Requesting CP layout feedback.

[RoomTenONine]

Hello everyone.  First post here, although I've been reading and soaking up all the awesome ideas and info for the past month or so.  I've also read the Project Arcade book 2x through (just in case someone recommends it)

I'm in the planning stages of my first build and wanted to get some critiques of my CP layout.  I just P-shop'd the sample image from the Project Arcade CD to fit my needs.

A couple things to point out before you all graciously take a look:

• I prefer my 4-way to be used with the right hand (although I know a lot of you put it on the left)
• I plan to use the shift/pause button where if I push it and let go the game pauses, but if I hold it will act as a shift for other buttons to be mapped for admin duties.
• I'm not 100% sure if I want the Shift/Pause on the CP side edge (as shown) or on the top, possibly to the right of the P1 start button.

Thanks in advance!  This place rocks! 

[deano728]

Looks pretty good to me...

[Timstuff]

looks solid. I suggest you print up a full-scale copy with your printer and try it out to see if you like it.

[RoomTenONine]

Thanks so far.  What I'm most concerned about is the final placement of the spinner, 4-way and the 2 buttons for those controls.  I like the order of them, just not sure if I have the spacing between them and X & Y-axis alignment perfect both aesthetically and functionally.  I want this to be as clean as possible.  Going for something similar to Cadis' New Fossils cab, but with not so much along the very top edge (no offense to him, its my favorite layout and final product I've seen).

[willhs]

I'm in the midst of putting together my CP, and my only thought is that I dislike overhangs on the sides w/ pinball buttons, mainly because it doesn't feel pinball-y.  That's a really minor criticism, and I know I'm in the minority here (most people have overhangs).  Totally depends on how much pinball you're interested in.  Just my thought.

[Ginsu Victim]

Is the player 2 stick in the way of reaching the 4-way?

[DaveMMR]

It's all pretty solid!  The only thing is that I'd fix is  (a) Maybe switch positions of the spinner and it's two companion buttons (or ditch the extra buttons) and (b) Move the 4-way out of the way of the joystick.  But you may find that you'll like their current positions after testing, so take the above with a grain of salt. 

[RoomTenONine]

willhs:  No pinball buttons.  I just forgot to erase them from the template.  I agree though, if I'd want them I'd not have the overhang, or at least not one as dramatic.

GinsuVictim & DaveMMR: I would use my right hand for the 4-way, so it shouldn't be too obstructed by the regular player2 stick.  I'll move it around in some mock-ups and see.

However, after half-sleeping and half-obsessing over my CP last night I had an epiphany.  I don't really need a 4-way for myself.  In fact I would be better served with 2 spinners for competitive games that employ them (warlords anyone?)  I'm going to put the second spinner in near the 4-way location, ditch the 2 buttons by the p1 spinner and either scrap the 4-way or relocate it towards the tops.  I'll do some mock-ups and post them.

Thanks for the input so far.

[massive88]

4-way with the right hand wouldnt work for me.  Consider also that a good number of games that you will use a 4-way on also will require a button.  Joystick with my right hand and button with my left just doesn't work well for me.

If you ditch the 4way altogether, I would consider getting an analog stick at least for one of the players that you could map to a 4 way.  Diagonals are really annoying in true 4 way games.

[gatordad]

Looks pretty good,
This setup has been used alot for a reason........because it works well.
Do a mock up on cardboard and see if the reach is comfortable to you,

I thought I was good to go and it ended up being just a little to far to reach the controls, so I adjusted them closer to the front edge a few inches.

[RoomTenONine]

Thanks everyone.  I'll do some mock-ups over lunch and get back.  Thanks.

[TOK]

My main layout is quite similar to yours, even the CP shape. I think it will work well for you.
I don't have a 4 way and chose the lower right for the spinner to basically keep it out of the way. It really doesn't get used much, but I wanted it there for Cameltry, Tempest and Major Havoc.

The bottom row of the player 1 controls are my trackball (mouse) buttons, and I also use them for the spinner buttons.

[RoomTenONine]

A few mock-ups.  I'm leaning towards PLAN3 right now.  It moves the main controls down a bit and inline with the track ball, something I overlooked on the sample Project Arcade plans.  It also isolates the 4-way and gives clear access to it for the left hand (I decided that is better for most users) and you can easily use the p1 main buttons with your right hand for 4-way games.  I also like how it moves the spinners to clear access for 2 players and still allows you to have decent button access from the main button arrays.

Thoughts?

[gatordad]

Just my preference, however it does not effect your layout. I have the coin 1 and 2 on the outer edge and player 1 and 2 start on the inside, just seems more consistent to me working from the outside in on both sides.

Look good.
Don't forget to do a full size mock up, just print the controls and tape them to a piece of cardboard, you just might save yourself trouble, and or regrets.
Regards
GD

[RoomTenONine]

gatordad, I swapped the p2 buttons....you were right and if I didn't catch that initially I'd be swapping them out after the first few rounds.  Good call.

I messed around with some cardboard and fake controls.  I think I've got it.  Funny, it ended up being very similar to Cadis' design except no admin buttons by P2 start/coin and I dropped the 4-way, A/B buttons and spinner down a few inches, as with the trigger top stick (I thought that would suit my needs more than a second spinner).

I'll also be doing a curved front overhang arc...I just don't know how to pull that off in P-shop 

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.

Check it....