Pintroller - A controller for virtual pinball

[davidjrice]

Hey folks,

I’m starting to work on a new project idea I had, that I’m tentatively calling “Pintroller”, a controller for virtual pinball.

The idea is to make a plug and play USB controller unit on an Arduino board with real pinball hardware that acts as a standard game pad controller with:

* LED enabled buttons
* 2x flipper buttons
* 2x magna save button
* launch ball button
* coin button
* start game button
* a menu button
* integration with PinMAME events to control lighting that is reactive with the table

Stretch goals include

* nudge integration with an accelerometer
* a colour DMD with the real score board
* a speaker that could be used for table sounds
* wireless?

The main benefit for me would be being able to conveniently store away the unit when not in use and use with my setup until I maybe build a permanent cabinet unit.

I think it might be useful for other people in the same situation or even anyone building a new pin too as I plan on probably open sourcing the code for it and could document a parts list.

Has anyone done a build like this before? I’ve not found any product like this I could just buy.

I’ve found a couple interesting related open source projects but not this exactly.

Would anyone be interested in such a device / kit?

Also, any recommendations for parts to consider or where to get them would be appreciated!

 

[Pick Holder]

Having used Pinscape since its evolution and before that the other kit that also used a KL25z board - I feel that an upgrade is well over due.

First issue is KL25Zs are expensive - when you can get them!

However I will say unless you have the nudge in it from day one - it is not going to do much on the market as pinscape do have it covered. It is currently the best way to add a nudge.

You would also need to fit an analog plunger emulation - most people use a pot. Again this is in pinscape.

You will also need an EXIT button and people do like an EXTRA BALL button.

The colour display thing - do you need to bother with Pin2dmd and now ZeDMD? A lot now use a stretch screen or even a 15" monitor as they use pinup a lot that supports a larger DMD (ie a kinda modern stern size one).

I wouldnt go wireless. Flipper lag is the biggest enemy with any vpin.

Great idea to use an arduino, Take the price down.

The old price for a KL25Z was about £15-20. Now people want three times that. I have a small stock as they are valuable to me to hang onto.

 

[StandUpAndFight]

Hey folks,

I’m starting to work on a new project idea I had, that I’m tentatively calling “Pintroller”, a controller for virtual pinball.

The idea is to make a plug and play USB controller unit on an Arduino board with real pinball hardware that acts as a standard game pad controller with:

* LED enabled buttons
* 2x flipper buttons
* 2x magna save button
* launch ball button
* coin button
* start game button
* a menu button
* integration with PinMAME events to control lighting that is reactive with the table

Stretch goals include

* nudge integration with an accelerometer
* a colour DMD with the real score board
* a speaker that could be used for table sounds
* wireless?

The main benefit for me would be being able to conveniently store away the unit when not in use and use with my setup until I maybe build a permanent cabinet unit.

I think it might be useful for other people in the same situation or even anyone building a new pin too as I plan on probably open sourcing the code for it and could document a parts list.

Has anyone done a build like this before? I’ve not found any product like this I could just buy.

I’ve found a couple interesting related open source projects but not this exactly.

Would anyone be interested in such a device / kit?

Also, any recommendations for parts to consider or where to get them would be appreciated!

I would be interested, but only if it had nudge.

 

[Jib]

Are you aiming for something like this? I have a desktop vpin setup and have thought about making something similar but just end up using the keyboard as I think it'd be an awkward hand position at normal sitting height.

I'd definitely include an accelerometer.

 

[Jib]

Not sure how heavy you'd have to make it so you weren't accidently nudging when just pressing buttons, I know you can tailor the sensitivity but also don't want to have to move the box around several inches on a desk all the time.