Computerspace cab re-run ?

[Level42]

For my work I was at a company who produce fiberglass parts (really huge one's) for electrical windmills etc. It struck me that the Computerspace cab was also out of fiberglass. I think it's still one of the coolest desgined cabs ever. Owning an original Computerspace is probably a dream for most of us, but wouldn't it be cool to have a brand new Mame cab in a Computerspace form ?

What we would need for that is a moulding. I bet the originals are long gone. The only way to get a good mold is probably if a current Computerspace owner would allow to make one from his cab....very slim chance on that.....

but in theory, it would be possible to do a re-run of Computerspace cabs that way. I have not a single clue about what this would cost etc. , but sometimes you got to dream right.....

Although I like the looks of the single player better, the 2 player cab is more practical to put "modern" controls on because of the bigger Control Panel.


So what do you guys think, would you want a Computerspace cab in your collection ? Making a series of cabs would probably decrease the price dramaticaly.

I will be back at that company tomorrow, i'll show them some pictures and look what they think....

[leapinlew]

I love that cab too.

When I first saw it, I couldn't believe that is considered the 1st arcade game. It looks like something you would see in a modern arcade.

[ChadTower]

The idea has been floated around dozens of times over the years.  The issue has always been lack of desire to commit to purchase ahead of time and finding a suitable cab to take the mold from.

[Havok]

That is definitely one of the coolest cabs ever. I'm surprised there wasn't any knockoffs of it back in the day. Perhaps it was just plain easier/cheaper to build from wood, plus I would think that wood could take a beating better. I'd love to see a modern day copy of this cab.

I don't think making a copy would really affect the value of the originals though...

[Level42]

The idea has been floated around dozens of times over the years.  The issue has always been lack of desire to commit to purchase ahead of time and finding a suitable cab to take the mold from.

Yeah, both are the weak points in this idea.....didn't know it's been floating around before here though...

I bet there are no drawings....would it be possible to re-construct a mould from the pictures alone ?

Also, in theory again (!!), I've seen 3D scanners that could scan the cab (at least the outside)...though I'm not sure there are 3D scanners at this size....

Going to ask tomorrow anyway.....just in case...

[ChadTower]

I'm sure it could be reproduced reasonably from pictures, however, the type of guy who is going to spend the type of cash to buy and ship one is going to want an exact replica.

[Havok]

Try contacting the Computer Space guy:

http://www.computerspacefan.com/

He's got a great website, and may be able to help...

[crashwg]

Oh, there's definitely 3D scanners big enough to do the job.  Heck there are even hand-held models that you could theoretically use on something ginormous!

The problems with doing the 3D scanning thing is that the scanners themselves are uber-expensive so you'd probably have to try and find one that you can use/borrow...  Good luck with that.  Oh and then you'll need a pretty big, multi axis router to carve out the mold.

[Level42]

That is definitely one of the coolest cabs ever. I'm surprised there wasn't any knockoffs of it back in the day. Perhaps it was just plain easier/cheaper to build from wood, plus I would think that wood could take a beating better. I'd love to see a modern day copy of this cab.

I don't think making a copy would really affect the value of the originals though...

There actualy were more early games in fiberglass cabs:
Space Race: http://klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=9681

and there was one in the form of a giant shark-tooth, but I forgot the name.

Some later Pongs were partly in fiberglass.
(By the way, did anyone see the barrel-pong before ? check out http://klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=13335 for it....now THAT's a kickplate   Great idea for a home mame project ?)


Yes it probably was way cheaper to build from wood, but fiberglass/polyester is VERY sturdy so I doubt wood is the better choice for beating up. Look at the state of all the pics you find of computerspace and compare that with wood cabs from a year or two later...

[Kaytrim]

That barrel-pong would be better converted into a Donkey Kong machine. 

EDIT...

I take that back.  Only one instance of the cab according to KLOV.  Instead it should be used as a template for a Donkey Kong Version.

[tranq]

I beg to differ: the computerspace cabs were what people at that time thought looked futuristic. (Although that space race looks kinda Kryptonian.) What was thought futuristic peaked about the mid 90s, before all this retro culture (I'm talking in music, fashion, etc) caught on.  Now most things futuristic are tainted by this.  I would say the duramold cab - in design aesthetic, durability, and space efficiency - is still the most revolutional.

[RayB]

I would love a Computer Space, however I would not settle for anything but the real thing.

[Fozzy The Bear]

Your other problems are that the monitor and CP in them are minute by modern standards.  I don't think that there is anybody who would want a Mame machine in one as a result of those limitations.

Re-create a computer space machine exactly at 100% accuracy and it might sell. But the electronics are primitive to say the least. Many of the components would be completely unavailable and they actually had a modified television set as a monitor.

The cost to manufacture these cases would be huge, unless, as you say you can pull a mold from an original..... no owner in their right mind would allow that and risk damage to their machine.

Even ignoring the above... in a small run the repro cases alone would be retailing somwhere in the region of $600+ each.

Neat idea, but I'm not sure you could generate enough sales to cover the costs.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

[Q*Bert_OP]

this one was also made out of fiberglass: http://klov.com/game_detail.php?letter=&game_id=8611

[CheffoJeffo]

I would say the duramold cab - in design aesthetic, durability, and space efficiency - is still the most revolutional.

Which one ?

[Kremmit]

Those are those plastic garbage-can shaped cabs Williams experimented with.  They look like poo.

http://www.duramold.com/

[CheffoJeffo]

I was trying to see if he liked the Die Hard duramolds ... given their poly-molded curves.