Micro Cab competition (Prizes). DEADLINE EXTENDED

[RetroJames]

Hey guys, I think all has been said that needs to be said regarding the interpretation of the rules.  I am backing away from the soapbox as I do not want to detract from the whole point which was to come up with some cool mini cabs and win some cool stuff.

Everyone that entered did a great job, I am really impressed.  

[1UP]

So the pacman toy was not built, it was modified.  It wasn't modified that much either.

Hey!  I don't mind not winning with my micro-pac,  but I spent far more time on it than I did on the Space Invaders!  I cut out major sections of the toy; completely dismantled and cut up the original PCB; designed, printed, punched and mounted a completely new CP sticker and marquee; installed the marquee on a scratchbuilt supporting frame; installed a stylus holder and various buttons; modified the joysticks to work in 8-way; and installed a completely different display and electronics from the original.  There's more 1UP in there than Coleco at this point.  If that's called "not modifying it much", I live on a different planet than you...  

When I post my complete writeup either here or on my site, you'll see what I mean...

[shmokes]

no "inauthentic" buttons, designs and controls.

Or as president bush would say, "no Uninauthentic controls."

[jakejake28]

no "inauthentic" buttons, designs and controls.

Or as president bush would say, "no Uninauthentic controls."

no need to be rude, its not nice. i think your really misunderestimating him

[Spaced Invader]

Not to beat on any dead horses here, but I have to agree with space cadet. As the rules were given the micro-pac should have qualified for the contest...in my opinion. Maybe I wanted to explore the possibility of building a MAME bartop based on the mini-pac...wouldn't that make it a "model?" OK, I know it's not in line with the "spirit" of the contest...I was just thinking out loud...

I wouldn't have even bothered but I dislike the way Howard tends to bully his way through an argument with so little opposition.

I think the mini-pac was an extremely creative effort and it gave me some ideas. If 1UP hadn't entered it, I would not have seen it and wouldn't have had my own creativity whacked upside the head. And that to me is the whole point. If you want to tighten the rules fine. If you want to more closely define what a legitimate model is great. I'm just one who believes stretching the boundaries of the box is a good thing. And, as I stated, as the rules were given, I believe it qualifies. So, go ahead, shrink the box.

Maybe I'm "missing the point" or I'm just "not very good at comprehension;" anyway, the point is probably "mute."  

If I offended anyone, sorry. I just thought there was another side to this...

[RandyT]

...

If I offended anyone, sorry. I just thought there was another side to this...

There is...and it's not just you, because I also don't see grounds for disqualification.  It may not be the best entry out of all that were submitted, but it didn't violate any of the rules as posted (and it's still damned cool!.)  

I think most of us that have been here a while are just too tired to go down that road because we already know where it leads  

RandyT

[1UP]

OK, when I decided to enter the thing, I was not planning on building anything else (i.e. the Space Invaders) because the rules stated:

"Any type of microcab can be built. It can be an exact reproduction of your favourite dedicated cab ( including cocktail or sit down cabs ) or a reproduction of your own MAME cab ( or your dream MAME cab ) or something completely different."

I think my first entry fits nicely into the last category.  If it's not a repro of an existing dedicated cab or a MAME cab, what else is there?  The micro-pac is a working MAME cab, built into a toy that was based on an existing dedicated cab.  While not a scale model by any means, it is something completely different.  There was no definition or limitation put on what "something completely different" really means, as long as it was in the arcade game genre and fit in the required dimensions.

I did feel compelled to do the Space Invaders because I felt kinda guilty that my first entry was something I would have done anyway.  I thought I should do something specifically for the contest.  Plus, it seemed like it would be a cool little project!

Let's end this before it gets nasty.  The contest is over, and I still got my prize so I'm not complaining one bit.  

[Spaced Invader]

Ended...just say no to nasty!  

Gotta say that space invaders is off the chain...you've got serious talent.

[RetroJames]

Ended, yes let's let it go...I really don't want to leave a bad taste in anyone's mouth as I think the contest was awesome, the entries were superb, and the vendors were more than generous for providing the goodies.

I would love to see another contest (as I have a few ideas for entries  ) and don't want to see anyone shy away for fear of further contorversy.

I think the key is just create some notes regarding acceptable entries for each category and most important what each category would be judged on.  While authentic arcade reproduction may score higher for a faithful scale model of an actual commercial cab, the MAME category might give bigger points for originality and imagination.  Points across the board could be awarded for craftsmanship and amount of "ground up" fabrication.

So let's have another contest and give me a chance to blow you guys away!!!  

[Apollo]

Ok just to try and settle this, the point was to build something that if it was blown up to full size wouldn't look out of place in an arcade, I think the spirit of the competition was pretty clear really. Imagine blowing 1Ups first entry up to "full size", pretty funny looking isn't it? No offense to 1Up of course as he did great work on both.

[team OBryan]

Just wanted to let everyone know I just received my second place price From the contest today. I was amazed at how fast RandyT got it out. Only 89 hours from the winners being announced till I received the prize. I can't wait to start me next project so I can try it out.

[1UP]

Ok just to try and settle this, the point was to build something that if it was blown up to full size wouldn't look out of place in an arcade, I think the spirit of the competition was pretty clear really. Imagine blowing 1Ups first entry up to "full size", pretty funny looking isn't it? No offense to 1Up of course as he did great work on both.

You should put that in the rules next time!    Seriously, next time there should probably be a category for playable micro-mame machines, that can be in any shape as long as they are functional.  If you think about it, a working scale model of an existing cab probably isn't very playable at that size, even though technically it works, as the controls are mounted in the center rather than lower down where they're more stable.

Something shaped more like a tabletop game, or the top-half of a cab, would actually be more practical, and it needs to be made out of heavier materials than a scale model, for strength and stability.  This would also be more likely to get entries, as a scale model isn't much use after the contest is over...

[Chris]

Seriously, next time there should probably be a category for playable micro-mame machines, that can be in any shape as long as they are functional.  If you think about it, a working scale model of an existing cab probably isn't very playable at that size, even though technically it works, as the controls are mounted in the center rather than lower down where they're more stable.

That should acually be a whole separate contest.  I believe that the reason Apollo didn't count anything for working cabs was that he didn't want to get into an arms race over who could spend the most money on PDA's, tiny TV's, etc. To judge the winner of such a category against someone's foamboard mockup would be unfair.

--Chris

[Apollo]

Seriously, next time there should probably be a category for playable micro-mame machines, that can be in any shape as long as they are functional.  If you think about it, a working scale model of an existing cab probably isn't very playable at that size, even though technically it works, as the controls are mounted in the center rather than lower down where they're more stable.

That should acually be a whole separate contest.  I believe that the reason Apollo didn't count anything for working cabs was that he didn't want to get into an arms race over who could spend the most money on PDA's, tiny TV's, etc. To judge the winner of such a category against someone's foamboard mockup would be unfair.

--Chris

Correct

[Chris]

To bring this thread back from the dead, check out the mini-pins made by a guy at VPForums:

(edit: removed image links.  See attachments below.)

He has more pics in the thread at http://www.vpforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=30903&perpage=20&pagenumber=1 .

--Chris

[SirPeale]

To bring this thread back from the dead, check out the mini-pins made by a guy at VPForums:

The images do not show up.   You have to be logged into the forums.

[Chris]

Oops...

[Chris]

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[Chris]

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[Sephroth57]

cool looking... but too much time on his hands!!! lmao

[nighthawk2099]

   !!WOW!!  

Man, the time he took to put that much detail into them....

Again

   !!WOW!!  

[Apollo]

They are awesome, man a love Black Night.

[Murph]

I know thi sthread is long retired, but anyone know where I can still find micro-pac pictures from the thread?  Thanks!

Murph