Difference between revisions of "Equipment/The Beast"

"The Beast" arcade machine
Model	Unknown
Sub-category	Audio/Visual
Status	Good working order
Consumables	Unknown
Accessories	Unknown
Training requirement	no
Training link	Unknown
ACnode	no
Owner	Unknown
Origin	Donation from popey
Location	1st Floor Kitchen

Revision as of 18:02, 23 November 2018

People playing with The Beast

This is the big arcade machine that lurks in the space.

It has MAME and other emulators and a large amount of ROMs, with a relatively easy to use front-end.

Current state

Idling nicely in the Hackspace Kitchen. Powered by Denning. May need some controller repair due to only one side working.

TL;DR

The machine is currently operational, turn on the wall socket switch in the hall path and give it a go! Report to the mailinglist when something breaks down, or contact user:Yvanj

Elaborated version

The machine currently consist out of a Core2Quad Dell Optiplex SFF desktop running an x86 Debian variant of the RetroPie software.

A connected keyboard has been hidden behind the coin door for emergency purposes; the cable should be long enough to pull it and use it.

The hardware is fully working now, however:

We don't have enough inputs to use all of the options in the menu system :sadface:

Future plans

We are currently playing with the idea of re-implementing a new "real" arcade setup, which will cost monies, but will greatly increase user experience at the cost of no indie games. [1]

Requirements

Real arcade-based gameplay with multiple game possibilities
Decent audio setup, with accessible volume control

Nice-to-haves

ACNode integration

Ideas

We have a set of ideas of reimplementing the arcade part, which are listed below:

Yvan's Arcade Part Idea

~£95 - Jamma PCB [2]
~£10 - Amplifier [3]
£ ?? - speaker set from flea market
£15 - Jamma breakout cable set [4]

Total: ~ £120, excl. flea market speaker set

Yvan's ACNode implementation idea

Use a RPi with an RFID reader (I have both spare), which sends a coin pulse to the PCB when a member badge is tapped. All required parts should be available in my drawer or in the space.

Log

All the control have been replaced, rewired and confirmed working, the side art has been trimmed and cleaned and mame has been installed, the bezel for the monitor has been sprayed black along with the metal trim around the edge of the marquee. 2 locks need replacing and a power button for the shuttle PC needs adding. --YetiFiasco 21/10/2013

New speakers have been fabricated and installed from the google TV speakers, the CRT has been replaced with an LCD mounted to the original board in its original position (upright), still needs aligning properly, given a general tidy. Both joysticks need replacing at ~£30 due to tape being applied instead of the proper collet fouling the dip switches, buttons could be replaced at the same time, wiring also needs replacing, lots of brittle wire and loose connectors. --YetiFiassco 18/08/2013

The flouro light behind the perspex up top is now running, but needs re-wiring properly to be safe. Top taken off and the last vestiges of the broken speaker system removed. Cleaned a bit more.. --TimRTerrible 13/08/2013

The logitech 2.1 system that is installed in the cabinet has a busted amp/sub unit. The satellites work (just) but are naff without amplification. Have installed the old Google TV speakers temporarily, removing the old ones will involve taking the cabinet apart. One of the (mains!) cables that feeds the neons has been yanked out and is hanging loose. Unplugged. Fixing this will involve taking the cabinet apart, too. Tidied all the cables in the back, removed unused stuff. Currently running by the hackspace front door for opening evening. --TimRTerrible 13/08/2013

Updated the Wiki page with the current situation --Yvanj (talk) 21:41, 20 March 2015 (UTC)

Added proposal for JAMMA setup --Yvanj (talk) 22:02, 20 March 2015 (UTC)

Outings 2012

The Wild Rumpus Thursday, 2nd of February at 93 feet east. 18:30-23:00.
Bit of Alright: Indie focused game design conference at the BAC. 3rd of Feb. 25ukp.
GameJam at LSBU 4-5th February.

@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 |acnode=no
 |owner=Unknown <!-- Provide a link to owners members page if other than LHS -->
-|origin=Unknown <!-- If via pledge, please link to the completed pledge page on the wiki -->
+|origin= Donation from popey
-|location=Ground floor, ?A?, in front of the laser cutter<!-- Floor, room/zone and location within that area -->
+|location=1st Floor Kitchen<!-- Floor, room/zone and location within that area -->
 |maintainers=<!-- NO LINKS PLEASE; it currently breaks the template. If someone is nominated as managing the upkeep of this item, please list them here. -->
 |template_ver=1.1 <!-- Please do not change. Used for tracking out-of-date templates -->
@@ Line 21: / Line 21: @@
 This is the big arcade machine that lurks in the space.
-It has indie games on it, and emulators.
+It has MAME and other emulators and a large amount of ROMs, with a relatively easy to use front-end.
-It runs Windows (sad face) for perfectly sensible reasons.
+== Current state ==
+Idling nicely in the Hackspace Kitchen. Powered by [[Equipment/Denning|Denning]]. May need some controller repair due to only one side working.
+=== TL;DR ===
+The machine is currently operational, turn on the wall socket switch in the hall path and give it a go! Report to the mailinglist when something breaks down, or contact [[user:Yvanj]]
+=== Elaborated version ===
+The machine currently consist out of a Core2Quad Dell Optiplex SFF desktop running an x86 Debian variant of the [https://retropie.org.uk/ RetroPie software.]
+A connected keyboard has been hidden behind the coin door for emergency purposes; the cable should be long enough to pull it and use it.
+The hardware is fully working now, however:
+* We don't have enough inputs to use all of the options in the menu system :sadface:
+== Future plans ==
+We are currently playing with the idea of re-implementing a new "real" arcade setup, which will cost monies, but will greatly increase user experience at the cost of no indie games. [https://groups.google.com/forum/#!topic/london-hack-space/Jl9ytRcb4us]
+=== Requirements ===
-== Keymappings ==
+* Real arcade-based gameplay with multiple game possibilities
+* Decent audio setup, with accessible volume control
-Don't change these, as it'll break all the indie games that rely on them.
+=== Nice-to-haves ===
-=== Player 1 ===
+* ACNode integration
-* Directions: Left Arrow, Right Arrow, Up Arrow, Down Arrow
-* Buttons: Z, X, C
-=== Player 2 ===
+=== Ideas ===
-* Directions: J (left), K (down), I (up), L (right)
-* Buttons: N, M, B
+We have a set of ideas of reimplementing the arcade part, which are listed below:
-==Launcher software==
+==== Yvan's Arcade Part Idea ====
-This lives at [http://github.com/v21/Boinger http://github.com/v21/Boinger]. Any improvements gratefully welcomed, although you will need a Pro version of [http://unity3d.com/ Unity3D] to compile it. I know, sorry. One improvement would be rewriting it to not require this.
+* ~£95 - Jamma PCB [http://www.jammaboards.com/store/520-in-1-pandoras-box-version-3-horizontal-multigame-jamma-pcb.html]
+* ~£10 - Amplifier [http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ARCADE-MACHINE-SOUND-SPEAKER-AMPLIFIER-MAME-JAMMA-60-IN-1BRAND-NEW-/281557735300?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item418e261784]
+* £ ?? - speaker set from flea market
+* £15 - Jamma breakout cable set [http://www.rastermania.be/product.php?id=119]
-==Adding games to the launcher==
+Total: ~ £120, excl. flea market speaker set
-All games should run fullscreen at 1024 * 768 resolution. They should also survive being exited abruptly, as the launcher software isn't particularly gentle when it quits things.
+==== Yvan's ACNode implementation idea ====
+Use a RPi with an RFID reader (I have both spare), which sends a coin pulse to the PCB when a member badge is tapped. All required parts should be available in my drawer or in the space.
-The launcher reads the games avaliable from a json file called local.json, which sits in the arcade_games folder linked on the desktop. If The Beast is plugged into the network, it should appear as a Windows fileshare on machine //INDIEBOX/
-The format looks like this:
-<pre>
-{"games" :
-[
-	{
-		"name" : "game2",
-		"author" : "me" ,
-		"filePath" : "C:/Users/Public/arcade games/SumoBOSSRace.exe",
-		"splashScreenPath" : "file://C:/Users/v21/Documents/My Dropbox/Launcher/Assets/tex2.png"
-	}
-]
-}
-</pre>
+== Log ==
+All the control have been replaced, rewired and confirmed working, the side art has been trimmed and cleaned and mame has been installed, the bezel for the monitor has been sprayed black along with the metal trim around the edge of the marquee. 2 locks need replacing and a power button for the shuttle PC needs adding. --YetiFiasco 21/10/2013
-The splash screen is the screen that's displayed on the arcade machine when cycling through the games. This works best if it's a 1024 * 768 png. Ideally it'll be exciting and eyecatching, tell people what the game is and who made it, maybe tell them what keys to press and maybe exhort them to push start. But it's up to you.
+New speakers have been fabricated and installed from the google TV speakers, the CRT has been replaced with an LCD mounted to the original board in its original position (upright), still needs aligning properly, given a general tidy. Both joysticks need replacing at ~£30 due to tape being applied instead of the proper collet fouling the dip switches, buttons could be replaced at the same time, wiring also needs replacing, lots of brittle wire and loose connectors. --YetiFiassco 18/08/2013
-Alternatively, you could load a splash video. This needs to be in ogg format, and goes in the "splashScreenPath" variable. You also need to set the variable "splashIsVideo" to true.
+The flouro light behind the perspex up top is now running, but needs re-wiring properly to be safe. Top taken off and the last vestiges of the broken speaker system removed. Cleaned a bit more.. --TimRTerrible 13/08/2013
-I've just been dumping all the games into the arcade_games folder, accessible via the public share.
+The logitech 2.1 system that is installed in the cabinet has a busted amp/sub unit. The satellites work (just) but are naff without amplification. Have installed the old Google TV speakers temporarily, removing the old ones will involve taking the cabinet apart. One of the (mains!) cables that feeds the neons has been yanked out and is hanging loose. Unplugged. Fixing this will involve taking the cabinet apart, too.  Tidied all the cables in the back, removed unused stuff. Currently running by the hackspace front door for opening evening. --TimRTerrible 13/08/2013
-== Current state ==
+Updated the Wiki page with the current situation --[[User:Yvanj|Yvanj]] ([[User talk:Yvanj|talk]]) 21:41, 20 March 2015 (UTC)
+Added proposal for JAMMA setup --[[User:Yvanj|Yvanj]] ([[User talk:Yvanj|talk]]) 22:02, 20 March 2015 (UTC)
-* The left joystick is now fixed, however the tabs on the new microswitch where too wide for the spade connector so a connection was bodged with a bit of wire
-* Sound dosn't work, i've not really investigated.
-* It could do with a through clean
-* The joystick to usbhid adapter board is loose inside the cabinet and needs to be screwed down.
-* In general better cable management would be nice.
 == Outings 2012 ==