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 =
machine by putting a computer in there and hooking that computer to the joystick
 
input and screens. The computer runs MAME and other emulators, such as Amiga
 
or SNES emulators.
 
  
== Getting it to start ==
+
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.
  
There's a basic Dell machine in the Arcade Box; with Wake on Lan. Just send the
 
WOL packet to the right mac address, which can be found on the machine:
 
  
  00:21:70:03:31:1b
+
See also https://wiki.techinc.nl/Arcade_Machine_Volume_Control
  
Here is an example command line that will turn on the machine (etherwake defaults to eth0, so wlan0 is specified)
+
== Current Installed Programs ==
  
  sudo etherwake 00:21:70:03:31:1b -i wlan0
+
== Games ==
  
Or, equivalently:
+
==== How to install more systems ====
  
  wakeonlan 00:21:70:03:31:1b
+
* ssh techinc@10.209.10.44
 +
* cd RetroPie-Setup
 +
* sudo ./retropie_setup.sh
 +
* Manage packages (opt/exp etc. see retropie website) ; select and install
  
From: http://gsd.di.uminho.pt/jpo/software/wakeonlan/
+
==== How to install more games/roms ====
  
=== Power button ===
+
* 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)
  
The button next to the coin slit is now also a power button.
+
=== Native ===
  
=== 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
  
==== Arcade Machine input ====
+
=== Emulation ===
  
The input can be read as PS2 (and USB); using a chip that we got alongside
+
==== N64 ====
the Arcade Machine:
 
  
http://www.ultimarc.com/jpac.html
+
* Zelda - Ocarina of Time.z64
http://www.ultimarc.com/jpac2.html
+
* m64py
  
The Arcade Machine input exposes itself as a single keyboard over USB and PS/2.
+
==== Amiga ====
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.
 
  
More straight forward scripts will be provided to change de input mapping at a later time; for now, read on.
+
* PiNBALL FANTASIES
 +
* jumpnbump
 +
* AMIGA ROM Packages
 +
* PROJECTX
 +
* Stargoose Warrior
  
==== Other Input ====
+
==== DOS ====
  
We attached two PlayStation controllers, but I ([[User:Wizzup|Wizzup]]) am not a
+
* Epic Pinball
big fan of them. Regardless, there's a USB hub so feel free to plug in other
+
* ScummVM Games Collection
controllers! It would be nice to have proper SNES ones.
+
* One Must Fall 2097
 +
* Wacky_Wheels
 +
* PARATROO.COM
 +
* SkyRoads
  
This may be useful: https://www.thinkgeek.com/product/f08d/ and
+
==== MAME ====
http://www.amazon.com/Classic-USB-Super-Nintendo-Controller-PC/dp/B002JAU20W
 
Or we can make our own.
 
  
==== Coin Input ====
+
* MAME Roms Packages
  
This should be handled by the Input over PS2/USB as well. It is probably mapped
+
== System ==
to some a key.
 
  
=== Video ===
+
* dosbox
 
+
* git
We replaced the built-in monitor with a TFT monitor.
 
 
 
=== Sound ===
 
 
 
The sound works and is connected to the computer as well.
 
 
 
=== 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.
 
 
 
=== Games (with instructions) ===
 
 
 
 
 
==== Super Hexagon ====
 
 
 
Just start it from the menu
 
 
 
==== Jamestown ====
 
 
 
Disable the "keyboard" interface; enable uinput-mapper with techinc.py configuration
 
 
 
==== Emulators ====
 
 
 
* ZSNES (SNES)
 
* UAE (Amiga)
 
 
* MAME
 
* MAME
* ...
+
* MAME 0114b
 
+
* MAME32 plus 0.83
== Writing our own input driver ==
+
* PlayOnLinux
 
+
* powerbars - https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/powerbars
<b> Axes to axes, Buttons to buttons </b>
+
* pygame
 
+
* ssh server
Code: https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/uinput-mapper
+
* uinput-mapper
 
+
* Unity3D
For instructions, see: http://hetgrotebos.org/wiki/uinput-mapper
+
* vim
 
+
* wahcade
And the techinc.py config can be viewed online:
+
* Wine
 
+
* xfce4
http://googleco.de/uinput-mapper/tree/configs/techinc.py
+
* ./git/Arcade - https://github.com/jorants/Arcade
 
+
* ./arcade
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:
+
== Plan / Wishlist ==
  
  HAT -> HAT0X, HAT0Y
+
* Get Windex or something to clean the outside case of the device
  Red Buttons, left to right: BTN_0, BTN_1, BTN_2
+
* Clean up the inside of the machine, bundle cables.
  Yellow Button: BTN_3
+
* 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
  
  
== User Interface ==
+
* 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
=== Using the menu ===
+
* Make the uinput-software much more user friendly
There is a custom menu for the arcade machine, it should start automaticly.
+
* Look at the test and volume controls inside of the cabinet
You can use the left joystick to choose a game/program.
+
* Improve the launcher and uinput-mapper stuff
Press the most right button of player 1 to start it.
+
* Improve the game launcher
For games that are not added yet, xterm is also in the menu.
+
* 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.
=== 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.
 
 
 
 
 
== Games ==
 
 
 
List of games:
 
 
 
=== Native ===
 
* superhexagon
 
* Jamestown (works with joysticks)
 
* Syobon (not yet! Ubuntu didn't have it in their repo ☹)
 
 
 
=== Amiga ===
 
 
 
In UAE, just add the games as floppies.
 
 
 
* SWIV (Great shoot them up game)
 
* Pinball Fantasies
 
 
 
=== SNES ===
 
 
 
...
 
 
 
=== in general ===
 
 
 
Let's not overload the console with ALL MAME games, make a selection and allow people to make wishes, otherwise you have clutter
 
 
 
Suggestion: focus on at least 50% co-op games!
 
Fun is best shared! ;)
 
 
 
metal gear, swiv, bubble bobble, alien vs predator, metal slug, ikari warriors, gauntlet, smash tv, TMNT, Rampage, NARC, etc.
 
 
 
anything that makes fun together :)
 
 
 
== Other uses ==
 
 
 
* 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
 
* ???
 
 
 
 
 
= To-Do List =
 
* <strike>wheels! Everything that can move is not in the way</strike> Done 20141116 - Justa
 
* <strike>power and/or reset button </strike>
 
* 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...
 
* USB/HID controls vs. input-mapper - Wizzup and Justa have to fight that one out...
* reinstall OS on SSD
 
 
* have it make coffee (hack a saeco inside for no reason)
 
* have it make coffee (hack a saeco inside for no reason)
 
* strip the PC and mount it inside - reduce clutter while busy
 
* strip the PC and mount it inside - reduce clutter while busy
 
* investigate less heat production / better ventilation
 
* 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
  
= Justa-Mail from 20141117 =
 
  
 +
=== Modifications ===
  
  
 +
[[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
  
As some of you might've spotted in the elves-update; the arcade-machine
+
- Added a hole that runs from the 'cabinet' part into the 'base' part
has undergone a number of small changes that have been carried out in
+
-- Since I had the console removed already, it seemed smart to make some
preparation towards doing more major work.
+
kind of hole in the base AND the cabinet that'd allow running a cable
 +
through for lighting/whatever.
  
I will list the things done (and why I thought they were useful), as
+
- Drilled a hole on the underside of the 'button-table' to let USB
well as the things that are on my 'wishlist'; not to say that they WILL
+
cables through
happen, but I'd like them TO happen (if there's not too much
+
-- To start getting rid of the 'kabel-salat' that plagues the
disagreement about it.
+
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
This post contains four parts:
+
little more tidily. Also in preparation for other (suggested) changes
 
 
- Info
 
- Work Done
 
- Work planned/suggested
 
- Input Requested
 
  
 +
- 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.
  
First: a little info.
+
== Details ==
--------
 
  
 
The cabinet we have is a 'generic' model designed to be able to run a
 
The cabinet we have is a 'generic' model designed to be able to run a
 
number of games, originally.
 
number of games, originally.
 +
 
We stuck a PC in there and replaced the CRT with an LCD.
 
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;
 
The controls connect to the PC via a 'JPAC' module from Ultimarc;
Line 271: Line 211:
  
  
Second: stuff done.
+
=== Video ===
------
+
 
 +
We replaced the built-in monitor with a TFT monitor. (TODO: Resolution?)
  
- Added two fixed wheels and two swivel-wheels under the base
+
=== Sound ===
-- To be able to move the thing around
+
 
 +
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 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):
  
- Added a hole that runs from the 'cabinet' part into the 'base' part
+
  ~/disable_*.sh or ~/enable_*.sh
-- 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
+
2) start/stop uinput-mapper with the right configuration:
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
+
  sudo input-read -D /dev/input/by-id/usb-Cypress_I-PAC_Arcade_Control_Interface-event-kbd | sudo input-create configs/techinc.py
(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.
 
  
 +
And just hit ^C to stop it.
  
Third: Work planned/suggested
+
== Writing our own input driver ==
----------
 
  
(listed in semi-order-of-priority)
+
<b> Axes to axes, Buttons to buttons </b>
  
- Clean up the inside of the machine
+
Code: https://github.com/MerlijnWajer/uinput-mapper
-- Bundle cables together, route them nicely, remove things that don't
 
have to be inside of the machine anymore. Make it so that you can move
 
the machine without shaking things loose and/or damaging things when
 
closing/opening it.
 
  
- Move the/a keyboard/mouse/touchpad/rollerball into a 'drawer' below
+
For instructions, see: http://hetgrotebos.org/wiki/uinput-mapper
the control-table
 
-- To get rid of the kabel-salat AND make the whole thing a much more
 
tidy affair, it is my intention to make a suspended 'drawer' type
 
assembly below the control-table that contains the/a keyboard + trackpad
 
(pref dual-mouse). Perhaps we can find a keyboard that includes this,
 
even. There is now a hole in the right place for the cables.
 
-- The drawer would have a nice 'bevel' at the front that'd slide
 
underneath the control-table so as to hide the drawer from view (mostly).
 
--  Extra bonus option: provide a set of conntectors at the front of the
 
drawer to connect, and integrate the logic in the drawer: keypads
 
(SNES/Playstation), joysticks (analog), ARCADE-II joysticks
 
(C64/MSX/etc), and/or USB (Flight Simulator, etc)
 
There are great DIY projects available for this, as well as cheap
 
chinese adapters.
 
  
- Fix a light inside of the cabinet
+
And the techinc.py config can be viewed online:
-- There used to be a light inside of the cabinet to aid in any work to
 
be done inside. It's now super-dark and there's no easy way to do any
 
cleanup work. I suggest restoring the light (re-wiring), or replacing it
 
with a LED-based affair
 
  
- Sort out the 'test' and 'volume' controls on the inside of the cabinet
+
http://googleco.de/uinput-mapper/tree/configs/techinc.py
-- Are these working ? If so, perhaps move them to an accessible spot
 
(next to the light-switch on the back ?)
 
  
- Provide a way to 'insert coin'
+
Map:
-- Notably, we lack a 'coin' switch. All the MAME-games normally assume
 
a coin to be thrown in before you can play. This is currently only
 
possibly through the use of the '6' key on the keyboard. This should be
 
fixed. A nice hack with a 'coin on a rope' in a coin-slot would be
 
awesome, of course.
 
  
- Check which other controls we would like to add
+
* Creates two joystick input devices in /dev/input
-- A lot of the mame-cabinets out there provide a total of 6 (SIX!) keys
+
* Both joystick devices are mapped sanely.
per player. We have two, currently. I think replacing the two buttons
+
* HAT0X / HAT0Y seem to work now that we specified absmin and absmax.
with new ones + 4 more would be a good investment. I have run into quite
 
a few games that dont work, at current.
 
  
- Provide (better) documentation for those who want to play a game and
+
Keys are mapped like this:
do not have a PhD in ICT.
 
-- Starting a game currently is something that takes a bit too much
 
knowledge of how the keyboard mapping of the keys and the way MAME
 
expects them to be used (especially 'insert coin') , as well as the fact
 
that 'chording' the PLAYER 1 and PLAYER 2 keys at the same time seems to
 
be the same as 'escape', which quits the game and returns to Wah!Cade...
 
-- At the least, a little bit of info either on the screen OR on the
 
machine should make it clear how to get a game to do the basic things.
 
An overview of where the buttons are and what they are called (button
 
one, button two, etc) would be good.
 
  
 +
  HAT -> HAT0X, HAT0Y
 +
  Red Buttons, left to right: BTN_0, BTN_1, BTN_2
 +
  Yellow Button: BTN_3
  
- Liven up the software configuration with a clearer overview and pictures
+
== User Interface ==
-- The software allows a nice start-screen to be produced. At current,
 
however, it's not quite clear how to get to playing ARCADE-games, etc..
 
It'd be good to re-do the layout, provide pictures, check the controls
 
(to be consistent over the different options) etc.
 
  
- Put lights in the base of the machine to make it look awesome
+
=== Using the menu ===
-- As part of my work on 'justacluster', I found out that using RGB-led
 
modules (with seperate R/G/B leds) and a perforated sheet of aluminium
 
creates an awesome effect.
 
  
-- See http://www.sociallife.org/data/blender/secret/IMG_6467.JPG for an
+
There is a custom menu for the arcade machine, it should start automaticly.
example of what  that can look like.
+
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.
  
- Provide new artwork for the top-light
+
=== Restarting the menu ===
-- There is now a generic piece of artwork in there. A techinc-branded
 
version would be awesome
 
  
- Repaint the cabinet in it's entirety.
+
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.
-- The machine has quite a few scuff-marks; the base has kick and
 
water-damage and needs re-doing.
 
-- I'd like to either: find someone who can do nice artwork (or find a
 
way to do it with sticker-transfers)
 
-- OR simply do the whole thing in a very simple one- or two-color
 
livery. Bright orange with a single white sport-stripe along the sides
 
or so.
 
  
Fourth: Input requested
+
=== Adding programs ===
----------
 
  
- Should we perhaps simply replace/redo the entire control-table in it's
+
You can use the supllied GUI in the menu, it will ask some questions.
entirity by replacing the surface with a larger one that 'sticks out' a
+
You can either choose a file to run or insert a custom command
little on the sides ? This would allow for better hand-rest positions
+
Then it asks for a name and descition
and better access to all the keys.
+
Finaly, you will need a picture, you can use the standart questionmark, insert a file or taka a screenshot.
-- Bonus: adding a drawer might be easier to do 'nicely'
+
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.
  
- Anyone care to help pledge for the 60 euro's or so required for 12 new
+
You can also edit the ~/arcade/gamelist.conf file for more flexebilety.
buttons ?
 
-- And what colors should we be doing ?
 
  
- What kind of artwork would people like to let the arcade have ?
+
Removeing a program can be done by pressing [DEL] in the main menu while you have the program selected.
-- A nice glossy black with the techinc-colors (partial logo on the
 
sides ?) would be nice, too.
 
  
-- Arnd
+
=== 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.

Latest revision as of 15:27, 12 May 2023

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

Arcade Machine

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 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.