Two Basic CP Questions

[Neverending Project]

I am sure there are answers to these questions out there, but after some time searching I thought it might be easier (quicker) to ask here.

1) When top-mounting a trackball or joystick into a CP with a recessed mounting plate, there will be a small gap between the wood of your CP recess and the edge of the mounting plate. It may be very small, depending on how tight your recess hole is. Do you need to fill this before placing your artwork over it, or will it be hidden enough? If you don't fill it, does it matter what your artwork is printed on, or whether or not you will have glass/plexi?

2) On a typical 2-player CP with a trackball in the middle, I am assuming the player for a single-player (joystick) game uses the right joystick, since he/she will be a little closer to the center. If I plan on 75%-85% of my play time to be single-player, will this be annoying - standing to the side of the screen? What do others do?

OK, I know that each has multiple questions, so it is technically more than two questions. But think of them as sub-questions, with two main questions. 

[xmenxmen]

Fill it in if you can.  If not, it's really not that big deal if you are covering it with plexi like.  As long as the artwork is darker or printer on heavy paper, you can not tell.

Most will tell you to build it evenly and that's also what I recommend.  Why not create a test run and see if you like it.  If you like it and it doesn't bother you, got for it.  But I can warn you that most that have gone this route end up redesign it. 

[HaRuMaN]

Definately build a mock control panel first using some heavy cardboard.  That way, you'll know if you like the layout or if you need to tweak it some.

Also, for the trackball mounting plate, you could consider filling in the gap with some bondo or something similar.

[Chris G]

I play 1-player games with the left joystick and like it just fine.

[Fozzy The Bear]

OK, I know that each has multiple questions, so it is technically more than two questions.

I could only see two questions.....

1) Don't worry about it. Laminate your printed artwork it works best that way, or if it's stick on vinyl then stick it on there.... Covering the whole thing in plexi is a good idea anyway, because it prevents the inevitable wear on the artwork.

2) Normal configuration is for Player 1 to be on the left not the right. Your question only really applies if your CP is ridiculously wide...... Pac Matt springs to mind here (conveniently can't remember who built that one, because I don't want to upset the guilty party)  The phrase "Clear the runway, Pac Matt is taking the F*&^ off", was rather apt though. LOL  So just build your panel to a sensible width and no it's not a problem.

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)