Breaking symmetry on a cocktail.

[paigeoliver]

I am still working on my 27" giant vertical cocktail. I haven't actually gotten around to redoing the panels yet (although they are stripped to bare metal and waiting for paint).

I had originally decided on a t-stick plus, 3 buttons and a 2 2/4" trackball on each side.

But, part of me wants spinners and rotary sticks and top fires, and a setup to play vertical dualjoy games.

Of course that would require breaking the HECK out of the panel symmetry.


Here are the two layouts I am now considering.

Anyone see any problems? Can anyone suggest a better layout? I might consider making the side 1 player 2 stick right handed to make the machine seem more even, although that will have the sticks spread fairly far apart for dualjoy games.

[paigeoliver]

Here are some pictures from a monitor test so you can visualize the thing.

[Stingray]

Of course that would require breaking the HECK out of the panel symmetry.

I don't see a problem with that. If it were me I'd just add whatever controls I thought it needed.

That's going to be very cool when completed BTW.

-S

[whammoed]

Yeah, I don't see any problem either.  Sometimes function trumps aesthetics.  If your priority is to play a certain list of games and you need assymetrical panels to achieve it so be it.  It certainly won't look bad anyway, its just that symmetrical panels have a nicer look (imho).  My last cocktail had assymetrical panels and I think it still looks good, however my next one will be symmetrical with its largest priority being cocktail flipping (no third panel...third panels are another time when function and versatility trump aesthetics)

I say go with the layout that will give it the most play.  Either way will look great.  I'm looking forward to making a similar cocktail (horizontal though) in the future.  That style looks cool and has a lot of real estate for controls.

[Baker535]

Hey Paige,

I really like that cocktail. What was it originally?

-baker

[rchadd]

is it a track and field cocktail?

[paigeoliver]

Not track and field, Atari Dunk Shot, which was a slight modification of the Atari Football design.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Symmetry and aesthetics are nice, but I'll sacrifice them anyday for playability.

If I were you, I'd get a playlist together, and make sure it's covered.
I would start with a "must have" list, and get that covered, and then have a wish list in the wings, to see how much can be worked in reasonably.

[paigeoliver]

I can't say I have a list of "Must have" games, because I don't. But I do see this machine as an opportunity to install controls that I don't have on the other 2 cabinets. My main cabinet is horizontal, SF2 layout +4 way, + Q*Bert, + trackball and spinner. It is a good universal setup that supports MOST titles. Then I have a 4-way cocktail with one button per player. It has a short gamelist, but that includes a lot of good games.

I just got to thinking that I would probably rather have a spinner rather than cocktail mode Centipede, and next thought was that I really shouldn't let my rotary sticks go to waste (I have 3 Wico rotaries, all in bad shape, but they will combine to make one really good one). and heck, I might as well add Tron support if I am going to have a vertical setup with a spinner, so that is how I came to that layout.

I'll still be able to support cocktail mode on standard 8-way games and even spinner games (although one player would get the trackball). But I would be adding 2 player support in non-cocktail games, the rotary games (single player support).

I might still change up the design some more. I'll likely have to add a second encoder to get everything as SEPARATE inputs. Which would be good, as that would allow for 4-player Gauntlet, and two player Smash TV. Note, those are both horizontal games, but they can be two player simulatneous vertical if you just map the controls properly.

The only thing I am missing is an analog stick, but I can't think of any vertical analog games worth playing. I have considered adding a gas and brake pedal on the side with the spinner.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Sounds like you have it covered.
The controls are the guiding factor in this case.

[Quarters]

Break symmetry. Two cp layouts are well worth it. What topfire stick are you planning to use?

BTW I like your jpg names. 

[KenToad]

Oh yeah, break symmetry.  Two player games are essential.  I'm still lovin' the design of that cabinet.

Cheers,
KenToad