Project: International Slumber - the art.

After having worked on the art for the sticks that he builds, I decided to have noted builder Spenzalii make for myself. The result of this is Project: International Slumber (named for both the character and the international nature of the collaboration). Originally just a multi-console Series-1 TEK-case build, the project eventually evolved into a pretty detailed and complex build - probably the most complex Series-1 TEK build as of this writing. In this article, I'll be focusing on the art I selected to be put on the stick.

As should be obvious by the name of the project, the stick features Morrigan from Capcom's Darkstalkers. Morrigan is arguably my favorite fighting game character of all time (enough to keep me from my usual tier whoring in Darkstalkers 3).

International Slumber Top Panel

For the top panel, instead of having my usual, complex, arcade top panel lookalike, I went for a more minimalist look instead. Personally, I felt that a a more simple piece would work for the acrylic case. Also, the simple piece would work very well with the laser etching I had planned. The art also has sprite based silhouettes acting as button labels/guides for the clear 30mm Seimitsus to be used for the project.

 

Laser etch design (colours reversed for production)

For the etching, I had decided to go for the circles around the buttons as seen on some arcade top panels (Taito Vewlix and some newer Sega panels), showing that I had not totally abandoned the arcade lookalike theme. On top of that, I had a silhouette of Morrigan. I was testing both her official art from Tatsunoko Vs. Capcom and Marvel Vs. Capcom 3, and eventually decided that the latter worked better.  A "D3Vlicious" label adds a nice finishing touch.

Top panel art with laser etching overlayed

For the bottom panel, I had decided to use 3 pieces of Morrigan fan art. The original idea I had was to use a design based on my older Versus City designs, however, spenzalii vetoed the idea since it felt like it worked better for a top panel piece. As such, we decided on something similar to what I did for another acrylic case build.

International Slumber bottom panel art

In addition to the art for the stick, I created some extra art for the 24mm buttons on the front panel of the stick.

International Slumber front panel

The art inserts are based on the usual P1 and P2 art prints on some arcade cabinets and the home button of some PS3 controllers, but with a Darkstalkers twist.  An additional touch is the laser cut "D3Vlicious" label on the stick.

More pics of the stick, especially of its internals can be found at this forum post at Shoryuken.com. More details on the internals of the stick as well on how it all came together will be in another article. Finally, this stick would not have been completed without the contributions of the following:

• Spenzalii (build)
• Arthong (Series-1 TEK case)
• Toodles (MC Cthulhu)
• Gummowned (Wii to RJ45)
• Purplearms (LED system)
• 32teeth (LED system)
• Butteroj (custom marble balltop)
• JDM714 (Series-1 TEK case beta testing)

Comments

[TwiGGy]

Awesome dude. One of the nicest sticks I've seen. Love the details on this one.

[Spenzalii]

Just glad to be a part of it. I could do a short write up for you here and the longer worklog on my blog if you like.

[RSN]

IM LOVIN the stick ! Hmm .. are you planning on selling it? or like make one to sell?