The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Project Announcements => Topic started by: Felsir on December 20, 2012, 01:36:44 pm

Title: The Game King (Frontend update)
Post by: Felsir on December 20, 2012, 01:36:44 pm
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=275919)

It has been quite a few years since I made my last cab (2004 according to the byoac search feature...) I had to get rid of my old cab due to space limitations, my game room is now my youngest son's bedroom. My wife knew I missed my arcade so together we were brainstorming how to get the arcade back into our house. She didn't mind having an arcade in the house if it was possible to make it not the centerpiece of the livingroom.
So, after some thinking and browsing other furniture arcades I found something that we're both happy with: our coffee table will be turned into a two player cocktail cabinet!

The build is complete and this is the result!

This is what the table looks like when in "coffee table mode":
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281100;image)

Once you remove the covers, the control panels become visible:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281092;image)
The control panels are illuminated by 3 LEDs. The photo doesn't really do it justice, but you get the idea. Perhaps when it's dark I'll make a new picture.

Control panel for player one:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281088;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281096;image)
It has 1 servostik joystick, 6 buttons, 1 spintrak and 2 flipper buttons. It also has the P1 start and P2 start buttons and a coin button.

Control panel for player two:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281090;image)
It has 1 servostik joystick, 6 buttons, 1 spintrak. It has a P2 start button and a coin button.
Both controlpanels have their own (logitech-) speakers.

Arkanoid! The 32"LED TV is excellent for vertical games:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281102;image)
Horizontal games go in cocktail mode, each player then has a 20" 4:3 screen. The TV is a Samsung UE32EH5000.
This is my wife and daughter playing Bubble Bobble in cocktailmode:
Gameking coffeetable test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GetPhA3TNs8#ws)

The PC runs Future Pinball perfectly:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281094;image)
The PC is an Intel i3 3220 with Radeon HD6670 videocard.

For modern gaming the table has connectors for 2xUSB gamepads, headphones. The table also has WiFi and a bluetooth wireless keyboard with touchpad- so I can use it while sitting on the couch.
Running Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281098;image)

Initially the table seems quite low, but I have a set of stools (originally used in meditation) that sit quite comfortably and are the perfect height.
Title: Re: Secret arcade table
Post by: Jumpman64 on December 20, 2012, 10:51:47 pm
That should be pretty cool.  Dunno if it's just a weird perspective thing but joystick looks HUGE on that table  :lol
Title: Re: Secret arcade table
Post by: CoryBee on December 20, 2012, 11:21:20 pm
Quote from: Jumpman64 on December 20, 2012, 10:51:47 pm
That should be pretty cool.  Dunno if it's just a weird perspective thing but joystick looks HUGE on that table  :lol

Those are the jumbo sticks made by happ back in '56
Title: Secret arcade table
Post by: Felsir on December 30, 2012, 08:57:31 am
I've decided to skip the RGB lights for now- I might add them later. It saves me some money and for that I rather implement a spinner (the local arcade had Arkanoid when I was a kid).

Time to order the parts!
Title: Re: My coffeetable arcade (added plans)
Post by: Felsir on December 30, 2012, 01:15:31 pm
So I drew the plans in Visio.

On the left, the player 1 panel. It will have player I and player II start buttons, joystick, 6 buttons and a spinner. The sides on this end will get pinball buttons, on the bottom will be the coin1 button.

The top view shows the TV, I plan to get a Samsung 32" LED tv. Strangely smaller dimensions are more expensive (probably less popular).

On the right, the player 2 panel. It will have a player II start button, joystick and 6 buttons. The bottom will have the coin 2 button.

The side view shows how the cabinet is build up; the TV will rest on a mount matching the VESA 200-200 specs. I'm going to screw M8 wire in the TV and drill holes in the wood- so the TV can be removed easily to access the inside of the cab.

Not pictured is the "stand" of the table itself. It's a box like structure where the PC will be housed in.
When the table is not used as arcade- the player 1/2 ends will be covered with the original panels; I plan to use those hinges that keep the sides of a bed attached (sort of a bracket/hinge combination).
Title: Re: My coffeetable arcade (added plans)
Post by: PL1 on December 30, 2012, 02:01:10 pm
For concealing the the pinball flippers (red below?), you could put Ultimarc Goldleaf buttons on the upright sides of the CP enclosure just behind the player buttons and below the CP top. (green below)

Goldleafs only need 1.32" clearance from the bottom of the button bezel to fit.

With a normal pinball setup you can rest your thumbs along the side rails, but with this configuration, you can rest the side of your hand on the inside bottom of the cabinet.


Scott
Title: My coffeetable arcade (added plans)
Post by: Felsir on December 30, 2012, 02:32:56 pm
I like that idea, if I move the coin button further in it should all fit. Thanks :-)
Title: Re: My coffeetable arcade (added plans)
Post by: Felsir on January 04, 2013, 12:53:49 pm
A quick render of my Sketchup plans. The pinball buttons have been moved to the inside as suggested by PL1.
The width of the controlpanel is now 40cm, which might be a bit wider than needed. Once I have the components I'll make a mockup to get a feel for the layout and dimensions. I'm quite pleased with the size of the display- it's not too smal to feel "lost" in the large table space and it is big enough for a pinball table.
Title: Re: My coffeetable arcade (added quickrender)
Post by: Felsir on January 07, 2013, 03:17:46 am
Here is my controlpanel graphic. Top two buttons are P1 + P2 start. The circle on the right is the spinner. I'm undecided if I should add text or symbols on the graphic itself. This is the player one panel; the player two panel is identical except it will only have a P2 start button on it.
Title: Re: My coffeetable arcade (parts have arrived!)
Post by: Felsir on January 16, 2013, 09:29:26 am
Today the control panel parts of my arcade have arrived!
So this is what I have now

Ultimarc Minipac (old model)
Player 1:
Servostik, 6 buttons, 1P+2P start buttons, 2 pinball buttons, Spintrak, Coin1 button
Player 2:
Servostik, 6 buttons, 2P start button, Spintrak, Coin2 button
Extra red button which will be hidden from view that will be wired to the PC's power button.
(servostik's controlboard is not in the picture)

The 2nd Spintrak will be hooked up on the Minipac trackball-X axis connection.

Hopefully I am able to start on the controlpanel woodworking this weekend. Meanwhile I'm going to tweak the artwork a bit to match the color of the controls a bit better. A preview of the graphic is also in the picture.
Title: My coffeetable arcade: the Game King (parts have arrived!)
Post by: Felsir on January 19, 2013, 01:45:24 pm
Today I had some time to create the control panels. I test-fitted the controls so it looks like I'm on track. Now I have decided on the layout I can get the artwork to match it.
The plan is to have the controlpanels working first before I assemble everything inside the table.
Title: My coffeetable arcade: the Game King (cp assembly)
Post by: Felsir on January 23, 2013, 04:44:20 pm
The control panels are finished! I'm really happy the way it turned out. I testfitted the panel inside the table and it works great.

Both panels will be wired using DB25 cables (RS232 type connector), a central box will hold the Minipac and servostik control boards, with USB to the computer. So next up, connecting everything.

The TV I plan to use (Samsung 32" LED full HD) is on sale this weekend, so the project is picking up speed :-)
Title: Re: The Game King (control panels done!)
Post by: shponglefan on January 23, 2013, 08:54:01 pm
Nice CPs!  :applaud:
Title: The Game King (control panels done!)
Post by: Felsir on January 24, 2013, 07:40:57 am
Thanks :-)
Title: Re: The Game King (control panels done!)
Post by: Felsir on January 25, 2013, 02:34:08 pm
I have wired the controlpanels, but one of the spinners seems defective. If I attach that one spinner to the miniPAC the computer gives the "USB disconnected" sound and all controls stop working. I tried connecting the other spinner to the same wires and then it works fine (so the 'defective' spinner is not connected). I triple checked the wires and everything seems fine- only connecting one spinner seems to confirm that one spinner is defective.
The spinner itself does not look damaged, so I have no clue what's wrong. I emailed Andy from Ultimarc, so the project is currently waiting for the spinner issue to be resolved.
Title: Re: The Game King (control panels done!)
Post by: PL1 on January 25, 2013, 03:04:49 pm
Quote from: Felsir on January 25, 2013, 02:34:08 pm
I have wired the controlpanels, but one of the spinners seems defective. If I attach that one spinner to the miniPAC the computer gives the "USB disconnected" sound and all controls stop working. I tried connecting the other spinner to the same wires and then it works fine (so the 'defective' spinner is not connected). I triple checked the wires and everything seems fine- only connecting one spinner seems to confirm that one spinner is defective.
The spinner itself does not look damaged, so I have no clue what's wrong. I emailed Andy from Ultimarc, so the project is currently waiting for the spinner issue to be resolved.

Double check the wiring colors/order.

My UTrak shipped with two wires reversed.

The swapped wires were close in color -- easy mistake to make.

Once I swapped the wires, it worked fine.


Scott
Title: Re: The Game King (control panels done!)
Post by: Felsir on January 25, 2013, 03:24:36 pm
After reading your reply, I immediatly checked the wires on the spintrak. As far as I can tell they're identical - brown, yellow, green, white. The soldering on the spintrak looks pretty solid to me so I'm really confused what is wrong. My gut feeling says it is a short circuit somewhere, but it's not at a point that is visible from the outside.

Thanks for the suggestion- I hoped this was the thing I missed.
Title: Re: The Game King (control panels done!)
Post by: PL1 on January 25, 2013, 03:28:19 pm
Derp removal EDIT: Reread your earlier post and realized that you already tried what I suggested in this post.   :banghead:


Scott
Title: Re: The Game King (control panels done!)
Post by: Felsir on January 26, 2013, 12:08:50 pm
I had contact with Andy from Ultimarc and it will be sorted out.

Meanwhile I wasn't able to do much on my cab so I programmed a Pong Clone. The video is lousy quality (I'll have to look into that, the video saved by Fraps is way better than the result on Youtube).
Keep in mind that the players are sitting on the short end of the screen (vertical layout so to speak). Thebackground matches the pattern on the controlpanels (I recreated the effect as animation).
I added a scanline effect that looks great on the real thing.
The score counter is now limited to 2, so I can test stuff quicker.

GameKing Pong (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9M9qsCwu2k#ws)
Title: The Game King (with custom Pong clone!)
Post by: Felsir on February 02, 2013, 11:19:27 am
Test of the control wiring. Waiting for the spinner to arrive before I can test Pong :-)
Title: Re: The Game King (control panels done!)
Post by: Well Fed Games on February 02, 2013, 11:23:56 am
Quote from: Felsir on January 26, 2013, 12:08:50 pm

Meanwhile I wasn't able to do much on my cab so I programmed a Pong Clone.

Very nice... I really think the next step beyond custom CPs is custom games to play with them!  :cheers:
Title: The Game King (with custom Pong clone!)
Post by: Felsir on February 03, 2013, 12:52:15 pm
Yep, and there are more games in the works. I have a 2 player Gyruss that is playable but not very polished yet.

Today I ordered the TV: Samsung 32" LED tv (UE32EH5000), hopefully next weekend I will be able to get all components inside the table.
Title: Re: The Game King (with custom Pong clone!)
Post by: a1pharm on February 06, 2013, 09:38:25 pm
I like your design :cheers:  Do you think you'll use tinted glass/plexi for the top of the table?
Title: Re: The Game King (with custom Pong clone!)
Post by: Felsir on February 07, 2013, 01:49:33 am
That is indeed the plan. At the moment the table has a clear glass top, but I want the arcade to be completely "hidden" when switched off. Also I think smoked glass hides the edges of the TV so it appears as if a screen is projected.
Title: The Game King (with custom Pong clone!)
Post by: Felsir on February 07, 2013, 08:45:58 am
Picture of the TV to compare size of the table. Getting ready to disassemble the table and mount the TV.
Title: The Game King (with custom Pong clone!)
Post by: Felsir on February 08, 2013, 12:26:44 pm
Today I managed to get work done. Since the table is still in use as an actual coffee table I have to plan my work so that when each phase is done it is still usable.

So today's plan was to get the TV mounted.
The TV's vesa mount is used to keep the TV in place. Two beams have holes 20cm apart, threaded m6 wire is screwed into the TV vesa holes. The TV rests on those four point and can be adjusted in height by adjusting the nuts.
The tabletop rests on two beams fixed to the sides of the table. I added dowels at each end to prevent the tabletop from tipping. Also a dowel in the beam prevents the tabletop from moving sideways.
So now everything is put together so we can use the coffeetable as, uhm, a coffeetable.

The controlpanels are done, I received a replacement spinner (Thanks Andy!)
So next phases will be:
1. Create the backpanels for the controlpanels, add the speakers and coinbuttons.
2. Finalizing the table, make a bezel for the TV, adding a dark film to the glass.
3. Adding the additional connections- power cord connection, USB ports, HDMI input to connect to the TV's HDMI2 input, adding headphone socket.
4. Raising the table a bit, while sitting on the carpet games can be played comfortably enough, it wil be better with a few cm added. This will be achieved by adding wheels inside the base of the table.
5. Last but not least get a dedicated computer in the table. For now I use my laptop to test stuff.
I'm looking at a Zotac ZBOX but haven't decided yet.
Title: Re: The Game King (construction pics)
Post by: a1pharm on February 08, 2013, 02:40:42 pm
It looks to be coming along nicely, good work  :applaud:
Title: The Game King (construction pics)
Post by: Felsir on February 09, 2013, 09:55:22 am
Thanks A1pharm :-)

Had some spare time, fixed the bezel.
Title: Re: The Game King (construction pics)
Post by: Felsir on February 15, 2013, 10:57:57 am
I had a terrible flu this week so apart from posting on the BYOAC forums not much progress was made.

My wife and daughter did play a lot of Bubble Bobble together:
Gameking coffeetable test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GetPhA3TNs8#ws)
(youtube did something weird with the audio  ??? )
Title: Re: The Game King (it's playable!)
Post by: Felsir on February 28, 2013, 12:10:36 pm
Time to set up the computer. I first planned to have a small embedded system such as a ZBox, but for the same budget I got more power with components. So today the parts arrived:

Asus P8H61-M mainboard
Intel Core i3 3220
4GB DDR3 Kinston
450watt PSU
Radeon HD6670
1TB harddrive

Now fit things together :-)


Title: The Game King (it's playable!)
Post by: Felsir on March 03, 2013, 02:00:27 pm
The computer is set up, still lot of configuring to do. I'm very happy with the system performance- the MAME emulation I tried ran perfect and two of my favorite Games on Steam ('Mark of the Ninja' and 'Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams') ran flawless.

Updates to the table itself: fitted USB ports, power button and power connector and headphone connector. The connectors are underneath the table surface so obscured from view. The TV automatically starts in the HDMI mode when the power is connected. Also, the mainboard had a BIOS setting that enabled booting when the board receives power.

I have also drilled holes for the speakers and soldered LEDs on wires to light the control panels. The LEDs and speakers are not yet in place- the three small top holes in the 2nd picture are drilled downwards and is where the LEDs will be.
Title: Re: The Game King (it's playable!)
Post by: noon on March 04, 2013, 10:16:42 am
In the bubble bobble video, what did you do to view the screen like that? Is it just cocktail mode or will all games render twice for you like that?
Title: Re: The Game King (it's playable!)
Post by: Felsir on March 04, 2013, 10:28:09 am
it's MAME's cocktail mode- (the screen is rotated 90 degrees). The cocktail mode renders the game twice.

For some games it acts as if two cabinets are linked: for example in Outrunners one screen is the player1 cabinet and the other screen is the player2 cabinet so you can actually play against eachother. In that case the screen is not duplicated but each has a unique view of the game.
Title: Re: The Game King (it's playable!)
Post by: Brian74 on March 04, 2013, 03:35:58 pm
Man this is awesome!!  :cheers: Now I have to decide if I wanna build a cocktail or full size vertical cab after I get my other two finished.
Title: Re: The Game King (it's playable!)
Post by: Felsir on March 08, 2013, 11:54:19 am
This is what the table looks like when in "coffee table mode":
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281100;image)

Once you remove the covers, the control panels become visible:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281092;image)
The control panels are illuminated by 3 LEDs. The photo doesn't really do it justice, but you get the idea. Perhaps when it's dark I'll make a new picture.

Control panel for player one:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281088;image)
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281096;image)
It has 1 servostik joystick, 6 buttons, 1 spintrak and 2 flipper buttons. It also has the P1 start and P2 start buttons and a coin button.

Control panel for player two:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281090;image)
It has 1 servostik joystick, 6 buttons, 1 spintrak. It has a P2 start button and a coin button.
Both controlpanels have their own (logitech-) speakers.

Arkanoid! The 32"LED TV is excellent for vertical games:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281102;image)
Horizontal games go in cocktail mode, each player then has a 20" 4:3 screen.

The PC runs Future Pinball perfectly:
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281094;image)

For modern gaming the table has connectors for 2xUSB gamepads, headphones. The table also has WiFi and a bluetooth wireless keyboard with touchpad- so I can use it while sitting on the couch.
Running Giana Sisters: Twisted Dreams
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=103207.0;attach=281098;image)

Initially the table seems quite low, but I have a set of stools (originally used in meditation) that sit quite comfortably and are the perfect height.



Title: Re: The Game King (Finished! Added pictures!)
Post by: Felsir on March 10, 2013, 08:46:09 am
Working on my frontend:
FE test (http://youtu.be/PvcGQhvrUV4)
Graphically it's in style with the control panels.
Title: Re: The Game King (Finished! Added pictures!)
Post by: sandheaver on March 10, 2013, 11:41:54 am
That looks excellent.
Title: Re: The Game King (Finished! Added pictures!)
Post by: a1pharm on March 17, 2013, 10:38:33 am
Well done!

 :applaud:
Title: Re: The Game King (Finished! Added pictures!)
Post by: griffindodd on March 18, 2013, 12:16:08 pm
This is a really nice looking piece, the more I see these 'sleeper' coffee tables the more I like the idea of them. I think the great thing about these projects is that the furniture has to be beautiful before you can even consider what's inside, otherwise no-one would want them in the front room in the first place.
Title: Re: The Game King (Finished! Added pictures!)
Post by: mgb on March 19, 2013, 12:28:43 am
great job.

Man I really love the head to head horizontal thing like shown with bubble bobble
Title: Re: The Game King (Finished! Added pictures!)
Post by: Felsir on March 19, 2013, 03:50:00 am
Thanks for the kind words!


Yeah, the head-to-head mode is great! Also for games such as Rodland (cute graphics so my kids love it), but also Streetfighter and Gauntlet :-)
I'll post an update of the frontend- I have most of the emulators I want to use up and running now. I make almost daily tweaks to the setup so it keeps me busy!
Title: Re: The Game King (Finished! Added pictures!)
Post by: ids on March 19, 2013, 12:13:26 pm
Excellent job.  :applaud:  Come to think of it, we need a new coffee table, and I do have some sheets of wood lying around, ....  ;)
Title: Re: The Game King (Finished! Added pictures!)
Post by: Felsir on March 25, 2013, 07:18:12 pm
Some progress on the frontend I'm making for this project... The colors in the video aren't very good; I'll make a better video when everything is done.
GameKing Frontend 1.0 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xVm3qTjdDk#ws)

Features (besides the ones like gamelists, categories, XML configuration):


It can launch applications and sets the arcade joysticks in 4 or 8 way mode (Ultimarc Servostik control). Launching games is not shown because it's not on the actual arcade table, so the development version only launches notepad ;-)
Title: Re: The Game King (Frontend update)
Post by: markronz on March 25, 2013, 07:50:56 pm
Extremely nice looking frontend!   I'm very impressed.  Definitely going to keep an eye on this!   :cheers:
Title: Re: The Game King (Frontend update)
Post by: sandheaver on March 25, 2013, 09:00:33 pm
That looks awesome.  I'm not a fan of front-ends, but you really make me want to learn XNA.
Title: Re: The Game King (Frontend update)
Post by: rtkiii on March 26, 2013, 09:16:30 am
very cool!
Title: Re: The Game King (Frontend update)
Post by: mike boss on June 01, 2013, 12:27:34 pm
Very cool project and great looking front end.
I'll be keeping an eye on this myself.