| In a recent conversation with my friend and | | | | |
| expert arcade machine builder, Emily, I | | | | Tip #2- Start with a clean system. One of |
| discovered some secrets that had previously | | | | the first things Emily does when programming |
| kept me from building an arcade machine and | | | | the arcade machine is to reformat the hard |
| also from thinking that I could afford to do | | | | drive and install a fresh copy of Windows as |
| so. Emily shared with me some key tips for | | | | the operating system. After this you'll want |
| people just getting started in the process | | | | to learn how to optimize Windows for maximum |
| and busted some common myths associated with | | | | game play as these will be the only programs |
| arcade machines these days. | | | | running on Windows in the arcade machine. |
| | | | Doing so will allow for a smoother operation |
| First of all, going into the conversation, I | | | | for all game play. Partitioning the hard |
| was totally unfamiliar with what was included | | | | drive during the reformat process can also be |
| in the construction of a machine and, more | | | | beneficial. |
| importantly, what the machines can actually | | | | |
| do these days. So as Emily and I were | | | | Tip #3- Don't fret over the controllers. |
| talking I took out my notebook and jotted | | | | One of the main reasons I never got started |
| down some notes that I'd like to share as | | | | before was because I really didn't understand |
| they may prove to be valuable to you. | | | | the anatomy of the arcade machine. I assumed |
| | | | there would be so many wires that I wouldn't |
| Tip #1- When constructing the arcade machine, | | | | know where in the world to start. Actually, |
| the first step comes in properly | | | | it's quite simple to just order a |
| understanding what games you're intending to | | | | pre-constructed dual-joystick control for |
| play. First off, I wasn't even aware that | | | | around $100. If actually creating the |
| today's arcade machines are capable of | | | | controls is your thing, then great. However, |
| playing hundreds of games on the same | | | | most people want to get the thing playing and |
| machine. I was only concerned with Street | | | | looking decent. It's just a lot easier to |
| Fighter 2: Turbo and, as Emily pointed out, I | | | | order the controls and then just install them |
| could play that and several other games on | | | | with everything else. |
| the same arcade machine. However, what | | | | |
| powers today's arcade machines that people | | | | Tip #4- Building the cabinet is easier than |
| are building are primarily Windows based | | | | you may think. This is kind of a natural |
| PC's. Games from Playstation and before can | | | | lead in from the previous tip. With the |
| usually be run on an old Pentium 2 with 64 | | | | proper dimensions and pieces outlined, you |
| Megs of RAM. Just about any game can be | | | | can often have these cuts done for you at the |
| transferred to the PC but if you're going to | | | | lumber store leaving only the framing to be |
| run recent games you'll have to consider | | | | put together which doesn't require you to be |
| using higher level hardware components in the | | | | an expert carpenter. |
| machine itself. | | | | |