dsheinem wrote:I'm a big fan of what you are trying to do here, but honestly I'm not a fan of the controller. I know you were going for a "rustic" look but to me it just looks haphazard/homemade (in a bad way). I'd be interested to see if you made a P2 controller but used your vacuum method - it would be interesting to compare/contrast and see what people liked best. Of course, that might mean a lot of extra work that you'd rather devote to, y'know, working on the console
I understand your point and originally I wanted to have a nice curved casing, like an Xbox controller. Problems/considerations were that:
* need to have a 12 button keypad on the front to control Intellivision and Colecovision games, and that area needs to be flat for an overlay to work. I also need 4 action buttons, which vary between console systems by their button colours and also if lettered or plain, so that area needs to also be flat and an extension of the keypad area.
* due to using overlays, it restricts to using normal clicky tact switches instead of rubber topped tact switches, as there is no ability to press a button enough through an overlay unless using a clicky tact switch.
* the joysticks are limited in their positioning, in order to have equal comfort to use the d-pad, which some systems use instead of a joystick anyway. This affects the size of the controller, especially with the analogue shoulder buttons and the cart interface incorporated.
* the back has to be flat for the other section (containing the system controller for the console in use) so can't be curved therefore. Whilst it is true the backing piece to the controller section could be curved in itself to continue the curvature, if the back is curved and the front isn't it would look strange.
In saying that, I have three issues with the current design:
* the sides are curved nicely but make the system look "home made". It was hard to try to make a curved surface work against a flat one with various angles so i'm in two minds whether to rip it off and try a different method
* I made a bit of a meal of the keypad area and not sure if can be improved or not, it all depends on how well it responds in gameplay
* it looks home made
Conclusion - I have decided it might be a better idea to try again with making a controller from scratch, after all, this is going to represent the pinnicle of my abilities, so I therefore have to try my best. Timescale isn't an issue after all, getting it as good as I can make it is.
What i'm therefore going to do is to try and remake the entire controller using a DreamCast controller; there might be enough space for what I need to do. Using a Jaguar controller would be more of an ideal shape but the controller is laid out so badly that incorporating joysticks wouldn't work. The DreamCast controller however is a possibility.
The front can be flattened so almost the whole front will be flat, so the joysticks can be positioned properly, the d-pad will also be flat, and enough space for a keypad and action buttons. The back between the shoulder buttons might be enough space for the cart interface and cartridge with controller board (this will be a deciding factor of course). I can of course make the controller a bit wider, about 2cm would do, and I may well do that.
What this will end up with, if it works, is a curved casing and more interesting shape, and will be a mix between flat and curved.
I'll give this a go - at least if it fails, then "i've tried", however if it works, then this controller will look pretty awesome.
I always appreciate constructive criticism and feedback, and as in this case, if the suggestion makes sense and can be actioned, I do so - as evidenced here. It's one of the reasons I document my projects fully, not just so others can learn how I make things but also to give me positive and useful constructive feedback that is helpful.
I must say dsheinem, I had thoughts myself about remaking the controller, however it felt quite comfortable to use and works great with installing controller sections; and I may have decided to remake the controller (or at least look into it) anyway, but your post persuaded me to look at it more objectively! Sometimes when I spend so long trying to make something work it is easy to be blinkered and bloody minded to make it work!
So, i'll put the old controller to one side "in limbo" and start again with a DreamCast controller! Don't get me wrong, I like my current controller, it's just that I think I can make a better one!
Regards player 2, I have no use for a player 2 port. I play games alone. The Alpha Omega system will never be for sale and will remain one of a kind, so as such, no reason to integrate a player 2 facility.
BTW dsheinem, my project WIP is on here and also my own forum, as this post is very relevant indeed to the potential change in direction regards controller, i'm going to copy your quote into my forum thread as it is relevant - let me know if this isn't ok.
