BYOAC 2004 Custom Token Design Thread.

[Santoro]

Here is the token I made for my home.  Feel free to liberate any ideas from it.
Obviously Surgeville could be changed to BYOAC or MAME or whatever you want.

This is really a nice touch. Who did you use?

[Kremmit]

There seem to be several folks who don't want BYOAC on these tokens.  Why?  You wouldn't be reading this if you weren't into BYOAC heavy enough to have built your own arcade machine!  

Similarly, some people have said that they don't want M.A.M.E. on the tokens; I guess that makes a -little- more sense.  There probably are are some people reading  this that only use DAPHNE or MESS or something.  And there are folks like me, that don't actually have a box running M.A.M.E. (yet) but are still using this info from this site to rebuild actual arcade machines.  Same deal for the pinball people.  Still, really, how many people are we talking about here?  I'm confident that the overwhelming majority of the people reading this use M.A.M.E.

If we don't have B.Y.O.A.C. on the tokens, and we don't have M.A.M.E. either, what HAVE we got?  "Arcade"on one side and "1 Credit" on the other?  If that's what you want, just click here:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&ht=1&from=R10&satitle=tokens+arcade

Myself, I got into this looking for something custom, not generic.

-Kremmit

[AmericanDemon]

I love Pixels Atomic Design.  If he were to stick BYOAC in place of MAME I would love it.  Maybe see if the One Player character fits in the O.

Go ahead and Poll it!

[patrickl]

Myself, I got into this looking for something custom, not generic.
-Kremmit

You mistake "custom" for "must have MAME or BYOAC logo on it". I think the idea is that people don't have anything against BYOAC (or even MAME) on the token per se, but personally I don't mind if it's not on there either. Something more directly recognisable (for friends/familly coming over) and arcade related would work just as well in making the tokens custom.

:edit: Actually I think most people would like to have the BYOAC logo on the token (have only seen very few nay sayers on that one) but not a MAME one.

[DaveMMR]

I definately think the token should have the web address and/or the text "Build Your Own Arcade Controls" because these tokens are being offered for members of this website.  Otherwise, really, what would be the point?  

The MAME atomic logo looks great BTW and I would love to see it on the token (either with or without MAME).

[Stingray]

As I guessed, Pixelhugger's design looks great on a token. I'd buy tokens with that design regardless of whether it stays as a MAME logo or is changed to BYOAC. For what it's worth I really do think they should have the url on them somewhere.

-S

[Chris]

If we don't have B.Y.O.A.C. on the tokens, and we don't have M.A.M.E. either, what HAVE we got?  "Arcade"on one side and "1 Credit" on the other?  If that's what you want, just click here:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?sofocus=bs&sbrftog=1&ht=1&from=R10&satitle=tokens+arcade

Myself, I got into this looking for something custom, not generic.

It is worth noting, though, that 200 generic tokens from Happ is $34, so the price really isn't the issue...

I personally like MAME on the tokens, but my cabinet is heavily MAME themed: MAME sideart, MAME marquee, MAME boot screen, and MAME on the CP.  But I think the BYOAC URL is important, so my vote would be for the atomic logo with or without "BYOAC" on it, and the URL around the edge, back side generic.

[Surgeville]

Here is the token I made for my home.  Feel free to liberate any ideas from it.
Obviously Surgeville could be changed to BYOAC or MAME or whatever you want.

This is really a nice touch. Who did you use?

I used Hoffman Mint for my tokens.  I didn't shop around at all though.  They seemed friendly and were very willing to work with me, and  that goes a long way.

For my two cents.  I was debating heavely on whether to use MAME or not, but I chose to go with a complete Surgeville theme.  My whole gameroom is Surgeville and my tokens work for all my machines.

I really do think that these community tokens should address the community in some way.  Putting "arcade" on it does not give it a unique feel.  The majority of people are going to use these for MAME machines and MAME should probably be on it.  But just in case most people will use many different machines with these tokens, then maybe MAME isn't the best choice.  But something should be on the token that addresses the community of BYOACers.

Also, if you have many machines in your place, think if 200 tokens is enough for you.  When I throw parties and I have lots of people milling around, especially around the pool table, I go through ALOT of tokens.  I ordered 3000 for just me and although YES i do have more than enough, I don't feel that I bought too many.  They get used and I don't have to constantly worry about fishing them out of the machines.

Anyway, have fun!

[Mr. Dude]

I would definately like to see the BYOAC logo or something of the sort on these tokens.  I don't care if it really says MAME or not though because I have other emulators than just MAME on my machine.

[dmsuchy]

 hat_logo.jpg
 
Pixel, this logo is AWESOME! it should be on the coin, can you produce what it could look on a coin like you did for your mame logo? Just my 2 cents, I already have player one symbol on my player one button.

[Psychosylph]

I don't care one way or the other about BYOAC or MAME being on them, although I would prefer it if they were not overly prominent.  What I would really like to see, though, is Game Not Over.  Most "in the spirit," in my opinion.

By the way, really like AmericanDemon's design and mention of the 1 Player symbol.  Two of the most recognisable and universal symbols, I think.

[Chris]

I don't care one way or the other about BYOAC or MAME being on them, although I would prefer it if they were not overly prominent.  What I would really like to see, though, is Game Not Over.  Most "in the spirit," in my opinion.

For some reason, I've never liked "Game Not Over".  I am, however, fond of "Extended Play"...

[Aceldamor]

I'm voting for the player 1 guy with the "Game not over" text around the perimiter on 1 side, the other i'll leave up to you all  

[DaveMMR]

I don't care one way or the other about BYOAC or MAME being on them, although I would prefer it if they were not overly prominent.  What I would really like to see, though, is Game Not Over.  Most "in the spirit," in my opinion.

For some reason, I've never liked "Game Not Over".  I am, however, fond of "Extended Play"...

I never did either, actually.  Reminds me of something this weird kid in my grade school used to always say.   But it's something I can live with.

[Santoro]

Rather than inviting more chaos with a new poll, I am going to lay down some guidelines based on the feedback provided so far to give us some much-needed direction.  In turn this will make it easier for the artists to focus in on a really cool design.

First, I see a majority emerging that is pro-BYOAC and anti-MAME.  I fall into the BYOAC camp myself.  I feel strongly that this community, BYOAC, is what draws us together and should be the central focus of the tokens. I will be a lot more comfortable if the tokens focus on BYOAC.  MAME is important, but only secondarily so.  If it is mentioned at all, it should be small.

Second, we should also steer clear of being too generic. I could lose money due to unsold tokens if they are undifferentiated from the generic ones on the market.  Because of this,  'Arcade' and even, in retrospect, my own "Home Amusements" are too generic and should be avoided.  

Third, there is strong demand for some flavor of PixelHugger's Atomic Logo, and I personally think it is a shoe-in. I hope PH will be able to continue to assist, because that logo rocks!

Fourth,   Player 1 Guy comes up as a popular option.

Ultimately we need to produce something that the 'market' wants.  Based on what I have seen, here is my strong suggestion for the base elements of the tokens:  
Side A-  Atomic Logo, BYOAC, URL  
Side B - Start 1 Guy, "Game not over" or similar slogan

I have faith that will all of the graphic design talent we can still get a wide variety of different tokens from this foundation.  


{edit: added "or similar slogan"}

[KevSteele]

A BYOAC/Atomic logo on one side and Player 1/Game Not Over on the flip side is something I can live with.

A variation of the "Game Not Over" slogan I'm using in a RetroBlast T-shirt design I'm working on uses the phrase:

"The Game is Never Over!"

I don't know how everyone feels about that one, but I'll throw it out for consideration.

Kevin

[Santoro]

"The Game is Never Over!"

I like it.

[Pixelhugger]

"The Game is Never Over!"

I second that.  

[mmmPeanutButter]

so was "better living through gaming" effectively killed??  I like it the best.

[Santoro]

so was "better living through gaming" effectively killed??  I like it the best.

I like that too.  I don't feel too strongly about which "gaming is good" catchphrase we use.

[andrewonawall]

I'm willing to buy, but only if it has Pixelhugger's MAME logo on it. Someone mentioned that a non gamer wouldn't know what MAME ment, but not with this logo that spells it out. The back with a player one symbol would look good, and someone might think that it was a bathroom sign on it. That is, unless something like "Better Living Through Gaming," or "Game Not Over" ideas that others already mentioned. Personally, I think that "1 Credit [horizontal figure 8/infinity symbol] Plays" would look cool to accompany the 1-P symbol.
Or you could just have that on the back alone. Really though, having the 1-P symbol represents us, the single guy who created and plays the machine. The infinite plays statement is representative of the conquest to create a machine that could play every game we ever wanted as many times as we want. I see the point of then including the BYOAC on it too, because many people couldn't build their machines without the help of this community. So, that could be across the bottom under the 1-P kind of like where the USA goes on a nickle.
You all must really excuse my picture, but I am on a break a work and don't have any graphics software here. Just for a visual representation of what I'm talking about, I included the quickest and roughest sketch known to man.

[Chris]

Okay, here's my idea for the front based on the atomic design:

[DaveMMR]

"The Game is Never Over!"

I second that.  

I secondly second that.  I also like "Better Living Through Gaming" (fit in perfectly with the Atomic icon for that nice 50s retro champ).  

Anyway, both would make me smile.

[Magnet_Eye]

"The Game is Never Over!"

I like it.

until the power goes out  

[patrickl]

Okay, here's my idea for the front based on the atomic design:

He, he. nice. Maybe the electrons in the atomic logo could have a "pacman mouth"  

[Calawala]

Here is an idea for the 2nd side:

[Chris]

Here's my idea for the back:

[Calawala]

Thats a cool design Pixel, but I still like your atomic MAME for side 1 better

edit: oops... not Pixel... it should read Chris...sorry  

[DPsx7]

I guess I'll add my input here.

I think having either BYOAC or MAME is a good idea, but maybe vary which is more prominent. After all, I'd expect MAME to be a large part of most cabs people have put together, and "MAME" is a lot easier to say than "BYOAC", ya know? Although BYOAC is why this idea came around, so maybe both can be included somehow.

Personally, I don't like the player 1 symbol. Like someone said, it also stands for "bathroom", and the guy is just standing there doing nothing. I think we can create something better or more interesting.

The atomic design is pretty cool, I suppose that's the same feeling all around. I like how it has some detail besides just one small symbol and bland text. We gotta try for that sweet spot - a token that looks really good, but without getting too detailed and raising costs.

[Chris]

I cleaned up my suggested token back a bit:

[KevSteele]

"The Game is Never Over!"

I like it.

until the power goes out  

What, you don't have a UPS in your cab?  

Kevin

[Santoro]

Chris,

This is a little more interesting than "bathroom guy".  I also like the cabinet.  Anyone else like it?

[KevSteele]

I like Chris' "happy player 1", although I think he might need some feet.

Kevin

[Chris]

I like Chris' "happy player 1", although I think he might need some feet.

That's the Atari Player 1 icon as seen on Centipede and Missile Command.  He never had feet.

[SirPeale]

I note everyone has the text going around the circle in the same direction.  The top of the coin should have the text facing up, and the bottom of the coin should have it the same way.  If I had Corel Draw installed I'd show a picture of what I meant.

[KevSteele]

I like Chris' "happy player 1", although I think he might need some feet.

That's the Atari Player 1 icon as seen on Centipede and Missile Command.  He never had feet.

Aha! I knew I had met him before  

Good choice, then, just as is.

Kevin

[Pixelhugger]

I like it. Although the player icon no longer feels like a "Player One start" to me, it's more like a fun image of someone playing a machine, which is OK but not quite as iconic or logo like. Maybe remove the cab? Or would that feel too Ymca? Using the Atari style character definitely helps avoid the bathroom reference!

[Chris]

I note everyone has the text going around the circle in the same direction.  The top of the coin should have the text facing up, and the bottom of the coin should have it the same way.  If I had Corel Draw installed I'd show a picture of what I meant.

For my "back", I agree with you.  For my "front", since the image itself has no correct orientation, I think the text works going all the way around...

[Chris]

I like it. Although the player icon no longer feels like a "Player One start" to me, it's more like a fun image of someone playing a machine...

This was precisely the intent.  It says "arcade" to those who don't recognize it as the start logo, and it's an icon to those of us who do.  (I played a LOT of Atari games as a kid, so I identify more with this logo than the bathroom guy logo.)

[Santoro]

One question since I didn't play with tokens very often back when- what does 'extended play' refer to?  Why wouldn't it say "good for 1 credit" or "good for 1 game?"