Game Room flow

Paul Olson

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Donor 2011
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For those of you who have had parties with lots of people playing games; do you see any problems with this layout? I did have 2 rows, and it worked OK, but it really seemed to separate the guests. I also didn't have room to set up the Pac cocktail so it could be played by 2 players. Once you allow for seating space, it takes up almost as much room as 3 uprights. A similar problem is NBA Jam; leaving room for players, it takes up nearly as much space as the dual Hydro Thunders.

I think people should be able to walk around OK when all of the games are being played, but figured I would ask just in case. I am going to have to run extension cords for some of these, and I would rather just do that once.

Edit: The stove is temporary, so that will be the walkway out of the garage, and the path to get the table saw out in the driveway to use.

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I think that works very well. I would always situate my shooters near my drivers too. Also, seeing how you have an exposed back with that NBA Jams cab, try buying a cheap $10 mirror and hang it on the back. When the lights are off, it helps force more light and action into the place.
 
The mirror is a good idea. I will have to try that. Those two games in the middle are the hardest to plan for. On classics, most people seem to stand upright and stay fairly still. On these games, people move around everywhere and take up a ton of space.
 
I think that works very well. I would always situate my shooters near my drivers too. Also, seeing how you have an exposed back with that NBA Jams cab, try buying a cheap $10 mirror and hang it on the back. When the lights are off, it helps force more light and action into the place.

Pet peeve of mine..... The game is freakin' Jam not Jams!!!

As for the flow, it looks great. I agree that rows will separate your guests, but if you ever need to max out your space you currently have a lot of dead space.
 
One thing you can try...turn the Neo Geo and NBA Jams (duck) cabs back to back lengthwise and see how that works, but looks fine just how it is too.
 
One thing you can try...turn the Neo Geo and NBA Jams (duck) cabs back to back lengthwise and see how that works, but looks fine just how it is too.

That was what I was going to do, but there just isn't enough space. I have 12 feet between the pacman and the front of the pinball machines. Neo Geo and NBA Jam would be 7 feet back to back. Then I need space for players on each end, and for the pinball players as well. I also wanted to be able to walk around the island while people are playing. 5 feet just isn't enough for all of this.

The way I have it now, there is plenty of room for a path all the way around. I have them backwards from each other because both of them need space on the sides for all of the players. This was the most compact way I could think of so the players wouldn't be crowded and other people can walk around freely.
 
Have you thought of putting DK or stunt cycle and the game next to it in the middle instead? Those Midway cabs are huge, neo-geo cab is tall, and it would be less space taken in the middle. Speaking from how we would line our games up in the arcade when I worked there. The only time a HUGE game got the entrance or middle section (easier for crowds to gather around) is if the game was new or real popular.
 
Have you thought of putting DK or stunt cycle and the game next to it in the middle instead? Those Midway cabs are huge, neo-geo cab is tall, and it would be less space taken in the middle. Speaking from how we would line our games up in the arcade when I worked there. The only time a HUGE game got the entrance or middle section (easier for crowds to gather around) is if the game was new or real popular.

I tried it in a few different spots, but since it is so deep, there just wasn't enough room around it. I had it where the pacman is now, but then I would have to try to fit the Pacman and another game in the middle, and that didn't look right. I was going to have just the Hydros and NBA gym on the back wall, but that still made it crowded taking space for the players into account. I am hoping it gets enough play to justify the space it takes up. It didn't get any play at my last party, but afterwards, I noticed it wasn't on freeplay (I hope it has freeplay, need to check that once I get everything plugged in). No one asked me about it though, so I am assuming no one tried it. If I can't get people to play the game with me, it will probably be leaving soon. It isn't as fun playing against the computer.

Edit: Another reason I ended up with the NBA Jam there is to use space that has to be saved there. The game faces my toolbox, so I need space there anyway. When people are playing, I shouldn't be working on anything, so they can use that space and there is still room for people to walk behind them.
 
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My girlfriend agreed with the group here that NBA Jam shouldn't be out there in the middle. I am heating up the garage now, then I will go out and move some games again. I am going to try putting the NBA Jam to the right of Hydro Thunder. I may move Pacman to the middle. That way I have the option to move it over by the tools during a party to leave the whole area in the middle open. Winter sucks, I always have to wait for the heater before I go do something. :)
 
I think this works a little better. I am going to move the Hydros to the right a little to give a little more room for the cluster on the left. I just don't feel like moving any more games tonight. lol

This is the open feel that I wanted originally. I am not too happy with the pacman, but it is the easiest to move around if I need to. That one may have to go in the house someday.

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If I wanted the room setup for myself, I'd do the same thing with placing all games to the perimeter. But for a party, the center island is important. People like to wander, get lost, or privatize their conversations and gameplay occasionally, and by offering a barrier in the center you immediately create four separate "zones" essentially (each with their own feel). I'd keep the center two games exactly as you have them. Then of course, I would download sketchup and just place them virtually. lol.
 
That pac-man could go right in the middle no? I 1/2 agree with gozer about still having a middle circle. But putting smaller machines in the middle so you can still get around and not feel your garage is cluttered. I would put DK plus Gyruss back to back with the pack man on the side? Or that Motorcycle game? It will get the DK away from the door and you could maybe move your NEO away from the water heater and it won't look weird either. The middle circle was a cool idea, just a different set of games.
 
that last pic is a pretty good spread. You can toss a table in there for food or drinks if you want .
nice layout. party coming soon? not that I can see myself driving 2 hours your way, but you always drive 2 hours this way for a party, lol. I would have to try.
 
I am sure the middle island will be back. I can't go too long without buying new games. :)

Once the pacman goes inside, I will be able to fit probably 4 standard size cabs there in the middle.

For now, I am trying to break up the little clusters of people. That is the biggest complaint I heard from the last party. A few people told me they couldn't even get to some of the games to try them because people were standing in the way talking. The 2 rows I used to have did tend to trap people because there was only one way in and out.

I thought I was going to put pacman in the middle, but it would look weird hanging a cord down from the ceiling with the cocktail. I can get away with it with 2 or more uprights. I did like the center island though, but after the fairly tight rows I had before, I am really enjoying this open layout right now. Maybe I can find a nice table to put in the center so people can put down their drinks...until I buy more games.

DK is hidden in the corner on purpose. I am used to playing it over there, and it is rarely played by other people. The ones that do play it tend to like to be unbothered while they try to figure it out.

On a side note, the only other complaint I remember from the party is no cup holders on Hydro Thunder. Apparently, the ability to drink while boat racing is really important. After thinking it over, I am going to try to find some cup holders to mount on the cabs. Maybe they are right. lol
 
that last pic is a pretty good spread. You can toss a table in there for food or drinks if you want .
nice layout. party coming soon? not that I can see myself driving 2 hours your way, but you always drive 2 hours this way for a party, lol. I would have to try.

I don't know when, but I want to have another party pretty soon. I really need to get coors light drinkers over here. There are still 14 of them in the fridge, and I don't like them.

Hopefully you and some of the other collectors can make it next time. I didn't have any collectors at all at the last one. I don't think Tempest got played once. lol Well, since NBA Jam didn't either, maybe it was just a weird crowd.
 
Hey Paul,

The arrangement you have at the moment looks good. Before we moved and the games were in the garage (a lot less of them) we had them around the outside perimeter of the garage. Then when we had a party, we put some tables in the center with food and drinks. Worked out pretty well.

Tom
 
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