Talk:Arcade

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Start of Discussion

Please add to this discussion :) (msaul)

Murray, this is not a discussion group in the sense that was meant in class. I think following are examples of what is needed:

XWN740 instructor covered off in LUX meeting, and any discussion group software will be fine to use, but students are responsible for getting it set-up and at least advertise to students to use. Also, there is a discussion group available at college if you go to URL: https://matrix.senecac.on.ca/board/

Hardware v. Software

In my mind the first logical division is between hardware and software.

Hardware

Are we going to know what hardware this is going to run on before we assemble a software stack? Are we going to assume some spec or build a prototype?

If it were up to me, I'd have the same hardware that we use for the system assembled immediately as a testing system so ideas and changes could be promptly run through a decent quality assurance (QA) procedure.

What kind of hardware could we fit into a video game cabinet? (Nestor: if outlook is not nessary, we can have a 2nd hand wood desk and build controller and TV on it.)


How would we mount it so that it could take a beating? What do we need in terms of:

  • Mainboard (is there upside in using a small form factor like Mini-ATX, etc.?)
  • CPU
  • RAM
  • Non-volatile storage (hard disk, flash)

(Nes: we can also use some paper or soft but breathing material to made a cusion for the HD, it's the best and cheapest way to do)

  • Video hardware
  • Display hardware
  • Arcade controls (Nes: ideal is 6 buttons for each controllers, plus 1 or 2 for start or select key)
  • Cabinet
  • Speakers (Nes: any cheap speaker with subwoofer would do the job, it could be under $30 for a 2nd hand)
  • Power supply/supplies

The sooner we rig this stuff into a working configuration (even if it's in a regular case sitting in a cubicle in OSI), the better chance we have of making something good.


Nestor:

  • I would suggest to have a arcade box with controllers working. and TV may not nessary working. I have some lonely CRT 28 inch, 14, 12 inches TV sitting in my house. They need some love. I would like to donate one of them to the project, 'cos I love you guys, lol
  • I've been searching around in ebay and facebook marketplace for arcade machine, so far, i can only find some 2nd hard for 500. And don't forget we may need to deal with shipping. I've already ask some friend if they have any connection to get one for 200... althought I think it's impossible. I would suggest lets deal with the software part first, we deal with controller later. We can build our own box if nessary.
  • For $200, we may need some donation from 3rd party. Please ask around if any one have 2nd hand controller, Comp hardware, make sure u tell them it's for the project and u'll buy them the biggest, most expensive Tim Horton Iced Cap (but shipping is not included for the Iced Cap) lol


Mohak:

  • Take a look at this link here... we dont have to do excatly the same thing but we can get an idea as how to begin. Now what I understand and suggest is, lets start with all the hardware requirements like display, controls, video cards, memory, speakers etc. also the kind of games we are going to install, so that we know how much resources the game will take. Lets dont worry about the cabinet and appearance at this phase (It's always good to have a nice one), we can mount the TV or CRT on the cabinet when we get one, or college can worry about the cabinet ;-)

According to what Michal.H suggested in the class today, here's the link, its usefull

Possible Hardware List

List of Arcade Machien that we could consider...

nestor always finds great deals... 

 UNDER BUDGET LIST...

FREE!!!, nothing works, self-pickup in Windsor, but, hey, it's FREE!! http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-home-appliances-FREE-2-Fridges-2-Standup-Arcade-Systems-W0QQAdIdZ77311881

$100, but only 4 buttons, limited games... http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-toys-games-Superman-Arcade-Game-Stargate-W0QQAdIdZ76995803

$100, price negotiable, with 6 buttons, but buttons are broken, need to be fixed.. @@ http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-ViewAdLargeImage?AdId=76994721&img=http://kijiji.ebayimg.com/i9/07/k/000/7c/ac/05dc_18.JPG?set_id=1C4000&back=-1 

 OVER BUDGET LIST...

$300, working perfectly with currently load with Mortal Kombat 2, self-pickup, but it's 5 buttons, http://www.new.facebook.com/marketplace/listing.php?classified_id=16980697747

Software

On the software side, hadn't we better choose the game or games that we'd like to put on the system? I don't have a clue about contemporary games but I'd like to see classic card and puzzle games. My video game experience these days is on touch screen games I find at many pubs & bars around the city. (Nes: touch screen? for those nasty card games? hehe.. ) But if we want to do a single game box, that suits me too.

paul


Nes: We can have a rom simulator and choose any game we want. In my experience, some arcade machine have some function like that 5 years ago. I could play few versions of street fighter in one machine. I put in coins and choose which one I wanna play. It has a button in front of you, it ususally the "start" button. We could use mame rom, which has most famous arcade game in the world and it's free as long as it's not for commercial use. 

 I have already found some simulator for linux, any one have the time and knowledge to try? Please let me know, thx a lot.

PROGRESS & PLAN

Subject Description Owner Target Date Status Note
Arcade Box Purchase Nestor look for arcade box, not necessary working perfectly, but cost efficiency. 2008/11/01 In Progress +planning to visit the end of Oct 2008 (Nes/Milton/Mohak)

+planning to purchase a arcade cabinet on 2008/11/04

PC Box installation Milton, Mohak Look for a PC Box with all hardware and get Fedora installed 2008/10/23 COMPLATED: (Milton, Mohak, Varinder, Patricia)

+Fedora installed and running +Planning install fedora during or after FSOSS event (Milton/Mohak)


Suitable MAME/Arcade simulator Milton, Mohak, Varinder, Liang Install and test the best working simulator that suit our hardware and situation 2008/12 In Progress + testing AdvanceMAME with my own machine (Nes) Failed (2008/10/19)

+ sucessfully installed AdvancedMAME in Milton laptop, testing in progress (2008/10/22)

Game Searching with License approval Pat Search suitable game and obtain license from the company/developer 2008/12 Pending(searching info) +
Console installed and running Milton, Mohak Having emulator running in PC Box perfect with just computer keyboard, without mapping arcard box 2008/12 Pending(searching info) +
Custom Software/Scripting Greg Launcher with integrated loading of game-specific xmodmap profiles. When power on, PC will be automatically login to system and run emulator 2008/12 Pending(searching info) +
Kiosk-style lockdown Greg Prevent player hack into the system 2009/01 Pending(searching info) +
Controller Hardware connection Liang, Varinder find the best way to connect controller and PC that our emulator and key mapping system supported. 2009/01 Pending(searching info) +
Sound System Installation and Configuration Varinder, Liang install and configure arcade cabinet sound system 2008/12 Pending(searching info) +
Key Mapping Installation and Configuration Varinder, Liang find the best way to connect controller and PC that our emulator and key mapping system supported. 2009/01 Pending(searching info) +
Hardware Installation and Config Carter, Pat Install and connect PC, monitor to cabinet. 2009/01 Pending(waiting for cabinet purchase) +


RESOURCES

A good simulator works on Linux/OSX/Windows 

Pinball outlet, SRG Enterprises, located in Islington. They sell some arcard machine for good price.
http://www.rent-a-game.com/fr_sales.html

An actual machine that already build on an old console with linux, this is something we should be able to acheive..
http://www.wicksta.com/arcade/gallery.php

a link about license of MAME
http://mamedev.com/license.html

This one is a bit too fancy to build, but.. have a look, maybe it can give us an idea or build some thing cool like this one..
http://www.angrymods.com/mame/

Homebrew Arcade website, it has a PDF file to show u how to do ur own arcade machine
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm

To help in the programing we could need this manual: Serial Programming:Unix/termios
http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Serial_Programming:Unix/termios

Chris Tyler has some idea for controller and coins... 1. ctyler connects DSR and DTR lines on serial port to switch, write 6 lines of code to make RS232 DSR transition generate synthetic X input event 2. ctyler connects switch to power supply and solenoid, places solenoid over button on USB numeric keypad, plugs keypad into PC

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