.  This year's board is again chaired by Yotsuya, DaOld Man, BobA, DrVenture, and Le Chuck who will use the UCA account to open UCA threads and post any administrative actions.  UCA is a non voting entity.   

The Rules:  There are a few minor tweaks this year based on feedback from the community from the last few years of doing this so give'em a quick read whydontchya?

• No user can win the same category two years running.  Ms. America rules apply, you have to pass the tiara.  That doesn't mean users can't nominate a project deserving of praise, they just shouldn't get bent out of shape when it doesn't make the final voting thread.
• To be eligible a project must have been POSTED as completed between 01 JAN 2014 and before 31 DEC 2014.  We get it, sometimes things don't get posted on time, that's okay, we do this every year.  If it was that good it'll still be that good next time.
• Users are NOT allowed to nominate or second their OWN projects. Nominations should come from the community at large.
• Categories must have at least 3 valid confirmed (thirded) entries to remain categories.  Those that don't will be awarded honorable mentions at the end of the nomination window.
• Categories with 6 or more entries may be split up into sub categories providing that the breakdown allows two complete new categories. For example: fullsize builds could be broken down into Uprights and Other or Uprights and Cocktails depending on what has been nominated.  This is not mandatory and will be based on the consensus of the board.
• Any UCA board member recommended and confirmed for a category will recuse himself of having anything to do with that category.
• Rule #7...THERE IS NO RULE #7!
• Decisions on whether or not something is a valid entry (fuzzy dates, versions, completeness) will be made by the consensus of the board and once published are not subject to a flame war.
• Voting will be conducted in the same automated manner as every year, board members can vote, and their role is purely administrative.

To nominate please reply with this format:

Category: Name of Build or Project: Link
<img from build thread is welcome, please size to no more than 300px wide to keep the thread readable.>
<optional description of why nominated for that category>

Any project nominated three time (by different users ) will make it to the voting threads which will open NLT 01 FEB 2014.  That thread will close on 01 MARCH 2014 so make sure and scrub through this last year's builds then put up the links that you think progressed the hobby, just make sure whatever you're nominating was "complete" after 01 JAN 2014 and before 31 DEC 2014. 

Here's a list of this year's categories and a brief definition:

Fullsize Dedicated - Uprights, cockpits, V-Pins, Racers, and showcase cabs that demonstrate outstanding theme, style, balance, and execution designed to play a specific title with a very limited playlist.

Fullsize Multi - Uprights, cockpits, V-Pins, Racers, and showcase cabs that demonstrate outstanding theme, style, balance, and execution designed to play a range of games over multiple genre and/or with an expansive playlists.

Small Dedicated - Bartops, Cocktails, Minis, Micros, Jukes, and cabs more easily defined by what they aren't, cab in furniture, cab disguised as something else that demonstrate outstanding theme, style, balance, and execution designed to play a specific title with a very limited playlist. 

Small Multi - Bartops, Cocktails, Minis, Micros, Jukes, and cabs more easily defined by what they aren't, cab in furniture, cab disguised as something else that demonstrate outstanding theme, style, balance, and execution designed to play a range of games over multiple genre and/or with an expansive playlists..

Pedestals - Breakout category from non-standards.  Builds defined as a stand alone unit containing controls and gaming hardware that uses separate monitor for gameplay.

Hardware - custom built or modified controls, lighting, products, or other physical cab elements that are new or improved this past year and advanced the hobby. 

Software - this can be a piece of code or specialty tool user written or created this past year that created or improved emulation capability or generally increased software flexibility to include software hacks.

Thanks for taking the time to nominate your favorite(s) and help us document the best projects of 2014!

The UCA Board


Confirmed Nominations by Category
These have the requisite three nominations to make the vote-off in February   

Fullsize Dedicated (4): Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time by Sjaak*; Track & Field by Shrunkenmaster; Super Spacefortress Macross by Yotsuya; Moon Patrol by Elvis

Fullsize Multi (8]: Blip by Markc74; R-Pod MKII by Space Hedgehog; Flyn's Arcade by ChanceKJ; Broad Street Bullies by Malenko; Clint by Yamatetsu; Multiball Madness by Martijn; Project Retrocade by EMDB; Scooby Doo Mystery Pinball by jaharr01

Small Multi (5): Missile Command Cocktail by jahilbert; scottboxjr by rabbidpuppy; Sega Bartop by Grippie; Vigolix Invader by DeLuSioNal29; Outrun by JohnRT

Small Dedicated (3): Q*bert by 2084; Asteroids by Shrunkenmaster; Asteroids Deluxe by Louis Tully

Pedestal Cabs (5): Mario Pedestal by Louis Tully; Game of Thrones by Le Chuck; Turtlebox by PBJ; Beat'em-Up X by Locke141; TMNT by Severdhed

Hardware (4): Ultimarc Ultimate I/O Board by Andy; Test Pattern Generator by CraftyMech, Howler by engg100; Outrun View Selection Circuit by JohnRT

Software (1): Space Commander by slhomme




*2013 Fullsize category winner - ineligible for vote off but still a fantastic achievement

[jdbailey1206]

One full size nomination would have to be markc74's Blip cab.  I nominate it for the artwork alone.

[wp34]

One full size nomination would have to be markc74's Blip cab.  I nominate it for the artwork alone.

Seconded!

[wp34]

I'd like to nominate ChanceCK's Flynn's Arcade in the full-size upright category.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135116.0.html



This project is a great example of how to do a 4-player LCD right.  The attention to detail is also off the charts!

[wp34]

For the fullsize upright category I'd like to nominate yotsuya's Super Spacefortress Macross.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636



This project is a great example of where our hobby can co-exist with dedicated cabinet collecting.  I love how he created something that looks authentic but is one of a kind.   The artwork in-particular is very impressive.

[Nephasth]

I'd like to nominate ChanceCK's Flynn's Arcade in the full-size upright category.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,135116.0.html



This project is a great example of how to do a 4-player LCD right.  The attention to detail is also off the charts!

Seconded.

For the fullsize upright category I'd like to nominate yotsuya's Super Spacefortress Macross.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636



This project is a great example of where our hobby can co-exist with dedicated cabinet collecting.  I love how he created something that looks authentic but is one of a kind.   The artwork in-particular is very impressive.

And seconded!

[Locke141]

For the fullsize upright category I'd like to nominate yotsuya's Super Spacefortress Macross.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137636



This project is a great example of where our hobby can co-exist with dedicated cabinet collecting.  I love how he created something that looks authentic but is one of a kind.   The artwork in-particular is very impressive.

3rd

[BadMouth]

Category: Non-Standard
Build: SpaceHedgehog's R-Pod MkII

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138146.msg1426735.html#msg1426735

[EMDB]

I nominate Grippie's Sega Genesis Bartop for the Bartop category

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141069.0.html

[EMDB]

And jaharr01's Jacie's Arcade for the Fullsize cabs

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,142157.0.html

[jdbailey1206]

+1 for Yot's cab and Grippies bar top.  Both clean machines.

[EMDB]

I think Artwork would be a nice additional category...

[EMDB]

I nominate fr_303's Street Fighter Cab in the Fullsize cabs:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141565.0.html

[harveybirdman]

Small cabs & Non Standards: I nominate PBJ's Turrtlebox



http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,137637.120.html

[BadMouth]

jaharr01's Jacie's Arcade for the Fullsize cabs

Seconded
I like the different, but correct looking coin door and artwork.

[pbj]

I fourth or fifth the Macross cabinet.  That was an interesting project.

Others that stick out in my mind this year:

Beat Em Up X:



Clint:



Castlevania pedestal:

EDIT: Oops.  Didn't read the date.

Severdhed's TMNT pedestal, especially because several people have been inspired by it:



Malenko's 90s Midway orgasm style hockey cabinet:

[ChanceKJ]

I second pbj's Turtlebox, loved the superior execution of a Pedistal that's based off another. The artwork and colour choices were perfect.

Two others come to mind right away (when I get back later tonight I'll sit and review some other favorites):

I nominate LT's Mario pedestal because above everything else it has an intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool, then filled in with ball point pen.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138220.0.html



And also LT's Asteroids small cabaret because it's quiet refined and cost very little to build. Even though it lacks an intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool,  then filled in with ball point pen.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141486.0.html

[Generic Eric]

Category: Non-Standard
Build: SpaceHedgehog's R-Pod MkII

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138146.msg1426735.html#msg1426735

2nd

[pbj]

I second the mario pedestal.  I even submitted that thing to a few video game blogs and was met with stony silence.  Guess they're too busy writing about ---smurfy--- anime at Kotaku to cover anything game related.

[harveybirdman]

Also this thread needs more Blip porn....  and I 3rd Blip.

[jdbailey1206]

Also this thread needs more Blip porn....

The first reply not good enough for you?     I would also vote for LT's Nintendo build but it didn't have Mario on the flag pole so I am saving my vote for someone more deserving. 

[Generic Eric]

I nominate LT's Mario pedestal because above everything else it has an intricate and redundant pattern cut into the wood with a rotary tool, then filled in with ball point pen.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138220.0.html

2nd.  This was fun to watch.  Remember it started out as a file cabinet!

[Generic Eric]

Beat Em Up X:

2nd
Name another cabinet with 3D details. besides the Mario pedestal  Neat details.  Too bad there are no barrels in Gauntlet

[Generic Eric]

Castlevania pedestal:

Won't make the cutoff.  It was bumped.  Actually a UCA 2012 contender.   The necro threads and bumps added a lot of time to the review.

[pbj]

My bad.  I browsed through a year's worth of project announcements and thought I had pruned the old ones, but that was definitely one of those, "I bet I could make something like that, too" moments when I saw it.

 

[ChanceKJ]

So many pedestals this year. They should have their own catagory like Bartops do. 

I first Le Chuck's GoT Pedistal. Mainly because it's bad ass work, pocket screws, and I want to see it go toe to toe with LT's Mario and pbj's Turtles Pedistals.

[yotsuya]

I'm in the mountains and can't really post links, but I want to second Blip! And nominate/second Malenko 's Broad Street Bullies 4P cab. More info and links when I get back home.

And thank you all for the Macross noms. It means a lot coming from you guys

[UCA]

Looks like we're off to a great start.  The top post will be updated daily or as necessary to show how we are progressing.  As always, please feel free to double check our nom math as we've been known to miss things, and remember that for a project to make the voting pool it requires three nominations.

[Le Chuck]

Nominations:

Fullsize: 

Sjaak's Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time
I haven't even played this game yet and I'm head over heals for this thing. 

[Generic Eric]

Nominations:

Fullsize: 

Sjaak's Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time
I haven't even played this game yet and I'm head over heals for this thing.

2nd

[wp34]

Also this thread needs more Blip porn....

Good gosh that thing looks awesome turned off.

[Generic Eric]

Hardware: The star empire strikes back wars : http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,118076.40.html
  in the hardware  category  for integrating the topper to it.

You'll forgive me for using a video instead of a pic; that is all that was available.

Year of Star Wars 

Yep I am bumping/updating this old thread, but I feel comfortable doing this because I think the changes are interesting enough.

[wp34]

Nominations:

Fullsize: 

Sjaak's Lovers in a Dangerous Space Time
I haven't even played this game yet and I'm head over heals for this thing.

2nd

3rd

[wp34]

So many pedestals this year. They should have their own catagory like Bartops do. 

I first Le Chuck's GoT Pedistal. Mainly because it's bad ass work, pocket screws, and I want to see it go toe to toe with LT's Mario and pbj's Turtles Pedistals.

2nd.

[Generic Eric]

R-Kaid-R by quizz_kid in non standard / small

Portable AIO in a handmade leather satchel.  I want to move to somewhere with a subway system so I would have a reason to pull this out on the train. 



whats the code to resize an image?

[Le Chuck]

whats the code to resize an image?

Code: [Select]

[img width=200]link[/img]

[Generic Eric]

jahilbert's Missile Command Cocktail in small category

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,138807.msg1434266.html#msg1434266

How do you top Barrel of Kong and Little Miss Pac Man?  Jam 'em together and put them in a rocket!  A thoughtful re imagining of a theme for a MAME cocktail.

[Generic Eric]

Software Nomination:

PL1 self aware algorithm. 

But seriously, always on point with an answer and willing to help/share ideas/drop knowledge.     

I told you, Scott's a highly advanced algorithm call center robot/program.

[markc74]

These have all been nominated at least once so I'm seconding/thirding/forthing(*) them (* delete as appropriate)

Fullsize - one more nomination for LT's Asteroids and to add another great cab to the mix: Elvis's Moon Patrol build: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,141846.0.html



Driving has got to be SpaceHedgehog's R-Pod MkII

Bartop is Grippie's Sega Genesis Megadrive Bartop and John RT's Outrun style driver bartop:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,139895.0.html


Pedestal is LeChuck's Game of Thrones

*Edited to resize images

[Slippyblade]

I'd like to nominate JohnRT's Outrun bartop for the hardware category.  I'm particularly pointing out his great view selection circuit.  Good way to integrate multiple controls into a single button.

Here's a link to the PCB for it.