Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: gurnie on December 10, 2007, 12:07:23 am

Title: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 10, 2007, 12:07:23 am
Well i think this adventure started about 4 years ago in college when i first heard of this nifty thing called "MAME" and then saw people building arcades and using MAME software.  Once I read about it, I was totally hooked and i had to have a cabinet.

Its come a long way, and it still needs a lot of help, but its progressed more in 6 months than it has in a year!  I think being out of college and being able to afford things helps  ;D

I still have my old hotrod se controls, but after the chip broke the whole system has been changed.  I now use an ipac board, dad installed a trackball (whoo!  go dad!) and the cabinet has been fitted for a coin door.  I have to touch up the pain (we'll leave the side art alone).  Its turning out to be a nice father/daughter and occasional boyfriend helps project.

In the last two photos below the coin door isn't totally hooked-up because i just put the panel back in last night.  But thanks to a member of our forum, DaOld Man sold me a hacked mouse for the trackball.  Thanks again.

My 7th button on each player acts as the right and left mouse buttons (totally easy to manage since there are hardly any 7-button games).

I found that the trackball is not as sensitive as i'd like it to be.  I can't run a newer version of mame (stuck on .61 with a P3, 900mhz, 386 ram computer) so if anyone has any suggestions on how to make the trackball more sensitive (its all the way up under window's control panel) then let me know.


Anyways here's some photos.  I have a control panel layover i'm going to put over that nasty, nasty purple.  I just want to tweak it a little more.

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g96/gurnie/P1010011.jpg)

A more recent update of the work we did.

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g96/gurnie/CIMG0259.jpg)

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g96/gurnie/CIMG0258.jpg)


Oh and don't you boys get any ideas.  Both my boyfriend and dad are over 6'2 and I know how to fence  >:D
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: ArtMAME on December 10, 2007, 12:21:57 am
Good to see the ladies are getting in on all this MAME action  ;D

The cabinet looks great with the Solar Fox marquee instead of the MAME collage marquee.  Now if you had a plain black CP overlay and maybe a monitor bezel, you could apply some small Solar Fox icons on it and complete the Solar Fox theme.  Looks real nice so far.

If you want the trackball more sensitive, go into the game that uses the trackball and press TAB for your control options.  Go into the "Analog Controls" menu and tweak the Track X Sensitivity and the Track Y Sensitivity settings until you get the desired response from the trackball in the game.  You may have to do this for each trackball game that you play depending on your tastes.
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: LeedsFan on December 10, 2007, 01:51:08 am
I know there are hardly any 7 button games in Mame but I would alwyas still have 7 buttons instead of 6 and have them in a very similar layout to yours. And that's simply because for some games like Defender the 7th button is just nicely placed for Reverse. I tend to find the lower row of three buttons are the ones I hardly ever use.
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 10, 2007, 02:16:46 am
I have a nice texture bezel that has yet to be cut (ohhh daaaaad).  I really need to get on that.  Right now the arcade is in the kitchen's "sun room," and I use the tv a lot in the morning or when i'm cooking (a two-for!) 

I picked up the marquee on ebay i think for 20 (including shipping).  Good deal, though I worked on that marquee for a long time.  It'll fit better when we have a house and I can have my own bar area and  turn it into a nice lighted sign  :)

tomorrow i'll look into the sensitivity of the trackball options.  Is that accessible in mame .61 ?

I've been working on the control panel.  Not done but i've been playing

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g96/gurnie/solarCPO7.jpg)

(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g96/gurnie/solarCPO6.jpg)

Neither idea is done b/c i feel i need to add some solarfox art.  Black buttons on black spaces... not sure if that's gonna look good.

speaking of solar fox art, i just really dig it.

Ok /put down sake, time for bed.  :cheers:

Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: DaOld Man on December 10, 2007, 06:58:19 am
Great work Gurnie!!!!
How about some pics of the innards??
(Im very demanding aint I?)
 :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: ringram on December 10, 2007, 08:20:16 am
Just a thought, don't use windows as your OS. Use DOS. I use it in my cab and I only have a 300Mhz celeron, overclocked to 450mhz!
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 10, 2007, 11:27:18 am
lol not much to see inside actually.  It's a low profile computer sitting on a box.  Not to mention arcade pieces stuffed into a smaller box. Then there's the coin catching box (cardboard box).

I understand the benefit for using DOS would be speed, but i haven't ran into a game I haven't been able to run on my set-up
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: leapinlew on December 10, 2007, 12:33:10 pm
lol not much to see inside actually.  It's a low profile computer sitting on a box.  Not to mention arcade pieces stuffed into a smaller box. Then there's the coin catching box (cardboard box).

I understand the benefit for using DOS would be speed, but i haven't ran into a game I haven't been able to run on my set-up

Well, whatever you do - don't load up Mortal Kombat.

Looking good -keep up the good work. I built a jukebox with my dad and it was great to bond with him like that.
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 10, 2007, 03:52:38 pm
I understand the benefit for using DOS would be speed, but i haven't ran into a game I haven't been able to run on my set-up
Quote

Well, whatever you do - don't load up Mortal Kombat.

Looking good -keep up the good work. I built a jukebox with my dad and it was great to bond with him like that.

You know now that you said that i'm going home and the first thing i'm gonna do is load up MK  ;D  I don't know if that works to be honest.  But the only reason why i kept the 7 button layout was for the boyfriend and his friends to play.  I RARELY play fighter games.

I'll post guts if I remember to do so tonight.  I've been working on a skimmer for my saltwater aquarium and I might be testing it tonight.
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: Zakk on December 10, 2007, 09:38:22 pm
This thread warms the cockles of my heart. 


I said cockles you dolts!


Nice work! As stated it's not often a woman ventures into this realm, much less to actually put one together!  Nice!  :cheers:
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 10, 2007, 10:26:28 pm
This thread warms the cockles of my heart. 


I said cockles you dolts!


Nice work! As stated it's not often a woman ventures into this realm, much less to actually put one together!  Nice!  :cheers:

I had to google that after you said it (i understood the meaning, wondering what the history was behind it).  Lovely expression actually.

I'm just glad that i'm not deemed "frankinqueen"  ;D

Oh and it plays MK3  (thanks Lew  ;D ) and thanks Artmame for telling me how to change trackball sensitivity.  Ankroid ("breakout" game) plays MUCH better  :laugh:

 
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: leapinlew on December 10, 2007, 10:37:44 pm
Oh and it plays MK3 and thanks Artmame for telling me how to change trackball sensitivity.  Ankroid ("breakout" game) plays MUCH better  :laugh:

Good ol'Ankroid.  ;) Just wait till you play some Macpan
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 11, 2007, 01:29:43 am
Macpan?
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: Zakk on December 11, 2007, 01:47:18 am
Awww, that's cute, lew's all tongue-tied!   ;D


Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 11, 2007, 02:15:20 am
lol

ohhh, pacman  ;D

Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: DaOld Man on December 11, 2007, 03:57:44 am
You got to try World Class Bowling..
Thats the neatest party type game there is (except maybe klax or a few hundred more  :) )
I know at least 4 people can play WCB.
Anyway, WCB is a definite must have trackball game.
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 11, 2007, 08:18:54 am
I'll have to check tonight to see if its on my game list.  My mame might be too old, I might need the new version of mame (and I don't remember how to compile it all)
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: unclet on December 11, 2007, 10:22:03 am
I like Shuffleshot as well....
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: ChadTower on December 11, 2007, 10:31:40 am
Oh and don't you boys get any ideas.  Both my boyfriend and dad are over 6'2 and I know how to fence  >:D

Wow, that was uncalled for...

...I just don't see how selling stolen goods is going to do much for you around here.

Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: fixedpigs on December 11, 2007, 11:06:13 am
Oh and don't you boys get any ideas.  Both my boyfriend and dad are over 6'2 and I know how to fence  >:D

Wow, that was uncalled for...

...I just don't see how selling stolen goods is going to do much for you around here.



why else is there a b/s/t forum...?

Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 11, 2007, 02:44:50 pm
Oh and don't you boys get any ideas.  Both my boyfriend and dad are over 6'2 and I know how to fence  >:D

Wow, that was uncalled for...

...I just don't see how selling stolen goods is going to do much for you around here.



Oh mellow out man.   ::)  As you know the net can be a more dangerous place for a young lady.  I was weary of posting a photo of myself because i know the trouble it can cause. 

If I go and pick-up something from craiglist i make sure I have a knife on me just in case.  Why is that?  I was raised around DC, I've done stupid things and I've lucked out.  I've had friends that didn't luck out and they paid for it.  It's just how it goes.  They're a lot of creepies out there.  Besides it was a friendly joke.  Don't get your trousers in a twist.   :cheers:

Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on December 11, 2007, 02:55:17 pm
Besides it was a friendly joke.  Don't get your trousers in a twist.   :cheers:

ROFL He wasn't.... He was making a joke  as in Fencing (selling of stolen goods) instead of Fencing (Poking people with blunt sticks)  ;D

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: gurnie on December 11, 2007, 03:06:52 pm
LOL


Ahhhhh. I get jokes...  :dizzy:
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: AcidArmitage on December 11, 2007, 04:38:15 pm
no... they put up fences
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: ChadTower on December 11, 2007, 04:41:44 pm
While the joke was about fencing, it is a bit nervy to introduce yourself by posting a picture and then making a comment that indicates we're all a bunch of sex starved stalker freaks that will lose control because we saw her in a jpg.

She ain't that attractive, what with being so tall and having short grey hair.  And apparently a daughter.

And a mustache.

What's with the mustache?
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: Fozzy The Bear on December 11, 2007, 07:01:54 pm
it is a bit nervy to introduce yourself by posting a picture and then making a comment that indicates we're all a bunch of sex starved stalker freaks

We're not?  :o  I thought we were!!  :hissy:

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)
Title: Re: My arcade (a work in progress)
Post by: bfauska on December 12, 2007, 03:13:57 am
While the joke was about fencing, it is a bit nervy to introduce yourself by posting a picture and then making a comment that indicates we're all a bunch of sex starved stalker freaks that will lose control because we saw her in a jpg.

She ain't that attractive, what with being so tall and having short grey hair.  And apparently a daughter.

And a mustache.

What's with the mustache?

But her daughter doesn't look bad.  ;)

Seriously though, nice first project, it's cool when families work together on projects like this. If (when) you do another one try to get your dad to let you in on the woodworking and maybe make a totally custom CP, it's an addictive hobby and you might as well learn some fun new skills while your at it.
 :cheers: