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