Difference between revisions of "Cabinet friendly software"

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m (added deeper info about cab friendly games)
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''Note: this page descibes what is meant by the term "cabinet friendly software", if you are looking for cabinet friendly software, see the [[Software Overview|software overview]].''
 
''Note: this page descibes what is meant by the term "cabinet friendly software", if you are looking for cabinet friendly software, see the [[Software Overview|software overview]].''
  
Software is considered '''cabinet friendly''' when all commands required to operate the software are remappable or mapped to a set of default keys.  
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== What is cabinet friendly software? ==
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'''cabinet friendly''' software is mean, as it can been played on a cabinet with limited controllers. This mean it can been played with no keyboard in use, no configuration in the menu, and no new windows based windows (like help and so on).
  
Cabinet buttons usually simulate a keypress (by use of [[Keyboard_Hacks|a keyboard hack]] or an [[Encoders|encoder]]. Thus 'firebutton 1' simulates the 'ctrl' key on a keyboard. The control panel of a cabinet can therefore be seen as a small keyboard with buttons and joysticks instead of ordinary keys.
 
So for a game or emulator to be cabinet friendly, it has to be possible operate with that limited keyboard.
 
  
Cabinets with a [[trackballs|trackball]] might be able to operate more software as the trackball can be used to move the mousepointer. Note that some encoders can change the button-to-key mapping ''on the fly'' also greatly increasing the number of cabinet friendly software possibilities.
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=== About Controllers ===
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Software is considered '''cabinet friendly''' when all commands required to operate the software are remappable (including ESC), or mapped to a set of default keys, based on [[MAME]].
  
==Default ''cabinet friendly'' keys==
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Cabinet have a limited control, wich is based on a keyboard or gameport encoder. This mean you have not have a access to a full keyboard to operate. Most encoders use [[MAME]] default, wich mean the sofeware need to been remapped to use these keys for operate correct.
Many BYOACers use [[MAME]] as their main emulator and have some (or limited) system buttons on the cabinet. Some emulators use the MAME control scheme as standard or have options to use a MAME friendly control scheme.
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Cabinets with a [[trackballs|trackball]] might be able to operate more software as the trackball can be used to move the mousepointer (without need a joy2key utility). There are even some games, that use a trackball, rather than mouse.
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At the last some more thing to look for:
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* ESC should exits the game, regaards it on the game or menu.
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* Hiscore entry should '''>NOT<''' use the keyboard (yes, many mostly cab friendly PC games does that).
 +
 
 +
 
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=== About Resoulution ===
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To get a status of ''cabinet freidly software'', the game need to been operate a resoulution by 640x480 and below.
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Even the game only use 640x480, A 15khz arcade monitor can only use this resoulution on a interlaced mode only. This mean the screen would flicker, and some graphics may even look horrible. Many games do look fine, even on interlaced.
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For the best result, it need to been operated on a 320x240 and 321x240 (wich ArcadeVGA use) for use on a arcade monitor. A nice bonus is a resoulution like 640x240, wich also is a flickerfree resoulution wich ArcadeVGA can use.
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 +
 
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=== About Config ===
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Some games may use config with auful window based config, wich is accessible from the menu. A more cabinet friedly is move the config is out from the game, so it only can been accessible from a seperate exe, or a hidden shourtcut. Not all games do this, and is pain (because you may need to use a mouse, wich is dosent have on a cab).
  
* '''Escape''' key (''ESC'') - quits the emulator
 
  
  
 
==List of cabfriendly games==
 
==List of cabfriendly games==
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Here is a lists of PC games, that is fun to have on a cab:
 +
 
* [[Arcade Games]]
 
* [[Arcade Games]]
 
* [[Classic Games]]
 
* [[Classic Games]]
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* [[Simulators]]
 
* [[Simulators]]
 
* [[Remakes]]
 
* [[Remakes]]
 
==See Also==
 
* [[Software]]
 
  
 
==External Links==
 
==External Links==
 
* [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=7479 BYOAC forum thread] discussing software that can be played on a cabinet.
 
* [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=7479 BYOAC forum thread] discussing software that can be played on a cabinet.
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* [http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=56545.0 Who makes their own games?] - Look here, if you are a developer.
  
 
[[Category:Index]]
 
[[Category:Index]]
 
[[Category:Software]]
 
[[Category:Software]]

Revision as of 08:22, 11 August 2006

Note: this page descibes what is meant by the term "cabinet friendly software", if you are looking for cabinet friendly software, see the software overview.

What is cabinet friendly software?

cabinet friendly software is mean, as it can been played on a cabinet with limited controllers. This mean it can been played with no keyboard in use, no configuration in the menu, and no new windows based windows (like help and so on).


About Controllers

Software is considered cabinet friendly when all commands required to operate the software are remappable (including ESC), or mapped to a set of default keys, based on MAME.

Cabinet have a limited control, wich is based on a keyboard or gameport encoder. This mean you have not have a access to a full keyboard to operate. Most encoders use MAME default, wich mean the sofeware need to been remapped to use these keys for operate correct.

Cabinets with a trackball might be able to operate more software as the trackball can be used to move the mousepointer (without need a joy2key utility). There are even some games, that use a trackball, rather than mouse.

At the last some more thing to look for:

  • ESC should exits the game, regaards it on the game or menu.
  • Hiscore entry should >NOT< use the keyboard (yes, many mostly cab friendly PC games does that).


About Resoulution

To get a status of cabinet freidly software, the game need to been operate a resoulution by 640x480 and below.

Even the game only use 640x480, A 15khz arcade monitor can only use this resoulution on a interlaced mode only. This mean the screen would flicker, and some graphics may even look horrible. Many games do look fine, even on interlaced.

For the best result, it need to been operated on a 320x240 and 321x240 (wich ArcadeVGA use) for use on a arcade monitor. A nice bonus is a resoulution like 640x240, wich also is a flickerfree resoulution wich ArcadeVGA can use.


About Config

Some games may use config with auful window based config, wich is accessible from the menu. A more cabinet friedly is move the config is out from the game, so it only can been accessible from a seperate exe, or a hidden shourtcut. Not all games do this, and is pain (because you may need to use a mouse, wich is dosent have on a cab).


List of cabfriendly games

Here is a lists of PC games, that is fun to have on a cab:

External Links