Game Rows: Curves

Phetishboy

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I would assume one of the all time best game row layouts would be a convex curve. Plenty of elbow room for 2 player games, angled just right so the side art can be seen, etc. I always assumed a concave curve wouldn't work, as each game would be turning in on it's neighbors and making it hard for 2 machines that were next to each other to be played simultaneously. Well, I have a weird shaped room to work with (due to a stairwell) and could never quite decide how best to utilize the space. I tried everything and was never satisfied. I finally decided to try a gradual concave curve to wrap from the long angled wall to the short square wall, and I think it actually worked. I was able to fill in the corner and all games are playable at the same time. You are even able to see a little of each game's side-art. I am finally satisfied.

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Compared to other ways I've tried:

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So Close:

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I think this is the best this corner's gonna get:

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Anyone else have weird shaped areas in their arcades that need to be addressed? The longer I am in this hobby the more that space has become a concern. Every square inch needs to be utilized so that you can keep bringing in games, games and more games. You hit that point though where it's not about just how many games will fit in a given space anymore, but how many games will fit comfortably in the space and still actually look good and not cluttered. I am getting there.
 
I am getting there.

Getting there, he says. LOL

I have the incoming water line for my house (and associated meter) in my game room. It's right in the middle of my longest wall for lining up games.

I chose to put my change machine in front of it, since it's not as deep a cabinet. Also not as tall, so I can still reach the water service area should I ever neeed to and I don't have to move a cabinet to do it.

I plan on hanging my high score board above it to cover the empty wall space created by putting a shorter machine in that spot.

Water service line in seen here, in my construction pics:

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And here's a crappy cell phone pic during construction of the change machine in place:

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You work around what you have to, I guess.
 
Damn I want a change machine bad, but I need the skinny winny one that I can place betwixt 2 games. Yours look pretty sweet though.
 
Getting there, he says. LOL

I have the incoming water line for my house (and associated meter) in my game room. It's right in the middle of my longest wall for lining up games.

I chose to put my change machine in front of it, since it's not as deep a cabinet. Also not as tall, so I can still reach the water service area should I ever neeed to and I don't have to move a cabinet to do it.

I plan on hanging my high score board above it to cover the empty wall space created by putting a shorter machine in that spot.

Water service line in seen here, in my construction pics:

CIMG5785.jpg


And here's a crappy cell phone pic during construction of the change machine in place:

210986_10150354111737665_696927664_8392778_1870401141_o.jpg


You work around what you have to, I guess.

Do you have your games set for coin play, or is the change machine just for asthetics? I have a "skinny minny" change machine and I will have it in the gameroom, but I am not sure if I am going to do quarter play.
 
All of my machines are set for coin play, and the change machine is rigged to dispense 4 quarters when you push the coin reject button.

:D
 
I think you have it pretty good now, I never really have to worry about elbow room, but I think I have more room than you do for games.

I think you could use a few more cabarets in the mix. :D

Do you have room to move the games to the center, and make an outside walkway? That is what I always remember seeing in arcades.

I have been thinking about ripping out my basement stairs and making the Bilco the only way in/out of my basement, That would free up the center of my basement, I am planning on adding a garage on a slab and the Bilco would come out into the garage which would have a door to the house, making the other staircase unnecessary.
 
It's funny you mention that - my wife cautioned me of the same thing. "What if everyone walks away with your quarters?" she asked. I told her that the only people coming over to play games in my arcade are friends and family, and if I start losing quarters to them, I've got bigger issues to worry about.

Honestly, it's been the opposite. My uncle was over for my Thanksgiving party, and he came over recently for a birthday party I had, and he handed me 3 quarters. "I forgot I had these in my pocket when I left your arcade, so here they are," he said.

So yeah, I don't think I need to worry. :D

I considered changing over to tokens, but considering the cost of converting all my mechs as well as the hoppers in the change machine...as well as the cost of the tokens themselves...I figured using real quarters was the path of least resistance. I used to keep an apple cider jar of spare change near my dresser, so I just pulled out all the quarters and I quickly had a couple hundred bucks in coin that I needed to stock the machine.

Also, since I'm leaning towards calling my arcade 'The Little Shop of Quarters' I HAVE to run quarters in there, right?
 
Phet, I like the curve a lot and it's like I imagine a nicely set up arcade from BITD would be done. As always, you've got some amazingly nice looking machines there!
 
Phet, I like the curve a lot and it's like I imagine a nicely set up arcade from BITD would be done. As always, you've got some amazingly nice looking machines there!

Thanks Mike. I am pretty happy with the titles and their condition at the moment. But you know how that goes.
 
I snapped a pic of the front of this row to show the amount of space between each game to get this curve to work:

DSC01497.jpg


I'd say the average is about 7-8 inches, which would have been unheard of a few years back when I only had one arcade room. This angle is cool:

DSC01498.jpg
 
You can do a convex curve. It just takes a little planning. You need to alternate one player with two player cabinets. You just don't want to get two 2 player cabs side by side.

ken
 
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