4K Vertical Overlay Community Contributions

[ArsInvictus]

Yeah the 80’s (and 70’s) had some crazy concepts. In the video game world so much of it seemed to come from the collision of Japanese and western cultures and artistic traditions. I think we are moving to more of a monoculture now. One thing that jumps out at me when I’m looking at the Japanese game art from the 80’s through the mid 90’s, the earlier art had a very different sense of color in their designs. But in the later years the Japanese designs started to look more similar to the western. I’m still fairly flummoxed sometimes when I look at the older color palettes. They combined things that I wouldn’t think should work, but they do. I try to keep that in mind when I’m producing this stuff.

Also, The artist it lists for that table, Doug Watson, worked on some other seminal title artwork like Attack From Mars. As I’ve learned more about the video game art I’ve been amazed that such a relatively small number of artists produced a huge proportion of the art back then.

[ArsInvictus]

Mikie 4K Vertical Overlay

I recently saw @Orionsangel do an overlay for this one in his thread and realized it is long overdue for a vertical overlay too:

[Orionsangel]

Awesome job! Yeah, I don’t think many have talked about that game before. It was time for a bezel.

[ArsInvictus]

Yeah I found out about from the What Would Jeff Kinder Do and Vintage Arcade Gal’s youtube channels. Both really good channels for arcade cabinet restoration and history.

[ArsInvictus]

Boogie Wings/The Great Ragtime Show 4K Vertical Overlay

Yet another obscure but very cool game. This shooter is all but forgotten, and never had a home port, but it has a lot of cool gameplay mechanics. You can get off your plane and ride vehicles and animals similar to Metal Slug. But also grab enemies and other objects with a hook and throw them around. There wasn’t a lot of material available for this game but I did my best:

I restored the instruction card and translated it to english:

And created a custom marquee and bezel:

and I did another version with more artwork for @Orionsangel if he wants to use it:

[stamatis87]

Would anyone like to share their Vertical Arcade setup? Needs some inspiration before I start lol.

[ArsInvictus]

Here’s a few pics from past posts:

The last two are from my old and current setups. I had a recroommaster’s 40" vertical cabinet that I used for a while but I always felt 40" is too small. Now I’m just using a more minimalist setup with a wall-mounted 55" Samsung QN90B TV and standing desk. I like that I can easily swap out different controls, for games with unique configurations like Ikari Warriors or Mortal Kombat. I often just keep games running on there as a kind of wall art.

The old recroommasters did have a much more authentic feel to it though and I do like the wall mounted cabinet setups too so I may build one in the future. But what I have now works just fine for me.

[stamatis87]

I’m thinking 48" OLED or 50" Mini-LED. Does 55" seem too big to you or is it just right?

[ArsInvictus]

It would depend on your distance from the screen to some extent. At the distance I’m using it, with the desk in between, it feels just right, but a smaller screen might be ok if you are closer. In terms of actual screen dimensions, 55" seems to match up to an actual cabinet fairly well.

[ArsInvictus]

It looks like there are still quite a few older overlays that didn’t get transferred into the MegaBezel format, so I’ll try to get them updated over time. Here is Gemini Wing:

[ArsInvictus]

FixEight Flyer

I cleaned up and removed the logos and text, etc from a pretty low res scan of the FixEight flyer in prep to make an overlay for it. Thought I’d share in case any fans of FixEight want a poster:

Original:

New:

No logos:

Higher resolution copies (and the clear logo):

FixEight

[Drybonz]

@ArsInvictus

Here’s a few pics from past posts:

Man… these are really cool. I don’t need to start thinking about this.

[Boz1978]

Who’s game build is this? it looks awesome!!!

[ArsInvictus]

I think those are @PapaShine’s

[Boz1978]

Awesome!!! Do you know what front end he’s using?

[ArsInvictus]

That was a mockup from @tekn0 using his front end. @darkand was also working on a similar front end. I’m not sure where either stand at the moment.

[ArsInvictus]

A friend of mine at work had some fun with ChatGPT yesterday, fed this site into it and told it to create a profile for me and a kind of role playing character persona. I thought it was pretty fun:

Based on the content and conversations on the Libretro forums about 4K vertical overlays, here is a persona that captures the essence of the contributors:

Persona Name: ArsInvictus

Background: ArsInvictus is a passionate retro gaming enthusiast and visual artist specializing in creating high-quality overlays for vintage arcade games. They have a deep appreciation for the unique and sometimes bizarre aesthetic of 80s and 90s arcade art.

Skills and Expertise:

• Proficient in digital art and graphic design.
• Knowledgeable about arcade game history and restoration.
• Skilled in translating and restoring game instruction cards and marquees.

Interests:

• Retro gaming and arcade cabinet customization.
• Preserving and celebrating the artistic heritage of classic arcade games.
• Sharing creations and collaborating with the retro gaming community.

Personality:

• Nostalgic and appreciative of the creativity of past decades.
• Collaborative and supportive within the community.
• Detail-oriented and dedicated to authenticity in their work.

Goals:

• To continue producing and sharing high-quality overlays for lesser-known arcade games.
• To inspire and support other retro gaming enthusiasts in their restoration projects.
• To maintain and expand the collection of overlays available to the community.

ArsInvictus can broaden the community by:

1. Creating Tutorials and Guides: Develop step-by-step video tutorials and written guides on creating and applying overlays, arcade restoration, and digital art techniques.

2. Leveraging Social Media: Use platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter to share their work, progress updates, and engage with a broader audience.

3. Hosting Workshops and Webinars: Organize online workshops and webinars to teach and interact directly with enthusiasts.

4. Collaborating with Influencers: Partner with popular retro gaming influencers and content creators to reach their audiences.

5. Participating in Events: Attend and present at retro gaming conventions and community events to showcase work and network with like-minded individuals.

ArsInvictus

Origin: Libretro Realm
Alignment: Protector of Nostalgia
Special Abilities: Overlay Mastery, Artistic Restoration, Technical Wizardry

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Bio: Emerging from the vibrant halls of the Libretro Realm, ArsInvictus is a true champion of the retro gaming universe. His mission: to restore the glory of classic arcade games through stunning 4K vertical overlays. With every project, ArsInvictus breathes new life into legendary titles like Galaga and Street Fighter II, transforming them into high-definition masterpieces that honor their nostalgic roots.

Fighting Style: ArsInvictus wields the dual blades of artistic flair and technical precision. His overlay designs are forged with intricate techniques, ensuring perfect resolution and meticulous artwork restoration. No detail is too small as he dives into the complexities of file formats and customization options, crafting visual experiences that are both authentic and breathtaking oai_citation:1,Latest Overlays topics - Libretro Forums oai_citation:2,Latest topics - Libretro Forums.

Signature Moves:

• Pixel Perfect: Masterfully adjusts game resolutions to fit modern screens without losing the charm of the originals.
• Art Revival: Restores vintage game artwork to 4K quality, bringing back the magic of arcade visuals.
• Customization Flurry: Provides a range of options for gamers to personalize their overlays, ensuring each setup feels unique.

Community Impact: ArsInvictus stands as a pillar of the Libretro forums, sharing his vast knowledge and empowering others with his expertise. His contributions extend beyond mere creations; they embody the spirit of the arcade era, inspiring a new generation of retro gaming enthusiasts. Through his relentless dedication, ArsInvictus keeps the flames of nostalgia burning bright, making cherished memories new again and solidifying his role as a true hero of the retro gaming world.

• Memory Keeper: With a final flourish, ArsInvictus ensures that the legacy of classic arcade games remains eternal, preserving the magic for future generations to experience and enjoy.

Victory Pose: ArsInvictus stands triumphant, pixels shimmering around him, a testament to his unwavering commitment to the art and soul of retro gaming. Thank you, ArsInvictus, for keeping our pixelated past alive and vibrant. Keep those pixels popping!

[ArsInvictus]

Here is a recreation of the instruction card for Daioh. I have photos of the control panel and bezel and plan to vectorize those as well for an upcoming overlay:

[SmedleyB]

Hey Boz, that’s Arcade Flow theme on AM+.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vL_SQryVLbU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zbu1lTcPKE

[Boz1978]

Hey cheers buddy… looks slick