Dueling Bartop Arcades - Updated 2/10/12 99% Complete!!!

[kb84]

After completing my first project (Bartop Donkey Kong)- I already have the itch to do another one dedicated to all of the horizontal arcade games I grew up with/love. I have posted in the woodworking forums in regards to 2 player bartop control panel size and after everything I have gathered I am basically stuck with either a scrunched panel (uncomfortable) or a huge bartop...which mine as well be a  full upright at that case.
So after mulling it over and figuring that a full upright isn't in the cards for me space wise at the moment- I am going to build 2 bartops (head to head) style that will allow for multilayer games on 2 different machines. The idea will be that both bartops will be 2 complete stand alone units for 1 player games on each- but they will also be able to connect to each other for multilayer games (fighters/etc).

The build will be something like this.


Lines are 100 percent correct in this image- but provides the idea.

I need to sketch up the plans which I am working on tonight- but anyone have any ideas for a name/theme? I want to try and do something original for these this time around.

[CWorley]

How about a Hero vs Villain theme with all your favorite good guys on one bartop (Mario, Mega Man, Ryu, Batman, etc.) and all your favorite bad guys on the other (Joker, Bowser, Kefka, Darth Vader, etc.)?  Adding to that, you could use lighter colors with the hero bartop and darker with the villain.

Good luck with the project!

[BobA]

 I don't see the KB port on the KVM switch being used.  The KVM switches that kb port to either KB 1 or KB 2 connectors.  All I can see is your IPAC connecting to the 2 kb output connectors.   Maybe I don't understand what your overall connections are supposed to accomplish.

[kb84]

@Bob - I realized after I had uploaded that pic that I didn't really draw the connecting lines very well and make it clear- so hopefully this is a better representation of what I am thinking. Keep in mind these are just stock images.



Bartop # 1

-Monitor directly into VGA slot 1
-Player 1 controls connected via USB (ipac or something similar)
-Secondary monitor into VGA slot 2 - routed to KVM switch
-Player 2 controls connected via PS/2 via KVM switch

The second bartop would be similar to the first expect monitor/controls would all be routed through KVM and depending what is selected on the switch it will either show/control the PC inside of bartop 2
or show Bartop #1 display/control Player 2 for bartop #1 - which will be controlled via push button of some kind selecting the scroll lock button.

[BobA]

Ok looks better now.  The KVM moves the ipac ps/2 and monitor 2 from computer 1 to computer 2.   Already on computer 1 are a usb connected ipac and monitor 1.    Now the only thing in limbo is the exact function of the PB that you want to use to switch the mode of the displays.

[kb84]

If whatever KVM switch I use is similar to the cheapy I have now in my home server room- I should be able to route a normal arcade button to the ipac that is programmed for "Scroll Lock"- it should switch displays and player controls back and forth between the 2 machines. Allowing bartop 2 to either have controls monitor on its dedicated machine or the display of bartop # 1 and player 2 controls.

The only thing that will be a little bit of a pain is for Bartop #2 I will need to wire all controls for player #2 keys- and switch the control settings on the mame installation on that arcade around so it will recognize player 2 buttons as 1 on the dedicated machine and then player 2 buttons when it switches over for multilayer.


On the design idea... I like the concept of the hero vs. villain- but struggling with an art concept around it- any suggestions or something to trigger creativity? I know I could try and make a character collage but I think that might just seem like a typical fighter/etc and not really buy into the overall concept.

[Le Chuck]

Think great battles in history and/or hollywood/video games and rather than go with sprites or character renderings try color schemes with a just a few easily recognizable icons in the marquee.

Joe vs Cobra - two great logos

North vs South - a civil war extravaganza

Axis vs Allies - maybe hard to convince the wife the wisdom in having a Nazi themed cab in the house... but can you imagine the conversation starter that would be... "who vants to play as der Fuhrer?"

Team America vs Kim Jong Il - best musical comedy evar

Rebels vs Empire

Cowboys vs Indians

Alien vs Predator - lot of cool possibilities and it's game themed... on second thought I'm keeping that one 

Cops vs Robbers

Spartans vs Persians

Superman vs Lex Luthor

Bugs Bunny vs Elmer Fudd

Pacman vs Ghosts

LSU vs Roll Tide - never mind, LSU didn't even show up for that one   

Yankees vs Everybody

Shall I continue?

[BobA]

How about.

[DaveMMR]

I love the idea of a dual bartop and I have been planning one of my own (inspiration from the Unstupid's Dual Neo-Geos) except, like the project I referenced, one will be a "dummy" bartop, completely useless unless connected to the first.  But now the idea of making the second fully functional by itself intrigues me even further.  I figure I could always add that down the road if I find I have people wanting to play a different game.

I'm not big on themes (I prefer generic or just a straight reproduction of famous arcade artwork) but I like the ideas LeChuck threw out there, particularly the "Pac Man vs. Ghosts".  Maybe make the design similar to Pac-Man (see here) but rework the second's artwork so that it's from a Ghost perspective (maybe switch the positions and mouths of the characters, change the marquee to read "Ghost-Man", etc.)  

Or simply classic clashing color schemes (e.g. red and blue) will work well.

EDIT: I also love Bob's "Spy vs. Spy" idea. That would look cool.

[404]

How about a red themed bartop vs blue themed bartop.

[Well Fed Games]

I'm not big on themes (I prefer generic or just a straight reproduction of famous arcade artwork) but I like the ideas LeChuck threw out there, particularly the "Pac Man vs. Ghosts".  Maybe make the design similar to Pac-Man (see here) but rework the second's artwork so that it's from a Ghost perspective (maybe switch the positions and mouths of the characters, change the marquee to read "Ghost-Man", etc.)  

I had breifly considered a dual bartop running Pac Man Vs. on two gamecubes (it was a crazy setup, involving a gameboy player and link cable), with a similar Pac (1 player) vs Ghosts (3 players) design.

[Le Chuck]

I'm not big on themes (I prefer generic or just a straight reproduction of famous arcade artwork) but I like the ideas LeChuck threw out there, particularly the "Pac Man vs. Ghosts".  Maybe make the design similar to Pac-Man (see here) but rework the second's artwork so that it's from a Ghost perspective (maybe switch the positions and mouths of the characters, change the marquee to read "Ghost-Man", etc.)  

I had breifly considered a dual bartop running Pac Man Vs. on two gamecubes (it was a crazy setup, involving a gameboy player and link cable), with a similar Pac (1 player) vs Ghosts (3 players) design.

Now there's a thought, somebody needs to create a pacman clone where P1 controls pacman and players 2,3, und 4 control the ghosts.  Maybe introduce additional power pills that randomly change the ghosts controller directional coding so it's not too easy to team up and catch that little yellow bastard.  Somebody smarter than me please make this or link to where it's already done.  

Edit:  KB84, totally sorry for the off topic thread jack.
  

[kb84]

Haha that Pacman clone needs to be created- I'd build a setup exclusively for it  .


So after going over everyone's ideas and trying to figure out what I feel is going to work best- I sketched this up and think it might be a cool overall theme.

It will take the concept of a "VS." match without a specific arcade/movie franchise and take the idea of rockem sockem robots... (red vs. blue perhaps?) I was thinking of maybe calling the machines "The Duel" - unless someone has a better suggestion- I am open to alternatives.

Let me know what you guys think.

[kb84]

hmm. No love for rockem sockem? maybe something else??

[404]

As i mentioned above, the red vs blue theme is classic and timeless. Not feeling the rock em' sock em' theme though.

[Le Chuck]

hmm. No love for rockem sockem? maybe something else??

Not initially.  Don't let that stop you though.  I just don't think that theme has any real depth but I'm not a huge fan of the toy either so...

[kb84]

Yeah I think I have changed my mind as well- I was feeling nostalgic- when I saw the old game in my closet - but that feelings has gone..


So I am still hunting for something else.

[Kangum]

i used to have a pretty cool picture of a duel setup. lost it over the years though. it was a cab about coctail height with the monitors back to back and you would sit on either side. so lots of talking smack. I cant wait to see how yours turns out.

[kb84]

Since I am sure a primary game that will be played on these is marvel vs. capcom... how about a theme based on that? I know I originally said I wasn't going to do something game specific... but it would definitely work.

[404]

Since I am sure a primary game that will be played on these is marvel vs. capcom... how about a theme based on that? I know I originally said I wasn't going to do something game specific... but it would definitely work.

I'm not a huge marvel vs capcom fan but this already sounds quite interesting to me. 

[alfonzotan]

First thing that popped into my head was the old Simpsons episode where Homer drives off into Spittle County and stops at the Beer-N-Brawl ("Oooo, a redneck bar!") to have a lukewarm bottle of Fudd ("We don't serve Duff here.  We serve Fudd!").

Other quotes: 

Redneck #1:  "Hey you, let's fight!"
Redneck #2:  "Them's fightin' words!" (brawl breaks out)

Stage MC:  "And our performers tonight, in alphabetical order:  Yodelin' Zeke!"

Anyway, I suggest "Beer-N-Brawl."

[Le Chuck]

Marvel vs Capcom would be an easy theme.  Tons of great cab artwork out there already for both sides, you'd probably just need to do some color coding and be done.  I think it would be super, but I love that game series.

I'm guessing the Axis and Allies cab theme didn't fly with the missus?  Maybe Red Baron and Flying Tigers or something. 

[kb84]

An axis vs. allies theme would be interesting- especially since I have old relatives that fought on both sides of the war. I was almost going to go towards that one being a bit of a history buff myself but figured it just wasn't the best topic starter for when all my current family comes over... as the family history is a bit touchy at times.

I think Marvel vs. Capcom is probably the way I am going to go. I am just going to have to figure out if I am going to be able to do side art for these as my budget will be pressed doing 2 cabs at the same time. Marquees/CPO's shouldn't be a problem- but I may have to get creative with paint for the sides.

[Green Giant]

An axis vs. allies theme would be interesting- especially since I have old relatives that fought on both sides of the war. I was almost going to go towards that one being a bit of a history buff myself but figured it just wasn't the best topic starter for when all my current family comes over... as the family history is a bit touchy at times.

What side were you pulling for?

[kb84]

@Green Giant  - Allies for sure!

[kb84]

Started cutting out all the pieces today and made some pretty good progress. I've got some more cutting to do and routing/sanding but I should be able to finish that up hopefully tomorrow or Thursday.



I also stopped by my local electronics/computer thrift store and picked up a couple of monitors $20 each.



I need to still figure out what computers I will be throwing in these. I was thinking about ordering some foxconn boards w/ P4 3.2 from here. Anyone have any thoughts on these? I am looking to try and support a large variety of games/fighters at good speed.

I also need to start planning out the visuals more and could really use some help. I did a quick color mockup using the capcom logo colors for one of them. Anyone have any thoughts/suggestions?


Thanks!

[Le Chuck]

I'd do the cabs as inverts of each other so red T-molding on the blue and blue on the red.  Then order red and blue buttons and switch the bezels on them so they are candy fighter stick styled.  Ditto the bats or ball tops but mod them so they have a stripe of the opposing color running through the middle to tie it together.  This would be a really good project to use some LED under-lighting and back-lighting and maybe synch it to flash when you execute combos in MvsC (I'm thinking an AHK script running only during that game and keyed to certain button combos to a ledwiz could work). 

Try and get a beefy enough CP to run Zinc so you can throw down some vs SFEX2Plus or Tekken. 

[Crazy Cooter]

My source for inexpensive PC's:
http://www.microcenter.com/search/search_results.phtml?sortby=pricelow&N=4294967292%2B519

I'm local to one of their stores and buy 90% of my computer stuff through them.  The cheap out on the hard drives in the refurbished models but unless you're doing a full hyperspin thing with HQ videos and CHD storage... they work quite well.  I don't know how bad shipping is though.

[kb84]

Yeah- shipping makes the deals not so hot in comparison to what I can get locally here or elsewhere. We have a refurb store like that in town but they don't just sell motherboard/cpu combos. I'd like to try and just get those as I have hard drives, power supplies and ram already.

[kb84]

I got the rest of the pieces cut today for both units- I just have to do some sanding and drill the holes out for speakers/fan vents/etc. I can say as this is my 2nd build (well 2nd and 3rd builds if you count 2 at the same time) I can say from a woodworking newbie stand point that it definitely gets easier with practice. Also building a saw guide/jig can do wonders for how everything fits.

I did a quick mock up of one of them with clamps- its coming together nicely.

[stefano]

I think that you don't need 2 VGA cards/interfaces...

How about a VGA splitter: 1 input 2 outputs (same images on 2 screens).
The second (slave or dumb) bartop would have the VGA monitor, the CP, an USB encoder, a sound amplifier. The second bartop would have to be pluged on the 127v mains outlet to provide power to the VGA monitor, sound amplifier and a litte power supply to the USB encoder.

The cable between 2 bartops would have the VGA cable, USB cable and audio cable. This cable could be created using a special cable (I don't remember how many signals the VGA have, but audio is 3 and USB is 4 wires) or you can simply enclose the 3 separated cables into a hose like cable...

[DaveMMR]

I think that you don't need 2 VGA cards/interfaces...

I think he wants both machines to be stand-alone bartops (i.e. playing completely different games at the same time), but with the option to connect to each other for two-player games with separate screens displaying the same info.  In that latter scenario, the switch will bypass the 2nd bartops VGA and grab the signal from the master's card.   

[Green Giant]

hmm. No love for rockem sockem? maybe something else??

If you would incorporate a victory button which pops a head out of the top of the units, then yes, rockem sockem 4life.

[stefano]

I think that you don't need 2 VGA cards/interfaces...

I think he wants both machines to be stand-alone bartops (i.e. playing completely different games at the same time), but with the option to connect to each other for two-player games with separate screens displaying the same info.  In that latter scenario, the switch will bypass the 2nd bartops VGA and grab the signal from the master's card.   

Understood... GREAT IDEA!!! Maybe a custom circuit design using 4066 ICs (quad bilateral switches)...

[kb84]

It's funny as this is my project but some of this stuff being posted is over my head.... 

[kb84]

Anyone know where I can find 1/2 t-molding in other colors besides white and black??

[kb84]

Quick update- All pieces cut/routed for t-molding and I have started assembling the 2 cabinets. I also drilled out the back power button/fan holes. There is an extra hole on one of them for the toggle button for the KVM switch.





I also have mocked up what I think the control panel layout will be. 7 button simple layout with Player/Menu button at the top. The coin button will be below the control panel.

[Green Giant]

Grats on the woodworking, looks like you made some big progress.

One question though, are these going to be verts?  Seems like alot of vertical real estate looking in from the front.

Also, why not space out that joystick an inch or two more from the buttons.  Appear to have plenty of room and don't wanna feel cramped.

[kb84]

Yeah- I designed the cabinets so I could convert them to verticals if I ever decided I needed a switch- better to have options than to not. However with the monitor placed in horizontally there isn't to much wasted space and I don't feel it looks small/awkward. About 3 inches from the top/bottom to the display screen



I agree on the CP layout and I spaced it out a bit more- I'll need to test it out on some cardboard and see how it all feels.

[Nephasth]

Since you're still in the planning stages of the CP layout, a suggestion, if I may. Try rotating the button layout counter clockwise to better match the angle your arm rests on the CP while playing. It can be a little uncomfortable with a straight-on button layout like that.