Alien Swarm - bartop build

[mike_bike_kite]

I'm about to start a bartop cab. I'd like it to be as simple as possible to use but still offer a moderate amount of functionality. It will use AtomicFE as the FE to run mf favourite MAME games, DWJukebox and a java app called Alien Swarm. The last item is just a program I wrote as a homage to 80's space shoot them ups and the aim of this project was to build a cab around the game. If you want to try it out then the link will play the game in your browser - feedback welcome.

My original aim was to have a CP with just have buttons for left, right, fire and shields as this was all my Alien Swarm game required. Problem was I wouldn't be able to run other MAME games or the JB so I compromised and used a joystick, 3 fire buttons, a few control buttons and a shift button instead. Then I realised I couldn't play Assault with only one joystick so I decided to add another joystick. Then, of course, if you have 2 joysticks then you want to play 2 player games which means player 2 needs a fire button at least. So much for a minimal CP 

A few questions if anyone knows:

Artwork

• 1) I've never added artwork to a cab before - do I just find the stuff, print it and then stick it to the side or is something more involved?
• 2) If I want to create some custom artwork to match the game then is this possible and how would I go about it?
• 3) I'd like to put some artwork on the CP with simple instructions - I assume some protective sheet is used to protect the artwork. How do you line up the wood, artwork and plastic sheeting to ensure the holes are all in the right places?

Marque

• 1) I saw a fantastic stencil cut out marque here and fancied doing something saying "Alien Swarm" on mine. There are loads of multifunction LED Christmas lights in the shops at the moment - do you think these might produce the same effect on the cheap?
• 2) Anyone know what the font is in the link?

Cabinet

• 1) Most bartops have a certain height for the CP and this works fine if they are on a bartop but mine will most likely sit on a table which is lower. Should I raise the CP to make playing it easier?
• 2) I haven't used T-molding before. Would I put it completely round the sides ie front, back, top and bottom?
• 3) Will T-molding work on an inner curve? the marque and CP will stick out with the sides flowing back towards the screen.
• 4) Most t-molding appears to be 3/4 inch so I assume my sides should be 3/4 plywood as well?

Site

• 1) I was half wondering whether a MAME cab could live outside in a garage (dryish but unheated)?
• 2) Would using SSD instead of a HDD help or is this not the weakest link?
• 3) If everything works out perfectly in life ( ) then I might move it to France where there is a bar I can put it on top of but then it might be too high. Ideas?

Concept

• 1) Just curious but has anyone else produced an original game and then built a cab around it?

I have built 2 MAME cabs before but they were different to standard cabs. I'll be dismantling my 1st cab to make this new one but using a 2nd hand LCD monitor for the screen this time. The pic below is of the game:


Mike

[Well Fed Games]

1) Just curious but has anyone else produced an original game and then built a cab around it?[/li][/list]

This is my next project, unannounced as of yet. At this point getting some of the cab stuff set up, will spend the winter on artwork and starting to program.

[mike_bike_kite]

This is my next project, unannounced as of yet. At this point getting some of the cab stuff set up, will spend the winter on artwork and starting to program.

Personally I'd start on the application first. If it's java - do it as an applet and that way others can try it out and provide feedback. You'll find the game will change as you develop it and so the original idea you had for a cab may not be suitable by the time you've finished writing the game.

What type of game is it? Have you written games before?

Good luck with your game 

[Well Fed Games]

This is my next project, unannounced as of yet. At this point getting some of the cab stuff set up, will spend the winter on artwork and starting to program.

Personally I'd start on the application first. If it's java - do it as an applet and that way others can try it out and provide feedback. You'll find the game will change as you develop it and so the original idea you had for a cab may not be suitable by the time you've finished writing the game.

What type of game is it? Have you written games before?

Good luck with your game 

Yeah, I am doing things kind of backward- I think I am going to use Game Maker, and I am letting the cab determine the game- it is a Smash TV cab I am restoring, so it will be a two player twin-stick arena shooter (pixel art). No programming experience (but some art experience, and I love to read about game design), so it will be a long-term project.

I will be following your project- the game is fun! You may want to label the overheat and time bars at the top, although it is pretty apparent of what they are.

[mike_bike_kite]

I bought a used LCD monitor of ebay. I found an old PC actually it's the parts from two non working PC's added together to make a working model. Originally I was going to use the PC in my first arcade cab but it was ancient (pre usb and no internet connections) so it was a pain to set it up. The CP has been taken from the cab but this will change going forwards.

The idea is to test all the software and get it working nicely then build the new CP. Then build a bartop cab around the CP. Then think about artwork and finishing off. It's quite distracting having a working arcade machine (even if it's all in pieces) on the desk beside you - I keep resorting to doing a little extra testing when I should be doing other things.

[mike_bike_kite]

This shows my current rough plan. The marque will hopefully be lit from behind with whatever effects christmas tree lights will provide. I suspect the cab will be an inch or two wider than the screen. The CP will have fewer buttons than most - ideally I'd just have 4 for my game but I should make it more adaptable. None of the games I like have more more than 1 or 2 fire keys and a joystick. There will also be 3 control buttons (return, coin, play) plus a shift key to get a few more controls (escape, backspace, 2 play + pause, tab, F12 from the joystick).