How often do you actually USE your arcade?

parabolic

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So to all of you who have completed, operating dedicated personal arcades - how often do you use them? I know some are in garages, some are in basements, and some are actually in separate buildings. Im in the midst of building mine - nothing elaborate, just about 600 sq feet. I should get around 34-40 uprights in there. As I was working on it tonight, I was wondering after its all completed, how often Ill actually "visit", or if it will just be for parties and guests.
Just wanted some input. I did throw the games on and put up a new high on my Journey. :)
 
So to all of you who have completed, operating dedicated personal arcades - how often do you use them? I know some are in garages, some are in basements, and some are actually in separate buildings. Im in the midst of building mine - nothing elaborate, just about 600 sq feet. I should get around 34-40 uprights in there. As I was working on it tonight, I was wondering after its all completed, how often Ill actually "visit", or if it will just be for parties and guests.
Just wanted some input. I did throw the games on and put up a new high on my Journey. :)

It really depends on what you mean by "visit". I'm in mine pretty much every day. Might only be for a quick game of Funhouse, or something like that, or I might be working on several games in there.

This last month I've been working on converting everything to Tokens, so I've been in there a lot. Some weeks, I might not go in there at all.
 
I'm down there every nite. Sometimes I don't turn on the games, I work on one, clean or vacuum, or maybe try to think of new ideas for artwork or whatever. Most of the time I can't resist a quick game or two of Sea Wolf!
 
To me working on them and getting them back from the dead is sometimes more fun than playing. Well, certain games anyway.
 
In my case there is an inverse relationship between playing and working on games. When I hit problems with games I tend to focus on the problems and I get very little to no playing in. I'm not talking about during a single day or week, I mean over longer periods of time, like months.

Not sure that makes any sense but that's the way it is for me.

In extreme cases I've spent months focused on solving problems and repairs and got basically no playing in.

I got so distracted with other repair projects that I've barely played my favorite game (Spy Hunter) in a year -- and that's after polishing my technique and racking up scores that could have put me in contention for the high score for the game.

Now I suck at the game -- "use it or lose it" applies to video games too, I guess.

Fortunately all of my games are mostly functional now and I'm back to playing a game here or there a few times a week.
 
my kids play my games all the time. i dont get to play as often as them but i play when i can or when one of them need their butt kicked in tekken.
 
It really depends on what you mean by "visit". I'm in mine pretty much every day. Might only be for a quick game of Funhouse, or something like that, or I might be working on several games in there.

This last month I've been working on converting everything to Tokens, so I've been in there a lot. Some weeks, I might not go in there at all.
Brien,
thanks for being the first to comment. Its funny, I have countless HOURS studying your site from your restorations to your master bedroom conversion - such an inspiration for me to build my own. You have alot of great documentation there. Although, it took me a bit to initially figure out how to navigate it though - lol!

I guess I was referring to if "they" go into the arcade and play a or a few games on a daily basis, weekly, ect. Just to play. I guess Im trying to see if the thrill of actually having a dedicated arcade wears off.
 
I go to the main arcade for a thorough playthrough every couple of days, but I go to the garage for Virtual On at LEAST an hour a day.
 
Since my arcade is a separate building about 75 yards from my house I maybe average going every 7-8 days. It is just an event going over turning everything on, walking around to make sure everything is working ok, etc. If I'm by myself my time in the arcade is usually working on games, rarely do I actually play games by myself. AND, when you have 35-40 videos that are 20-30 years old, SOMETHING is always broke!!!! It's a rare treat when I have college kids home or friends drop by to play games. I can not imagine the thrill of having an arcade wearing off anytime soon. PLUS I have the contractors coming tomorrow morning to give me estimates for the pad for the 40 x 60 addition I'm putting on the existing arcade;).
 
Well my working games are in the dining room, and at least one of them gets a massage every night I am home. The Robotron in my 19-1 gets the most love, for sure.
 
So to all of you who have completed, operating dedicated personal arcades - how often do you use them?
C'mon man even when they're finished they're a work in progress. :p

I have 8 solid working games and 4 that I'm in the process of repairing, restoring, touching up. My garcade is visited and used almost everyday. I go in work on a game and then play a game of bowling, shoot some targets or have a quick race before I call it a night.

When people come over just about every game gets played almost constantly.
 
I play a game of pinball or two most nights. I'd say I almost force myself sometimes to go and play them.

Thanks for reminding me why I should sell most of my games.
 
Well lately, I havent played them at all. Ive been working every day, 7 days a week, nights for almost 40 days straight and when Im not working, Im sleeping or with my wife and kids n such. Besides, all my games are pushed to the other side of my basement whilst I finish my gameroom. When Im done, I/we will be in there alot more. Hopefully.
 
Brien,
thanks for being the first to comment. Its funny, I have countless HOURS studying your site from your restorations to your master bedroom conversion - such an inspiration for me to build my own. You have alot of great documentation there. Although, it took me a bit to initially figure out how to navigate it though - lol!

I guess I was referring to if "they" go into the arcade and play a or a few games on a daily basis, weekly, ect. Just to play. I guess Im trying to see if the thrill of actually having a dedicated arcade wears off.

Thanks, glad you like the site.

For me the initial excitement wore off after the first month and I didn't do much in there for a month or two. After that, it started to pick up again, but at a more reasonable level.

As for finding information on my site, well, I admit, it's a bit rough at times, and I am working on re-writing the web site (the current code is like 8 years old!). It will take time, which I don't have much of, but it will get done.

I just wanted to add, that I have ZERO regrets about building the Gameroom. Even if I only wind up using once a month, it still worth it.
 
3-4 days a week usually. On those days, normally 2-3 times. So all together I guess I'm actually flipping the switch to turn em all on roughly 6-12 times a week.
 
Well my gameroom is not done yet but in progress...I had a small arcade setup before and had a birthday party for my daughter one year and it was like a friggin Chuck E Cheese in the basement...the older kids didn't even know the Blue's Clues dude was there! It was an awesome site seeing all the games being played at once. Most of my friends hung out in arcade\pool halls back in the day and really dig my games when they stop by...even most of the chicks I know! Interesting fact is the game the ladies always requested before I got one was Tempest, didn't think that game would be up there as a chicky type game. :eek: I will be having way more parties when the Cade is done so I planning on using it probably at least a few weekends a month.
 
...when Im not working, Im sleeping with my wife...

Fixed!!! A better way to spend your time than playing games anyway. ;)

Not getting a lot of game time lately, but that's because we just moved. Normally it's at least 3 or 4 times a week though. My (new) game room is about 10 yards from my patio and I have the luxury of seeing it in all its glory as I look out of my large family room windows. :D
 
Daily..

I am doing something on a daily basis in my game area...sometimes it is playing games, other times just working on them...

Today included a full session of PunchOut playing with the 12 year old next door who had NEVER seen or heard of the game..he was hooked in about 2 minutes and we played for about an hour...

The I pulled the laserdisc out of the DL 2 machine to show it to him and he couldn't believe what he was seeing...he said it was the biggest CD he had ever seen...LOL

True
 
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