Posted by OSCAR on January 23, 2002 at 00:36:09:
In Reply to: Questions posted by Cryofax on January 22, 2002 at 23:57:22:
: You've obviously worked very hard to create this product and it shows. Nice job. I have a couple questions:
: 1.) Are you planning on a black finished version of the plates for better aesthetics?
On the website, I have made mention to contact me for custom paint. It was my original intent that the restrictor plates would have a contrast to the control panel, kind of like joystick directional gfx. That is why I have them offered in primer, so the customer can paint them whatever color they want to match their cabinet color scheme. The mounting plate is also available in the black dimpled finish like the OSCAR spinner mounting plates.
: 2.) How does it "feel" when playing a 4-way game as opposed to a true 4-way stick? The shape of the limiter plate looks like you feel the "bump" going from horizontal to vertical. i.e. running to the right in donkey kong and then jamming it up to climb a ladder does the joystick feel like its "sliding" along a curved edge?
Due to the diameter of the Happ's joystick shafts and the size of the arc on the restrictor plate, there is little more than point contact made at the interface, and that produces a surprising linear feel (the shaft diameter is the key, if the joystick shaft were like a toothpick, I would agree with you). The pictures of the restrictor may be a bit deceiving, as it is not really possible to correctly show the true action of the joystick with still pictures. I have had others test the restrictors for just this reason (to check for linear action), and so
far the responses have been positive.
To see for yourself, lay out a true diamond cutout shape with the actual size of the joystick shaft. Then translate your diamond to a Happ's Super joystick and you will find by the time you are able to effectively block the diagonals, you have hardly any joystick travel left for your 4-ways. This concept is difficult to explain with words... testing and study drawings do a much better job.
: I'm going to assume the screw/plate don't eat up your hand while you play since you probably playtested the thing to death.
Yes. The button head screws used are very smooth. I haven't heard many complaints about the location of Happ's joystick mounting holes, and my restrictor plate holes are further away (directly above and below the joystick) from where your hand is during gameplay.
--OSCAR