We are planning the PAD of DDR or PIU (BEMANI ASC)

djdao · 10-23-2009, 11:23 AM

We are planning to make the real DDR or PIU pad.
That use material same to arcade. So feeling will be perfect.
But we dont know what 's is important.
So please give us some advice.
Thank you!!!.

Welcome To DJDAO Bemania Arcade Style Controller Website

delrio · 10-23-2009, 11:36 AM

Holy wow, this is great news, Dao. What kind of connections will you have on it? PS2, USB, etc?

I'd say PS2 is really a must at this point, even with the system about to die out. There's just too many good DDR PS2 games.

I can't wait to see how these turn out, especially PIU.

Riku · 10-23-2009, 12:01 PM

this is an excellent idea Mr. Dao. I personally think you should consider making a platform similar to In the Groove 2. ITGs platform are perfect. The arrows are perfectly recessed, and the sensitivity are outstanding. Alot of fans also want to utilize a bar. Lastly, the ability to use it with PS2, in addition to PS3, Wii, and 360/PC is extremely important as DDR is moving to those consoles. I love your IIDX PE2 turntable, so I will most definitely pre-order this when it is officially announced.

sladehealy · 10-23-2009, 12:14 PM

I think I know which platform I'm holding out for!
Like Riku mentioned, it would be great if it was as close to the ITG platforms as possible and support for ps3,ps2,360,pc, wii.

looking forward to seeing what you come up with

Riku · 10-23-2009, 12:36 PM

one more thing Mr. Dao. Even though the PS3/360 will have the 8 panel mode, I think you should maintain the original arcade build. If you do want to take that new mode or solo mode into consideration, you can include a control box that makes the corner buttons active.

Kalek · 10-23-2009, 02:25 PM

the thing that i think is most important about a ddr pad is that the arrow is sensitive everywhere

the current most popular home pad, the cobalt flux, can only easily make contact in the center of the panel, making it very difficult for players to conserve energy.

recessed arrows (but not too recessed like the afterburner) and perhaps arcade sensors+brackets would be good too, but the above is absolutely the most important.

Kσn · 10-23-2009, 06:09 PM

I think it should either have the same layout as an ITG2 dedicab, or the current layout of a Japanese DDR Arcade Dance Pad. I would totally prefer the style of an ITG2 dedicab though because I often play alot and have come to realize that the ITG2 pads are just much easier to play on.

Also having a bar is a must for me, as well as many users on here I am sure. But if its possible make it so the bar can be removed like other companies have in the past. I can't image how you would even ship it out with a bar on.

In addition I think it would be wise to offer customers a option for which bar they would use. I prefer the ITG2/PIU bar over the DDR bars- but people will say otherwise. I think the bars go out at the same width (or close) but the ITG2/PIU bar have a curve at the top making it more wide.

Other then that I really cant say anything. But it may be easier to use something other then actual arcade sensors, because they are quite expensive.

Cant wait to see what you do in the future Dao.

8ftsativaist · 10-24-2009, 04:32 AM

If you put a bar on it, you could break it into multiple parts and bolt it together, or make it out of parts that slot/screw together, so you save on having to ship them as one big piece.
Also, you could test a few other types of sensors to find the most arcade like ones, because as stated above, the genuine ones can be expensive, but only having two per pad can reduce the sensitivity depending on the player's style. You could try making the L brackets part of the actual sensor, or try the old nail and wire setup.
In my own pad, I use two sheet plates in the center of the pad that trigger very easily, but sometimes a bit too much so. That could be sorted with some slightly thicker foam though.

Another issue would be that of the lighting. If you were to connect it up to a console rather than an actual machine, powering the bulbs would be rather difficult, aswell as hooking up a separate circuit to switch them on and off.
Plus cost, of course.
I suppose an alternative would be an LED based setup, since they'd be cheaper than halogens, and would use less power, but brightness would be an issue there, depending on how they were powered. Batteries would be an option, perhaps with a dc adapter connection too.

Not bad for a first post eh?

travelsonic · 10-25-2009, 11:51 PM

A few suggestions (even if some were already said):

4 sensors / arrow, arcade layout due to the fact that it is a tried / true method with most dance simulation arcade games.
X / O buttons separate from the U/D/L/R arrows in a separate control box
Metal bar [DDR OR PIU/ITG style] with cushion, attached similar to how a real DDR pad's bar is since the way of adding a metal bar feature that most manufacturers use leads to a really wobbly bar.
Corner brackets being like those in the arcade. None of those giant brackets with 4 screws that some manufacturers use - that just makes it harder to play well.
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Parts always being available so one can fix the pad *IF* it becomes necessary

TrueFSX · 10-27-2009, 08:02 AM

It would be an interesting idea if you could either mount a sensor panel or a cover in a pad section. That way, those who only wanted 4, 5, or 6-panel pads could get them, and those who wanted 8 or 9-panel pads could get them, too.

too sexy for this club · 10-27-2009, 09:58 AM

having panel covers to disable panels would be really handy actually

although since pump has different-sized panels i'd prefer a separate pump pad

8ftsativaist · 10-27-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelsonic

A few suggestions (even if some were already said):

4 sensors / arrow, arcade layout due to the fact that it is a tried / true method with most dance simulation arcade games.
X / O buttons separate from the U/D/L/R arrows in a separate control box
Metal bar [DDR OR PIU/ITG style] with cushion, attached similar to how a real DDR pad's bar is since the way of adding a metal bar feature that most manufacturers use leads to a really wobbly bar.
Corner brackets being like those in the arcade. None of those giant brackets with 4 screws that some manufacturers use - that just makes it harder to play well.
MOST IMPORTANTLY:
Parts always being available so one can fix the pad *IF* it becomes necessary

The problem with some of these ideas is that while they are fantastic, but they are incredibly expensive.
If you consider the probable targets for these pads, you'll be aiming at 10-21 year olds, mainly students, who often don't have much money to spare.

Shipping will definitely be an issue, particularly if someone from overseas wants to buy 'em.

A workaround for that could be to make a standard and a premium pad.
Have the standard pad made using slightly lower standards in order to keep costs down, then have the premium one set up just like an arcade pad.

If you're up for two designs I mean.

sladehealy · 10-27-2009, 04:15 PM

yeah it would be expensive but people here are willing to drop 200 on empress and 300 for iidx controllers. I don't think djdao's target audience are 10 year olds, but the hardcore players who already spend ridiculous amounts on their hobby. then again, ddr is mainstream compared to iidx so I can understand where you're coming from. from a business perspective, it wouldn't be a bad idea to have two models; one for more casual/family oriented gamer and one for the guy who lives in the arcade

In any case, I would hope that this platform would use arcade sensors at the very least and a bar that doesn't wobble around everywhere.

「dj.TK」 · 10-27-2009, 05:46 PM

Better quality sensors and build quality are the key here. Most current metal pads just either break or fault after some time. Location of the sensors would be important also. Since most experts tend to keep close to the centre.

Not sure if you would have a bar or not, but maybe it could be a optional bolt on extra.

valius · 10-28-2009, 04:52 AM

I'd be interested in a PIU (separate) pad as well as a DDR/ITG pad.

Especially the PIU pad, since there are very few options for that game compared to DDR/ITG.

In all cases, it's extremely important for the layout and feel of the buttons to be faithful to the arcade. Should there be an optional bar or a mandatory bar? (I play no-bar on all games either way, so it doesn't matter to me, but I'm sure there's enough players who could benefit.)

In PIU's case, it's also best to have the pad be compatible with PS2 and PC, since those are the primary platforms for home PIU.