Straight or ergonomic pushbuttons?

[M-80]

I was wondering which button layout you guys prefer. A straight 2 x 3 or 4 layout of buttons or a more ergonomic arc of buttons lined up with your naturally resting fingertips at an angle of your arm? If you wanted ergonomic but wanted a lefty/righty single player CP with two sticks, then you'd have to use more buttons for it to be ergonomic for the lefty. But if you wanted to use less buttons, thus costing less and not being ergonomic, then for it to be a lefty/righty single the buttons would have to be a straight 2 x 3 or 4 layout, right?

[Birdtales]

This is one of those things that everyone has a different opinion on. I suggest you put one set of controls into a sheet of cardboard straight and one ergonomic and see what YOU like.

[bionicbadger]

Yup, differing opinions abound on this.
Build a prototype and playtest it for a few hours and see how your hands feel.  That way you know what it will be like.

[M-80]

This is one of those things that everyone has a different opinion on. I suggest you put one set of controls into a sheet of cardboard straight and one ergonomic and see what YOU like.

Yeah, I used the last of my 17" x 14" art paper for that. LOL I was just wondering what you guys prefered. Different situations abound no doubt. Single CP intended for different players but with two sticks, single PC intended for one owner, two player, etc.

I'd say it depends on the situation the CP is going to find itself in most offen.

Basically, my CP would see different hands throughout its lifetime since I get visitors around my house frequently. And the visitors have a mixture of lefty and righty (one guy who is fairly frequent around here is ambidexterous or claims to be). And they always bug me about playing games on my PC. They're pretty rough with my basic controllers too. So a CP would be a sturdy alternative either podium or desktop.

I didn't realize this, but I've got a 1/2 paneling I use for blocking a space where my cat keeps wanting to get into. It's big enough for a CP top and it's pretty flat... Hmmm... LOL

[wee beastie]

I was going for both the classic look and feel when I built my panel, and all the classics I played had a "straight" pushbutton style.  So, it was a no brainer for me.  I never even thought of using this new-fangled ergonomic crap.

[Smittydc]

Do you remember any games that had special controls for lefties?  I don't.  If they like playing video games they'll already be used to the usual straight setup.   And anyways, beating the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- out of buttons and joysticks as fast as you can has no real ergonomic setup anyway, now does it?

[M-80]

Well, I've always looked at this project as "What have I always wished a CP would have." and "What do I not want to change to keep that 'arcade feel'?".

Of course, if you're aware of it and know where and what each piece of the CP is, you're gonna lose some of that authenticity. But if you look at the end effect, then modern features may actually be cleverly hidden and the authenticity would be retained.

I mean, how many times when you were younger did you go into an arcade facility wondering how they constructed the cabinets? Heck, I treated it like going to the movies. I was never wondering what brand projector they were using. I was just enjoying the escapism of the movie itself. Same with arcade games. They're basically escapism. So why dwell on the technicals when that takes away from the magic of the media?

[M-80]

Do you remember any games that had special controls for lefties?  I don't.  If they like playing video games they'll already be used to the usual straight setup.   And anyways, beating the ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- out of buttons and joysticks as fast as you can has no real ergonomic setup anyway, now does it?

I don't remember either, but then again, those cabinets were designed to be basic left/right hand indifferent anyway. But we're not designing cabs for public arcade facility use anymore are we. Most CPs built here are gonna be used by private individuals who have personal needs and wishes. But then again, you're right. Not all people are gonna be used to an ergonomic system of buttons, but the straight layout, lefty or righty. But you wonder why companies make handheld controllers that can be switched from left handed to right handed operation. Some people want the D-Pad on the right side and the action buttons on the left. My friend Mike uses a Gravis game pad that can be switched and he always plays with the D-Pad on the right.

[Jungle]

I ended up with an ergonomic setup (with the middle buttons pushed up), but not because it was where my fingers rested while playing fighters.  

My primary driver was to have buttons similar to the layout of the Track and Field cabs, with the Jump/Throw button above the two run buttons.  Guess it just depends on what games you like the best....