Author Topic: Two-sided First Arcade (Read 10204 times)

yeahitsoriginal · « **on:** February 01, 2011, 11:16:13 am »

This is an arcade I'm making. I was surprised to see that not to many people have tried this. I searched the site and about 2 years ago someone was talking about it. I created this design to be as functional as possible while eliminating any unneeded material. There will be little space wasted. I suppose you could use a tower computer, however I will be using a laptop.

The third picture artwork is about 30 seconds of effort, but basically I may do something simple and sleek like that. Just large pixels that reference the dated games. Not too specific, not too plain.

Basically I wanted the option for 4 players but I couldn't find a large 4:3 monitor. I have no interest in old screens due to their size and weight. Since it seemed like 19" was as big as the 4:3 screens get, I just got a splitter and will have players 1/2 on one side and 3/4 on the other. In the future I hope to add on a switch and second computer that will allow players 3/4 to play a separate game if needed.

This is just the test box for controls since this is a first try.

yeahitsoriginal · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2011, 11:31:38 am »

I will also include this one. Just because it's funny. I haven't been able to play pool for several days now.

Donkbaca · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2011, 11:50:20 am »

Is there enough room to mount the monitors back to back? Are they going to run the same game? Or are you just basically ahving two seperate machines in the same cab?

eds1275 · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2011, 11:55:56 am »

That is just silly. I like it!

Looks like you might have a lot of space - will this thing be free standing in a room or are you putting it up against a wall? What kind of finish are you putting on it? Looks like nice plywood so will it be stained to match the pool table?

BurgerKingDiamond · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2011, 12:01:32 pm »

this is sick. I want to do the same thing someday for Tecmo Super Bowl and Ice Hockey for NES.

yeahitsoriginal · « **Reply #5 on:** February 01, 2011, 12:44:43 pm »

Yes there is enough space. It's about 7 3/4" between the two outer screen panels and the two screens combined are about 4 3/4". I may add in a bar to mount the screens back to back or just fix them to the outer panels. Right now I just have a video splitter so it will be the same game on both screens (again, to alleviate cramped gaming) . However, down the road I'd like to include another computer, ipac2 and a switch (if this wire switch exists let me know, i figure I'll just make a bread board circuit switch with what i need if not.)

I will most likely stick one side against a wall or at least close to it. I initially wanted to stain it to match the wood products in my place (pool table, game room furniture) but if that was the case I would've went with solid hardwood. After tallying up total costs I went with plywood and choose a higher grade mainly because I'm lazy and didn't want to do a lot of extra work to prep for paint. It's pretty cold out so I may leave it unfinished till spring. Also, I work as a graphic designer and that will give me plenty of time to think up art ideas. I wanted to create an Art Nouveau scene with game characters but was disappointed to see someone has tried that on a T-shirt http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_ld7u37UHyp1qa9armo1_500.jpg

Below is about 15min of messing around. Obviously I never got to drawing characters, I gave up after seeing the peach nouveau image.

Sliders are a good idea. I'm sure something like that will/can be added for ease of moving.

yeahitsoriginal · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2011, 12:52:34 pm »

Glorious! Work is closing early today due to snow so I'll hopefully get more things done.

markronz · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2011, 01:01:21 pm »

Awesome! Love the idea and I really dig that artwork. Who cares if theres a t-shirt of the same style!

drventure · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2011, 01:22:51 pm »

Nice! The concept +AND+ the artwork. Gotta put some brass accents on that thing!

BurgerKingDiamond · « **Reply #9 on:** February 01, 2011, 01:42:24 pm »

not into the artwork but the profile on that cab is really nice. I would suggest slightly angling the monitors though for comfort. Your neck is gonna get sore quick.

mgb · « **Reply #10 on:** February 01, 2011, 01:52:06 pm »

This looks like it will be a pretty cool project to follow.
Good luck

yeahitsoriginal · « **Reply #11 on:** February 01, 2011, 03:59:42 pm »

Yar, don't drill to far

Seith · « **Reply #12 on:** February 01, 2011, 05:45:14 pm »

This is a great idea! My only regret is that I hadn't thought of this first!

yeahitsoriginal · « **Reply #13 on:** February 01, 2011, 06:03:55 pm »

Some more progess

Nephasth · « **Reply #14 on:** February 01, 2011, 06:35:37 pm »

Just a suggestion, why not have players 1 and 3 on one side and 2 and 4 on the other? That way you'll have plenty of elbow room when playing 2 player games. But that would defeat your idea of playing seperate games on both sides...

yeahitsoriginal · « **Reply #15 on:** February 01, 2011, 08:59:35 pm »

I thought about splitting up the players that way, however I wanted to preserve some of the nostalgia of playing side by side. For games where you're playing against each other, it's fun to see the look of defeat on your opponent. It would be nice to pick and choose every time. That may be possible through some sort of software means.

eds1275 · « **Reply #16 on:** February 02, 2011, 04:24:45 pm »

Yeah a trick I used to use when arcades were more than mere legend was if I won against a player who was better than me [by fluke, it has been known to happen] I'd put the joystick in my palm and do circles while doing a victoly dance and cheering for myself. The other player would often get so mad that they'd lose their concentration and lose every subsequent match.

Bonus points if you can draw a crowd! You'd lose the ability to do this. Then again, I don't imagine anyone here is 14 years old.

dandare · « **Reply #17 on:** February 03, 2011, 06:58:44 pm »

That is looking fantastic! Good job.

Nephasth · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2011, 06:27:07 pm »

Progress?

JayB · « **Reply #19 on:** October 01, 2011, 06:38:21 pm »

Always thought a Tron shaped cab would work so well for player 1 Vs 2 on each side.

Rick · « **Reply #20 on:** October 01, 2011, 07:49:46 pm »

First I'm seeing this myself. Ingenious. Please post moar updates!

gbeef · « **Reply #21 on:** October 01, 2011, 08:18:17 pm »

this is a pretty cool idea. Both players have plenty of room to game. You need a talk trash sliding door in the marquee lol

syph007 · « **Reply #22 on:** October 01, 2011, 09:42:05 pm »

Neat design. My first thought though was, slice the whole thing in half with a piano hinge all the way from top to bottom in the center of one of the side faces. Then you can play it as you have it head to head, OR fold it open and place against the wall so you have 2 machines side by side, or a great 4p extra wide experience.

dextercf · « **Reply #23 on:** October 02, 2011, 06:39:42 am »

Quote from: syph007 on October 01, 2011, 09:42:05 pm

Neat design. My first thought though was, slice the whole thing in half with a piano hinge all the way from top to bottom in the center of one of the side faces. Then you can play it as you have it head to head, OR fold it open and place against the wall so you have 2 machines side by side, or a great 4p extra wide experience.

I think its a great idea.
There should be mounted supporting legs or something, or it might fall over backwards when "folded out" to be side-to-side mode.
Slim cabinets tends to have problems with stability like that.

emphatic · « **Reply #24 on:** October 02, 2011, 10:02:59 am »

Quote from: gbeef on October 01, 2011, 08:18:17 pm

You need a talk trash sliding door in the marquee lol

+1. Trash talk is the best part of VS gaming for sure.

Nephasth · « **Reply #25 on:** January 04, 2012, 10:44:47 pm »

Doubtful, but here's to hoping the OP is subscribed to this thread and has news of this project... $:-\$

Green Giant · « **Reply #26 on:** January 05, 2012, 06:51:29 pm »

Wow, I have actually been drawing up blue prints for this exact idea. I guess great minds think alike.

I still need the funds before I can commence. Keep up the good work and post any problems you run into.

Kind of disappointed you also thought this up, I was hoping to reveal this once I was able to get all the parts and build it myself.

stefano · « **Reply #27 on:** January 05, 2012, 08:34:39 pm »

Very clever design! Congratulations !

Seith · « **Reply #28 on:** January 06, 2012, 12:36:26 pm »

Quote from: Nephasth on January 04, 2012, 10:44:47 pm

Doubtful, but here's to hoping the OP is subscribed to this thread and has news of this project... $:-\$

Here's to that!

yo1dog · « **Reply #29 on:** January 12, 2012, 02:36:11 pm »

As far as the 2/4 player switching; A while ago I modified MAME to be able to switch between emulating two different games on 2 screens, and emulating one game on both screens. If you want I can get you the source/binaries.

Nephasth · « **Reply #30 on:** January 12, 2012, 02:38:35 pm »

Quote from: yo1dog on January 12, 2012, 02:36:11 pm

As far as the 2/4 player switching; A while ago I modified MAME to be able to switch between emulating two different games on 2 screens, and emulating one game on both screens. If you want I can get you the source/binaries.

You have my attention.

The bee's knees would be to have a frontend manage that automatically. On the primary (master) screen, when a 3 or 4 player game is selected in the front end, the secondary (slave) screen automatically starts that game as well with its controls being players 3/4. But when a 1 or 2 player game is selected on the master, the game only starts on that side and the slave side stays in the front end leaving it open to choose another 1 or 2 player game if desired.

And I wish someone would tackle the mirrored screen games like 4 player Run N Gun.

All of this is, however, above my intelligence to be able to do myself.

Kangum · « **Reply #31 on:** January 12, 2012, 03:29:02 pm »

The artwork doesnt do anything for me but the profile of the cab is very nice. The idea is brilliant really. Its coming out fantastical.

Le Chuck · « **Reply #32 on:** January 12, 2012, 03:35:41 pm »

Builder's last post was almost a year ago. I don't think this bad boy is coming anywhere.

EightBySix · « **Reply #33 on:** March 10, 2012, 09:41:31 am »

Quote from: emphatic on October 02, 2011, 10:02:59 am

Quote from: gbeef on October 01, 2011, 08:18:17 pm
You need a talk trash sliding door in the marquee lol

+1. Trash talk is the best part of VS gaming for sure.

+2

This is genious


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