This project has expanded beyond my initial expectations and I really want to get as many of these custom designs preserved--especially given that so many game centers are closing every week in Japan of late.
The bad news is that it has taken me a lot longer to redraw the artwork and text for each strip (and marquee) than I had anticipated and I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to such things. The good news is that I can't wait to make the high-res files available to all of you guys here (for free of course) along with some guidance to have them properly printed so that they match the originals as closely as possible. The other good news is that I've now stumbled across other custom game center designs that I never knew existed.
My plan is to upload a different game center strip/marquee every week as I get them wrapped up...starting with Hey's Bub strip along with their "rainy day free play" sign (which includes Nico from Spica Adventure). Again, I'll have different file versions properly sized to fit whatever cab you want to use them with. Each post will also summarize some of the information I've been able to uncover about the game center's use of the particular custom design--e.g., what type of cab they're generally installed on, how long they've been used, etc. I'll also include a bunch of reference images of the original strips/marquees, which I've spent a ton of time searching for.
There is one thing I hope you guys can help me with as I wrap up the project. If possible, please confirm the move strip dimensions I've listed below. I want each strip to properly fit the available space on each cab and would like to perfectly match the dimensions of the "standard" OG instruction space filler (for those cabs that had/have one). Because I don't have original versions of all the instruction space fillers, please confirm that these dimensions are accurate:
VEWLIX =
665mm x 85mm
EGRET II, 3, & AWSD =
535mm x 85mm
ASTRO, BLAST, VERSUS, NET, & WINDY =
480mm x 70mm
LINDBERGH & NOIR =
685mm x 70mm
I only have a couple VLXs so I'm (unfortunately) not able to precisely measure the instruction spaces for the other cab types. Also, if the metal retaining brackets securing the glass at each end of the instruction space cover a portion of the view-able move strip space, please let me know and provide specific measurements if you happen to have them. Thanks in advance.
And for those of you most looking forward to Bub, I forgot to mention I stumbled across a specific Taito Station that uses different custom design with Bub (generally only on their Egret 3s):
Let me know if anyone has been to this one and seen the design in-person. Hint: it's not one of the Tokyo locations.