Your opinion on new project

[pfonck]

Hi guys, I'm starting to build a new arcade controller here, after finishing my MAME cabinet.

I'd like some feedback from the experienced on button placement and construction.



Thanks!

[menace]

might want to indicate which button is going to do what?  primary fire should also have the best access as you will use it for every game--then secondary fire and so on.

Also, you might want to enlist the help of another person who likes the joystick on that side (i've always preferred the stick in my left hand) I don't know if control panel layout can be considered right handed or left handed but this to me seems backward and I'm right handed.

[zero-one]

This will be difficult for us to answer seeing you haven't given any details about the games you want to play.

Given the you're current layout only has one joystick and some buttons I'll assume you're planning to play some classis '80's  games. A majority of those don't need more than 2 buttons.

A game such as Defender/Stargate needs all 6 buttons that you show but the joystick is then on the wrong side. Asteroids needs 5 buttons but playing it with your current layout will be awkward.

You see, we really need to know what you intended to play with this control panel to effectively comment.

Your semi-circle of buttons is interesting for having 1 finger on each button but in reallity I've never seen people play games with more than a few fingers. They tend to move their hands to hit other buttons with the their index or fore-finger.

People here have suggested building a cardboard prototype to test your layout. I think it's a great idea.

On an aside: You and I seem to have the same hobbies. I've done a lot of the same stuff you did with your Atari 8-bits. I never did get my MyIDE interface running tho.

Cheers.

[iwillfearnoevil]

your web page says "I don't care about numerous sticks, buttons and trackballs because I like simple games that use just one joystick and a maximum of two buttons" so what's up with all the buttons?

[pfonck]

Wow... active forum

your web page says "I don't care about numerous sticks, buttons and trackballs because I like simple games that use just one joystick and a maximum of two buttons" so what's up with all the buttons?

That quote is from my MAME-cabinet page which is only used for 80's games. With this controller I also want to be able to play SNES games which require at least six buttons.

Your semi-circle of buttons is interesting for having 1 finger on each button but in reallity I've never seen people play games with more than a few fingers. They tend to move their hands to hit other buttons with the their index or fore-finger.

People here have suggested building a cardboard prototype to test your layout. I think it's a great idea.

Eventually I started out with the idea to put a button below every finger, but then I adapted the idea to be able to rotate my hand over the palm. I didn't like the idea of having to "reach" over a row of buttons to push  one of the others. A rectangular layout may suit gamepads but I don't think it's such a good idea with full-size buttons.

But you're right... I'll make myself a cardboard template before I start mutilating an expensive tree ;-)

On an aside: You and I seem to have the same hobbies. I've done a lot of the same stuff you did with your Atari 8-bits. I never did get my MyIDE interface running tho.

You might want to try the faster chips which make MyIDE much more stable.

Also, you might want to enlist the help of another person who likes the joystick on that side (i've always preferred the stick in my left hand) I don't know if control panel layout can be considered right handed or left handed but this to me seems backward and I'm right handed.

Most people that grew up playing Atari 2600's and such use their right hand for directions, whereas the gamepad-kiddies prefer left. I still find myself playing cross-handed on my MAME-cabinet as it has it's buttons on the left. But to me that's part of the athenticity... wouldn't change it

[menace]

gamepad-kiddies prefer left

ack, the only console I've ever owned is a C64.  I am so offended

actually, all the arcade games that came through my neck of the woods had joystick on the left and buttons onthe right so thats how i grew up--interesting aside is that almost all of the control pad layouts posted on the board are also that configuration.  

Now back to your regularly scheduled thread....

[papaschtroumpf]

in my opinion only YOU can answer the question. Do a mock-up with a piece of cardboard or whatever and see if it feels comfortable. ideally you want to fully wire the CP prototype and use it for a few weeks, make sure you try most of the games you intend to play on that CP.

[zero-one]

About having the joystick on the right... I too prefer having the joystick on the right for classic games. I just doesn't feel right to play PacMan with my left hand. I also play Galaga with my right hand on the joystick. I use the trackball with my right hand as well. When the button count gets higher than 2 or 3, I use the my left hand on the joystick.

I've designed a control panel that has a joystick on the right and one on the left with buttons in between them. This way I can play to way I feel most comfortable.

I also have logged many years playing with an Atari 2600 style joystick (from an Atari 400) in my right hand. You hand to use you're right hand because the only button was on the left side of the joystick. Thankfully, with the consoles since the NES I've been able to develop some dexterity in my left hand.

[paigeoliver]

Very few games actually came with joystick on the right, buttons on the left. The only one I can think of at the moment is Starhawk, but there are probably a couple others.

What was very common on early games was the ambidextrous layout, which had the buttons on either side of the joystick so that you could pick which way to play. Most games were this way up until most games started supporting 2 player simultaneuos, and all of those are stick on the left.

I do play both my original ambidextrous games (Kangaroo, and Crystal Castles) with my right hand on the controls.

[pfonck]

I took your advice and hired some cheap labour to make me a cardboard prototype



With this result:



I think I'll stick with this layout... when I close my eyes and grab hold of the stick my left hand automatically ends up on the buttons 9 times out of 10

More pictures on my webpage.

Next thing to do: find myself a cheap USB gamepad and test the layout in some games...

[zero-one]

It looks great so far. Play testing will be your final confirmation that your design will work for you.

Your cheap labourer is also very good at punching holes around a circle. Very nice job young man!

[neuromancer]

I'd like some feedback from the experienced on button placement and construction.

I think your clearances are too tight. You need a little more depth in the box, and a little more space around the buttons. Remember to leave access to the buttons, in case a switch needs to be replaced, or a wire comes loose.

I have a hard time with buttons that aren't in a line. It makes them hard to find without looking.

But then again, I'm used to typing and guitar playing and violin, which all require the fingers to be in a straight line :-/

Bob

[pfonck]

I think your clearances are too tight. You need a little more depth in the box, and a little more space around the buttons. Remember to leave access to the buttons, in case a switch needs to be replaced, or a wire comes loose.

Actually I was planning to make the control panel hinge at the front just like a normal arcade cabinet for easy access.

[pfonck]

I've started hacking into a cheap USB gamepad, and transferred the electronics to a new PCB...





more here.