Art - ECHO BASE - Done

[DrChek]

I've always wanted to do a Star Wars themed MAME cabinet. It recently hit me that calling it The Echo Base plays on the word echo meaning that the machine is a "base" for playing the "echoes" of games past... a stretch, but I like it.

Anyway, I've started work on a side art concept. I wanted this to be done in the classic illustration style of 80s side art. What do you think? I need suggestions.

[Generic Eric]

That is cool the way it is.  I say start on the marquee.

[Le Chuck]

 
Love it!  Great work, I'd lose the "The" and just keep it a black bar for a bit cleaner look but that is really fantastic.

Maybe an silouette of an AT-AT detachment cresting the hill, other than that very nice and clean.  A lot of pop.  Can't wait to see the rest of the art on this.  Love me some starwars theme'd stuff.

I just checked out your Weecade build, really nice work man, love that little guy

[yotsuya]

I would agree with losing the "The". I don't think they ever called it "The Echo Base" in the films.

[DrChek]

OK, the THE is gone. I had it in there only because it was part of the original logo.

[yotsuya]

Good job. Other than that, I think it looks cool! Can't wait to see more.

[Le Chuck]

That's more better!

[DrChek]

Initial marquee. Based of the Star Wars Arcade marquee...

[Edit] I might like the all white marquee logo better.

[DrChek]

A virtual preview so far.

[yotsuya]

I concur on the all-white. Looks great!

[opt2not]

That Snowspeeder is cool lookin'!

Nice job on getting that classic 80's side-art feel. 

[DrChek]

Approaching doom added...

[elkameleon]

Is it weird that I have a boner?

[DrChek]

Is it weird that I have a boner?

Maybe. Are you female?

[elkameleon]

Is it weird that I have a boner?

Maybe. Are you female?

I don't know, does that guy look like he's got a nice rack, or really any kind of rack at all?

<--

[yotsuya]

You could just be a Butterface...

[Le Chuck]

Approaching doom is bad ass bro!  This minor change just justified the hours I spend on this forum.  Seriously.   

Oh, and the marquee is tits, but I'm not sold on the red.  White may be the way to go however, I think you should play around with the colors on the Imperial Seal and the Rebel Seal a bit, try them both the same color.  Maybe white on black but then do the red lettering.  Tinker. 

Side art is spot on. 

Elkameleon does have a rack but I heard that he's got something between his nipples that most don't.... a belly button.  Ewwwww!

[elkameleon]

Screw you guys...

[DrChek]

I think you should play around with the colors on the Imperial Seal and the Rebel Seal a bit, try them both the same color.

Here are three alterations of the marquee. The idea here is that on the control panel player 1's side will be the rebels and player 2's side will be the empire. Traditionally the rebel sign is red and the empire is either black or blue. I think having them on white works better, but I'm undecided on the actual symbol colors...

[SammyWI]

Nice.  All 3 look nice but I lean toward the first.  Any way you can add the rebel / imperial seals to the dust washers?

[Le Chuck]

One or two, though I'd like to see two with red lettering.  One is really nice.  I mounted my dust washers underneath the CP like a boss and had the Imperial seal around my joys, so doing both should be too easy just on the CP if you go that route.  

Edit:  Screw my idea and go with this

...if you really wanna pimp out your panels, you could go for a clear dust washer with an itched image in it:

http://www.tek-innovations.com/arthobbies/index.cfm?loc=about&sub=customd
I'm planning on doing this for some of my panels.

[GadgetGeek]

Should the S in BASE connect to the E?  Like the ST in the original (and the RS)?  Otherwise looks great.  Stay On Target!

[DrChek]

Should the S in BASE connect to the E?  Like the ST in the original (and the RS)?  Otherwise looks great.  Stay On Target!

In the original, none of the "inside" title characters connect.

[DrChek]

The initial CPO idea.

Note that the artwork wraps around the front and bottom of the control box so that the emblems and logo are on the front.

[Le Chuck]

  magnificent!

[wol-nz]

  magnificent!

+1
Love it!
Can you let me know the width of the CP as it seems very well balanced with all your components.

[DrChek]

Can you let me know the width of the CP as it seems very well balanced with all your components.

It is 25" wide. The cabinet is a modified Moon Patrol design.

[Le Chuck]

Change the P1 Vadar head to a Luke on Hoth head in the same style. Wicked nice touch tho

[javeryh]

Change the P1 Vadar head to a Luke on Hoth head in the same style. Wicked nice touch tho

Or delete the heads from the CP art and see if Pongo can make you some vinyl decals for P1 and P2 start buttons!

I love the art - very nice job.   

[DrChek]

Change the P1 Vadar head to a Luke on Hoth head in the same style. Wicked nice touch tho

As close as I could get...

[stu33]

I know I'm way behind on this...but did you consider putting the marquee lettering as gold/yellow for an option?

[DrChek]

I know I'm way behind on this...but did you consider putting the marquee lettering as gold/yellow for an option?

I'm not sure I want to introduce another color in the mix.

Anyway here is an overview of where I am at this point. I'm very happy with this and don't see the need for any big changes.

[Le Chuck]

  Bad ass bro, bad ass.  Hoth never looked so good 

[SammyWI]

Looks great.  Makes me wish we had more snow this year.

[DrChek]

Now I just need to start saving money to build it!

[Pixelhugger]

I love this. Man, this is sooo cool!

My only suggestion is that the side art feels stuck on at the top, with a giant expanse beneath it (although I do love the white) Everything about this art and theme feels like it could have been an actual game. It would be nice it the side panels were filled with art panels to make the art feel designed to their shapes if that makes sense. Otherwise it feels like the art was created for a game with a different side profile and then applied here. Since you are designing both you have the opportunity to make them work together and take the production value the rest of the way.

This is what I mean by filling in the sides a bit more with custom shapes, (except for the fact that my scavenging couldn't find artwork in a similar vector style)  [/2cents]

[DrChek]

I love this. Man, this is sooo cool!

My only suggestion is that the side art feels stuck on at the top, with a giant expanse beneath it (although I do love the white)
[/snip]

A couple of things...

First, thanks for the complement. I really admire your work so it really means a lot coming from you.

Second, my reasons behind the top only art. COST: Full upright side art is damn expensive. PRECEDENCE: Many games of the 80's had only upper half graphics, DK and the other Nintendo games are the most obvious. LACK OF EXISTING ART: As you mentioned, there isn't much Star Wars vector work available in the flat color vintage illustration style. I had to roll my own for what you see and making new art to cover the entire side is a daunting task. VISIBILITY: In my office you'd only really see the top half of the cabinet side, and only one side at that. EXPANDABILITY: I could always add a bottom panel like your example later if I really felt the need.

Admittedly I'd love to have a full side of art so maybe I'll throw some "Plan B" things together.

[Pixelhugger]

Ah, got it!     

[8Bit Villain]

Man this is good stuff! I love SW themed cabs! This isnt too busy like most, and is very clean! Love it!