Author Topic: Thoughts on Frogger control panel (Read 16928 times)

stephenp1983 · « **on:** March 18, 2007, 06:24:58 pm »

I'm in the initial planning stages of building a single player control panel that will be a present for my dad. His favorite game is frogger, and this will probably only be playing classics, however I wanted to add the option for 8way games as well. I am thinking about using one of the mag sticks for quick switching between 4-8 way. A trackball is going to go in the treed area on the right.

This is something I threw together in an hour so it isn't cleaned up or anything. Its also not the right size. The artwork as of now is 19.5 * 8 inches Just wanted opinions on the artwork:

csa3d · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2007, 09:51:12 pm »

I really love frogger as well, and have contemplated having a dedicated machine. Though, looking up how the original cab looked, it's a fairly ugly design IMO. I like the frog logo, the tire track.. ok... but the who cab doesn't feel like it gels.

I'll be interested to see where you take this! So far I think you're design stays true to the original layout. Placing the ball in the tire track seems to me like there might be a better way to tie it into the artwork however.

-csa

4Aaron GE · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2007, 10:14:00 pm »

Simple (and kinda gross) way of integrating the ball into the design would be to get a red ball, and draw a squished frog around it in the treads.

csa3d · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2007, 10:58:35 pm »

So imagine a stripping off the ugly 80s wood on the machine, and doing a bright green 'pickeling' to bring out the wood grain some.. changing some art colors... and here's where I think I would take a frogger if I had one laying around.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 19, 2007, 07:35:49 am »

I definitely agree on the original being less than great looking. I'm especially not found of the speckled grey background. Does anyone have any suggestions on using a solid color back ground instread of the greyish?

Crowquill · « **Reply #5 on:** March 19, 2007, 12:30:15 pm »

I'm digging the control panel. I'd suggest moving the tire graphic over to the middle where the buttons are. That way the buttons will stand out against it and you can use some type of graphic around the ball too. The layout of your CP should be good and universal. It's very similar to the one I'm using on my cocktail. (see below).

Quote from: csa3d on March 18, 2007, 10:58:35 pm

So imagine a stripping off the ugly 80s wood on the machine, and doing a bright green 'pickeling' to bring out the wood grain some.. changing some art colors... and here's where I think I would take a frogger if I had one laying around.

I'd ditch the woodgrain altogether. Actually I did--I painted mine red. My MAME cab was originally Crazy Kong which came in a cab that's a copy of the Sega cabs. It's close enough that a Frogger control panel fit on it. It's buried behind my JAMMA cab at the moment but here's a pic.

One of the things that's really missing when looking at photos of the Frogger artwork is that you can't tell that all the colors were pretty much fluorescent. The contrast against the gray and black is much greater in person. It still would've looked better against a cabinet of any other color. I favor the white version that Carnival used.

csa3d · « **Reply #6 on:** March 19, 2007, 02:23:00 pm »

Quote from: stephenp1983 on March 19, 2007, 07:35:49 am

I definitely agree on the original being less than great looking. I'm especially not found of the speckled grey background. Does anyone have any suggestions on using a solid color back ground instread of the greyish?

I was trying to change it to match the marquee or integrate it better into the sideart. Thus, I chose sky blue. I've got another variation going on where I was experimenting with doing a classier wood finish, such as dark burl wood and using a light maple wood for the control panel and the artwork area. Keep that wood on wood feel. This rendition needs more work, I am at a loss of idea for this at the moment. Part of me also wonders why I don't choose another cab to 'restore'. After all, I tend to keep wanting to customize it. Too bad frogger is one of my favorite games ever.

EDIT: Added another version below. Think I'm digging the dark wood and blue theme. Keep this up an Imma havta buy another cab

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 19, 2007, 06:17:22 pm »

I like the blue color. It reminds me of a pond or something that the frog has to cross.

So does anyone know of any high res graphics for frogger other that the ones at local arcade? The don't have one for the joystick/frogger logo its just a jpeg with that ugly background.

SodaPopinksi · « **Reply #8 on:** March 19, 2007, 07:16:41 pm »

I like the CP design, but I also like the blue CP too, like you said it seems like water. Might be cool to have frogs, lilly pads, insects, logs on the cp and make it look pond-like hehe.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 20, 2007, 07:27:58 am »

Definately going with the blue now that I look at it. I spent awhile yesterday trying to edit that background off the joystick frogs, but I'm not that great in photoshop.

If anyone has the frog joystick image in illustrator or by itself that would be great.

csa3d · « **Reply #10 on:** March 20, 2007, 09:22:59 am »

Quote from: stephenp1983 on March 20, 2007, 07:27:58 am

Definately going with the blue now that I look at it. I spent awhile yesterday trying to edit that background off the joystick frogs, but I'm not that great in photoshop.

If anyone has the frog joystick image in illustrator or by itself that would be great.

Do note I changed the woodgrain to be a tighter, much darker rich looking color. The blue will have a different feel on the yellowish thick grained default wood sides. I looked on local arcade for those frogs, appears they are not traced yet. If you find them, do let me know.

-csa

Crowquill · « **Reply #11 on:** March 20, 2007, 05:46:03 pm »

Quote from: stephenp1983 on March 20, 2007, 07:27:58 am

If anyone has the frog joystick image in illustrator or by itself that would be great.

It looks like the JPG is clean enough to trace it from. If you can wait a day or two I'll get the whole CPO together in Illustrator. I'm surprised to see it hasn't been done.

motorfish · « **Reply #12 on:** March 20, 2007, 06:27:43 pm »

Perhaps using flies as the graphics for the diagonal controls between the forg graphics for the joystick?

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 21, 2007, 07:36:44 am »

great idea motorfish, since it is going to be switchable to eightway.

I'm still holding on that someone has the joystick image vectorized already.

More Cowbell · « **Reply #14 on:** March 21, 2007, 03:13:47 pm »

If it's mostly to play the classic games, is there a need for 6 buttons? With less buttons it could give you more room for graphics. My $.02.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 21, 2007, 07:06:46 pm »

Well my dad would only be playing classics, but I might want to pick it up every now and then for a game of street fighter or something.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #16 on:** March 23, 2007, 05:40:27 pm »

Bump anyone possible have that joystick image vectorized?

Crowquill · « **Reply #17 on:** March 23, 2007, 07:49:55 pm »

Sorry--computer's been down for the last 2 days. I've never had so much trouble with MacOS, much less all at once.

On the plus side I got some more done on my cocktail cab.

I'd barely gotten started on it. It's not that complicated, though, so I should have it wrapped up by Monday. Unfortunately, the weekends are a little busy for me.

Timoe · « **Reply #18 on:** March 25, 2007, 05:46:46 pm »

oooop, thread hijack

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 29, 2007, 08:23:44 am »

Alright Tim here is what I have so far. Like I said its a little different than your original design, and you may not like it. Just let me know what you think. If you want me to go more like your orignial design let me know.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #20 on:** March 29, 2007, 09:33:15 pm »

Here is a little bit of a different design as well. I can take out most of the stuff on the images as well. For instances I could remove the midway words or whatever. I put black buttons in here just for my reference when working. I'll probably just add x's on the final.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 29, 2007, 09:34:38 pm »

I just noticed I used the wrong marquee image I was going for the MS pacman not the multi pac I'll change it later.

csa3d · « **Reply #22 on:** March 30, 2007, 12:26:55 am »

Quote from: stephenp1983 on March 29, 2007, 09:34:38 pm

I just noticed I used the wrong marquee image I was going for the MS pacman not the multi pac I'll change it later.

Am I the only one wondering what happened to the Frogger thread?

Timoe · « **Reply #23 on:** March 30, 2007, 12:37:25 am »

oop. Stephen is helping me with some artwork. We prolly shouldhave started a new thread.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 30, 2007, 08:05:08 am »

Yeah I kinda put the frogger stuff on hold for the moment. I'm trying to finder some better images to work with that I have, but not much luck.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #25 on:** March 31, 2007, 10:41:52 am »

Here is an update on the frogger design:

csa3d · « **Reply #26 on:** March 31, 2007, 02:40:40 pm »

Quote from: stephenp1983 on March 31, 2007, 10:41:52 am

Here is an update on the frogger design:

Are you putting a tiny button in the "O" of Frogger? If not, don't forget to fill that in with blud or yellow. I feel that you could take another pass over this to make the various parts feel like they were made to fit together. IE: The yellow tire tracks feel added on, the frogs feel like they float. Some minor striping or something could tie it all in. Anyone else have idea for that?

Keep 'em coming!

-csa

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #27 on:** March 31, 2007, 03:11:14 pm »

Alright I have made some changes, and I think it looks alot better. I agree that it just didn't flow before. With the design below, I left it open for opinion. Which frog should I use for the street. I will probably change the street to dashes as well, but remember a trackball is going to go on it.

Also note the stuff to the side is just things I am working with they will be taken off. Also there is another white stripe on the right you can't see it though.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #28 on:** March 31, 2007, 03:17:40 pm »

Here is a better shot of what I've changed it to.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #29 on:** March 31, 2007, 04:09:22 pm »

Tim I have extracted the colors from your example and added them here. Next what I will do is add the text to the admin buttons. Let me know if you like this better.

Timoe · « **Reply #30 on:** April 06, 2007, 08:32:49 pm »

Blue - the blue inside the ghosts is really good.

Yellow - the yellow inside the ghosts is also ideal.

Pink - for the pink, whatever the original MsPac pink is would work.

Anyone else have any suggestions?

modessitt · « **Reply #31 on:** April 07, 2007, 03:53:12 am »

Per yer Frogger...

I like the Blue look. Since it does make it look like your frogs are floating, why not set them on lily pads?

I'd kind of like to see the blue with the original tire treads just for comparison. Why not do away with the tire treads all together, Put a large frog there instead, and put an illuminated green trackball in the middle of his back? Oh, and use a green ball joystick?

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #32 on:** April 07, 2007, 02:00:09 pm »

Tim do you know anywhere I can get a plain button templete that has the proper spacing between buttons. I just play the ones up there by eye, so If I can't find one I'll probably just place x's there instead.

I'm going to try a couple of things on the frogger panel per modessitt's suggestions.

bfauska · « **Reply #33 on:** April 07, 2007, 03:06:35 pm »

I'm not Tim, but here is a post in my thread with a pdf of my button layout. You are free to use it if you like. I really like the look of both of these CPs by the way, authentic styling while using an updated design.
My button layout

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #34 on:** April 07, 2007, 05:13:05 pm »

Thanks for the link, I appreciate it. It will help alot.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #35 on:** April 07, 2007, 06:16:54 pm »

Update for Tim: So this is what I have so far, I used the button layout that was provided by bfauska (thanks again). Tim if you don't like it let me know. I was having some weird problem in illustrator, so I exported to photoshop for now.

If you would please find out the best format to send it to scott at mame marquees or whereever you want it printed. Find out if he wants it in an illustrator file, photoshop file or what. Also find out what dpi is best. I have it at 300, but can take it down to 150 too. Here is what I have so far, I will clean up the edges when we finalize:

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #36 on:** April 07, 2007, 06:18:38 pm »

Alright you can't really see it well there, if you want I'll send you the jpeg so you can see it better.

bfauska · « **Reply #37 on:** April 07, 2007, 08:29:49 pm »

I'm still not Tim and it's his input you are after, but... I think I would align the buttons so that the end buttons are lined up horizontally. I have them at the angle in the drawing but I don't think it would feel any different if they were flat, and it would probably look better. Just my 2 cents.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #38 on:** April 07, 2007, 08:46:30 pm »

Yeah let me try that out and see how it works thanks for the input

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #39 on:** April 07, 2007, 08:56:09 pm »

Just made the change with the buttons, and I think it looks alot better:

bfauska · « **Reply #40 on:** April 07, 2007, 08:58:02 pm »

That does look better. I meant keep the curve but level it out, but it doesn't look like there is room for that so this solution is probably best.

Timoe · « **Reply #41 on:** April 08, 2007, 11:20:09 am »

Here is what the shape and what not of my final panel will look like.

-T

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #42 on:** April 08, 2007, 06:52:55 pm »

So Tim, your just going to cut my rectangle design and fit it to the shape of your cp right. Didn't you also say not to worry about the yellow border?

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #43 on:** April 08, 2007, 06:56:04 pm »

Ok so I made some more changes to my design as well, don't know if they will stay. The final dimension of my control panel will work at 19 inches by 9 inches. I did the artwork at 20*10 just in case. I definately like the grass on the right side of the road, and it will keep the line from getting cut off.

What does everyone think of the frogger words on the grass, I think I'm going to remove it but just thought I'd add it to see.

Also Tim, I have left the buttons/trackball on there, but am wondering if you could still do the button and trackball cut without them. Just let me know what you want me to do.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #44 on:** April 08, 2007, 06:56:54 pm »

I would also love to put some tiny cars on the road driving towards the frogs, but couldn't find any graphics.

Timoe · « **Reply #45 on:** April 08, 2007, 08:04:23 pm »

for the buttons, trackball and joystick (on your panel and mine) it would be better to put small crosses in a contrasting color. I will use the crosses to mark the center of my drill point.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #46 on:** April 08, 2007, 08:19:32 pm »

alright I think I can do that, for the buttons and the joystick. On the track ball, do you just want me to put an x in the center? If you think you can use your judgement on it that is fine. I don't care if its centered up and down, just as long as its in the middle of the road.

Timoe · « **Reply #47 on:** April 08, 2007, 08:28:53 pm »

you should put an x to center the trackball

Timoe · « **Reply #48 on:** April 09, 2007, 09:08:44 am »

t-molding, button and trackball color ideas. I noticed that the hap trackball does not seem to come in green with the ps2/usb harness. but if you add one of those new, small, groovy game gear spinners you can plug the trackball into the spinner for an optical encoder.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #49 on:** April 09, 2007, 08:09:06 pm »

I think I'm just going to go with the white trackball I think it will look find on the pavement part. I don't know if he'll ever use the spinner. I'm trying to think of some games he's played that would use them. I bet he woun't even know what one was lol

.

Do you think I should keep the frogger words on the right? Also would it be possible to build mine in a complete rectangle on this one. I think it would look better that way with this design.

I'm almost done with the changes for your stuff.

Timoe · « **Reply #50 on:** April 09, 2007, 09:37:05 pm »

I was just throwing out ideas. I think a white trackball would look great. You may want to jump on that deal then.

yeah, I hardly use my spinner that I have.

As for the frogger on the side. I think it looks cool but you do already have it at the top of the panel.

I'd be happy to make the panel a rectangle. Do you want it to slope toward the front like your panel does?

Timoe · « **Reply #51 on:** April 09, 2007, 09:39:47 pm »

I was thinking of puting two mouse buttons on the left side of the box. You could use them as mouse buttons if you wanted for navigating in windows and what not. Most trackballs have a button wiring harness already so....

what do you think?

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #52 on:** April 10, 2007, 07:27:21 am »

I think the two buttons on the side is a great idea. Not sure if I know what you mean by the panel sloping, but is 630 in the morning so I could still be asleep lol I sent him a pm about the trackball

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #53 on:** April 10, 2007, 07:30:03 am »

Ok I thought about it for a second and I think I see what your saying on the slop. Not sure what do you think. It going to primarily sit on someone's lap or on a coffee table and hook to the 65 inch tv.

Timoe · « **Reply #54 on:** April 10, 2007, 08:06:07 am »

ergonomically speaking it should slope alittle. The Pelican Real Arcade sticks for consoles have a slope and they are a lap top controler.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #55 on:** April 10, 2007, 02:43:13 pm »

That will be fine then.

koolmoecraig · « **Reply #56 on:** April 10, 2007, 06:01:57 pm »

Don't have "Frogger" on the CPO twice. Makes it look cheap like one of those Target cabs. Keep the one that's on the side.

And for the love of God, Put the tire tread back in there! It it gives it a fun factor like the original game had next to the monitor. You don't want it looking all slick and polished like it was made in '07, do you?

I tried to make my to classic mame cabinets look like they would have looked if they were made back in the 80's. I think it looks way cooler.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #57 on:** April 10, 2007, 07:32:25 pm »

If I take the one of the top it leaves an empty spot. Do you have any suggestions for what to put there?

csa3d · « **Reply #58 on:** April 11, 2007, 12:37:09 am »

Quote from: koolmoecraig on April 10, 2007, 06:01:57 pm

Don't have "Frogger" on the CPO twice. Makes it look cheap like one of those Target cabs. Keep the one that's on the side.

And for the love of God, Put the tire tread back in there! It it gives it a fun factor like the original game had next to the monitor. You don't want it looking all slick and polished like it was made in '07, do you?

I tried to make my to classic mame cabinets look like they would have looked if they were made back in the 80's. I think it looks way cooler.

I dunno.. I really think the old frogger cabs could use some '07 lovin'. They are pretty ugly. Love the game, not a fan of the package. I'd totally agree on just about any other 80s game.

-csa

Pongo · « **Reply #59 on:** April 11, 2007, 12:48:11 am »

My opinion(s) in case you want a few more.

1. Only one frogger on the CPO. I would probably keep the top one. I like the frogger word on the side, but I think that if you made any of the #2 changes to the road then that side could look a bit cluttered. Also, I agree that the center might look empty and I have no suggestions for that.

2. The road should either have the cars added to it, or bring back the tire tread instead. If you need I can knock out a few cars for you to put in there.

Just my .02

edit: here's a quick race car in a style that might work for the cars.

Timoe · « **Reply #60 on:** April 11, 2007, 07:02:31 am »

NICE race car idea!

bfauska · « **Reply #61 on:** April 11, 2007, 11:01:04 am »

Cute car, it looks like a car themed 8 button CP with a TB on the left.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #62 on:** April 11, 2007, 01:55:36 pm »

Thats great pongo. I had actually thought of adding the cars, but couldn't find any vectors. If you could make some that would be great.

I also thought of what I could do to add a little more to the top and center. I've been looking for a vector of a lilly pad to put below the buttons, and then maybe smallers ones around in the water. If anyone knows where I could find something like that I'd appreciate it.

Thanks for the comments.

Timoe · « **Reply #63 on:** April 13, 2007, 05:38:46 pm »

Stephen,

I was thinking that I might like to have the yellow directional arrows from one of your earlier renderings.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #64 on:** April 13, 2007, 05:55:31 pm »

Sure let me find the image I used and I'll add it in

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #65 on:** April 13, 2007, 06:14:37 pm »

I sent the jpeg to your email. I've also got a tracking number for the trackball, I'll get it to you later.

Timoe · « **Reply #66 on:** April 13, 2007, 06:57:25 pm »

sweet.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #67 on:** April 15, 2007, 03:48:57 pm »

Alright I have a slightly different idea on the table now. As much as I liked the frogger on the side, I thought the one on top was more necessary. Instead I have replaced it with a row of the tiny frogs. The big change is the trackball however.

I have placed a big frog over where the trackball will be mounted, and if I can find someone to trade out my white track ball for a green one, I think it would give the appear of the trackball with legs. I used the templete Tim provided so it should be the same size. If it is only the legs should show, and the rest of the frog would be cut out.

This isn't a definately I wanted some opinions on it though:

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #68 on:** April 18, 2007, 10:16:02 am »

Any comments on the new design?

koolmoecraig · « **Reply #69 on:** April 24, 2007, 03:52:05 am »

Why not use the tire tread image that runs next to the monitor like on the original one?

http://www.klov.com/images/F/cFrogger.jpg

I think the close you stay to looking like the original, the cooler it will look. Here are pictures of my Q*bert and Rally-X panels as examples.

GoPodular.com · « **Reply #70 on:** April 24, 2007, 02:34:50 pm »

I did a frogger panel and stayed fairly close to the original color-wise, but added a little:

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #71 on:** April 24, 2007, 05:49:16 pm »

I do like the way it currently looks, but I may try it with the treads instead of the street. If I did this I'd probably take the right side with the frogs off as well. Its still along time before I have to decide.

Podular I really like that design especially with the frog looking up at you.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #72 on:** April 24, 2007, 09:55:23 pm »

Well I made another version with your advice. Not sure if I like it yet though I still need to play around with it.

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #73 on:** April 24, 2007, 10:10:28 pm »

And one more time

I actually kind of like this one. I had to export it to photoshop in order to get the treads right, but I think it looks really good. I like how the little frogs go towards the way of the trackball kinda like arrows. I'll probably make a poll and see which one everyone likes.

GoPodular.com · « **Reply #74 on:** April 25, 2007, 11:07:14 am »

I like that last one with the full tread pattern. The only issue I see is the legs on the trackball. Someone may think you use the trackball to jump.

Of course if they don't know how to play frogger... they better be under the age of 5.

What if you used a black trackball and tossed a few cars in there?

(That's a great car btw Pongo)

stephenp1983 · « **Reply #75 on:** April 26, 2007, 04:36:28 pm »

I like your design, but I still really like the idea of having the green trackball. I'll change it up a little in illustrator and see how it goes.

csa3d · « **Reply #76 on:** April 27, 2007, 12:29:46 am »

I kind of feel as though you have a vector frog, and somehow feel the need to stick it everywhere

I second the car on road motif.

-csa


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