3D Printing, Arcade, Gaming

Button Box Idea For NFS Hot Pursuit

Posted by Marlon Lopez on
My sketch for a NFS Hot Pursuit button box. Inspiration gained from the Subaru XT 80’s car.
Simple shapes and bold lines of the Subaru XT from the 80’s. Where have you been all my life?

I took inspiration from the Subaru XT 80’s car. I recently found out about this car from a YouTuber, and was amazed at the car’s design. I admire the simplicity and bold lines design of the car’s exterior and love how it all comes together in a 80’s kind of way. The thing that really impressed me was the interior design of the cockpit. I like that the designer expressed a different form of symmetry in the steering wheel design; that is not always an easy task to achieve. The layout of the buttons near the steering wheel however, is the thing that inspired me the most.

I love the layout of the tactile buttons near the steering wheel of the Subaru XT.

I’ve been looking for a gamin solution that solves the problem of finding a specific button while simultaneously keeping my eyes on the road. The design of the Subaru XT is for sure a step in the right direction. I want to incorporate this approach to a NFS Hot Pursuit specific gaming button box. The sketch shown above is not what the final box will look like. The sketch is just to help me organize my design thoughts. The final button box design will be integrated with my current Thrustmaster T300rs steering wheel.

Awesome design of the Subaru XT cockpit controls. My inspiration for an NFS Hot Pursuit button box that will go next to my T300RS wheel.

My first version of the NFS Hot Pursuit button arrangement can be seen in the photo below. I didn’t plan to 3d print the button layout for that version. I simply wanted to run some test to see how I could organize the buttons and determine how it would affect gameplay. The overall organization was inspired by 80’s design “TEAC audio decks” and a “Mad Max” aesthetic.

Initial arrangement of lighted buttons with labels for the Need For Speed Hot Pursuit video game on a custom racing cab.

I chose to arrange the buttons by placing the “Cop” weapons on the top and the “Racer” weapons on the bottom. Each button has a closing lid which when closed, completely blocks the use of the button. By closing all of the “Cop” buttons, while playing a “Racer” course, it simplified things and made it easier to know which buttons where active during gameplay. I found that flipping the button lids open or close; right before starting the course added a bit of fun. The tactile feel of these buttons is great, they have a satisfying click that matches the weapons being deployed. This feeling is not there when I use the T300rs wheel buttons to activate the weapons. Those buttons are simply too squishy.

Need For Speed Hot Pursuit button layout with button covers closed.

For the initial test, I’m happy with the button groupings, however, I need them to be within the line of sight. The next box will address this and put all the buttons closer to the screen and thus making it easier to deploy weapons at critical moments. It will also be designed with 3d printing in mind to make it easy for other gaming enthusiasts to produce. Cheers!

NFS Hot Pursuit lighted button layout with button covers open.

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About Marlon Lopez

I enjoy collaborating with artist, photographers, designers and gear heads. I find inspiration while driving the most perfect driving roads imaginable in California. I have experience in print design, web design, advertising, corporate identity, brochures, printed directories, direct mail, interactive design, and 3D printing. My design solutions emerge from a comprehensive design process, and a understanding of my clients needs.

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