Star Wars Cabaret - Done done doneski...unless somebody has a better idea

[Le Chuck]

I appreciate the feedback everybody!  Couldn't have gotten here without your input, and I think it has really paid off.  I'm happy.

<<original post>>

Those that keep up with my real world life (why would you) and don't know, I moved this past spring.  This triggered a number of things happening all at once.  Namely some very hard choices about the masses of wood and CRT living in my garage.  My Daytona now lives in a buddy's garage in Alabama and his kids are enjoying it on the regular.  Passed it off for free because he's a bro and had recouped most of my original investment from parting the second.  In case anyone wants a stroll down memory lane you can clicky here.  Also got rid of Idle Fingers aka Last Starfighter aka the STUN Runner retheme because that MF was heavier than the damn Daytona.  Holy hell.  Changed out the yoke for a regular one and slide in a less robust computer running a tight list and it was gone gone gone.  That thread is here if you're still with me.  TAF moved because you won't be able to pry my TAF away from my cold dead fingers.  All the unfinished project whatnots moved. 

That left me with a lot to do, but most importantly a of bin random cabling, PC components, and my Yoke+ which is still a thing, but I think I'm down to only one game that I use it on.  Probably just replace it with a button eventually.  Over the summer I did some thinking and decided that a smaller form factor might just be the way to go.  Something I could move around and not stress about.  Something like a cabaret...only SW never had a cabaret.  Well it freakin' does now!

I briefly had a Monaco GP cabaret before determining it was way beyond my restorative powers, but long enough to realize it was the perfect cabaret for a SW build - so I copied it.  Wood work took a weekend, had a friend with a metal brake brake some metal for me.  I *may* at some point down the line add a pedal to this, would help out on a few games and open up a few others - but likely as much not. 

Anyway, we aren't complete yet but here's what we are!


Top down view for a bit of scale.  It's super comfy to play.  We are running a 19" 3:4 LCD that I just got this past week (for freeeeeee).  Before that I had a 17" in with a ghetto temp bezel and light leaks everywhere.  It's been in the house since late September I think, maybe August, but had a crappy monitor and no marquee for the longest. 


A bit of side action, the cab is laminated head to toe, which only takes one sheet for this size of build.


Close-up of the marquee and FE.  Still running Attract-mode FE, works a charm.  The marquee is gorgeous, pictures don't do it justice.  STPCORE did it for me, those of you who have his translites know the quality.  This thing is tits, and he included an additional transfusing sheet that really give it a nice even glow. Someday I may get froggy and go mask off the black boarder but I'm pretty happy the way it is.  If you're wondering, why yes that is the back glass art for the SW cockpit - have I mentioned that's where I fondled my first tiddy?  Good times.


Cab off.  Monitor got dropped in today, big improvement.  Would like to further upgrade to a 19" CRT, VGA or otherwise, but that'll require a kick out space on the back and I'm not hating what I have right now.  It's noice.  Lessee, coindoor has an Easy CoinUp wired up, which I love.  It's wired to both coinup and P1 start.  Does everything I need with a few presses.  A 12mm button is below that to get you back to the FE.   

Art - looking at doing the ROTJ CPO art for my CPO.  Also looking at doing some gray vinyl fighter decals along the bottom front.   For the sides I've been playing with the cockpit style art, but haven't really devoted any time to making that happen.  They might just stay black.  Not a lot of room on the bezel so probably nothing there, maybe some Imperial window patterns in two lines down the sides in dark gray.  Nothing crazy. Torn on which yoke overlay to use.  I prefer the SW overlay but think the ROTJ overlay looks better if I'm using the ROTJ CPO stuff.  Maybe I can tweak the SW CPO, don't want to fully skin the panel tho, just a few touches so that's why I'm leaning ROTJ.  Maybe chrome decals.  I dunno, might go crazy. 

Somebody please help me not ruin this thing in the home stretch.  I really like this cab, want to finish her off right.  Let's talk the art.  Thanks for looking!   

[wp34]

I really like that form factor Le Chuck.  I've been planning a cabaret RoadBlasters for some time and this is inspiring.  Nice work.   :cheers

[RetroGreg]

Great work! I really like the bigger marquee on it. What's on your game list?

[yotsuya]

Looks good, brother! Rollo approves.

[Le Chuck]

I really like that form factor Le Chuck.  I've been planning a cabaret RoadBlasters for some time and this is inspiring.  Nice work.   :cheers

Thanks bro, you should totally tackle that build!

Great work! I really like the bigger marquee on it. What's on your game list?

Thanks broseph!

Game list: After Burner, Cyber Sled, ESB, Mobile Suite Gundam Final Assault, Galaxy Force II, Gun Buster, Hydro Thunder, Jurassic Park, Mario Kart GP2, Offroad Thunder, Paperboy, Prop Cycle, ROTJ, Space Harrier, Solar Assault, STUN Runner, Star Blade. Star Wars, Star Wars Racer Revenge - PS2 version, T2 Judgement Day, Star Wars Trilogy, Gunner's Heart (really need to source an english translation).

Looks good, brother! Rollo approves.

Hells yeah he does!

[Slippyblade]

I thought Hydro Thunder wasn't emulated properly?  Or am I just completely out of the loop these days?

[Mike A]

That is a nice focused build. Really clean.

[leapinlew]

Looks good Chuck!

I don't have any great suggestions for the art, except to say do something. Maybe minimal being better. Some CP/Yoke/bezel stuff to really pull in the star wars theme. I'll echo your doubt towards a pedal. I had a mame driver. Not a lot of games out there if you add a pedal. I mean, there will definitely be some games, but depending on whether you go with a microswitch pedal, or a pot, you'll still have to deal with the other variables such as 270 or 360 degree steering wheel, shifter hi/low or shifter 1-4 gears, and additional buttons. You'll find the game list really shrinks. I always said that if I built another cabinet for driving games, it would be for a console. 

[leapinlew]

And maybe I missed it but what are you using to connect the Yoke to the PC? I'm interested in the game list - does everything work pretty well?

Mine doesn't have the same list of games as yours does, so I'm interested in the front end and configuration you picked.

[Le Chuck]

Yoke is connected via a KADE board, game list is up a few posts in the reply to RetroGreg if anyone missed it.  It's short.  Everything works great.  Hydro Thunder is the PC port so it's great (not arcade beautiful) but arcade playable and looks pretty damn good as it is once you turn on all the fancy-schmancy stuff in the gui, if you haven't played it you should definitely look it up.  It's a standalone and not too difficult to find.  FE post is here, I had been using Arximidis FE and trying to get a nice spacey feel and finally switched over the attractmode with the Warp layout.  It's cool because the starfield moves in every direction you move the yoke.  The games just rotate left/right across the screen in carousel.  You could set up multiple emulators to cycle through by going down/up but since I run such a condensed list I'm just batch loading everything from a single folder.  Easier on guests too.  The only games that take explanation are Trilogy and Mario Kart because both of those you have to wait until you're past the initial load screen to coin up or they get angry.  Everything else just works. 

I have a few positional gun games in the mix, they are just a different format of an on-rails shooter so they work great.  I've tried a few of the lightgun games but most don't feel right on the yoke.  Jurassic and T2 are just there for my boys, they love it and don't know any better about the control lol.  The others actually feel pretty natural on the yoke, especially Gundam.  The only game I had to do special control mapping (aside from adjusting the analog sensitivity or flipping the Y axis depending on game) was Cybersled.  I have to press a button and steer to turn, otherwise I just strafe.  Took all of 5 minutes to get used to it and now I can run the board with about any of the sleds, but I favor the slower, harder hitters.  Most of the games I tried to keep in the space fighter theme, both because that's what I like and also just for aesthetics - but there's a lot on the list that is just too fun not to have.  Mario Kart and Hydro Thunder get played literally every time the machine is on.  Not so for some of the others. 

Lew - What's your gamelist looking like, I'm always looking for a good game to add?  Good advice on the pedal.  You're right, there are a few titles like Thunder Ceptor that need an accelerator but I answered that with the thumbstick I added.  After a week I also decided Thunder Ceptor is a crap game and yanked it from the list.  I've tried a few Shmups but it's hard to find ones have a behind the pilot POV and I don't like the top down regular style with the yoke, plus my screen is landscape so yeah, plus the yoke isn't really the best controller for bullet hell, so yeah.  That's why I was thrilled to come across Gunner's Heart.  It's a Doujin (japanese indie/fan game) that is awesome.  Eventually I'll drop the $20 for the english version, right now I'm pretty sure it's trying to communicate with me about some important story but I'm just not getting it lol. 

I'll do CPO and Yoke overlay first and see how I feel from there, don't want to clutter up such a small build.   

[Le Chuck]

And maybe I missed it but what are you using to connect the Yoke to the PC? I'm interested in the game list - does everything work pretty well?

Mine doesn't have the same list of games as yours does, so I'm interested in the front end and configuration you picked.

Go update your build log thread, the SW isn't even on there man.  Housekeeping matters yo!

[Wyo]

Man, this is all kinds of awesome.  It would of been cool if you could have incorporated some of the three dimensional bezel relief of the original upright.  Can't wait to see iit finished....Im really jealous.  Looks awesome, awesome game as well.

I love that marquee.  Did you light the Death Star individually? Looks cool!

[Le Chuck]

Rather than keep referring people to other threads I'll just quote some quotes here to put things in one place. 

About the gamelist

So over the last year I've tried a number of games and have whittled down the list a fair amount, so this won't be a list of all yoke compatible games.  Instead, this will be a list of guest/kid friendly yoke games that have worked out for me.  A lot of games didn't last because they took too long to get into, weren't fun in short bursts, didn't have replay, needed too much explanation of what to do or how to do it, felt redundant, etc.  While Freespace is awesome of what it is, it does hit on a lot of those things.  Ditto a ton of other games.  That said, I've uploaded my current batch of transparent snaps made for use with Attract-Mode FE's Warp Layout (includes a lot of games not listed here, for your use). 

So here's my list and why its a keeper for me - and if you've got any recommendations let me hear them.  Love adding new content!

After Burner - a surprising fav of guests and kids with them routinely playing through multiple levels
Cyber Sled - personal fav, recent add.  More for me than anyone else
ESB - Completeness, people expect to see it but no one plays it.
Mobile Suite Gundam Final Assault - Space themed rail shooter where you start flying in the second-ish level.  Good ish
Galaxy Force II - Fun space rail shooter with good level variety.
Gun Buster - Unique movement mechanic that works really well with the yoke
Hydro Thunder - Played every time the machine is on by anyone playing.  Often times the only game on during a party
Jurassic Park - kids. love. it.  Want to get the sequel working but it's more light gunny so probably not the best choice. 
Mario Kart GP2 - the other fan favorite, fills that cart racer itch
Night Striker - recent addition, kids enjoy it, good variety, might not last
Paperboy - Those that remember it love it, those that don't skip it.
Prop Cycle - Got it running full speed, audio glitches a bit.  Works great with a yoke and is a nice change of pace
ROTJ - completeness and a personal fav.  I really enjoy this much hated gem.
Space Harrier - Really really want to upgrade to the Planet Harriers on Demul Hakiru, just can't get it working right.  This is a good unique game tho.
Solar Assault - Wow.  Needs no reason. If you can get it running full speed it's a must have. 
STUN Runner - Surprisingly in the top five for most played games.  Everybody remembers it and likes it.
Star Blade - Good wow factor, really works with the theme and feel
Star Wars - Completeness.  Nobody plays it for more than a level but me.  People usually jump in and then out after the first DS if they even make it that far. 
Star Wars Racer Revenge - PS2 version, better than the PC SWR, a few menus to jump through with either and this has better graphics and gameplay.
T2 - The other kids love it gotta have it game.
Star Wars Trilogy - Second most played game after Hydro Thunder.

Snaps are still in the original post.

About the FE

The short and sweet - Attract-Mode FE might be the easiest implementation of the "SW FE" out of the box. 

So if you want to try this go download Attract-Mode from: http://attractmode.org/download.html
Then download the Warp layout (read skin for you older FE'rs) from: https://github.com/mickelson/attract-extra (click dl zip in the lower right)

Then open that zip and copy the Warp folder out of layouts and drop it in the layouts folder in the freshest Attract-Mode FE you just downloaded. 
If you want any sounds drop them into the "sounds" folder - you'll assign them in the FE tab menu. 

Open the FE and hit tab.  Set the display as Warp and point the emulators at the snaps and files you want to run.  Set sounds.  Set the controls (Attract-Mode read my kade+ out of the box) and you're done.  Stupid simple.  I have all my stuff running from a folder full of batch files and only the "windows programs" emulator setup since it looks for *.bat or *.lnk. Just about 5 minutes worth of fiddling and I was done.

About the yoke

Been able to get after a few things in the last bit - I have two other projects actively going and one on the burner right now so I've been multitasking like a mofo:


Got the yoke prepped and laid out to tackle assembly


If you need to replace your bumpers these are a great fit and a set of four will run you $6 at Lowes.  They are a little big but you can trim them if necessary. 


Thumb button installed


Interior view


Analog and trigger wired up together for the right hand grip.  Went to go hook it up to the kade+ for testing and realized that I don't have any 10k ohm resistors left in the house so I'll have to run to the Shack.  Kinda took the wind out of my sails as I was on a roll.  The cut away on the trigger mount is for analog clearance - it'll be a tight fit


These are the boots I went with for the analog stick, it's kind of of pricey for such a little piece but you get three to practice on.  I had to cut off the top ring to get the fit I wanted.  Pic is link fyi.

Once I got the kadestick sorted I wired everything up for a test fit - had my axis reversed and on one pot I had the 5v and G reversed but that's why we test   


Here's where I began to build up the support.  I thought about using putty but hot glue a little at a time gave me a lot of control over how the support structure got built.  I wanted to ensure that the pots and pushbutton on the unit didn't get gummed up.  It was tedious but once I had a good base I was able to start using wood stints to help build up the area faster.  Of course if I ever have to change the unit out I'll probably just buy a new handle rather than fight that mess lol. 

That T-molding needs to hurry up and arrive so I can mount the monitor and get this show on the road!


Now we're getting somewhere.  The boot around the analog stick needs to be glued down as there is a little bit of lift at the corners but I'll wait until I do the final test to do that.

[gonzojoey]

Looks great! Nice work 

[processedmeat]

LeChuck or anybody know where I can get these leaf switches?  Sorry if I'm hijacking your thread.

Interior view

[leapinlew]

And maybe I missed it but what are you using to connect the Yoke to the PC? I'm interested in the game list - does everything work pretty well?

Mine doesn't have the same list of games as yours does, so I'm interested in the front end and configuration you picked.

Go update your build log thread, the SW isn't even on there man.  Housekeeping matters yo!

My previous builds thread is a mess. The hosting company I originally used (live) has gone under. The images are still there though. I should.... SHOULD... fix it some day
I don't really create build threads anymore, or take pics. The Star Wars was a pretty good add to the arcade.

[RetroGreg]

Great game list. I love Hydro Thunder and I really liked ROTJ when I was a kid even though I remember not being too good at it. I'm going to have to look up how to get Mario Kart GP to run.

The more I look at this the more I like it. It's really a unique, cool cabinet. I'm glad everyone likes it so much.

[Le Chuck]

So the plan for the control panel is to use the ROTJ inserts and yoke overlay.  But I don't want to just stick the inserts on.  That's no fun. 


Imma recreate this relief area around the yoke.  My CP is wider and I think shorter, so some resizing will be in order.  Plan is to do it out of 1/4" MDF and then route it down to a nice beveled edge througout, bondo that sucker up and paint it to match the CP.  That way the decals have somewhere to sit the whole thing is a bit more visually appealing. I'll be doing math tomorrow night and should be able to start cutting this weekend.  Hopefully I can keep the scale right and get Thisoldgame to print them at a reduced size for me.  If the shapes don't work out because of the scale difference I'll see what I can composite from the SW CPO and go with that yoke overlay.  Either way I'm gonna gussy up the CPO a bit with some nice beveled edges. 

For the bezel, i just have a few inches to work with but am thinking the ROTJ instruction card could be modified to fit and look nice.  Sides will probably stay plain and I'm still toying with the kick plate area, but honestly I think those three touches will be enough. 

[wp34]

I think I already know the answer to this but...well..hope springs eternal.

Have you tried to play Roadblasters with your SW Yoke?

[Le Chuck]

I think I already know the answer to this but...well..hope springs eternal.

Have you tried to play Roadblasters with your SW Yoke?

No, but it should be fine.  Roadblasters was only one axis so the Y could be the accelerator.  I will give it a shot this weekend and let you know.

[wp34]

I think I already know the answer to this but...well..hope springs eternal.

Have you tried to play Roadblasters with your SW Yoke?

No, but it should be fine.  Roadblasters was only one axis so the Y could be the accelerator.  I will give it a shot this weekend and let you know.

 

Would much appreciate that.  That list of games you posted really has me wanting to build one of these.  Thanks Le Chuck.

[leapinlew]

paperboy is very playable - for sure. I'm going to look at the rest of the list. My cabinet is in need of a monitor swap. I used a LCD, but I'm going to swap it out for a CRT. When I do that, I'm going to check out the FE Mr. Chuck suggested.

[yotsuya]

I have a secret menu on my Star Wars MAME cabinet that has Paperboy, Road Blaster, Stun Runner, and a bunch of other games. They all seem to play just fine.

[Le Chuck]

Art decisions have been made.  Going to use the SW yoke overlay and am compositing art from the SW CPO to fill in a "ROTJ style" shell that I'll be laying over the control panel to give it some depth.  The image below includes the black shell but that part will be 1/4" material and beveled.  Painted to match the hammered black CP.  Not shown are the venting cutaways at the bottom that you an see in the vector paths below the color render.  Art will be texture printed to match the yoke overlay.  Looking to finalize this shortly but wanted to throw it up for feeback...so thoughts?




I'm pretty happy with the shell cutout, I did templating in giant graph paper so I could lay in out on the yoke.  Already sent it off for milling.  Hopefully it comes out okay!  Once it does I'll verify decals, do test print for sizes, and then send them off for production.

Have you tried to play Roadblasters with your SW Yoke?

I just tried road blasters.  Took an aweful lot of tweaking to get it playable, and I'd say it still isn't that good IMO.  Road Blasters was a dial/spinner controller I'm guessing - at least that's how it is in mame, and those are very finicky to translate to analog controls.  You can "dial" it in pretty close but it's still squirrely.  Maybe yots can provide better feedback about his settings.  Mine were dialed way down, like 10 for speed and 1 for sensitivity. 

[PL1]

Looking to finalize this shortly but wanted to throw it up for feeback...so thoughts?

Definitely impressive.      

My one small disagreement with the panel design is the Death Star display.

The Radar Warning Receiver display in the upper right looks like it belongs in a cockpit, because that's real-time threat information that a pilot would need.

It seems that something like the round shield/battle-damage display in these screencaps would be simlarly important information for the pilot.   

 


Scott

[Le Chuck]

While it's not an x-wing showing shield status it does perhaps go with the other tracking graphic a bit better.  Also from the original SW, along with the rest of the art, so it's in keeping with the arc I'm going for.  Minor difference I suppose.  For anyone wondering what the hell I'm talking about because the two are identical, it's the top left circle that is in question.

Also tried some other inserts, more red, different buttons, etc.  Nothing stuck out as better, so I'm keeping what I got for now - unless there are better ideas out there.

[PL1]

Looking good.   

Have you considered removing the grid so it's a bit less busy?


Scott
EDIT: Just noticed that the targeting display (left display) looks like there are two targets to the left, but the Radar Warning Receiver display (right display) shows  one target forward-right.
If you flip the targeting display and remove one of the target blips, the displays will agree. [/OCD]

[yotsuya]

Commodore Scottbot is in full effect tonight... 

[PL1]

Commodore Scottbot is in full effect tonight... 

Yes, but is that a good thing or a bad thing?      


Scott

[wp34]

Have you tried to play Roadblasters with your SW Yoke?

I just tried road blasters.  Took an aweful lot of tweaking to get it playable, and I'd say it still isn't that good IMO.  Road Blasters was a dial/spinner controller I'm guessing - at least that's how it is in mame, and those are very finicky to translate to analog controls.  You can "dial" it in pretty close but it's still squirrely.  Maybe yots can provide better feedback about his settings.  Mine were dialed way down, like 10 for speed and 1 for sensitivity.

Thanks for checking Le Chuck. I appreciate it. RoadBlasters does play surprisingly well with a spinner.

[leapinlew]

Looking good.   

Have you considered removing the grid so it's a bit less busy?


Scott
EDIT: Just noticed that the targeting display (left display) looks like there are two targets to the left, but the Radar Warning Receiver display (right display) shows  one target forward-right.
If you flip the targeting display and remove one of the target blips, the displays will agree. [/OCD]

The nerd-threat level just went to 10. lol, you guys are awesome!

[Le Chuck]

Today I've been playing around with some new games for the cab.  I'm trying to get Unpossible to work with the kade.  The way steam does its controls prevents it from working on the machine.  The cabaret isn't online and I don't run steam on it.  The only way to get controller support in Unpossible is to have steam running as the stupid game doesn't have controller support built in (grumble grumble).  The game; however, is gorgeous.  And fun, so if you're steaming on your yoke cab I highly recommend.  I might try a joy2key profile for it but I did notice a huge difference in movement between the keyboard and the analog controls when I had my yoke hooked up on my work pc.

http://store.steampowered.com/app/300400/ <-link if anyone is interested.  Double triple kudo points if anyone can figure out how to get it working with joysticks without steam running. 

The winner for today was Torus Trooper.  Freeware found http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~cs8k-cyu/windows/tt_e.html <-there.  It's a tube runner similar to N2O on the PS1 if you recall...only faster better and faster.  The timing mechanism is great for the arcade format too.  2 minutes on the clock, clock runs down, you lose 15 seconds for dying, you gain 15 seconds at score levels, you gain 30-45 seconds for bosses that only appear after killing/overtaking so many enemy.  The difficulties are very different feeling and whole game is just aces. Another thing I like about it, no deep menus.  You can execute the game and get playing with a single button press.  I really like Dyad - scratches a similar itch, but you have to go like 6 menus deep before you're even playing and that's terrible (in my opinion) for the arcade format.  Torus Trooper is instant gaming gratification at blinding speeds.   

! No longer available

I've also been trying to get HOTD3 working for the boys.  I'm using the PC version and can't get the Y axis flipped, so it's really annoying in that it's different than every other game on the cab.  Other than that annoyance it works.  The kids don't seem to care that much but it drives me bonkers so its off the menu until I can get it sorted.  Need to give the Wii version a try, hopefully it will do a good return to center also, as the PC version is relative rather than absolute. 

[wp34]

You've got me wanting to build a Yoke cabinet now Le Chuck.   

[pbj]

What happened to your Ice Cold Beer ripoff?

[Le Chuck]

What happened to your Ice Cold Beer ripoff?

It's still in the garage, just parked for now.  It's in the queue but I've been wanting to work on other projects for the past while.

[Le Chuck]

My panel came in today.  Really happy with how it turned out, now I just need to get it all primed, painted and mounted. 


Got the yoke off the CP and made sure the panel came out the way I wanted.  It did.


Made a spacer for the yoke so the handles won't smack into the panel and did a lot of fiddling and dry fitting to figure out where I wanted everything to sit. 


Now I get to prep prep prep to get it ready for some hammered black to match the CP.  Shown is first layer of primer, just applied a nice coat of a high-build primer that I'll let cure over night and start working it back in the morning.  Should be able to knock this out tomorrow if things go well.  Will need to head to the big box to pick up some mounting hardware and some longer yoke base screws. 

Now I just need to test print the art and we'll be off to the races. 

As for the cab, I'm still running tinyXP.  It's definetly time for a change.  Next weekend I might take a day and flip it over to W7 64 and get some games working that I haven't been able to because I'm using an ancient build (Howard's Offroad Thunder comes to mind).

[Mike A]

Your attention to detail and workmanship are admirable.

[krangbrain]

Sweet build so far. Good call on the hammered black. Looking forward to your progress!

[wp34]

That turned out nice.   

[Le Chuck]

Need to special order some security torx bolts to class up the look but got it together.  Light in the room is crap so pics aren't stellar but once I get the art done I'll pull out the 5D M2 and do some glamour shots.


I'm really liking this, but those phillips head screws aren't doing it any favors.  Will feel much better once they get flipped out, but hey, progress is progress


Again, the light is poop, but IRL this feels much more like a production model.  Really looking forward to getting some art on it.