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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: DrFrag on March 22, 2008, 08:24:44 am

Title: 2 Player control panel - ergonomic or symmetrical?
Post by: DrFrag on March 22, 2008, 08:24:44 am

I've started designing my 2-player control panel.  It's about 24" wide and each player has a joystick and 6 buttons.

I've done a cardboard mock-up, and I'm starting to wonder if it would work better if player 2's controls were rotated counterclockwise slighty.  That way, player 2 would have a little more elbow room for their joystick and fingering for the buttons would be easier.  Player 1 wouldn't need rotation, as they have plenty of elbow room on the left for their joystick, and the game buttons can stay straight because it's easier to handle a row of buttons with your right hand if you're coming in slightly from the left (if that makes sense).  Also, I'd like to keep player 1's controls straight for single player games.

My sense of aesthetics tells me this would be horribly asymmetrical.  My sense of ergonomics tells me it could be physically more practical.

Has anyone tried this?  Does it turn it into the ugly looking CP from hell?

Thanks!  :cheers:

Title: Re: 2 Player control panel - ergonomic or symmetrical?
Post by: DaveMMR on March 22, 2008, 10:38:19 am

Quote from: DrFrag on March 22, 2008, 08:24:44 am

I've done a cardboard mock-up, and I'm starting to wonder if it would work better if player 2's controls were rotated counterclockwise slighty.
Has anyone tried this?  Does it turn it into the ugly looking CP from hell?

If you're talking about angling then no, don't rotate.  Will it be ergonomic?  Maybe.  Will it be horrifically unplayable?  Absolutely. 

If you're talking about just rearranging buttons and sticks (still keeping it parallel to the back), well, it'll still be "off" and asymmetrical but it may work.  But it's completely unnecessary. 

If you and your friends are bumping into each other, then either (a) P1 needs to move over a bit or (b) P2 has to stop being inconsiderate of P1 and straighten his elbow.  It's basic arcade codes of ethics.  ;)

Title: Re: 2 Player control panel - ergonomic or symmetrical?
Post by: Ginsu Victim on March 22, 2008, 06:06:07 pm

Symmetrical.
After we had to stop taking turns on one stick, and before cabinets got huge, we all had to share the space and it was fine.
It doesn't feel like a proper two-player game unless you're crammed in next to someone.