CP layout suggestions (pic included)

[Dervacumen]

Any feedback on this mock up for my single player CP would be appreciated.  The top right joy is 8 way, the top left is a ms. pac/galaga reunion and the bottom joy is also a ms. pac/galaga reunion, but on a diagonal for Q*bert.  The trackball is 3", and both banks of buttons are the same (so you could play regular 4-way games left handed or right handed).

Additional info:

P1/P2 coin up and start  and admin buttons are on the cabinet.

Dimensions are 22" X 12" and I'll lop off or round the bottom corners on the finished panel to give it shape

I also think I can get away with moving the spinner and top right joystick more to center to further reduce the width.  Maybe squish the buttons a bit closer to one another (they are 44mm oc now).

By moving the bottom left joystick closer to the trackball than what would look more 'balanced',  it doesn't get in the way of me mashing buttons with my left hand and controlling the top 4-way with my right hand (my preference).

My goal is to minimize the width so I can keep the CP fully within the sides of the cabinet.

I'll have a swappable 2 player panel with 2 8-ways and 7 buttons each for the games that require it.  My hope is that with this panel, I'll be able to play the majority of the classics ('cept defender, stargate, etc. that require a totally different setup).

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks.

://imageshack.us][/URL]

[AC.]

Just think where both hands will be while playing various games.  Make sure joysticks are not in the way, and that the button-joystick necessary combo works.

I'm happy with my CP that fit into an old asteroids cab - allows for all types of games:

http://www.carnine.net/arcade/pages/s6.htm

[Bones]

The 8 way joy will get a lot of use. Was the decision to set it up left handed a conscious one??

[Dervacumen]

For some reason I've always preferred the left handed setup, so I decided to try the 8-way in that position.  That brings up a good point, though.  For a lot of games where P1 and P2 use the same controls, I wonder if I should accommodate people who want to use an right handed 8-way.  Maybe I should switch the top 8-way and 4-way around, since the 8-way can work for 4-way games.

[Dervacumen]

For some reason I've always preferred the left handed setup, so I decided to try the 8-way in that position.  That brings up a good point, though.  For a lot of games where P1 and P2 use the same controls, I wonder if I should accommodate people who want to use an right handed 8-way.  Maybe I should switch the top 8-way and 4-way around, since the 8-way can work for 4-way games.

[Bones]

The usual reason for choosing the traditional left handed joystick set-up is not actually the ability of the left hand to control the joystick, but the ability of the right hand (in right handed people) to really get some good coordinated high speed button bashing happening.

Swapping these controls will most likely have a detrimental effect on most people who play your finished machine. I know I would find it uncomfortable and game play would definitely suffer.

But.... At the end of the day this is your creation so do whatever works best for you.