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Lots of Newbie questions and first Control Panel review
Apollo:
I'm going to assume that your post is some kind of a joke, so good one, you fooled a few people already!
This is your first attempt at a control panel? Have you heard the term frankenpanel and do you know why it's a bad thing?
You are not seriously thinking of installing 3 trackballs just so you can play rampart?!
I am almost at a loss for words when I think that people are seriously considering this kind of control panel.
Sorry dude, I know you are excited about this but you really need to rethink.
Just my 2c worth.
vidmouse:
Green, how wide deep is this supposed to be?
I'm concerned you really don't have enough space between players.
I'd agree w/ the 3-player trackball comment, seems overkill...
too much work for a game you may not play that
often.
I would agree w/ the one trackball in the center being
clear of the joysticks
I'm not sure you need all those admin buttons in the
upper left... since you're planning on using an IPAC
you can map admin keys to other keys using its shift function.
A better use for those buttons would be on the sides for pinball,
but only if your panel isn't so dang wide (kind of a tradeoff
between pinball and having 4-players, I know)
Good luck...
miles2912:
Let me chime in here.. agreed that there are a few too many admin buttons up in the top left. You can remap a shift key and you will be fine.
- It is going to be too wide for pinball
- when I hear terms like 'frakenpanel' I think practical. We are talking about a 3000+ game machine here. Mock it in cardboard just to get a feel for the size
- not a big fan of sloped buttons. I like em straight across. Just feels better that way.
- games like gauntlet will need coin buttons for each player but you can simply remap one of the buttons next to the players joystick
- think hard about 3 trackballs. Only a few games need em.. however if rampart was a favorite then by all means!
- I would buy all the parts from ponyboy or divemaster I have had some less than reputable deals on e-bay
unclet:
It seems you could reduce your control panel depth by a few inches if you find a new spot for the white/black/yellow/orange buttons located up there on the left.
I would consider the term "frankenpanel" a good thing if you have kids and/or a bunch of neighborhood kids come over and play. I have a four player control panel and all for joysticks get used quite often.
I say, if you have the money, the house space and like the look of the control panel, then go for it. Overkill could be a good thing when it is in a hobby you enjoy.
PS: You might want to add an additional spinner so you could play Warlords ;D
mlalena:
Thanks for the feedback guys.
I've gotta go with Unclet's view. I have 3 kids 6 & under and 1 more on the way + lots of neighborhood kids that hang out. I'm can just hear the screaming now. "Dad, can you change the control panel so I can play ...". And if I don't have enough controls for all the kids, then it will be "Dad, he wont let me have my turn...". I'm not going for authentic looking. I just want something that can play the most games with the least amount of work once everything is assembled.
Of course I am building this for me, and some of my favorite multi-player games as a teen were Gauntlet, Rampart, Smash TV... Eariler it was Tempest and some Golden Tee later. Also liked the shooting & racing games alot but I'm not worring about those now.
Also, since the wife will make me put this in the basement, space isn't a consideration. Finishing part the basement now. Have over 1800 sqft down there. Basement should be done this month and the MAME will be a winter project.
I know some people don't like lots of admin buttons, but it will be easier for the kids. Having every admin button a different color will also help. That way, when I get "Dad, which button to quit the game". I can say the orange one instead of hit the 2nd black button on the right and move the P1 joystick to the left. I'm not walkng down into the basement every 5 minutes to help them change a game. Since I need a Opti-Pac and a Mini-Pac to run the track balls, I will have more than enough button inputs for admin buttons.
I realized later that the P3 & P4 don't need to be straight with the monitor to play Smash Tv so it doesn't need to be as wide. See other post http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=69672.0. Again, space isn't a consideration so if it needs to be wide and I have to move everything a foot back and get a larger monitor, then I will do that. I will mock it all out in cardboard first. I want to make sure everyone can fit together and the trackballs/spinner can be reached while resting arms on the control panel and not resting on any buttons.
My biggest concern was if the MAME software and USB drivers could handle this panel, and it sounds like they can.
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