Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: clockwork on January 13, 2007, 10:37:44 pm
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I was planning for something that would probably be a frankenpanel. I've since realized that even that still won't be flexible enough for all my playing needs. So I think I need two panels, but I'm not sure how to design each. Here are my thoughts (forget admin buttons for now). Please help me! :'(
Here's what I want to do:
Issue: Will the rotaries (Happ) for 8-way only games without the rotary interfering? If not, then maybe I'll move the track and spinner to CP 2 and this one will be a dedicated rotary CP.
CP: 2
1. 4 joysticks across the front, two each for players 1 and 2
2. 2 other joysticks, one on each side for players 3 and 4
3. 7 buttons each players 1 and 2
4. 6 (or 4?) buttons each for players 3 and 4
Issue: I want the four 1 and 2 player joysticks all to be the same, because I think it would feel odd to wield a different joystick in either hand. Agree or disagree?
But what to do about dedicated 4-way sticks? Optionally, I could go for this setup:
CP 1:
1. 2 rotaries
2. 3 (or 4?) buttons each player
3. 4-way joysticks with 3 or 4 buttons above the rotaries, roughly centered
4. spinner
Issue: None that I see. Pretty simple panel.
CP 2:
1. 4 joysticks for players 1 and 2
2. 2 joysticks on the sides for players 3 and 4
3. 7 buttons each players 1 and 2
4. 6 (or 4?) buttons each for players 3 and 4
5. trackball in center.
Issue: Probably too tight between the joysticks for the trackball.
:sigh: So am I looking at three panels?
Note: I'm tired and this probably makes no sense. :dizzy:
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How big is the cp?
I would just build 1 of them now and the other one later. You may find that you want a whole other machine for the other CP.
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3J b1 b2 4J b1 b2
b3 --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- _____ b3 --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type--
1j b1 b2 b3 |Trac | 2J b1 b2 b3
--BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- b5 b6 | | --BINGO! Either that, or I was attempting to say "before" but it was too many letters to type-- b5 b6
b7 | Ball | b7
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Ack! You people are all like drug pushers. Build another cab, and another, and another. Pretty soon, I'm penniless, lost my job, walking the streets begging. "Spare a dollar? Come on buddy, I have five arcades to support!"
Anyhoo, I don't know how big the CP will be. I plan to make them swappable, so hopefully I'll just need one cab... for now. :P
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Ack! You people are all like drug pushers. Build another cab, and another, and another. Pretty soon, I'm penniless, lost my job, walking the streets begging. "Spare a dollar? Come on buddy, I have five arcades to support!"
Anyhoo, I don't know how big the CP will be. I plan to make them swappable, so hopefully I'll just need one cab... for now. :P
I'd strongly suggest something like this:
http://www.beersmith.com/mame/
Only one cab but you can have ANY config you need on it quickly (once the panel modules are built).
I did a rotating control panel (search site for CRABBY PATTY) but still felt the need for custom layouts for Defender, Mad Planets, etc.
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That's really slick, but I'm not sure I want to tackle something like that for my first cab.
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If you have the woodworking skills and tools then it shouldn't be too hard to tackle. I am working on a modular system as well. It really gives you the flexibility you are looking for. The only problem is that you are wanting a 4 player layout.
One thing to think about is a hybrid system. The player 3 and 4 can be on wings on either side of the main panel. Then have a modular system in the middle to handle the rest of the controls you are wanting to use.