Please CRITIQUE my CPs - UPDATED!

[javeryh]

I'm building a cocktail with 3 CPs.

[seibu]

That looks pretty good. I did something similar on my cocktail.

One thing: have you considered making your control panels modular? At the moment you can't play vertical trackball games (centipede / millipede) or horizontal spinner games (roadblasters, er...).

If you made the controls swappable, you could make the most of what you've got. I've got one "pod" at each end of my cocktail and two on the side. I can put two TBs down the side for two player Marble Madness, or one on the end for millipede / centipede. Or I can have two joystick panels on each end for "proper" cocktail Ms. Pac Man, or have a spinner at one end for Tempest. There's a combination for almost everything, except simultaneous "same end" two player vertical games - which are a bit of a pain on a cocktail anyway.

[javeryh]

Thanks for the comments.  I thought about it but in the end I decided that I would probably never really do any switching of CPs.  The only game I think I'm missing out on with this set up that I'm interested in playing is Centipede/Millipede - and I can still suffer through it in horizontal mode if I get desparate...

[Flinkly]

what are those 4 buttons for across the top of every panel?  having more admin buttons than player buttons seems a bit wierd...

[javeryh]

what are those 4 buttons for across the top of every panel?

[JDSkydiver]

My suggestion would be if you absolutly have to have ADMIN BUTTONS, to NOT use standard arcade buttons.  Too big, too cluttered.  Maybe get a few small dime sized buttons from Radio Shack or Frys for the admin buttons....

Just a thought. 

Might clean it up, make it easier to read...

My 3 cents worth!

JDSkydiver

[Flinkly]

also, for any control panel i'd build, i wouldn't give player two access to the pause button.  if they need to pause, they can ask.  this is to cancel out the annoying child clause.  now i don't have any kids yet, but even adults act stupid like kids sometimes.

if you don't see the annoyance, think of someone continuously pausing the game, just to mess you up...

[javeryh]

Update #1.

[javeryh]

This update shrinks all the admin buttons to be the same size on the entire cab.

[RayB]

My 2 cents: I think your CPs are too black! Add some color! 

[Flinkly]

something more isn't right, but i can't place it.  i think it might be that spinner, it's messing up the whole thing.  i know you've got it there for a reason, but i'd lose it.

[javeryh]

Sorry, the spinner has to stay.

[seibu]

I mounted my admin buttons in a tiny plastic project box and hid them under the "skirt" of the cocktail top at the 1P end. This saves space on the main CPs and keeps them out of the way. Also, the box can be easily removed if I want to run the cab without admin buttons; say at a party where I just want to leave SF2 CE on and not have anybody screwing with the settings of the cab!

[Lilwolf]

I would strongly recommend looking at a moduler solution.  There are some GREAT examples around.   Or you might go swappable.  But the side panels with the spinner and joystick seems to be really packed in... and you might find that you cant use either that well.

Next.  I would recommend considering the keywiz GP49 + 49ways.  I'm just hearing great things about them in both 8way and 4ways (plus others settings but you will use these for 90% of your games.)  But the two interfaces needed for the edges might be enought inputs for the others also (21?, 28? don't remember... go check and see).  Then I wouldn't put changeable controllers on the other side and make that the ultimate fighter setup (2 360s, comps, supers or whatever joystick you like).  I think you will find that you will use these primarily for 8way games.  (any good horizontal 4way games?  I can only think of vertical ones)

But the main thing I wanted to say.  Sometimes too many controls make the game play of all games hard.  I would rather have fewer speciallized control panels with real room then a super packed one with everything so close you constantly touching the wrong controls and their getting in the way.

Oh yeah... and on the 4th side.  2 or 3 360 steering wheels for super sprint!

[teef two]

Just a comment on the spinner. Make sure you are going to use this left handed. With that layout a person using the spinner with their right hand is going to have a mare if they have to press any buttons as part of the game (i.e. when shooting in arkanoid).

[javeryh]

Thanks for the comments everyone.  The 8-way only joysticks for the 3rd CP is a great call.  I can't think of any games I want to play in 4-way horizontal.  That will save me some money or allow me to upgrade to a more kick ass joystick.  I don't think I'm going to go with a modular or swapable design.  I'll never take the time to change anything.  If I'm unhapy, I could always redesign that part of the cab but I think eventually I'll make another one with different controls to play the games I'm missing...

As for the spinner, I never really thought there were people who used their right hand to control it.  I'm left handed but I don't think that matters - I've been using my right hand to push the action buttons for every game I've ever played and the left hand for movement.

Anyone else have any comments?  I'm looking to finalize the design today so I can get the metal fabricated...

THANKS!

[javeryh]

Anyone else?

[IntruderAlert]

You should post the links to your pics because this forum shrinks them down and makes them unreadable

[javeryh]

Links:

http://img41.echo.cx/my.php?image=p1andp2cplayouts32ol.jpg

http://img41.echo.cx/my.php?image=p3p4cplayout24qf.jpg

[daveg2000]

Dont know if its been mentioned, but keep in mind
if the Purple lines is the extent of your CP
(In the 2nd picture for example)
Depending on your cabinet, there may be
'other' pieces of wood underneath that might get
in the way when you mount this thing.
Sometimes Buttons & Controllers need to be pushed
'inward' an inch or two to clear whatever is holding
the panel onto the machine....

Otherwise, it looks like it would work just fine.