Will this be playable? (Control Panel related)

[Vash]

I was wondering what anyone thought of the spacing between the 3rd and 4th players on this control panel.  I've made my entire cabinet in sketchup(almost all of it, at least), but I'm a little worried that this is going to be cramped.  I'd also like comments on the orientation of the joysticks in relation to the buttons.  All of the joysticks will be oriented with "Up" towards the screen.  Thanks for any feedback!

[Gehrig]

Seems like the 1st and 4th player would be kinda cramped.  Hard to tell though.  Plus, it's subjective.  I would recommend grabbing a piece of cardboard and cutting it to the size you are planning on building.  Cut the holes where you want them to be.   Grab a friend and have him stand next to with your hands on the corresponding controls.  That should give you a better idea how much you room need.

[Green Giant]

I would say your main concern is the proximity of the left most players buttons to the second to the left's joystick.

I am assumming this is an overhang control panel so working the controls shouldn't be a problem.  It might be uncomfortable/poor viewing angle for player 3 and 4, but who cares.  They can deal with it or just play 2 player games. 

[Neverending Project]

All of the joysticks will be oriented with "Up" towards the screen.

When I first read your post, I mis-interpreted it to mean all joysticks were pointing the same direction, but then I realized you probably mean something like the attached image. I am assuming you mean something like the following orientation? I don't see how it could be playable unless the joysticks were pointing as shown.

[northerngames]

you plan on making it at least 4 foot wide right?

[shardian]

Playable? Yes. Comfortably? Absofrigginlutely not.

[u_rebelscum]

All of the joysticks will be oriented with "Up" towards the screen.

... I don't see how it could be playable unless the joysticks were pointing as shown.

Depends on the person and the game.  I don't like playing the edges, but...

Games like Gauntlet (topdown & puzzle), I play better with the joysticks all parallel.  (Like the game was, and unlike your picture.)

OTOH, with shmups, platform, scrolling, and fighters, left & right are my left & right, so if I'm standing 30 degrees off, I want my left and right to be rotated 30 degrees, too.  However, my up and down are near parallel to the screen.  So I end up going left up and right down a lot no matter how the sticks are oriented.  If the sticks parallel, when I want to go left & right respectively; If the sticks are pointing at the screen, when I want to go up & down respectively.   This is why I don't like playing the edges.


That's just me though.   Most people here say keep all the sticks parallel. 

[Green Giant]

Playable? Yes. Comfortably? Absofrigginlutely not.

Easy solution for that.  Whenever the player 1 or 2 die, make them switch spots with the guys on the outside.

[DaveMMR]

I don't remember ever playing a 4-player game in the arcade that was comfortable (unless it was some humongous showcase thing or linked machines).  If you want comfort, don't build a 4-player control panel - unless you're prepared to make it some 6 foot wide showcase with a large screen. 

Your main concern is always the main players (one and two).  Because, I guarantee you 90% of the time that's the only joysticks you are going to use.  It's just that there are more 2-player games than 4-player games.  And when friends come by, they'll want some time with SFII in between games of TMNT.   The outer players will be standing oddly, but it'll be playable. 

Notice how the best character's controls in Gauntlet were in the outside (worst) spots?

[Vash]

Your main concern is always the main players (one and two).  Because, I guarantee you 90% of the time that's the only joysticks you are going to use.  It's just that there are more 2-player games than 4-player games.  And when friends come by, they'll want some time with SFII in between games of TMNT.   The outer players will be standing oddly, but it'll be playable.

Honestly the amount of times I'll be playing four player games is probably negligible, but I wouldn't dare pass on the opportunity when it arises, even if it is only on rare occasion and cramped.  As long as people can get by, it'll be okay.  The space between the first player joystick and third player buttons are a little cramped though, but I don't have any ideas for remedying that. 

As far as the parallel vs. oriented towards the screen argument goes, I'm at a loss.  Personally, I'd have more of a problem if the sticks were at angles, but I'll rarely be playing on the ends, so it's not an issue.   What tends to be the consensus on that issue?

[DaveMMR]

Straight.  Almost all 4-player games in the arcade were like that and then you can use them for 2-player 2-joystick games.  Also, it's easier to know which way everything is when it's relative to the screen.

[Namco]

...
Notice how the best character's controls in Gauntlet were in the outside (worst) spots?

There was nothing worse than somebody playing the side position of Gauntlet or NBA Jam and butting themselves into my game of Double Dragon, Street Fighter 2, Samurai Shodown, or Earthshaker. 711 stores always had either an NBA Jam or a Gauntlet next to my favorite games!