Difference between revisions of "Cabinet-friendliness"
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| − | '''Cabinet-friendliness''' is an aspect of computer software in which every function is 100% controllable using a MAME-like arcade control | + | '''Cabinet-friendliness''' is an aspect of computer software in which every function is 100% controllable using a [[Emulator:mame|MAME]]-like arcade control panel. In the case of emulators or games, if the software is controlled by MAME's default control scheme, or the controls can be redefined to match MAME's, and the software requires no keyboard intervention, then it may be considered ''cabinet-friendly''. |
== Requirements == | == Requirements == | ||
[[File:Typical mame controls.jpg|thumb|Diagram of a typical two-player control panel for MAME. No, the right click and middle click buttons ''are not'' mislabeled!]] | [[File:Typical mame controls.jpg|thumb|Diagram of a typical two-player control panel for MAME. No, the right click and middle click buttons ''are not'' mislabeled!]] | ||
=== MAME Keys === | === MAME Keys === | ||
| − | In MAME, the default keys for player 1 are: | + | In MAME, the default keys for player 1 are: UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, CTRL, ALT, SPACE, L-SHIFT, Z, X, C, V, 1, and 5 (coin); the default keys for player 2 are: R, F, D, G, A, S, Q, W, I, K, J, L, 2, and 6 (coin); ESC is used to quit. Keyboard encoders, such as [http://www.ultimarc.com/ipac1.html Ultimarc's I-PAC 2] PC interface, are designed work directly with MAME, and therefore send ''only'' these keycodes to the PC. |
=== Mouse / Trackball === | === Mouse / Trackball === | ||
| − | Games which are primarily controlled by a mouse may be considered cabinet-friendly, given the fact that cabinet builders often install a trackball assembly in | + | Games which are primarily controlled by a mouse may be considered cabinet-friendly, given the fact that cabinet builders often install a trackball assembly in their control panel. |
== Examples of Cabinet-Friendly Software == | == Examples of Cabinet-Friendly Software == | ||
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== Examples of Cabinet-''Un''friendly Software == | == Examples of Cabinet-''Un''friendly Software == | ||
| − | Text-based graphical adventure games, such as those that brought much fame to Sierra On-Line in the 80's, get input from the player via a command parser, and therefore require a great deal of typing. Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), such as World of Warcraft or Guild Wars, are inherently social experiences requiring full use of a keyboard. Many modern flight simulators and first-person shooters tend to have commands mapped to nearly every key, and also require full use of a keyboard | + | Text-based graphical adventure games, such as those that brought much fame to Sierra On-Line in the 80's, get input from the player via a command parser, and therefore require a great deal of typing. Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), such as World of Warcraft or Guild Wars, are inherently social experiences requiring full use of a keyboard. Many modern flight simulators and first-person shooters tend to have commands mapped to nearly every key, and also require full use of a keyboard. |
| − | Emulators for modern systems, such as the Sony PlayStation | + | Emulators for modern systems, such as the Nintendo 64 or Sony PlayStation, have controllers that have upwards of 10 buttons and one or two analog joysticks in addition to the directional pad. |
| − | == Varying Degrees of | + | == Varying Degrees of Keyboard Intervention == |
Some users may feel that a certain amount of keyboard intervention is forgivable as long as it does not disrupt the natural flow of gameplay. For example, if a game requires keyboard input for the sole purpose of high-score name entry, this may be perceived as tolerable. | Some users may feel that a certain amount of keyboard intervention is forgivable as long as it does not disrupt the natural flow of gameplay. For example, if a game requires keyboard input for the sole purpose of high-score name entry, this may be perceived as tolerable. | ||
| − | On the other hand, if | + | On the other hand, if the cabinet builder does not plan to include a keyboard in his/her finished product, or if the keyboard is inconvenient to access (e.g.: behind a locked cabinet door), then anything less than 100% cabinet-friendliness would be unacceptable. |
== See Also == | == See Also == | ||
| + | * More on Cabinet-Friendliness at [http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Cabinet_friendly BYOACWiki] | ||
* [[Cabinet-Friendly DOS Games]] | * [[Cabinet-Friendly DOS Games]] | ||
| − | * [[Gamepad-friendliness]] | + | * [[Gamepad-friendliness|Gamepad-Friendliness]] |
Revision as of 13:17, 27 September 2011
Cabinet-friendliness is an aspect of computer software in which every function is 100% controllable using a MAME-like arcade control panel. In the case of emulators or games, if the software is controlled by MAME's default control scheme, or the controls can be redefined to match MAME's, and the software requires no keyboard intervention, then it may be considered cabinet-friendly.
Requirements
MAME Keys
In MAME, the default keys for player 1 are: UP, DOWN, LEFT, RIGHT, CTRL, ALT, SPACE, L-SHIFT, Z, X, C, V, 1, and 5 (coin); the default keys for player 2 are: R, F, D, G, A, S, Q, W, I, K, J, L, 2, and 6 (coin); ESC is used to quit. Keyboard encoders, such as Ultimarc's I-PAC 2 PC interface, are designed work directly with MAME, and therefore send only these keycodes to the PC.
Mouse / Trackball
Games which are primarily controlled by a mouse may be considered cabinet-friendly, given the fact that cabinet builders often install a trackball assembly in their control panel.
Examples of Cabinet-Friendly Software
Emulator frontends, such as Wah!Cade, are designed to be operated using the same keys as in MAME.
Many non-MAME emulators, such as ZSNES and Gens/GS, have redefinable inputs that can match MAME's.
Jukebox programs, such as MultiJuke, are specifically designed media players that are controlled by MAME's keys.
Examples of Cabinet-Unfriendly Software
Text-based graphical adventure games, such as those that brought much fame to Sierra On-Line in the 80's, get input from the player via a command parser, and therefore require a great deal of typing. Massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPG), such as World of Warcraft or Guild Wars, are inherently social experiences requiring full use of a keyboard. Many modern flight simulators and first-person shooters tend to have commands mapped to nearly every key, and also require full use of a keyboard.
Emulators for modern systems, such as the Nintendo 64 or Sony PlayStation, have controllers that have upwards of 10 buttons and one or two analog joysticks in addition to the directional pad.
Varying Degrees of Keyboard Intervention
Some users may feel that a certain amount of keyboard intervention is forgivable as long as it does not disrupt the natural flow of gameplay. For example, if a game requires keyboard input for the sole purpose of high-score name entry, this may be perceived as tolerable.
On the other hand, if the cabinet builder does not plan to include a keyboard in his/her finished product, or if the keyboard is inconvenient to access (e.g.: behind a locked cabinet door), then anything less than 100% cabinet-friendliness would be unacceptable.
See Also
- More on Cabinet-Friendliness at BYOACWiki
- Cabinet-Friendly DOS Games
- Gamepad-Friendliness