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| Xiaou2:
Happy Holidays :) Sadly, life has took some rough turns for me lately... and so finances are not available for uber big projects... so I realize that it may be a long time before my huge cab design will be realized. Until then, I do have most of the parts to make a temp panel... so I think I will at least build that for now. One thing that I would like, is to be able to take the panel over to friends homes... but, at the same time... I dont like to lose the ability to play as many as the classics as possible... and with the correct controllers. So, the title 'Dr. Mame' is somewhat fitting... as it may be like a Mad Scientist like panel / briefcase unit. One thing I did realize long ago... is that the typical Frank-n-Panel has its drawbacks... Usually in comfort and playability. For if the controllers are too far away from you, it will really strain you, and you will tire too quickly. The other problem is Trackball space. A game like Marble Madness required furious fast rolls of the ball to make the time limits. If you roll hard and fast, you may end up smacking you hands into other controls that are nearby. (or even the monitor glass) So, my Idea was to sort of Divide the panel into Two sides. That way, all controls are within reasonable grasps of each other - from either side you play from. Heres the rough Idea Sketch: (which should be pretty much the correct scale) (Current Dimentions: 19" x 35" ) (my designs are not to be used commercially without my express written and signed permission) |
| Xiaou2:
Ok, what you have from the bottom up: 2 Spinners mounted horizontally for Racing and Spinner games. 2 Flip-Up Trackball Units. (This solves the extra space needed :) ) 2 Wico 8way LEAF Joysticks (for the best possible Robotron Sessions) 2 Happ Comp's. (General Fighters and others) 1 Wico Leaf BUTTON (for classic fast shoot games) 7 Happ Micros (arranged for Neo Geo and Street Fighter type setups) Now - to play the rest, you simply flip the panel to the other side: 2 8way Rotary sticks 2 Dedicated 4way sticks (for best control in Pac Man and other classics) 2 Analog Trigger sticks (Any analog or flight game) 2 Digital Trigger sticks (Assault, and other classics ) 2 More spinners Why 4 spinners? Well, for one.. there was no way to have the spinners reach both sets of controls. They were mounted on the side - so as not to take up hand and arm space needed for comfort. But the best part.. is that by turning the panel 90 degrees to the monitor... 4 people can play Warlords or Supersprint type games. |
| Xiaou2:
Now, if you notice, you can see that both Digital and Analog sticks seem to overlap the other controls... But those sticks are very tall, and will not really be in the way of the other controls. If for any reason they are a hair short, I could always make a small raised platform for the bases of them. The only thing that I can see not being usable is a combination of a Trigger Stick and a Trackball. I think there is only one game that used it.. but if anyone else knows any more... Id be curious to know what Id be losing. Also.. Im not sure if any games need dual 4 ways. I just popped 2 in there for now... but I still have to do more research. Also, if there are any other games I could not play well.. Please post them and why. Id like to finalize this as close as possible. The Main Buttons should be able to be reached fairly easily by either side. However, I might choose to add a few more buttons that are closer for certain areas. I still have to make a test mockup panel to make sure of things. Any comments, ideas, questions...etc.. please post. Thanks :) |
| Xiaou2:
Additional Things not shown / Other Ideas ... 1) Carry Handle that pops out of the side of the frame (?) 2) Headphone Jacks (?) 3) Vibration (bass-shakers) (?) 4) Possible Mini Pot wheel w/ Return to center spring 5) Pedal 'Input ports' 6) LCD Topgun holders bottom mounted? 7) USB ports (for 3rd & 4th players gamepads) ? 8 ) Integrated PC (?) 9) Removable Snap-Lock top cover ? 10) Pinball buttons / Plunger / Sensors.. etc. 11) Internal Fans with external Air holes that Cool players hands 12) Admin Buttons (hacked micro mini usb keypad that pops out ?) |
| Jimbo:
Hi there! Nice ambitious project! :applaud: One question... with the spinners... if you are mounting them on the sides, and maybe using them for racing games, are you thinking of using the GGG TT2 spinners with the mini-racer wheels? If so I'd be concerned that the mini-racing wheels would actually stay on the spinner knob as you play (probably much easier to pull them off if the CP sides are dead vertical to the floor). Maybe it would work better if you angled the sides 45 degrees or something, so gravity has more effect (and the spinners would probably be easier to use too). :cheers: |
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