Artistic advice needed for CPO

[Robopede]

Hi folks,

I have two problems: First, I've become psychologically obsessed with designing my arcade controller.

Second, I've run into a roadblock designing the CPO. The theme is a hybrid Robotron/Centipede design. (My two favorite games...) I've tried to incorporate elements from both original CPO's into my overlay. So far I've used more Robotron-ish stuff than Centipede. Therefore, I'd like to make the background reminiscent of something from Centipede to balance everything out. But, here's the catch: There's already so much here, that I don't want to clutter the overlay by making it look too "busy." Any ideas for a good, simple background design? (The current green background is just a temporary fix.)

Thanks for your ideas!

[Robopede]

Artistic rendering of completed project:

[Mameotron]

Man, that artwork looks sweet the way it is!!  I wish I had your skills.

You might try changing the joystick overlays to look like the centipede marquee.  That's always what I've associated centipede with (the marquee art).

Just a thought.

[RayB]

My advice:

1. Lose the drop shadows. They are completely unecessary. Your CPO should be a little Flat looking anyways. Your controls are the parts that are 3D and will cast real shadows, standing out from the CP.

2. You need to unify all the elements somehow. Right now they are all individual "pieces" floating on the background. Use some striping to unify the design more. Maybe the striping used on the Centipede CP if you want more Centipede in there.

~Ray

[FractalWalk]

Maybe you should use Robotron as the back layer and use Centipede stuff as the "top" layer.

Here's my Robotron CPO. If you want to use anything from it, I'd be happy to share.

[paigeoliver]

Maybe you should use Robotron as the back layer and use Centipede stuff as the "top" layer.

Here's my Robotron CPO. If you want to use anything from it, I'd be happy to share.

Eeek, how large is that panel?

[FractalWalk]

About 11 inches deep and about 26" wide. The top part is a back splash panel angled up at about 60 degrees.  

It all fits on a 1up-design rotating panel.

[Robopede]

Thanks for the great suggestions! RayB, you're absolutely right, the drop shadows definitely gotta go. I don't want to avoid shadows completely, but as you pointed out, things just floating around in the air look pretty funny. I am hoping to unify things somehow by coming up with a good background. And FractalWalk, VERY IMPRESSIVE work! Using Eugene for the player start buttons is pure genius. Since you said it's ok, I may copy your idea.

[mahuti]

The centipede CPO is a very simple and recognizable piece of art. I would suggest using parts of it for your background