Cabinet with more than one system?

[taxidriver6]

Hello All.

Been following projects for months and soaking up all the info I can in preparation for my first build I plan on beginning in the next few months for summer. Since I don't currently have the space to have more than one machine, I'd like to incorporate both a itx build and PS3. I was gonna go with just  a PS3 as it can be modded to play emulators, but I wouldn't be able to play my many Steam or PC games.

My thinking is if I use a hd tv for my build, I can use a remote to switch between inputs to toggle between my PC and my PS3. But something I can't get my head around are the controls:

How can I ensure the controls would work seamlessly for both systems? Is there some software or equipment that could remember the controls based on which input I'm on? I don't want to have to go inside my cab every time I decide to switch systems.

Also, has his anyone done this before? I'd assume so, but for the life of me I can't find any examples on this forum. Also, does anyone see any problems I may have with doing this?

Thanks in advance...

[yotsuya]

So you want one "cabinet" that can do many, many things. Are you sure an arcade - style cabinet is the right fit for what you intend?

I'm not trying to discourage you, but there's a reason why you don't see many examples of it. Most builders choose one thing they want it to do, and they choose for it to do it well. I'd say build a pedestal as that would probably work best for all the things you sound like you want it to do.

Good luck with your build.

[opt2not]

+1

Unless you're only playing Steam games that are arcade ports, or arcade-styled games like Pacman CE DX+, or some of the retro inspired indie titles like Towerfall, Jamestown, Broforce...adding support for more modern-style games is not only a PITA for control schemes, but also strange to play standing up for a lot of modern titles.

A movable pedestal is a great suggestion. You can save space, still have the arcade controls and set-up but retain your set-up for modern console and PC games.

[gildahl]

Agree.  Arcade controls work great for classic consoles, but become increasingly awkward with gamepad based consoles of the late 90s and after.  The other thing I find, is that the stand-up arcade cab format is optimized for relatively short sessions, and the couch/TV format is optimized for the typically longer console session.  As a comparison, ATMs are great for making a quick withdrawl, deposit, or transfer; but I wouldn't want to stand in front of one to do my monthly bills (or worse, stand behind someone else paying their monthly bills!).

[pbj]

The other thing I find, is that the stand-up arcade cab format is optimized for relatively short sessions, and the couch/TV format is optimized for the typically longer console session.

Wow.  Any other profound pearls of wisdom to drop on us peasants?

[harveybirdman]

The other thing I find, is that the stand-up arcade cab format is optimized for relatively short sessions, and the couch/TV format is optimized for the typically longer console session.

Wow.  Any other profound pearls of wisdom to drop on us peasants?

Hush yourself, you know he's right.

[BadMouth]

Get a USB control interface that works with both the PS3 and PC, then use an HDMI/USB KVM to switch with a remote button to between systems. The interface can be anything from hacked pads, boards out of cheap fightsticks, or .... https://www.focusattack.com/hardware-pcb/console-fighting/ps3ps4

Games that use analog controls don't play so well on a cab (steam or PS3).  Even if you had analog joysticks, you're usually required to use two joysticks at the same time plus push buttons.  I was disappointed that a lot of the Steam run and gun games that look old school require you use the right thumbstick to aim your weapon.  That kills it for a cab.
It's still worth it IMO if you're into the fighting games.  I probably have around 20 PC games on my cab.  Mostly fighting, shmups, & a few platformers.
I've probably bought that many more that looked like they would work on the cab, but didn't because of the limited controls.

[pbj]

I was disappointed that a lot of the Steam run and gun games that look old school require you use the right thumbstick to aim your weapon.  That kills it for a cab.

Lest we forget the fiasco of Gauntlet.  Not only does it inexplicably require two sticks, it is also FREAKING IMPOSSIBLE on normal difficulty as soon as the second level.

[gildahl]

The other thing I find, is that the stand-up arcade cab format is optimized for relatively short sessions, and the couch/TV format is optimized for the typically longer console session.

Wow.  Any other profound pearls of wisdom to drop on us peasants?

You have no idea how much pain and suffering was required to arrive at this conclusion.  No idea at all.  Whew!

[CheffoJeffo]

The other thing I find, is that the stand-up arcade cab format is optimized for relatively short sessions, and the couch/TV format is optimized for the typically longer console session.

Wow.  Any other profound pearls of wisdom to drop on us peasants?

I like that he posted this. The last time one of us said the same thing, he was accused of being some kind of elitist jerk standing in some kind of a circle. Perhaps not as obvious to everybody else as it is to us. This post wasn't for us and maybe it will help keep the circlejerk conspiracy fuckwits quiet for a while.

[yotsuya]

The other thing I find, is that the stand-up arcade cab format is optimized for relatively short sessions, and the couch/TV format is optimized for the typically longer console session.

Wow.  Any other profound pearls of wisdom to drop on us peasants?

I like that he posted this. The last time one of us said the same thing, he was accused of being some kind of elitist jerk standing in some kind of a circle. Perhaps not as obvious to everybody else as it is to us. This post wasn't for us and maybe it will help keep the circlejerk conspiracy fuckwits quiet for a while.

Well done!

[Malenko]

Can I advocate to you to build a stand alone controller first?

You can see how well arcade style controls work with all the games without the expense and time it takes to build a full machine. If its all hunky dorey then you can just transplant the guts from the controller to the cab.

[BadMouth]

Can I advocate to you to build a stand alone controller first?

You can see how well arcade style controls work with all the games without the expense and time it takes to build a full machine. If its all hunky dorey then you can just transplant the guts from the controller to the cab.

Or just get a cheap PS3 fight stick: http://www.amazon.com/Mayflash-Universal-Arcade-Fighting-Playstation-3/dp/B0015PHMFU/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1462986928&sr=8-7&keywords=ps3+fightstick

The joystick and buttons are probably crap, but you can use the pcb as an interface if you choose to build something with genuine arcade controls.
Most interfaces cost more than that fight stick.   

[taxidriver6]

Thank you all very much for the responses. It's much appreciated. Much to gnaw on, but I think I've made my choices.

For my 10 year old son's bartop, I'm gonna go with a console. Either Xbox 360 or PS3. Looks like both can run Mame and I have the options of buying arcade classics for either console I ultimately go with; as well as play system games that are better suited for the arcade setting, i.e. Fighters, Schumps, etc. Shoot, maybe I can get his favorite game Plants Vs Zombies Garden Warfare to play nice with a stick and controls.

For my full-size cabinet setup, think I'll go the PC route. Will run Mame and a few consoles. I recently found a site that keeps track of PC games that play well with arcade controls, so I plan on adding a few of these.

Having said all this, Can anyone suggest one console over another (PS3 vs Xbox 360) for the Mame experience?

Once again, thanks in advance...

[DrakeTungsten]

The other thing I find, is that the stand-up arcade cab format is optimized for relatively short sessions, and the couch/TV format is optimized for the typically longer console session.

Wow.  Any other profound pearls of wisdom to drop on us peasants?

I like that he posted this.

Me too. I agree that it was borderline "so obvious it doesn't need to be stated", but who knows the OP's experience? The OP didn't object to the obviousness of it, anyway. I was more impressed with Yotsuya's answer. He was nothing but directly helpful. I thought maybe the community is improving. But I see it's baby steps at best, because then Jeffo takes a ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---...

The last time one of us said the same thing, he was accused of being some kind of elitist jerk standing in some kind of a circle.

Oh FFS, for how much longer are you bitches going to cry over a thread that's been dead for two months? I mean your wildly fanciful version of events, anyway. Some of the "advice" offered in previous threads was much different from the advice offered in this thread, hence you received the feedback which has been weighing heavily on your minds all this time. This isn't the first time you gentlemen, out of the blue, tried to continue to fight battles from a previous thread in some other poor unsuspecting thread. Let it go. It's not healthy. If you really aren't done ranting over it, then at least have the balls to necro the thread. Or are we doomed to put up with this ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- indefinitely, in Crom-only-knows which thread next? I understand that necroing a thread would emphasize the fact that you're obsessed, and you are right to be ashamed of your obsession, but it's really the right thing to do.

This post wasn't for us and maybe it will help keep the circlejerk conspiracy fuckwits...

Not long ago, a poster told me that this is a let-bygones-be-bygones kind of place. (I know he has issues with paraphrasing, but with the way the server's been, I'm not taking the time to find the exact phrase. I promise you that if this isn't the exact phrase, it's a fair paraphrase). I wonder if he'll read this and reassess his opinion of the community, when the esteemed CheffoJeffo is, with zero provocation, still calling people fuckwits two months after his ego was bruised. I won't hold my breath, just as I'm sure that our local champions of emotional toughness will somehow overlook such a glaring example of sensitivity as fragile as a snowflake.

...quiet for a while.

You posit a clever and exciting strategy.  Yes, speaking for fuckwits everywhere, please, oh pretty please, address the question being asked instead of ranting against a straw man, and you will shockingly find the incidents of you being called out for unhelpfulness drop dramatically. Intermediate and advanced advice will work just as well as the obvious. You'll show those fuckwits yet!

When you guys first started chasing each others ---Deutsche Frankfurters--- from thread to thread, yelling "We are totally not a circle jerk", at first I thought you were being intentionally ironic and self-deprecating. But given your defensiveness and general obtuseness, you've lost the benefit of the doubt. Anyway, I'm getting a real kick out of it. The general whining about previous threads was tiresome off the bat, but the circle jerk denials have become an exception.

I'd say I have at least an average imagination, but I've never been able to predict what fantasy CheffoJeffo would manage to construct based on one of my posts. Dazzle me Jeffo...   

[pbj]

#teamdrake

[yotsuya]

#teamdrake

For a second I thought you were into Canadian rappers.

[harveybirdman]

I like you Tungsten, stick around, wouldn't mind seeing a build thread from you.

Don't know that you needed to go all kersten X2 wall o text on us but your point is well taken.  We do have tendencies to rail on perceived slights of "honest feedback."  that us forum obsessed posters have grown to loathe over the years especially when there's so precious few craftsmen still posting inspiring builds.

It's important then,  for us t keep things interesting around here by pushing some of the new builders to higher aspirations, we'll in a Spock kinda way anyways.

I think forum beefs are an important tool for making the people that lurk here consider more the asthetics of their builds.  Just don't quit and start your own YouTube channel we need more dissenting opinions around here, otherwise the forum gets stale.

[CheffoJeffo]

I'd say I have at least an average imagination, but I've never been able to predict what fantasy CheffoJeffo would manage to construct based on one of my posts. Dazzle me Jeffo...

Don't like what I post? Report to moderator. Or post a XoucheRant(tm) ten times longer than my "rant" (really? It was more of a sarcastic dig) and insult me by name. That usually works.

This is saint's house, not yours.

[ed12]

if 1 can reply ======1======
there bored to hell

ed