Re: Trackball and spinner and general interface


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Build Your Own Arcade Controls message board ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by EmuMannen on 11, 2000 at 5:14 AM:

In Reply to: Re: Trackball and spinner and general interface posted by BillyBoy on 10, 2000 at 8:40 AM:

: Much of my thought process to date has mirrored yours - particularly the importance of the man-machine interface - this will make or break the experiance i think, regardless of video type etc. I wan't to get it right, and as you said - make it lasting so that it can be incorporated into a cabinet if/when I build one.

I have been planning for over two years now... I am still tuning the design and, thanks to the discussions on this board, it is still getting better!

: I too LOVE the idea of the I-PAC shifted controls. I think the control choice and layout is going to be critical and I see myself doing the layout over a couple of times.

The shifting will make my controlpanel less cluttered with "non game related buttons" and that is great seen from a estetical point of view. The only problem is the player 2 coin button as I see it (not supported as a shift button, I think, but needed by some games). But that is a small problem as I see it...

: Currently I am thinking of plyr 1 and 2 buttons, 2 8 way sticks with 6 buttons each, 1 4 way with 2 buttons and a spinner. PLus a detachable trackball - prob start with a Comp USA and see how it goes.

I would try to find a original trackball insted of a PC-trackball (I have tested all I could find and only high quality ones like the one from CH is good enough, and they cost more than a original arcade trackball).

I am (right now) planning for 2 8-way SEGA original red ball handle joysticks, 1 red mini trackball (2"1/4), player 1 and 2 buttons and 6 red buttons per player. The layout I am working on is a combination of a 4 button "ergonomical side by side" pattern for fighting games etc. combined with a 4 button diamond shaped pattern for directional games like SmashTV etc. That diamond shaped pattern could also serve as a poor mans 4-way directional joystick (think about that). I got another SEGA joystick as spare part and I might use it as a dedicated 4-way if the button solution proves to be to "poor". I am also planning for 1 or 2 original spinners as found on the Arcanoid cabinet. They might be useful as a poor mans wheel in driving games to, but that has to be tested... I have to find the spinners to an acceptable price first...

My main problem is to design a control panel with a layout that makes as many games playable as possible, without turning the control panel into a monster... I am Scandinavian so a functional yet lean and clean design is important to me ;)

: Regards,

: BillyBoy

Good luck with your project / EmuMannen

PS. The button patterns I am talking about is NOT 4 + 4 = 8 buttons per player, it is a 4 + 4 = 6 buttons per player scheme, interesting, is't it?





Follow Ups:



Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ Build Your Own Arcade Controls message board ] [ FAQ ]