Space between players?

[out51d3r]

Looking for some ergonomic information.  How much space do I need between the controls for players?  Any "stick to stick" or "between 1P buttons and 2P stick" type measurements out there?  I'm deciding between a 2P panel and a 4P panel, and trying to get a good feel for how much space I'd need for the 4P.  Most 4P builds here are 40+ inches, but they usually have a trackball in between 1P and 2P, which I'm guessing adds around 4 inches to the build.

I've built several arcade sticks over the years, so I've got a good grasp on the ergonomics from a single player perspective.  Building a cabinet is different though.  Most of what would be played on it would be Street Fighter 2(and games like it) and D&D:Shadow over Mystara(and games like it).  1P and 2P would be 6 buttons, 3P and 4P would be 4 buttons(if I actually do them).  0 interest in trackballs, spinners, 4 way sticks, etc.

[DetroitKP]

I’m interested in folks thoughts as well.  I’m planning my first 4 player build and I’m wonder what the minimum width of my control panel should be.  36”, 40”, 42”?  Thanks!

[JDFan]

https://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html

[out51d3r]

https://www.slagcoin.com/joystick/layout.html

I'm familiar with the layouts there, I've built several of them.  Unless I'm missing something though, they don't actually answer my question: How much space do I leave between players?

Let's say I take 2 standard SF2 layouts and put them on a panel.  How much room do I have to leave between P1's buttons and P2's stick for comfort/elbow room?  More is obviously better, but if I'm looking at adding 2 more players, space is going to be at a premium.

[Gilrock]

I guess we need to know how fat each player will be to help out...

[out51d3r]

I guess we need to know how fat each player will be to help out...

Right, clearly it's variable.    I'm curious what the "standard" is, if there is one.

TBH, I haven't had much luck finding measurements for 4P panels that don't include the trackball in between 1P and 2P.  I'm not looking to build a "does everything" machine, so i'm happy to sacrifice the trackball.  It'll regain me some inches, but I suspect I can't straight take all of those inches from the panel design without people bumping elbows constantly.  Though maybe I'm wrong and I really can just move the sticks in to fill that gap.

[Gilrock]

I haven't looked for actual measurements but I gotta believe there is something out there.  If you can pick a particular real machine that's out there odds are you can search for it's dimensions.  Most of the time folks suggest you do a mockup with cardboard to get a feel for the spacing.

[Zipper]

If you want a real machine example of 4p that works well, but is small (relatively speaking)... Maybe look at the Sega Swing layout. This layout only works because the button-arc is angled such that p1 and p4 stand pretty much side-on to the machine (especially p4). it's 844mm (~33") long. I've had some great 4p sessions with some mates (and we're not small people).

Here's a picture: https://www.arcadeartshop.com/product/sega-swing-4-player-control-panel-overlay-cpo/

[Mike A]

Go here:


https://www.classicarcadecabinets.com/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles-4-player.html


There is a .dxf download of the control panel. That is a good place to start.

[KenToad]

Make a cardboard mock-up and get your friends to stand around it.