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Crazy idea: Illuminate buttons you need per game!!
Fat-Johnny:
I have yet to build my MAME cabinet, but have been thinking about it a LOT lately. I came up with an idea, and wonder if it has been done before or at least discussed before:
When you have friends over, is it a neverending Q&A session of "What buttons do I use??" Some games use 1 button (fire), some use 2 (fire and jump), some games use all 6 (fighters). How possible is it to illuminate ONLY the buttons used for each individual game??
I figure if the IPAC can control LED's to flash (for 1UP and 2UP), why cant IPAC or someone else design such a system?? Of ocurse, it would have to be driven by some sort of flags within MAME, and I do not know how hard/easy that would be to implement.
Anybody else think this is a cool idea? Anybody else think it is possible?
Looking for your thoughts,
Fat Johnny
rampy:
Well, this could be coupled with teh controls.dat project which will do (with the appropriate front end) display on THE SCREEN which buttons do what per game when you select it. If that was combined by some fancy (paralell port?) driven interface it could be done.
So, I suggest you get started designing that circuit =P
(or just settle for the coming on screen display thingie via controls.dat )
RAmpy
PS don't let my semi-sarcastic comments dissuade you, it IS a good idea - just might be a pain to be first person to implement it =P
CitznFish:
--- Quote from: rampy on March 02, 2003, 08:18:36 pm ---Well, this could be coupled with teh controls.dat project which will do (with the appropriate front end) display on THE SCREEN which buttons do what per game when you select it. If that was combined by some fancy (paralell port?) driven interface it could be done.
So, I suggest you get started designing that circuit =P
(or just settle for the coming on screen display thingie via controls.dat )
RAmpy
PS don't let my semi-sarcastic comments dissuade you, it IS a good idea - just might be a pain to be first person to implement it =P
--- End quote ---
Can't wait to see controls.dat up and running! :D :D ;D
rampy:
--- Quote from: CitznFish on March 02, 2003, 08:23:33 pm ---
Can't wait to see controls.dat up and running! :D :D ;D
--- End quote ---
I think they need a hand organizing/documenting some of the games (you know someone has to verify that "x" game uses "y" buttons for "z" functions)... so if you wanted to expedite it's being ready er something...
*Shrug*
rampy
PS I *think* they still need a hand, anyways...
info here somewhere http://www.fe.donkeyfly.com/
1UP:
You don't necessarily have to wait for controls.dat. Emulaxian can do button labels right now (not automatically though.) You just have to make an image file for every game (or at least some default images for general 1, 2, 4, and 6 button games,) showing a photo of your CP, and labeled with what buttons are used in a game. Then highlight a game in the FE and hit player 2 start, and the help screen comes up. Also lets you do a screen for what buttons to use in the FE.
You could also print a CP label for your player 2 start button that says "Button Help" or something, so your guests know by looking at the panel which one to push for help.
I know all this doesn't help you with getting illuminated buttons, but it's probably the best option for now, as I can't imagine Oscar or Andy offering a product like this, and it sounds like a rather complex thing to do with homebrewed circuitry. I could be wrong.