IGDA Twin Cities Podcast #8

We've published another IGDA Twin Cities podcast.  We had some recording problems, but its still full of interesting conversation.

I presented at IGDA Twin Cities

I presented at this month's IGDA Twin Cities meeting.  I want to find others with similar interests in Arcade machines and video games and see if we can start something.  I would love to see a Winnitron in MN, and I'd love to make a game for it.

Anyway, check out my presentation.  I was awesome like usual.


Arcade Games and Independent Games on the Winnitron.

Arcade Design

I've made some interesting progress with my Arcade cabinet design.  I've experimented with the idea of it being more modern that typical arcade cabinets, and emphasizing the smaller depth that I can get using newer and smaller hardware, such as a flat screen monitor.  I built it in Blender to help me visualize it, as well as think about how to put it together.

I took it a step further and built an approximate 1/3 scale model using foam board.  I measured the thickness of the board and assumed it would be equivalent to 1/2 inch thick MDF and scaled from there.  It stands 27 inches tall, where the real design is 6 feet tall.  The "monitor" in this case is just black and blue construction paper the scale size of a 24 inch monitor.

Arcade Controller Progress

2 Player Controller

I finished my test game controller some time ago.  My intent was to build it both for function, as well as to see how the construction would go.  The general construction was fine, using MDF and shelving boards, however the painting was a learning experience.  I wanted it to be super smooth and glossy, so I spent a lot, I mean a lot of time sanding. 

Stick and button configuration.

I started using a semi-glossy latex wall paint which went on well, but left a lot of texture.  It was also sticky, even after drying for weeks, such that if you rest your hands on the paint you had to peel them off.  I painted about 7 coats of the latex paint, each with a thorough sanding after drying.  The tackiness wasn't right so I sanded again with a real rough grain and switched to an enamel gloss paint.  It turned out great!

The controls are pretty simple using the I-PAC 2 from Ultimarc.  It works great, acting like a keyboard plugged into the computer. 

E3 2011

I love E3, its so much fun to see happen.  A combination of what they say and how they say it.

It was a great subject for the IGDA Twin cities podcast, though I only said half of what's on my mind.  We talk E3 at great length, covering everything from Microsoft’s Kinect boner, to Sony’s apology and Nintendo’s new console.  Check it out.

Podcasting, Episode 5

Perhaps we were a little crude, but it was fun.  We had a guest on too.  Check IGDATC.org to listen to the podcast, or check it out the on iTunes.

Another podcast published

Portal 2 consumes me... but I managed to find the time to record a IGDA Twin Cities Podcast and talk about Portal 2.

Check IGDATC.org or on iTunes to listen to the podcast.

Arcade Controller

I've finally built and arcade controller. It was pretty easy, though I changed my mind about using a KE72 and decided to use I-PAC 2 from Ultimarc instead. It was brilliantly simple to assemble and has been a lot of fun.  I've also toyed with Hyperspin as a front end, but without many games and content, Hyperspin is a chore to find games that work.  However, it does come with a lot of documentation and helper programs to organize lists and everything, so I'm going to go forward with it.