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javeryh's Woodgrain Cabaret Copy
javeryh:
--- Quote from: Jimbo on September 07, 2020, 03:43:52 am ---ok... I'm gonna say it. It's been brooding and it's probably the last chance before you build the panel....
I'd drop the joystick completely and go for an asteroids + spinner layout. :o
Here's why: -
- You've built a stunning cabaret style cabinet. It looks very much like an asteroids cabaret and imo you should play to those strengths. There are a ton of great classic games that you could play with a button/spinner layout (space duel, asteroids, asteroids deluxe, eliminator, zektor, star castle, gravitar, major havoc, etc).
- This would also play to the VGA CRT's specs, in that vector games would look great on it using the AAE emulator.
- You've put a lot of effort getting a CRT installed, and even down to ensuring you have a switchable 4/8 way joystick, yet you're going to squash-cram a load of vertical games onto the already-smallish horizontal monitor. It's like you're going for authenticity with one hand then taking it away with the other. Keep the cab to horizontal games like it's physically designed for. You hinted at building another cab at some point - save the vertical games for that and do it properly! :)
- With the spinner there will be a load more driving games you get as a bonus.
- As a suggested layout, I'd go for something like: rotate left, rotate right (on the left), spinner and hyperspace button (in the middle), thrust and fire on the right.
- It might seem like you have less games, but the ones you have on there (it'll still be varied enough) you'll be able to play properly how they were designed to be played. Anyone can play those games with joystick and buttons... but it ain't nowhere near as good as using the proper controls.
This would really keep the authenticity on the cab, and make it much clearer what games are on it, what the cab is for etc. It'll look sweet and keep it perfectly in with the style of the cabaret.
Of course, this is just my opinion, and I realise it's late into the mix. In the end mate do what YOU want, as you'll be the one playing it.
That's what I'd do though... :)
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I totally get where you are coming from. I did strongly consider something like this in the beginning. I don't mind getting rid of the vertical games... but I think I am going to keep the joystick. You are right that I will be the one playing it... but so will the rest of the family and I'd hate to see it not get used because the games on it are so niche. I think your post did convince me to include the spinner though. I don't have one and some of the games you listed look like a lot of fun (in addition to the ones that I am familiar with). This also makes the control panel look a more balanced to me, which I like.
I will be cutting the gamelist down to the bare essentials with the chosen control scheme. No nonsense in the list (hopefully).
So barring any last second changes (totally possible heh) this is the "final" art (click to enlarge):
I'm leaning towards going with the joystick on the left. This will center the player in front of the cabinet most of the time. In the end I've also decided to go without the racing stripes. This looks plain to some I know but it looks elegant to me. Now... where can I find a white spinner knob... hmmm... :cheers:
Jimbo:
:cheers: a black spinner would look good too, if you can't find a white one!
J_K_M_A_N:
That is a tough call on the joystick. When playing a game with buttons (probably most of them), having it on the left is perfect. When playing something like Pac Man or something with joystick only, centered is nicer. Most of what I play has at least one button so I would probably put the joystick on the left for that reason. :dunno
J_K_M_A_N
javeryh:
--- Quote from: Jimbo on September 07, 2020, 12:53:34 pm --- :cheers: a black spinner would look good too, if you can't find a white one!
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I've got an old spinner top from a TurboTwist spinner that is all black so I'll use that with the SpinTrak I'm about to order (they are out of flywheels though grrr...). Another reason why the spinner should be centered - white balltop - black spinner - white buttons. It's more symmetrical.
--- Quote from: J_K_M_A_N on September 07, 2020, 12:57:48 pm ---That is a tough call on the joystick. When playing a game with buttons (probably most of them), having it on the left is perfect. When playing something like Pac Man or something with joystick only, centered is nicer. Most of what I play has at least one button so I would probably put the joystick on the left for that reason. :dunno
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I agree - I think joy on the left will work fine though - I just realized that all of my other cabinets are set up this way so I'm sure it will be fine.
Thanks guys - I think I'm going with the Joystick-Spinner-Buttons layout. I'm placing the order tonight (finally)!
javeryh:
CPO has arrived. I like how it turned out. I hope I can find the time to install it over the next week. Work has really picked up plus the kids are back in school so I don’t seem to have as much free time to work on this stuff lately.
The plan is to round over the edge of the blank, prime and sand it back to 220 or 400 and then apply the art, trim excess and drill the holes. Then install/wire everything.
Seems like this should only take an afternoon but that doesn’t count all the time spent staring at it and not moving...