Yet another CP review request

[vidmouse]

Ok, I was able to move some furniture and make more room for a bigger CP box... was trying to squeeze 4 players into 36" wide box and just don't think it will work.  (sigh)  Please see the attached image of a 45x20" box (black areas are not part of box) and comment.

For the joysticks I'm using 8-ways similar to X Arcade, with an additional top firebutton 4-way for Pac Man, Battlezone, etc.  For the spinner I wanted to see if I could get ezarcadesolutions' spinner plus the 7" (confirm this?) steering wheel add-on.  The dark blue buttons on the front "tongue" are for Visual Pinball.

[javeryh]

Some comments: 

1.  45" width is huge. 
2.  People are going to start telling you not to angle your P3 and P4 joysticks.  I would tell you that P3 and P4 are hardly ever used and probably unnecessary considering the amount of real estate they add to the CP but you have to do what's important to you.  To me there are maybe 5 or 6 4-player games worth playing which isn't enough to justify building a giant CP.
3.  Your P1 and P2 controls are in the way of your trackball.  Games like Golden Tee or Bowling will be very tough to play properly.
4.  Not sure what the two buttons directly above the trackball are for (mouse buttons? - they can be mapped elsewhere)
5.  I'm guessing the 4 sets of buttons on the top row are P1-P4 start and coin... Maybe consider a separate admin strip under the monitor to handle these (see any of Knievel's cabs)
6.  Not sure what the three front buttons are for - I don't like the placement or the way they are spaced... I'm guessing these are for pause, exit and other admin stuff - move these to an admin strip (see #5)
7.  I'd change the layout of your 6-button configuration to something more ergonomical - like the attached layout or something similar.

 

[(+_+)]

I'd also consider rounded out the lids corners. It'll look better and potentially save herniating someone during excited and/or aggresive gameplay especially with that lipped out front part of the cp.

[vidmouse]

Thanks guys

+_+:  I'd planned on the t molding to help with this, we'll see how good a job I can pull off, if I stick with this design.

javeryh:
1)  What width do you suggest for a 4p cab?
2)  I've heard this a lot (so a lot of people agree with you) ... I thought there were a lot more 4 player games than that, plus a lot of good 3 player games.  But this is personal preference, we'll see.
3)  I thought if the joysticks were out of the Y-direction path, I'd be alright... I guess I need to play more Golden Tee or Bowling to test...
4)  yes, mouse buttons... these can go if need be.
5)  yes, the 4 sets are coin and start buttons, plus 2 admin buttons.  I've seen and been inspired by Knievel's cab, but felt I had adequate space here for them.
6)  The three front buttons are for pinball:  "S" key for "Start" (some Visual pinball games don't respond to Player-1 start), center tilt, and ball launch.
7)  The six button layout I'm using matches Street Fighter games.  Maybe not the most ergonomical but what I'm used to.

In looking at this again, there's another big error I see... if I don't use the big steering wheel for my spinner, then the P1 joystick gets in the way of it.  It's funny, WITH the steering wheel in place, it isn't as much of a problem because there's a wider surface to grip/spin.  But I can't imagine Tempest or Tron feeling right with a big honking wheel for a spinner....

Great comments, keep em comin...

[gonzo90017]

You should get rid of the mouse buttons and instead use this program http://www.marcianitos.org/tutoriales/ratonmarciano.php. I personally haven't used it since it doesn't work with usb controllers but it seems to
be what you're looking for.