Main > Main Forum
4 player control panel theory
(1/4) > >>
krick:
After much thought about combo 2/4 player control panels, I've come to a few realizations...

There are only a limited number of ways to lay out a control panel given the following assumptions...

1) player 1 is always to the left of player 2
2) player 3 is always to the left of player 4

If you number the positions of the player's joysticks from left to right, you can only have one of the following patterns:

a) 1234
b) 1324
c) 1342
d) 3124
e) 3142
f) 3412

Layouts 'a' and 'f' probably aren't any good because player 1 & 2 are crammed into the left or right half of the panel.

Layout 'c' is interesting because it puts the maximum distance between player 1 and 2.  However, this would probably result in player 3 and 4 being too cramped in the middle.

Layout 'd' is nice because player 1 and 2 will be directly in front of the screen.  However, with a small control panel, this may prove too cramped for everyday use.

That leaves two layouts, 'b' and 'e'.  These are the layouts that I think most 4 player panel designers arrive at eventually (or something very close to them).  While neither player 1 or 2 is perfectly centered on the screen they are separated by a player (3 or 4) in between them which gives a little extra elbow room on 2 player games.

(The images below taken from another post.  I'm sorry that I cannot remember who originally posted them.  If you see this, just let me know and I'll give you credit)


This is the 1324 layout:


The advantage here is that the joysticks are somewhat evenly spaced for maximum comfort in 4 player games.  However, this layout isn't ideal for Smash TV or Robotron as the sticks are probably too far apart.



This is the 3142 layout:


The main advantage to this layout is that it is ideal for playing SmashTV or Robotron.  The sticks can be spaced fairly close together as they are on a Smash TV machine.  The obvious drawback is that the joysticks are a lot less evenly spaced and will be more cramped in a 4 player game.  However, the button positioning might be better for 4 player games than the 1324 layout.


...
Krick
Jakobud:
I use the 3124 method.  This seems totally the most logical to me for many reasons:

1. Allows for play of Robotron
2. Allows for play of SmashTV / Total Carnage
3. Most games played are 1 or 2 players.  Having them both in the middle is a priority.  Having them to the side in a 1234 layout would not make sense.
4. This still allows for 4 player games comfortably.
SirPoonga:
If *I* was to build a dedicated 4 player control panel.

It would be 3124 for 1 and 2 player games, 1234 for 3 and greater games.  You can set that up using my crlr file hacks which are in No name Mame.

Looking at the pic for the 3142, looks like it owuld be ideal to support a bunch of stuff, the joys are close for robotron and smash tv.
Sephroth57:
3124 is the only way to go, 1 and 2 not being in the middle of the screen would just be dumb. then theres the debate on why you would even want a 4p CP cause theres like 30 games u can play with 4 people and most of them suck , but thats another story =P
LoRDDeVO:

--- Quote from: Sephroth57 on March 02, 2004, 09:08:16 am ---then theres the debate on why you would even want a 4p CP cause theres like 30 games u can play with 4 people and most of them suck , but thats another story =P

--- End quote ---

The deal with 4 player games is if you invite your boys in for a little mame action it doesn't matter how sucky the game is it that your chillin with your friends
Navigation
Message Index
Next page

Go to full version