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Need Feedback on my CP
eyal8r:
Hey guys-
I am trying to narrow down all my options here, and have hit the wall. I need some feedback as to what will work, what configuration, hardware, software, etc for what I want to accomplish, and KNOW that it'll work before I build and order parts. Man, I hope this isn't too much to ask! Here we go...
I would like, basically, almost everything! LOL... I want:
-4 player CP: 2 player w/ 7 buttons and 8-way, 2 players with 4 buttons, 8-way. BTW- can 2 of these 8 ways be 'switchable' to 4-ways, so I don't have to install separate 4 ways?
- 2 light guns
- 2 3" trackballs
- 1 or 2 spinners (do I need 2???)
- 1 or 2 flight sticks for Tron (again, do I need 2?)
Will I be able to run all this, or are there limitations that I don't know of? I was planning on running XP, but...
Also- I'm looking to see if this is even possible to run all this. If it IS possible, what keyboard encoder do I need? What other equipment do you reccommend?
Thank you guys!!!
D
TalkingOctopus:
Those are way too many controls for one panel so you will probably need to make swappable or modular control panels. Check out the tstick from Ultimarc (http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.htmlplus) for a switchable 4way to 8way joystick. I think it is possible to run all of that. The buttons and joysticks can hook up to an Ultimarc jpac4. The Optipac can handle the 2 tballs and spinners.
Good luck.
BarontheFirst:
Well unless your CP is huge I dont see much of a chance for you to fit all of that. Most of the time you will only need one spinner and one trackball. As far as the sticks for Tron you can probably add them easily to the top of my CP layout. If you haven't seen it I will post the pic. It is a work in progress. Now as far as all of it working it depends on what you use. I say use a opti-pac and a I-pac. Now this is just a start I know you want a 4 player layout but this is to give you the idea of how big you will have to go. You might need even bigger than a 32 inch screen so everyone can see. Alone 2 3' trackballs with plates can kill half of a average size control panel. Just trying to help you out a bit so you think about what you need and dont need. I am sure you would like to play a game and not keep hitting other buttons and joysticks.
daywane:
players 3 and 4 would do fine with 3 buttons each
eyal8r:
ahhh- ok- so Players 3 and 4 only need 3 buttons? Are there any games that need 4 buttons on those 2 players? I plan on using Gauntlet, Simpsons, Spiderman, and others...
As for the space issue- I was planning on doing a 2-level panel like the SuperCade setup. That should free up some space a bit. I know I can play marble madness and possibly Missle Command as 2 players at a time with the trackballs (I know there's others as well), which is why I wanted 2 TBs. BUT- not sure if I need 2 spinners or not- can someone clarify that for me? Are there any games that would require 2 spinners at the same time? I'm ok switching positions w/ 1 spinner, just didn't know if there's a need for 2 spiners at the same time. Anyone?
Qbert- I know he jumps off of diagonals, but I don't remember if he just had a standard 8 way joystick and you had to hit the diagonals yourself, or, if he had a 4-way joystick sitting at an angle. Can someone clarify that for me as well?
4-ways- if I use those switchable 4/8 way sticks for player 1 & 2, I shouldn't need any other 4-way spots on the CP, so that frees up some much needed space. Right?
Last thing- on the trackballs- I notice that most CP designs I've been seeing don't leave much room behind the TB, there's usually another set of spinners or joysticks right behind it. I know on games such as Golden Tee, man, people get a huge windup going and there hand goes way past the TB itself after they spin it. So, for those of you who have TBs with controls directly behind it, have you been hitting your hands on the controls, or are you ok?
Thanks for all the help!
D