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Why does everyone put the trackball in the middle?

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Gamester:
Aesthetics are not the only reason...  Having it in the middle allows you to have a centered perspective for games like bowling and golf -- games where you're trying to align your shot with what's displayed on the screen.  Harder to do if you're off to one side.

Zobeid:
If you put the trackball at the left, then it's convenient for your left hand. . .   But if you put it in the center, then you can get both hands on the ball and spin heck out of it -- the only proper technique for Marble Madness.   ;)

Also, putting it in the center means the joystick stations are further apart, so you aren't bumping shoulder-to-shoulder with your partner (Gauntlet) or opponent (fighting games).

I decided to leave a trackball off my CP, but I'm going to put a spinner in that center-front location instead.

Singapura:
There's no law against placing your trackball to the side but it's not the most effective place. Most CP's have only one trackball so even if you play a two player game, you'll have to take turns. The best spot for any control will be the center because you have the best view. It's the same reason why you'd want to sit in the middle of the cinema. Since there is only one trackbal there will be nobody to rub shoulders with when you're playing so the middle would be ideal. There are lots of two player-two joystick based games. You'd want to stand as far from you opponent as possible so you're not hit by elbows or shoulders. Even though it's a little less ideal, the joystick's best place is on the left and right of the panel. I'm putting a third 4 way joystick  a bit of center so when I play one player games or games where you take turns, I still can have the best view.

TOK:
To me, that layout just trades one problem for two... You've centered Player 1, which is nice, but Players 1 and 2 are now too close together, and right handers playing trackball games will be way off to the side of the cab.

Having the ball on the far right side instead of the left might make it a bit better, but still worse than the traditional centered layout.
At least on the far right, you wouldn't have the problem of bumping the stick on golf and bowling games.

genesim:
I look at this moron, and I gotta laugh.    While I agree MOST examples were pretty out there, the pinball and a couple of the frankenpanel's wer not that bad.   Though I would like to comment on a few quotes.


--- Quote ---'Function' buttons don't really belong on the main control panel. They take up space, and more importantly obfuscate what should be easy to use and understand controls. If you ever expect anyone other than yourself to actually use your MAME box, simple goes a long way. Hide a wireless keyboard on top or behind a coin door. Or maybe build a NICELY CONCEALED keyboard drawer.
--- End quote ---

It depends on how important the function buttons are to the maker.    While a keyboard is all well and good, if a button is used constantly why would someone want to keep rolling out the keyboard over and over and over again.   Still, I do think some people forget the obvious thing.   MAME allows for controls on every microswitch, and that includes the arcade sticks.   So you don't need as many.


--- Quote ---Everybody wants to cover a lot of bases with controls, but sticking every control under the sun on one panel in a big mish-mash looks like trash and is confusing to use. Again, if someone other than you tried to use your MAME machine, would they know what buttons to use for any particular game?
--- End quote ---

First of all, this is assuming that you live through "everyoneelse".   If you are a lover of all said games, and you can actually physically play the games, then with some ingenuity, you can fit almost anything on say the old style C02 panel.     Anyone that I know has it figured out fine.  I tell them what to use, and they use it.    Permanent part of my family got it down fine.     Same as using a remote control, a little practice, and you got it fine.   No need to have the "BIG NUMBERS" and brain dead icons and that other drivel to help them through.  IDIOTS are those kind of people(bad eyes and such barred from what I just said)


--- Quote ---I may be a lunatic purist, but console games belong on the living room TV. That's what they're designed to be used on. Why on earth would you build an arcade style cabinet to stand at (or sit on stools hunched over) for console games, instead of kicking back on your couch?
--- End quote ---

I will tell you why, because certain arcade games have not been emulated yet, or they are slow as piss with our current affordable computers.    So in a sense ya moron, I am trying to recreate the arcade experience anyway.    Also, I don't care what people say, fighting games are meant to be played standing up and with an arcade stick.

Same goes for your little button arrangement.   It is IMPOSSIBLE to play said games without those extra buttons.   Like MK Armageddon.    Gamepads are gay plain and simple.   Save it for the RPG's where you sit for hours at a time.

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