Category Archives: Video Games

Video Games

New and improved Controller Monitor

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I have recently completed the prototype for my latest game latency Controller Monitor and am now taking orders for this new design. It functions as the older models did, but with several improvements:

  • L3 / R3 indicators.
  • Microcontroller based (Arduino compatible PIC32) for firmware updates and customizable code. Set sensitivity as constants, use spare I/O for external devices, etc.
  • Configuration menu where you can calibrate your controller. Can show very precise, slight movements on the analogs (such as to read “false” movements when your tester presses L3 or R3)
  • Debug information via the serial/USB plug.
  • Set external LSTTL level triggers based off certain inputs. “Arm” your camera on certain events, and “record” at others. (such as aim gun, fire gun)
  • 1500Hz of resolution should exceed your game code and high speed cameras, giving you as much reference data as possible.
  • 8′ cord which can detach from the wireless controller.
  • Includes a FREE STAND! Will wonders ever cease? Display unit measures 8″ x 8″ and is appx 1″ thick (not including Wonder Stand)

For more information and installation / ordering details, please visit the Controller monitor page.

Video Games

Spam-tatoes Recipe

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Entertain your friends and family with this easy dish!

You Will Need:

  • Half a can of Spam, diced
  • Instant mashed potatoes
  • Garlic of some kind
  • 1/2 cup Munster cheese, diced
  • Tony Chachere’s Cajun Seasoning (you should have this anyway)
  • Good cardiovascular heredity
  • 2 eggs, beaten with a dash of milk
  • Bread crumbs
  • Olive oil

In a small pan-thing, make 4-5 cups of Instant Mashed Potatoes. Omit milk and butter, insert Garlic of some kind. Add sufficient flakes to make thick mashed potatoes.

In a separate not-yet-messy-but-soon-to-be area of your kitchen, mix the Diced Spam and Diced Munster cheese in with the potatoes. Next, form this “mixture” into 3-4 hamburger-like patties.

Dump a bunch of bread crumbs on a plate. Mix Tony Chachere’s Cajun Seasoning into the crumbs. It will be awesome. At the same time, get a frying pan ready with a few tablespoons of Olive Oil on medium high. Remember, it’s only good for you if you don’t use enough of it.

Dip each potato patty into the bread crumbs, covering it well. Now, dunk this in the egg mixture, and then cover with bread crumbs again. This ensures a crisp, delicious shell of carbohydrate death!

Place the crumb-covered patties in the frying pan and cook them for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden greasy brown. Garnish and serve!

Video Games

Book Kits Discontinued

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Just a note, after 6 years of offering kits to make the projects in my book, I am discontinuing the service.

Any current orders will be either completed or refunded. Sorry about this, just haven’t had enough time lately.

Remember the files are available online so you can download them for reference, check the Book section.

Ben Heck Show, Video Games

Xbox 360 – 1977 Edition

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It came from the Seventies! (like me)

Hey – I’ve got a cool project that I’ve been working on which will be featured on the next Ben Heck Show and I thought I’d give my blog readers the exclusive sneak peak. Atari is releasing a few classic games as XBOX downloadable content and to help promote them we’re going old school and building an Atari inspired XBOX 360 laptop straight out of 1977. A few cool things that you can do while you’re waiting for the full episode on element14.com/tbhs,  Revision3, or Youtube…

1) Goto Atari.com to stay up to date on how you can enter for a chance to win the Atari XBOX featured in this episode.

2) Goto element14.com/tbhs and enter for a chance to win my Autographed Original Portable Work Bench (ends 4/30/2011): http://www.element-14.com/community/view-event.jspa?event=2827

3) Or the portable Sega CDX from episode 12 (ends 3/31/2011): http://www.element-14.com/community/view-event.jspa?event=2806

4) If you want to build your own portable work bench v2.0, you can get the plans for my new portable work bench: http://www.element-14.com/community/thread/11921?tstart=0

Also, don’t forget to come visit The Ben Heck Experience at the Midwest Gaming Classic next weekend in Milwaukee, WI. Stay til Sunday and see my pinball-related panel with arch nemesis Jeri Ellsworth! Play Bill Paxton Pinball and check out the prototype for my next one. We’ll see you there!

Ben Heck Show, Video Games

Ben Heck Show Episode 13 – Portable Work Bench

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Yes, the new bench is there, under all that stuff. Great for a home “work station”, as opposed to a play station.

A popular “character” from past episodes gets its own build in today’s episode of The Ben Heck Show. http://www.element-14.com/tbhs

Yes, it’s the new and improved Portable Work Bench! Follow along as we build a new one, complete with awesome wood stain, and find the designs to try your own on element14.com.

Also, don’t forget to register for the Midwest Gaming Classic! CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE REGISTRATION PAGE. Be one of the first people to play my new “Lost” pinball prototype and of course, try to beat the high score on Paxton which has yet to be surpassed from last year!

Ben Heck Show, Video Games

Begun, the Pinball Wars have

15 Comments

Ho, ho, ho, now I have a CNC machine.

Yes, after years of using other people’s CNC machines I finally bought one of my own. A big one. A 4’x8′ ShopBot to be exact. Now I can build more of everything and hopefully even sell kits / cases in the future.

In other news, after a shaky truce The Pinball Wars have begun anew. Pinball upstart “The Longhorn Engineer” is attempting to have his machine done by the Midwest Gaming Classic in March. It is called “Reset Vector” and is based off all of the tropes in crappy hacker movies.

Also everyone’s favorite ex-Roller Derby girl / engineer Jeri Ellworth hasn’t given up on her custom pinball either. It’s called “As Seen on TV” and celebrates the world of cheesy infomercials.

For myself, I am planning at least 2 new machines. “Tesla VS Edison” and “Lost“. “Lost” is an unlicensed one-off that I’m doing for a friend, similar to Paxton, but “Tesla” is something I’m hoping to build 2-3 of and sell to interested buyers. If you’re interested please let me know.

Be sure to check out the latest episode of The Ben Heck Show for an exclusive tour of my shop and home, as well as other hi-jinks.