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Origin of lit buttons

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Paladin:
I know that the Joust upright had lit start buttons, also the Defender cocktail has 6 bulbs in each control panel.  I'm pretty sure the other Williams cocktails had lights, as well as some of the other uprights.

RayB:

--- Quote from: 1UP on May 10, 2009, 04:17:16 am ---Missile Command launch buttons were lit,
--- End quote ---
Nope. Black. Only the start buttons light up.

Atari & Kee Games always used lit Start buttons from the start (with maybe Pong being an exception?). It's a sensibile way to attract the eye in a darkly lit arcade ambience. I wouldn't attribute credit to them though. They didn't invent idea of lighting things up so people know to look at them. You can go as far back as early pinball or even earlier amusement devices and see all sorts of examples of lighting up instruction cards, and lights to indicate controls, etc.

RandyT:

--- Quote from: Blanka on May 10, 2009, 03:17:33 am ---For me the cabs that look like pinball machines are still a little weird. I think an arcade should attract with some weird sound effects and the screen itself.

--- End quote ---

What about the cabs which use LCD Panels?  Or the ones with 3 joysticks AND a trackball AND a spinner on them.  Do those look "weird" to you as well?  You never saw a classic (or modern) arcade machine with so many different controls, or with such large control panels. 

The reality is that arcade machine manufacturers were always innovating, but were also "cost conscious" and that was even more apparent toward the end.  But the new builders are now innovating in ways that weren't possible in those times, and are more suited to the multi-use function of the home arcade machine.

The lighting, as used on people's cabs, is a recent phenomena for the most part, probably related in no small way to the release of the LED-Wiz controller, and the hard work of the software guys who made sure it could be integrated properly into the experience.  When a builder executes the lighting well, and shares their efforts, it's seen by a lot of folks who immediately want to do the same with theirs. 

People also tend to use their cabs for other fun things like a part time jukebox.  The ability to do a light show with the music is an impressive function, and more "fun" than watching a "geiss" re-hash on-screen.

This is kind of funny, but it was over a year before I fully outfitted my own cab with Electric ICE buttons and LED-Wiz's.  You know what they say about a mechanic's own car...something similar going on there.  But after doing so and seeing how it added to the overall appearance and capability of the machine, I can't imagine going back to the normal buttons.  Most others who have invested the time and effort to do this will likely tell you the same.

RandyT

Blanka:
With Williams cabs we know where they have it from  ;D
Weren't they pinball makers?

1UP:

--- Quote from: RayB on May 10, 2009, 11:47:47 am ---Nope. Black. Only the start buttons light up.

--- End quote ---

My bad, I must have gotten that mixed up since they are still the "volcano" style buttons, just the unlit ones.  Memory must be getting a little fuzzy on machines I haven't seen in at least 10 years, hehe.


--- Quote from: RandyT on May 10, 2009, 12:41:29 pm ---But after doing so and seeing how it added to the overall appearance and capability of the machine, I can't imagine going back to the normal buttons.  Most others who have invested the time and effort to do this will likely tell you the same.

--- End quote ---

Yup, I'll be joining that camp soon.  Always loved the idea, and now that the feature is included in so many FEs, the time has come to upgrade!

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