Unusual idea for spinner placement on CP

[diggso]

Right. I had a reasonably successful first build many years back but a number of things I wasn't totally happy with including the dreaded frankenpanel (i had tron sticks and all sorts on it).

Looking at a new build and I can't shake the fact that I need 2 spinners. With the tron sticks and spinners I was able to play anything that used a rotary joystick (Ikari Warriors, Midnight Resistance etc.) very well (better than with the original rotary if memory serves me) and I still want to be able to do that while avoiding a frankenpanel look and definitely without the Tron sticks.

So I'm planning on putting the spinners between the joystick and the buttons but a little lower than the bottom row of buttons so that you could potentially use the spinner and hit the buttons for the likes of Ikari Warriors.
Obviously the major issues are that it musn't interfere with either (i) the joystick and the arm using the joystick and (ii) the buttons and the palm resting on the CP.

I've never seen placement like this (maybe for good reason!) but I'm keen to know if anyone has ever tried it?

[diggso]

This is the general idea

[Slippyblade]

Can't imagine why that wouldn't work.  I'm assuming you'd map any button use (Ikari, Tron, etc) to the lower row so you could reach without removing your hand from the spinner?

[Xiaou2]

Build a test panel from some stacked sheets of cardboard.   I don't think you will have enough playability control, to like the results.

If you dont want the height of tron sticks... use a button-top joystick... imo.

 

[diggso]

@slippyblade: exactly, for any of those games i'd map main buttons to bottom row.

@Xiaou2: unfortunately that wouldn't fit with my design as i'm planning to use sanwa jlf sticks for a fight stick layout. i know the dims are off in that sketchup. i did it up in cardboard and it seemed ok but i guess I'll have to go ahead and build a proper prototype. thanks.

[Vigo]

Yeah, that might work depending on how you place your hand and how P2 will place their hands as well. I don't think you would have ideal ability to spin the spinner while pressing the fire button on the same hand. Although you could argue that you didn't have ideal spinning control on a rotary joystick as well. I agree with the cardboard mockup suggestion.

If you dont want the height of tron sticks... use a button-top joystick... imo.

X, are you aware of any button top joysticks that aren't "crane-gamey"? I've been hoping for a good balltop joy with a top like the Wico CC, but haven't ever seen much more than joystick hacks. The wico button is also leaf, so it makes for a smooth trigger press rather than a click. Mighty nice.

[lamprey]

I don't see why that wouldn't work from a positioning standpoint. However, I don't see why you'd want to play 12-way rotary games with a spinner. But, hey, as long as you enjoy it, knock yourself out! 

[diggso]

@Vigo: agreed, it's not ideal to be using the spinner and trying to press buttons with the same hand. on the plus side (a) you don't have to do this for spinner/wheel games anyway (say arkanoid, tempest, or any racer like super sprint) and (b) rotary games generally use more subtle positioning adjustments than "spins" so i'm hoping that these kind of adjustments are not too uncomfortable to be done with the thumb

@lamprey: obviously a rotary is the ideal way to go to but with the right settings a spinner (and trigger stick at least) worked extremely well. not authentic i know but easier to play in many cases.

What i'm really trying to achieve is maximise the range of playability while minimising the compromise of the design (or adding additional hardware like tron or rotary sticks).
I would regularly use spinners anyway (i'm an arkanoid and tempest fiend) and I like a fight stick layout (not least because i enjoy a bit of 3rd strike now and then).
But after my first build I realise that additional dedicated hardware is not a good idea (unless you are a total fiend for DOT or Midnight Resistance or whatever). And i'm not into the idea of swappable panels. like i said it feels ok in cardboard so i'll post a picture after i get the prototype knocked up and let you know if it's a disaster.

[Vigo]

I'm a big fan of spinner and rotary games as well. To be honest, I would take a spinner over a trackball any day. I know I am in the minority there, so it is always good to see some spinner love around here.

[diggso]

That would be a difficult choice but only because of Marble Madness (I think I unofficially have the 3rd highest score of all time if Twin Galaxies is to be believed!).
Apart from that it'd be spinners before trackball for sure.
Of course, I am planning to have a trackball in there too.

[Vigo]

Oh yeah, There are some awesome trackballs games. Marble madness is one of my favs too. I also like rampart, but I really suck at it.

If TG is to be believed, I am the world record holder in another trackball game, Snacks n Jaxson. 

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,131175.msg1344476.html#msg1344476

Of course, unlike marble madness, Snack n Jack doesn't have that "Legit game people play" thing going for it, but I'm not gonna let that tarnish my tiara. 

[Xiaou2]

Heya Vigo,

 Funny... I was almost going to recommend that stick to hack.     Afaik,  happs used to make a thin bat button top stick as well. Not sure if its still out there.

 Im also a diehard spinner man.   So many great spinner games!

 Also enjoy rampart. I suck at it too.  Lol

[Vigo]

Heya Vigo,

 Funny... I was almost going to recommend that stick to hack.     Afaik,  happs used to make a thin bat button top stick as well. Not sure if its still out there.

 Im also a diehard spinner man.   So many great spinner games!

 Also enjoy rampart. I suck at it too.  Lol

  Thanks man! Yeah, that wico is a good stick, shame that there isn't much available. I'll probably end up hacking it for my next panel.

[diggso]

Just in case anyone is interested, I've built the prototype and added the controls needed for a proper test.
Works really well. Joystick and buttons are a-ok with no interference from spinner. Spinner games are great as expected, with the bottom row of buttons being more natural as primary inputs. And while obviously not ideal, rotary games are very playable using the spinner and bottom row of buttons in conjunction with the joystick.
The real advantage to this placement in my view is the wide range of playability within a compact cp footprint.
As always though, I'm sure many of you won't like the idea but just in case someone else is considering it i've thrown up the pics.