Difference between revisions of "Arcade Machine"

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We now own an Arcade Machine. The plan is to bring new life into the
+
= Arcade Machine v2 =
−
machine by putting a computer in there and hooking that computer to the joystick
+
As part of the old system being very janky and old, some of us have decided to rework it.
−
input and screens. The computer runs MAME and other emulators, such as Amiga
 
−
or SNES emulators.
 
  
−
== Getting it to start ==
+
The old machine is kept around and backed up, and we are moving to a "newer" but still old machine, with a newer operating system: Batocera.
 +
The goal is to have a cleaner system: for context, the current disk has 2013 gentoo files, and nobody that I (x) asked knew about it.
  
−
There's a basic Dell machine in the Arcade Box; with Wake on Lan. Just send the
+
Things that are worth noting:
−
WOL packet to the right mac address, which can be found on the machine:
+
- The power button is exposed as two male dupont pins, we had to make a janky cable with two female dupont connectors on each side, and poke inside the computer with a screwdriver to find the power button pins.
 +
- The input for BOTH controllers is shown as a single USB keyboard: the JAMMA board inside has a jumper for USB and PS2. The older system used custom written software: [https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/uinput-mapper uinput-mapper]. For this iteration, I asked around in Batocera community and will try their recommendations.
  
−
  00:21:70:03:31:1b
+
= Old Text =
  
−
Here is an example command line that will turn on the machine (etherwake defaults to eth0, so wlan0 is specified)
+
We own an Arcade Machine, of which we have replaced the contents with
 +
an Intel PC, running Linux. It has a custom game launcher and support
 +
for many emulators, such as MAME, UAE and other emulators.
  
−
  sudo etherwake 00:21:70:03:31:1b -i wlan0
 
  
−
Or, equivalently:
+
See also https://wiki.techinc.nl/Arcade_Machine_Volume_Control
  
−
  wakeonlan 00:21:70:03:31:1b
+
== Current Installed Programs ==
  
−
From: http://gsd.di.uminho.pt/jpo/software/wakeonlan/
+
== Games ==
 +
 
 +
==== How to install more systems ====
 +
 
 +
* ssh techinc@10.209.10.44
 +
* cd RetroPie-Setup
 +
* sudo ./retropie_setup.sh
 +
* Manage packages (opt/exp etc. see retropie website) ; select and install
 +
 
 +
==== How to install more games/roms ====
  
−
=== Input ===
+
* ssh techinc@10.209.10.44
 +
* Put your rom uncompressed in /home/techinc/RetroPie/roms/SYSTEMNAME (check the content of roms to choose the correct folder)
 +
 
 +
=== Native ===
  
−
==== Arcade Machine input ====
+
* And Yet It Moves
 +
* Aquaria
 +
* Bastion from SupergiantGames
 +
* beathazard
 +
* bit.trip.runner
 +
* cave_story_plus-linux-r100
 +
* hedgewars
 +
* HELI-X42
 +
* jamestown
 +
* luftrausers
 +
* mari0-linux
 +
* NightSky
 +
* Nothing To Hide
 +
* nottetris2
 +
* OpenHexagon1.92
 +
* openinvaders
 +
* OpenSyobonAction
 +
* Raptor: Call of the Shadows
 +
* Rotational_Linux_RC2
 +
* Spirits
 +
* stepmania-5.0
 +
* Super Hexagon
 +
* Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
 +
* SuperMeatBoy
 +
* super_mario_war
 +
* Thomas Was Alone
 +
* To The To The Moon
 +
* torus-trooper
 +
* Trine
 +
* Trine2
 +
* World Of Goo
 +
* ZenBound2
  
−
The input can be read as PS2 (and USB); using a chip that we got alongside
+
=== Emulation ===
−
the Arcade Machine:
 
  
−
http://www.ultimarc.com/jpac.html
+
==== N64 ====
−
http://www.ultimarc.com/jpac2.html
 
  
−
The Arcade Machine input exposes itself as a single keyboard over USB and PS/2.
+
* Zelda - Ocarina of Time.z64
−
This is problematic for most games, with the exception of MAME and a few
+
* m64py
−
emulators. Some games expect an input device per player, so one "keyboard"
 
−
then simply is not enough.
 
  
−
More straight forward scripts will be provided to change de input mapping at a later time; for now, read on.
+
==== Amiga ====
  
−
==== Other Input ====
+
* PiNBALL FANTASIES
 +
* jumpnbump
 +
* AMIGA ROM Packages
 +
* PROJECTX
 +
* Stargoose Warrior
  
−
We attached two PlayStation controllers, but I ([[User:Wizzup|Wizzup]]) am not a
+
==== DOS ====
−
big fan of them. Regardless, there's a USB hub so feel free to plug in other
 
−
controllers! It would be nice to have proper SNES ones.
 
  
−
This may be useful: https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f08d/ and
+
* Epic Pinball
−
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-USB-Super-Nintendo-Controller-PC/dp/B002JAU20W
+
* ScummVM Games Collection
−
Or we can make our own.
+
* One Must Fall 2097
 +
* Wacky_Wheels
 +
* PARATROO.COM
 +
* SkyRoads
  
−
==== Coin Input ====
+
==== MAME ====
  
−
This should be handled by the Input over PS2/USB as well. It is probably mapped
+
* MAME Roms Packages
−
to some a key.
 
  
−
=== Video ===
+
== System ==
  
−
We replaced the built-in monitor with a TFT monitor.
+
* dosbox
 +
* git
 +
* MAME
 +
* MAME 0114b
 +
* MAME32 plus 0.83
 +
* PlayOnLinux
 +
* powerbars - https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/powerbars
 +
* pygame
 +
* ssh server
 +
* uinput-mapper
 +
* Unity3D
 +
* vim
 +
* wahcade
 +
* Wine
 +
* xfce4
 +
* ./git/Arcade - https://github.com/jorants/Arcade
 +
* ./arcade
  
−
=== Sound ===
+
== Plan / Wishlist ==
  
−
The sound works and is connected to the computer as well.
+
* Get Windex or something to clean the outside case of the device
 +
* Clean up the inside of the machine, bundle cables.
 +
* Create a quick bootstraper script so we can deploy/reinstall the machine
 +
* Deploy RetroPie ?
 +
* Get wireless keyboard/mouse, maybe those mini-keyboard with the trackpad?
 +
* Fix a light inside of the cabinet
  
−
=== Common tasks ===
 
  
−
There are a few simple tasks until we've written a pretty interface + set of scritps.
+
* Get external USB controllers. ([[User:Wizzup|Wizzup]] bought two SNES USB ones and will donate them -- they are currently being shipped)
 +
* New and more physical input buttons
 +
* Make the uinput-software much more user friendly
 +
* Look at the test and volume controls inside of the cabinet
 +
* Improve the launcher and uinput-mapper stuff
 +
* Improve the game launcher
 +
* Add more games (only when they work nicely / well), perhaps we can have a "tested games" launcher and an advanced mode.
 +
* (Re)Paint the cabinet.
 +
* USB/HID controls vs. input-mapper - Wizzup and Justa have to fight that one out...
 +
* have it make coffee (hack a saeco inside for no reason)
 +
* strip the PC and mount it inside - reduce clutter while busy
 +
* investigate less heat production / better ventilation
 +
* We can use it to control a variety of stuff. (light, sound)
 +
* We can hook other consoles into it.
 +
* Some kind of game that integrates with the space? interacts with some light / stuff around the arcade machine
  
−
It mostly boils down to two tasks:
 
  
−
1) disable/enable the "keyboard" interface in X (to avoid double input):
+
=== Modifications ===
  
−
  ~/disable_*.sh or ~/enable_*.sh
 
  
−
2) start/stop uinput-mapper with the right configuration:
+
[[File:IMAG1286.jpg|200px|thumb|left|First step of redesign control board]]
 +
- Added two fixed wheels and two swivel-wheels under the base
 +
-- To be able to move the thing around
  
−
  sudo input-read -D /dev/input/by-id/usb-Cypress_I-PAC_Arcade_Control_Interface-event-kbd | sudo input-create configs/techinc.py
+
- Added a hole that runs from the 'cabinet' part into the 'base' part
 +
-- Since I had the console removed already, it seemed smart to make some
 +
kind of hole in the base AND the cabinet that'd allow running a cable
 +
through for lighting/whatever.
  
−
And just hit ^C to stop it.
+
- Drilled a hole on the underside of the 'button-table' to let USB
 +
cables through
 +
-- To start getting rid of the 'kabel-salat' that plagues the
 +
arcade-machine, I moved the USB-hub from the 'coin-door' to a location
 +
inside of the cabinet; allowing the keyboard + pad to be connected a
 +
little more tidily. Also in preparation for other (suggested) changes
  
−
=== Games (with instructions) ===
+
- Removed all the blue tape holding the access-hatch closed; replaced it
 +
(for now) with a single screw
 +
-- This is not permanent; but the use of blue tape all over the place
 +
was not making things look nice. The screw is just a kludge. There is a
 +
mechanism on the back of the access-panel that we could re-use, if I
 +
could figure out how it was supposed to work. Simply making a
 +
spring-loaded latch there would work fine too.
  
 +
== Details ==
  
−
==== Super Hexagon ====
+
The cabinet we have is a 'generic' model designed to be able to run a
 +
number of games, originally.
  
−
Disable uinput-mapper and enable the "keyboard" interface.
+
We stuck a PC in there and replaced the CRT with an LCD.
 +
The controls connect to the PC via a 'JPAC' module from Ultimarc;
 +
connected to the PC via PS/2
 +
There are a number of USB-cables running from the PC to other devices.
 +
Including the keyboard + Touch-pad that are currently 'seated' at the
 +
top of the cabinet.
  
−
==== Jamestown ====
+
The PC runs Linux. It autoboots into an AWESOME desktop that has a
 +
full-screen 'program selection' window open which was programmed by
 +
Wizzup and Control-K as a way to easily be able to select the
 +
game/program/function you'd like to use.
  
−
Disable the "keyboard" interface; enable uinput-mapper with techinc.py configuration
+
The cabinet has the following controls
  
−
==== Emulators ====
+
- A coin-return; now used for 'on/off' (wired to 'ATX poweron' i believe)
 +
- Player 2 start (on front edge)
 +
- Player 1 joystick
 +
- Player 1 button 1
 +
- Player 1 button 2
 +
- Player 2 start (on front edge)
 +
- Player 2 joystick
 +
- Player 2 button 1
 +
- Player 2 button 2
  
−
* ZSNES (SNES)
+
The cabinet has a light-switch on the back to power on/off the light
−
* UAE (Amiga)
+
that illuminates the logo at the top.
−
* MAME
 
−
* ...
 
  
−
== Writing our own input driver ==
+
The cabinet has two speakers. Not clear if volume is wired up via
 +
volume-control button on the inside of the cabinet.
  
−
<b> Axes to axes, Buttons to buttons </b>
+
The cabinet is designed to be used either in 'seated' mode or, in it's
 +
current configuration, when standing.
 +
To make this possible, the cabinet is constructed out of two sections. A
 +
main section housing all the electronics, etc, and a 'pedestal' at the
 +
bottom that can be separated from the rest by removing two bolts.
 +
This raises the height of the entire machine about 40cm's or so.
  
−
Code: https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/uinput-mapper
 
  
−
For instructions, see: http://hetgrotebos.org/wiki/uinput-mapper
+
=== Video ===
  
−
And the techinc.py config can be viewed online:
+
We replaced the built-in monitor with a TFT monitor. (TODO: Resolution?)
  
−
http://googleco.de/uinput-mapper/tree/configs/techinc.py
+
=== Sound ===
  
−
Map:
+
The sound works and is connected to the computer as well. (TODO: Document how)
  
−
* Creates two joystick input devices in /dev/input
+
=== Power button ===
−
* Both joystick devices are mapped sanely.
 
−
* HAT0X / HAT0Y seem to work now that we specified absmin and absmax.
 
  
−
Keys are mapped like this:
+
The button next to the coin slit is now (also) a power button.
  
−
  HAT -> HAT0X, HAT0Y
+
=== Input ===
−
  Red Buttons, left to right: BTN_0, BTN_1, BTN_2
 
−
  Yellow Button: BTN_3
 
  
−
== User Interface ==
+
We have written our own Game Launcher frontend and software to do advanced input
 +
remapping.
  
−
we will probably give Wahcade a try - http://www.anti-particle.com/wahcade.shtml
+
==== Arcade Machine input ====
−
There should be something that starts automatically and allows you to select with the joystick
 
−
TODO.
 
  
−
Wrong Ubuntu version atm.. throws python errors / missing dependencies <-- AndreasR
+
The input can be read as PS2 (and USB); using a chip that we got alongside
 +
the Arcade Machine:
  
−
== Games ==
+
http://www.ultimarc.com/jpac.html
 +
http://www.ultimarc.com/jpac2.html
  
−
List of games:
+
The Arcade Machine input exposes itself as a single keyboard over USB and PS/2.
 +
This is problematic for most games, with the exception of MAME and a few
 +
emulators. Some games expect an input device per player, so one "keyboard"
 +
then simply is not enough.
  
−
=== Native ===
+
To solve this problem we have written software that can split one keyboard up
 +
into multiple virtual ones: https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/uinput-mapper ;
 +
http://hetgrotebos.org/wiki/uinput-mapper
  
−
* Jamestown (works with joysticks)
 
−
* Syobon (not yet! Ubuntu didn't have it in their repo ☹)
 
  
−
=== Amiga ===
+
= Old Old text =
  
−
In UAE, just add the games as floppies.
+
=== Common tasks ===
  
−
* SWIV (Great shoot them up game)
+
There are a few simple tasks until we've written a pretty interface + set of scritps.
−
* Pinball Fantasies
 
  
−
=== SNES ===
+
It mostly boils down to two tasks:
  
−
...
+
1) disable/enable the "keyboard" interface in X (to avoid double input):
  
−
=== in general ===
+
  ~/disable_*.sh or ~/enable_*.sh
  
−
Let's not overload the console with ALL MAME games, make a selection and allow people to make wishes, otherwise you have clutter
+
2) start/stop uinput-mapper with the right configuration:
  
−
Suggestion: focus on at least 50% co-op games!
+
  sudo input-read -D /dev/input/by-id/usb-Cypress_I-PAC_Arcade_Control_Interface-event-kbd | sudo input-create configs/techinc.py
−
Fun is best shared! ;)
 
  
−
metal gear, swiv, bubble bobble, alien vs predator, metal slug, ikari warriors, gauntlet, smash tv, TMNT, Rampage, NARC, etc.
+
And just hit ^C to stop it.
  
−
anything that makes fun together :)
+
== Writing our own input driver ==
  
−
== Other uses ==
+
<b> Axes to axes, Buttons to buttons </b>
  
−
* We can use it to control a variety of stuff. (light, sound)
+
Code: https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/uinput-mapper
−
* We can hook other consoles into it.
 
−
* Some kind of game that integrates with the space? interacts with some light / stuff around the arcade machine
 
−
* ???
 
  
−
== brainstorming GUI ==
+
For instructions, see: http://hetgrotebos.org/wiki/uinput-mapper
  
−
wahcade looks nice - lets install that
+
And the techinc.py config can be viewed online:
−
Problem: xmame is deprecated so
 
−
- either install old .deb packages or work around the problem?
 
  
 +
http://googleco.de/uinput-mapper/tree/configs/techinc.py
  
−
http://www.anti-particle.com/wahcade.shtml
+
Map:
−
http://wahki.mameau.com/index.php?title=Main_Page
 
−
http://wiki.nottinghack.org.uk/wiki/Michael%27s_MAME_Machine
 
  
−
https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/mamepgui/
+
* Creates two joystick input devices in /dev/input
−
http://qmc2.arcadehits.net/download.html
+
* Both joystick devices are mapped sanely.
−
http://mame.mindkiller.com/?section=downloads&project=mame
+
* HAT0X / HAT0Y seem to work now that we specified absmin and absmax.
−
http://gmameui.sourceforge.net/
 
−
http://www.raspberrypi.org/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=15915&p=163781
 
−
http://rbelmont.mameworld.info/?page_id=163
 
−
http://gxmame.sourceforge.net/
 
  
−
Launcher based on XBMC???
+
Keys are mapped like this:
  
−
http://lifehacker.com/5523672/turn-your-xbmc-media-center-into-a-video-game-console
+
  HAT -> HAT0X, HAT0Y
−
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Add-on:Advanced_Launcher
+
  Red Buttons, left to right: BTN_0, BTN_1, BTN_2
−
http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Dharma_Guide/Extras/Advanced_Launcher
+
  Yellow Button: BTN_3
−
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=141369
 
−
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=76600
 
−
http://mterry.name/log/2013/02/01/universal-emulator-frontend-in-ubuntu-12-04/
 
  
 +
== User Interface ==
  
−
there is bit.trip.runner in /usr/local/games
+
=== Using the menu ===
−
jamestown in /home/xbmc/jamestown
 
−
super meat boy in /home/xbmc/supermeatboy
 
−
braid somewhere...
 
−
dustforce in /usr/local/games and /usr/local/bin
 
−
bastion somewhere
 
−
super meat boy in /home/xbmc/supermeatboy
 
−
MAME launcher - needs installing (need ROMs)
 
−
where is super hexagon?
 
  
−
Wizzup: wbar --above-desk --pos center --isize 64 --noreload
+
There is a custom menu for the arcade machine, it should start automaticly.
 +
You can use the left joystick to choose a game/program.
 +
Press the most right button of player 1 to start it.
 +
For games that are not added yet, xterm is also in the menu.
  
−
== wah'cade ==
+
=== Restarting the menu ===
  
−
on the alternative disk (OCZ) <strike>there is wahcade installed</strike> I tried installing wah'cade :(
+
If the menu is closed and you want to start it, the python script is in "/home/techinc/arcade/game.py", run it using python2.
−
will have to try again
 
−
see here for hints (controls.ini needs creating)
 
  
−
*http://www.anti-particle.com/wahcade_quick.shtml
+
=== Adding programs ===
−
*http://www.anti-particle.com/projects/wahcade/INSTALL
 
−
*http://www.pygame.org/wiki/CompileUbuntu
 
−
basic config:
 
−
*http://wahki.mameau.com/index.php?title=Wah!Cade:Configuration
 
−
*http://easyemu.mameworld.info/mameguide/mameguide-controlini.htm
 
−
*http://mrdo.mameworld.info/mame.php
 
  
−
using different version of sdlmame now
+
You can use the supllied GUI in the menu, it will ask some questions.
−
*http://sdlmame.wallyweek.org/repository/
+
You can either choose a file to run or insert a custom command
 +
Then it asks for a name and descition
 +
Finaly, you will need a picture, you can use the standart questionmark, insert a file or taka a screenshot.
 +
When you take a screenshot, the command will be executed (so make sure it is alright) and after some seconds scrot is used to take a picture.
  
 +
You can also edit the ~/arcade/gamelist.conf file for more flexebilety.
  
−
=== limitations ===
+
Removeing a program can be done by pressing [DEL] in the main menu while you have the program selected.
−
problem with wah'cade is that it can not launch non-mame games.. probably xmame will be part of the solution or a selector at boot ?
 
  
−
= To-Do List =  
+
=== Fixing a broken menu ===
−
* inside of the arcade needs gutting - cleanup of cables, etc...
+
Sometimes things go wrong when adding games, specifecly while adding a screenshot, this can make the menu crash.
−
* wheels! Everything that can move is not in the way
+
You can fix it by removing the broken entry from  ~/arcade/gamelist.conf  manualy.
−
* power and/or reset button
 
−
* discuss: trackpad vs. joystick controls (needed for launcher)
 
−
* discuss: which launcher to use to start modern games or mame
 
−
** once inside MAME: which launcher to use for MAME?
 
−
*** make selection of like 50 MAME games - ask Mailing list for everyone's top-3 nostalgia favorites?
 
−
* USB/HID controls vs. input-mapper - Wizzup and Justa have to fight that one out...
 
−
** alternatively: discuss new joystick board with HID support (less "authentic")
 
−
*** in case of input mapper: remove/block alt-codes that drop players out of games / enable the menu while playing
 
−
*** in case of new joystick board: start pledge for it - examples:
 
−
**** ready-made: http://www.xgaming.com/store/arcade-joysticks-and-game-controllers/product/x-arcade-tankstick-includes-usb-cables/
 
−
**** DIY: http://www.ultimarc.com/ and use individual switches / buttons like we have now
 
−
* reinstall OS on SSD with wahcade / xselect / whatever we will chose as launcher
 

Latest revision as of 22:49, 23 June 2024

Projects
IMAG1287.jpg
Participants Control-k, Maijin, Realitygaps, Wizzup
Skills Programming
Status Active
Niche Software
Purpose Fun

Arcade Machine v2

As part of the old system being very janky and old, some of us have decided to rework it.

The old machine is kept around and backed up, and we are moving to a "newer" but still old machine, with a newer operating system: Batocera. The goal is to have a cleaner system: for context, the current disk has 2013 gentoo files, and nobody that I (x) asked knew about it.

Things that are worth noting: - The power button is exposed as two male dupont pins, we had to make a janky cable with two female dupont connectors on each side, and poke inside the computer with a screwdriver to find the power button pins. - The input for BOTH controllers is shown as a single USB keyboard: the JAMMA board inside has a jumper for USB and PS2. The older system used custom written software: uinput-mapper. For this iteration, I asked around in Batocera community and will try their recommendations.

Old Text

We own an Arcade Machine, of which we have replaced the contents with an Intel PC, running Linux. It has a custom game launcher and support for many emulators, such as MAME, UAE and other emulators.


See also https://wiki.techinc.nl/Arcade_Machine_Volume_Control

Current Installed Programs

Games

How to install more systems

  • ssh techinc@10.209.10.44
  • cd RetroPie-Setup
  • sudo ./retropie_setup.sh
  • Manage packages (opt/exp etc. see retropie website) ; select and install

How to install more games/roms

  • ssh techinc@10.209.10.44
  • Put your rom uncompressed in /home/techinc/RetroPie/roms/SYSTEMNAME (check the content of roms to choose the correct folder)

Native

  • And Yet It Moves
  • Aquaria
  • Bastion from SupergiantGames
  • beathazard
  • bit.trip.runner
  • cave_story_plus-linux-r100
  • hedgewars
  • HELI-X42
  • jamestown
  • luftrausers
  • mari0-linux
  • NightSky
  • Nothing To Hide
  • nottetris2
  • OpenHexagon1.92
  • openinvaders
  • OpenSyobonAction
  • Raptor: Call of the Shadows
  • Rotational_Linux_RC2
  • Spirits
  • stepmania-5.0
  • Super Hexagon
  • Superbrothers: Sword & Sworcery EP
  • SuperMeatBoy
  • super_mario_war
  • Thomas Was Alone
  • To The To The Moon
  • torus-trooper
  • Trine
  • Trine2
  • World Of Goo
  • ZenBound2

Emulation

N64

  • Zelda - Ocarina of Time.z64
  • m64py

Amiga

  • PiNBALL FANTASIES
  • jumpnbump
  • AMIGA ROM Packages
  • PROJECTX
  • Stargoose Warrior

DOS

  • Epic Pinball
  • ScummVM Games Collection
  • One Must Fall 2097
  • Wacky_Wheels
  • PARATROO.COM
  • SkyRoads

MAME

  • MAME Roms Packages

System

Plan / Wishlist

  • Get Windex or something to clean the outside case of the device
  • Clean up the inside of the machine, bundle cables.
  • Create a quick bootstraper script so we can deploy/reinstall the machine
  • Deploy RetroPie ?
  • Get wireless keyboard/mouse, maybe those mini-keyboard with the trackpad?
  • Fix a light inside of the cabinet


  • Get external USB controllers. (Wizzup bought two SNES USB ones and will donate them -- they are currently being shipped)
  • New and more physical input buttons
  • Make the uinput-software much more user friendly
  • Look at the test and volume controls inside of the cabinet
  • Improve the launcher and uinput-mapper stuff
  • Improve the game launcher
  • Add more games (only when they work nicely / well), perhaps we can have a "tested games" launcher and an advanced mode.
  • (Re)Paint the cabinet.
  • USB/HID controls vs. input-mapper - Wizzup and Justa have to fight that one out...
  • have it make coffee (hack a saeco inside for no reason)
  • strip the PC and mount it inside - reduce clutter while busy
  • investigate less heat production / better ventilation
  • We can use it to control a variety of stuff. (light, sound)
  • We can hook other consoles into it.
  • Some kind of game that integrates with the space? interacts with some light / stuff around the arcade machine


Modifications

First step of redesign control board

- Added two fixed wheels and two swivel-wheels under the base -- To be able to move the thing around

- Added a hole that runs from the 'cabinet' part into the 'base' part -- Since I had the console removed already, it seemed smart to make some kind of hole in the base AND the cabinet that'd allow running a cable through for lighting/whatever.

- Drilled a hole on the underside of the 'button-table' to let USB cables through -- To start getting rid of the 'kabel-salat' that plagues the arcade-machine, I moved the USB-hub from the 'coin-door' to a location inside of the cabinet; allowing the keyboard + pad to be connected a little more tidily. Also in preparation for other (suggested) changes

- Removed all the blue tape holding the access-hatch closed; replaced it (for now) with a single screw -- This is not permanent; but the use of blue tape all over the place was not making things look nice. The screw is just a kludge. There is a mechanism on the back of the access-panel that we could re-use, if I could figure out how it was supposed to work. Simply making a spring-loaded latch there would work fine too.

Details

The cabinet we have is a 'generic' model designed to be able to run a number of games, originally.

We stuck a PC in there and replaced the CRT with an LCD. The controls connect to the PC via a 'JPAC' module from Ultimarc; connected to the PC via PS/2 There are a number of USB-cables running from the PC to other devices. Including the keyboard + Touch-pad that are currently 'seated' at the top of the cabinet.

The PC runs Linux. It autoboots into an AWESOME desktop that has a full-screen 'program selection' window open which was programmed by Wizzup and Control-K as a way to easily be able to select the game/program/function you'd like to use.

The cabinet has the following controls

- A coin-return; now used for 'on/off' (wired to 'ATX poweron' i believe) - Player 2 start (on front edge) - Player 1 joystick - Player 1 button 1 - Player 1 button 2 - Player 2 start (on front edge) - Player 2 joystick - Player 2 button 1 - Player 2 button 2

The cabinet has a light-switch on the back to power on/off the light that illuminates the logo at the top.

The cabinet has two speakers. Not clear if volume is wired up via volume-control button on the inside of the cabinet.

The cabinet is designed to be used either in 'seated' mode or, in it's current configuration, when standing. To make this possible, the cabinet is constructed out of two sections. A main section housing all the electronics, etc, and a 'pedestal' at the bottom that can be separated from the rest by removing two bolts. This raises the height of the entire machine about 40cm's or so.


Video

We replaced the built-in monitor with a TFT monitor. (TODO: Resolution?)

Sound

The sound works and is connected to the computer as well. (TODO: Document how)

Power button

The button next to the coin slit is now (also) a power button.

Input

We have written our own Game Launcher frontend and software to do advanced input remapping.

Arcade Machine input

The input can be read as PS2 (and USB); using a chip that we got alongside the Arcade Machine:

http://www.ultimarc.com/jpac.html http://www.ultimarc.com/jpac2.html

The Arcade Machine input exposes itself as a single keyboard over USB and PS/2. This is problematic for most games, with the exception of MAME and a few emulators. Some games expect an input device per player, so one "keyboard" then simply is not enough.

To solve this problem we have written software that can split one keyboard up into multiple virtual ones: https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/uinput-mapper ; http://hetgrotebos.org/wiki/uinput-mapper


Old Old text

Common tasks

There are a few simple tasks until we've written a pretty interface + set of scritps.

It mostly boils down to two tasks:

1) disable/enable the "keyboard" interface in X (to avoid double input): 

 ~/disable_*.sh or ~/enable_*.sh

2) start/stop uinput-mapper with the right configuration: 

 sudo input-read -D /dev/input/by-id/usb-Cypress_I-PAC_Arcade_Control_Interface-event-kbd | sudo input-create configs/techinc.py

And just hit ^C to stop it.

Writing our own input driver

Axes to axes, Buttons to buttons

Code: https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/uinput-mapper

For instructions, see: http://hetgrotebos.org/wiki/uinput-mapper

And the techinc.py config can be viewed online:

http://googleco.de/uinput-mapper/tree/configs/techinc.py

Map:

  • Creates two joystick input devices in /dev/input
  • Both joystick devices are mapped sanely.
  • HAT0X / HAT0Y seem to work now that we specified absmin and absmax.

Keys are mapped like this: 

 HAT -> HAT0X, HAT0Y
 Red Buttons, left to right: BTN_0, BTN_1, BTN_2
 Yellow Button: BTN_3

User Interface

Using the menu

There is a custom menu for the arcade machine, it should start automaticly. You can use the left joystick to choose a game/program. Press the most right button of player 1 to start it. For games that are not added yet, xterm is also in the menu.

Restarting the menu

If the menu is closed and you want to start it, the python script is in "/home/techinc/arcade/game.py", run it using python2.

Adding programs

You can use the supllied GUI in the menu, it will ask some questions. You can either choose a file to run or insert a custom command Then it asks for a name and descition Finaly, you will need a picture, you can use the standart questionmark, insert a file or taka a screenshot. When you take a screenshot, the command will be executed (so make sure it is alright) and after some seconds scrot is used to take a picture.

You can also edit the ~/arcade/gamelist.conf file for more flexebilety.

Removeing a program can be done by pressing [DEL] in the main menu while you have the program selected.

Fixing a broken menu

Sometimes things go wrong when adding games, specifecly while adding a screenshot, this can make the menu crash. You can fix it by removing the broken entry from ~/arcade/gamelist.conf manualy.

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