My Control Panel

[cpetzol2]

Hello all, I am coming up with some ideas for my control panel.

I want to make a 4-player control panel, p3-p1-p2-p4 from left to right. I am debating on whether I should make the entire control panel flat and straight, like a rectangle, or if I should separate it into 3 sections, player 3 section, players 1 and 2 section, and player 4 section, and then each respective section will be slanted towards the player that it belongs to. This would create two joints between the p3 and p1-2 sections, and then another joint between p4 and p1-2 sections.

I know this isnt the best description, just understand, that the CP would not be on one plane, and would be 3 individual planes that meet at angles.
How hard would it be to put plexiglass on top, and then taper the edges so they meet at a flat, flush angle at the two joints in the middle? How about if I got the vinyl with the laminate from MameMarquees, would that be easy to butt at joints, and create a smooth transition between the panels? SHould I scrap my idea of an uneven control panel?

Thanks for any input.

[ahofle]

If I understand you correctly, slanting each section toward the player implies that you will be angling your P3 and P4 joysticks (ie. not pointing in the same direction as players 1 and 2, but rather toward the center of the screen).  Just so you know, this is a highly debated topic around here, with many if not most people (me included) preferring all joysticks pointing in the same direction (straight toward the horizontal plane of the cabinet).  Your idea sounds interesting, but just wanted you to realize you'll have to take this into consideration as well.

[shardian]

I understand what you are saying. While it could be really neat looking, I'm not so sure it would give you any real benefit.

My recommendation to simplify things would be to use some type of cover seam at the joints between planes. This would let you use 3 sheets of cp overlay, and would allow you some "wiggle" room when cutting the plexi and wood.

definitely make sure to do some 3d mock-ups with cardboard before you dive in head first.

Good Luck

[jelwell]

Just so you know, this is a highly debated topic around here, with many if not most people (me included) preferring all joysticks pointing in the same direction (straight toward the horizontal plane of the cabinet).

With an Ultimarc 360 and the right mappings, you can mount the joystick at any mechanical angle and change the in game angle later (on a per game basis even). As far as I can tell, it won't "feel" like it's pointing in any direction - unless you end up using a restrictor plate.

And thus, begins the debate. 

As for the planes, I suppose you're thinking of something like Super Sprint. Which, I believe has a subtle slope down towards each player:


I'm not sure the benefit though (short people? elbows at different planes?) for splitting the plane up, as opposed to something like Gauntlet, with a single pane:


As for lexan/plexiglass. Trying to get 3 planes to seem would require heat and skill.
Joseph Elwell.

[cpetzol2]

Super Sprint is pretty much what I had in mind, but the overall panel will be bigger, and will not have steering wheels.

Are you guys saying that angling players 3 and 4 is bad because it will be hard mentally to be those players. Like, since horizontal on the TV screen is actually diagonal on those joysticks, it will be hard to play them initially, since things wont quite be calibrated the way it would be if you are straight on.

If this is not what you guys are implying, why is it such a debated topic on whether or not to angle players 3 and 4. Is it a matter of convention, or some physical constraint that makes it difficult to play like that.

Thanks, just trying to get the best result, and the only way to do it is ask questions. I appreciate the input.

[jelwell]

Super Sprint is pretty much what I had in mind, but the overall panel will be bigger, and will not have steering wheels.

Are you guys saying that angling players 3 and 4 is bad because it will be hard mentally to be those players. Like, since horizontal on the TV screen is actually diagonal on those joysticks, it will be hard to play them initially, since things wont quite be calibrated the way it would be if you are straight on.

I'm not critiquing your design, I've just never seen it before. I seriously doubt it would make game play any worse - it might make it better, but I'm not sure how. And the discussion of the planes is mostly unrelated to the discussion of the joystick angle - see below.

If this is not what you guys are implying, why is it such a debated topic on whether or not to angle players 3 and 4. Is it a matter of convention, or some physical constraint that makes it difficult to play like that.

The debated topic isn't about the planes or the slope. It's "Whether to mount your P3 & P4 joysticks at the same angle as your P1 & P2 joysticks". Many 4 player games (in the arcade) don't, many do.

Joseph Elwell.

[ahofle]

Are you guys saying that angling players 3 and 4 is bad because it will be hard mentally to be those players. Like, since horizontal on the TV screen is actually diagonal on those joysticks, it will be hard to play them initially, since things wont quite be calibrated the way it would be if you are straight on.

If this is not what you guys are implying, why is it such a debated topic on whether or not to angle players 3 and 4. Is it a matter of convention, or some physical constraint that makes it difficult to play like that.

Yes, that's what I'm saying.  The vast majority of 3 and 4 player arcade games have the sticks all facing the same direction (TMNT, Simpsons, Gauntlet, X-Men, etc).  With angled sticks, you may have players 3 and 4 having difficulty controlling their player in games.  Some people don't think it's bad to angle, but you should probably do some research (or better yet a mockup) and decide for yourself.  See this thread for more info:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=53415.0

As far as your actual design, I think it sounds very interesting.  Please keep us updated on what you end up doing.

[Dervacumen]

I think the design would look great but I would try it only if you are comfortable with P3 and P4 not facing the same direction as P1 and P2.  I think the design really lends itself best to driving type games where the angle at which the controls face the plane of the monitor screen doesn't matter.  In other words, with a steering wheel there isn't really an up or down, so there is less confusion to the player regardless of what angle they are viewing the monitor from.  If you turn the wheel right, your on screen car turns right.  With joysticks, if you have angled the controls other than parallel to the plane of the monitor screen, some players may have trouble when they push their stick up, and the onscreen guy doesn't move the same direction as the throw of the joystick.

[shardian]

I think the design would look great but I would try it only if you are comfortable with P3 and P4 not facing the same direction as P1 and P2.  I think the design really lends itself best to driving type games where the angle at which the controls face the plane of the monitor screen doesn't matter.  In other words, with a steering wheel there isn't really an up or down, so there is less confusion to the player regardless of what angle they are viewing the monitor from.  If you turn the wheel right, your on screen car turns right.  With joysticks, if you have angled the controls other than parallel to the plane of the monitor screen, some players may have trouble when they push their stick up, and the onscreen guy doesn't move the same direction as the throw of the joystick.

Personally, I feel this is a non-issue. If a person can't orient themselves within 5 seconds to which way is up on a control, then they have no business messing with the thing.

A benefit to having all aligned joysticks is you can play 2 player smash tv.

[cpetzol2]

I appreciate all of the input, it is pretty helpful.  My original plan was to have up as up, and right as right on the 3rd and 4th players. I dont want to do any of that angling nonsense.

What I had in mind is more analagous to playing xbox with multiple people at your friends house. You get shafted and have to sit in the chair way off to the side. That doesnt affect my Halo game at all. Up still moves the same direction as everyone else, your eyes just have a wierd angle at the tv. And you may say smash tv will be difficult, but I have played Fusion frenzy for the xbox many times when I am way off to the side of the tv, and I never get my calibration messed up.

Am I gifted? I think not, but maybe it is difficult for some people. I never really considered the actual physical constraints of angling p3 and p4.  Is there some aspect to this that I am missing. It seems to me that it really wouldnt be a problem. I mean, you dont always sit right in front of the tv when you play madden or duke it out in fusion frenzy. Why would this be different. I am just trying to understand your guys' input. I am glad this was brought up though, because i never really considered it, and I guess it could be  problem.

My question was one more designated on artwork, and getting this uneven control panel to work out properly if i get a print out from MAMEMarquees. Keep up the discussion on angling p3 and p4, but if anyone can give me something on covering my control panel, that would be great too.

I thank you all for your insight, it has definitly made me think of things I would have otherwise ignored.

[Tahnok]

I appreciate all of the input, it is pretty helpful.  My original plan was to have up as up, and right as right on the 3rd and 4th players. I dont want to do any of that angling nonsense.

What I had in mind is more analagous to playing xbox with multiple people at your friends house. You get shafted and have to sit in the chair way off to the side. That doesnt affect my Halo game at all. Up still moves the same direction as everyone else, your eyes just have a wierd angle at the tv. And you may say smash tv will be difficult, but I have played Fusion frenzy for the xbox many times when I am way off to the side of the tv, and I never get my calibration messed up.

Am I gifted? I think not, but maybe it is difficult for some people. I never really considered the actual physical constraints of angling p3 and p4.  Is there some aspect to this that I am missing. It seems to me that it really wouldnt be a problem. I mean, you dont always sit right in front of the tv when you play madden or duke it out in fusion frenzy. Why would this be different. I am just trying to understand your guys' input. I am glad this was brought up though, because i never really considered it, and I guess it could be  problem.

Next time you're playing though, take a look at how you're holding the controller. Odds are you're facing it pretty much forward, or at least towards the TV. Now, try sitting directly in-front of the TV and facing the controller off to some extreme angle. It doesn't really matter where you're sitting, what matters more is how the controller is oriented.

If you really aren't affected by angling, then I would say that you are gifted. A lot of people, myself included, have a hard time adapting to controllers that don't correspond to the display's directions.