A Cabinet is Found!

I have been waiting to make this post until I actually had the cabinet in my possession, but I wanted to get an update on this page. I finally found someone within an hour's drive that has an empty cabinet that is in great condition. It is an Atari Space Duel from 1982.

Space Duel entry on the Killer List of Video Games

I finally found this cabinet by posting a message on the following two usenet groups.

rec.games.video.arcade.collecting
rec.games.video.arcade.marketplace

Within a day, I had a couple of offers, and I picked the one that I liked best. I received the offer on December 4th, and since then I have been trying to coordinate a convenient meeting time and find someone that I can borrow a pickup truck from. Every time that the guy is available, my friend falls through with the truck, and vice-versa. Fortunately, he is in no hurry to get rid of the cabinet, and is willing to hold on to it until I can come get it.

Also, in the time since my last post, I have been frequenting the BYOAC forums and trying to learn as much as I can. I think I have decided on a control panel layout, but I want to wait until I have the cabinet so I can make some measurements.

I have also been experimenting with ideas for the artwork. I plan on keeping the original side art since it is in good condition. For the marquee, my original plans were to modify a scan of the original marquee and change the words from "Space Duel" to something different, but I am having second thoughts now, mainly because I cant think of a good name for my machine! Since it will be a two-player cabinet, and I am keeping the original side art, I may keep the original marquee. I do plan on making my own custom control panel overlay though. I want to base it on the original design, but make it look good with the two player layout and possible addition of a trackball.

Thats about it for now. I will probably place my order for the controls soon, and one of these days I will get around to picking up the cabinet to house it all!!