The Corner Arcade (Planet Arcade)

[Encryptor]

Funny...I've been trying to talk a buddy, who has a Tron cabinet, into making it dual sided.  His original thought is to stick one player controls in it due to the wall-like sides.  I said, "Hey, why not build back to back one player MAME machines and somehow (?) link them for the two player games"... that don't require a specific perspective.  Joust, Hat Trick, Trog, Track and Field, etc.

The reason I thought of this was the shape of the Tron cab.   If I'm not mistaken, I believe the elongated keystone shape is symmetrical.

It would give you two cabinets in the space of one.  Of course, this might not fit well into a row of machines as it would be sideways against a wall, but if it's the only cab, it would be fine.

On this Corner Arcade, I agree with the earlier thoughts; moving it when needed will be tough and is there a real need for 4 players.

   Why would you want to screw up a Tron cab?

Encryptor

[painterinfo]

That design is really starting to grow on me, I think the sketchup images really bring your ideas to life.

I would think if you could afford to have two CPU units or two old xboxes in there then networked type games would be fun to play.

But congrats on getting two copies of MAME to work on one computer.

[yo1dog]

Problem with playing over a network is lag. Keeping everything on computer is easier in my opinion.

[saurian333]

Problem with playing over a network is lag.

Well, not much with a LAN.  Especially with most MBs having gigabit built-in now.

I remember having 10baseT with a 50' x-over cable, and it was fine.  Of course, the network games at that time were not very demanding.

[yo1dog]

While this is true, I sometimes experience "hiccups" while playing my friend over Lan. It's nothing big and it may just be the router but it can be enough to mess you up. Plus, I still think it is much easier not having to deal with two computers.

[saurian333]

While this is true, I sometimes experience "hiccups" while playing my friend over Lan. It's nothing big and it may just be the router but it can be enough to mess you up. Plus, I still think it is much easier not having to deal with two computers.

That's true, if you need to be on a router, that does introduce another player to the game (so to speak).  Routers generally have a small amount of overhead that can cause that "hiccup" now and then.

If I were to set up two machines side-by-side (in the same cab, or back-to-back, or whatever), and only two machines, I'd just run a short length of Cat6 (these days, it usually doesn't even need to be a x-over cable).  I doubt there would be any noticeable lag, although there's always a chance.  Any more than that, and you'd want to go with a switch rather than a router.  A hub would work as well, but after 3 machines, I'd start worrying about collisions.

[yo1dog]

Well my software works flawlessly now so there really is no need for two computers. It is just so much simpler to run only one computer. You also don't have to worry about lag at all... or paying for two set of computer components.

Update Check the first post.

[thatitalian]

I clicked on this by mistake... WTF! This is crazy awesome!

Nice idea!

[TEKNYNE]

Just read this post (more skimmed read) if this has been answered then sorry, but for the LCD monitors check out WWW.totevision.com under CCTV or other manufacturers of CCTV monitors. Totevision has a 800X600 resolution 20" 4:3 I have used them for work they seem to have a good response time for video (never tried them for gaming). While they are a fortune new you can occasionally find them for cheap on ebay or amazon.

This is a very impressive idea hope it all comes together for you!

[yo1dog]

Thanks man , that had not been answered yet. I cant find the prices however.

BTW, I am working on another new set of artwork. This is one actually has a theme too.

[TEKNYNE]

You normally have got to get them from distributors like Tri-Ed, Platt electric, etc. But you can find them on the web time to time for half to a third there normal price. Ebay is probably the best bet.

[yo1dog]

The first site I looked at was selling them for $1000 so I just stopped looking haha.

[yo1dog]

Update

Changed to Planet Arcade. See first post.

[yo1dog]

I decided that if I simply cut the cabinet in half vertically at the control panel, I could make the top half easily removable. Only problem is how I can make a system that securely snaps the top half in place? Any ideas?

Here are some pics:

[ark_ader]

I decided that if I simply cut the cabinet in half vertically at the control panel, I could make the top half easily removable. Only problem is how I can make a system that securely snaps the top half in place? Any ideas?

Here are some pics:

Pins and latches?

[saurian333]

I decided that if I simply cut the cabinet in half vertically at the control panel, I could make the top half easily removable. Only problem is how I can make a system that securely snaps the top half in place? Any ideas?

Here are some pics:

Pins and latches?

That's exactly what I was going to suggest.  I recently built a "bookcase" for my DVDs; I couldn't fit bigger than a 2x4 sheet of plywood in the car, so the sides had to be two pieces each.  I built them each about 3' tall (can't recall exact dimensions, but it's taller than 5'), and used two pins on each side.  I decided on latches to hold it tight.  Since they had to be on the sides and visible, I used some nice-looking brass ones.  On your cab, you could just put them in back and use whatever heavy-duty ones you can find.

[Epyx]

Wow, totally missed this and I gotta say I really like the design as well. It's something I haven't seen before and could be designed to take apart given time and planning...which considering you have postponed to summer you should have a lot of!

Where I see this design doing well is having a buddy over and both of you playing at the same time...not back to back...not one guy on one side but both sorta side by side yet each on his own machine. 

[drventure]

Just talking to loadman about the eduke version of DukeNukem3d for windows.

You REALLY need to get that setup somehow to allow 2 player duke on those 2 monitors!

That'd be very cool indeed!

Great project so far!

[yo1dog]

Further thought and the solution seems simple:

[saurian333]

You REALLY need to get that setup somehow to allow 2 player duke on those 2 monitors!

That'd be very cool indeed!

Multiplayer Duke3D is always cool.  It was back in the day, and it still is now. 

[yo1dog]

You REALLY need to get that setup somehow to allow 2 player duke on those 2 monitors!

That'd be very cool indeed!

Multiplayer Duke3D is always cool.  It was back in the day, and it still is now. 

Have to agree

[yo1dog]

I am surprised no one has commented on the new art. I think it is a great improvement and I need your suggestions!

[bigpete405]

I like the artwork.. very cool bro. 

[drventure]

+1
I like it.

It's got a very scifi vibe going. and it seems to fit with the shape of the cab

[DCsegaDH]

Nice, I like the top-mounted coin slot idea Good luck, btw cool artwork design. 

[saleem]

I am surprised no one has commented on the new art. I think it is a great improvement and I need your suggestions!

i am suprised noone has said "build it"

well its just a suggestion.
 

[yo1dog]

Thanks for the input!

i am suprised noone has said "build it"

well its just a suggestion.
 

If you read the end of the first post you will see that I am not going to be able to start building it till the summer.

[saurian333]

Hehe...I think a lot of people here will be interested to see it built.  I guess some are less patient than others.

It's nice that you have the definite window in which to finalize your design.  I made mine very basic, and I keep making modifications as I go.  Which is kind of how I like doing things, but it probably won't turn out as nice as it might have.

[XeviouS]

If you read the end of the first post you will see that I am not going to be able to start building it till the summer.

Ha, I'm going to build one to your plans really quickly so I can get all the accolades before you!

Nah, just kidding, I'm too damn lazy to do that 

[painterinfo]

Also bear in mind how easy it will be to move this thing. Is it door height or ceiling height - if its close to ceiling height you won't be able to tilt it much!

I decided that if I simply cut the cabinet in half vertically at the control panel, I could make the top half easily removable.

Is that going to make it small enough to move from your workshop into the house?
BTW I like your artwork design.

[yo1dog]

I have been working on some designs that will allow me to take apart the excess parts (such as the control panel, sides, etc.) which will make moving it very easy. I will post it up in a second.

[yo1dog]

Update!
Check the first post.

[yo1dog]

Started a mini bartop version to give me something to do. You can see the thread here.

[Joezero]

Found this through the page on your bartop project, very cool design!  I noticed in your other thread that you'd just moved, does that mean this project will soon be underway?

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

So, what's going on with this? Any progress yet?

[Rick]

I bow to your superior Sketchup skills.  This is masterful, and I want to see more!  (Like people kept telling ME, let's see some wood shavings!)

 

[yo1dog]

Well life didn't go as plan, rarely does, so I am still stuck in my small apartment with no place to put such thing . I have my bartop for now

[mamenoob]

i realize it has been some time since the last post, however i was curious if you have the measurements for your cabinet available.  i would like to build this cabinet but utilize one large screen.