ideas for garcade steps?

vintagegamer

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i have 2 steps that go down from the house into the garcade that need repainting. Any arcade-like tips? I was thinking of maybe a pac ghost graphic on one, or maybe some paint that would glow in black light?
 
Q bert pyramid blocks or 2 levels of DK girders

These are good ones Phet, thanks for the ideas.

I was also thinking maybe I could tape off some lines like you see on the TRON CP, painting them in reflective paint, and hanging a black light over the doorway so the steps would "glow". Either that or something like arrows leading out, or some graphics like you see on those Aliens standup forklift things trying to remember the name of the blasted loader.

Since there are only 2 steps, I thought making them stand out would be a cool accent to the room. My daughter is already asking when I'm getting the paint... Kids!
 
How about doing each step like a control panel and then sealing the paint with a tough floor polyurethane?

It would be cool to walk up a whole flight of stairs with each one being a tribute to the classics.
 
You guys are asking some great questions and providing some great insight as well. I also wonder how many others are reading this and going "hmm, wonder if I should do that to MY steps!" There seems to be alot of ripple effect around here, which is a good thing IMO :D

Here is a pic of the steps. They were a blue/grey color when we moved in back in 1995. I added the race deck (black and white checkers) somewhere around 2004/2005. The yellow overspray on them is from when my car was painted in the garage by another individual in 2004. Let's just say it's a good thing I didn't have any games in there when it was done!!!

Keep the ideas coming, they are all excellent!
 

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How about doing each step like a control panel and then sealing the paint with a tough floor polyurethane?

It would be cool to walk up a whole flight of stairs with each one being a tribute to the classics.

This is making me wish I had more steps!!
 
I haven't painted my own garcade steps yet other than industrial gray paint.
But I did paint the wall rail with caution stripes using black and florescent yellow spray paint. Only the florescent/neon colors will glow under the black lights.

Also notice the funhouse mirror I built for the kids to take up some empty wall space between the rail and a candy machine.


funhousemirror01.jpg
 
What about something like this?
picture.php


Keep the same white and black theme that you have going to keep continuity. I would recommend freshening up the steps with some trim boards on the risers. I would paint it all black, then paint white border around each tread as well as on half the riser. Maybe paint some of the blacklight sensitive paint on the white areas to show the step in the dark.

Maybe customize the steps more after that with your screen name or name of your arcade on the steps (also painted with UV sensitive paint).

Or maybe use the glow in the dark ducktape for the white lettering/ border areas?

And to top it all off, I would recommend custom cutting a thin sheet of plexiglass and attaching it flush with the sides of the steps. Then, place a standard blacklight fixture inside, with it being plugged into the nearest power strip. When turned all on, your steps will glow from "underneath", and the light will escape off to the sides for a cool visual effect.
 

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What about something like this?
picture.php


Keep the same white and black theme that you have going to keep continuity. I would recommend freshening up the steps with some trim boards on the risers. I would paint it all black, then paint white border around each tread as well as on half the riser. Maybe paint some of the blacklight sensitive paint on the white areas to show the step in the dark.

Maybe customize the steps more after that with your screen name or name of your arcade on the steps (also painted with UV sensitive paint).

Or maybe use the glow in the dark ducktape for the white lettering/ border areas?

And to top it all off, I would recommend custom cutting a thin sheet of plexiglass and attaching it flush with the sides of the steps. Then, place a standard blacklight fixture inside, with it being plugged into the nearest power strip. When turned all on, your steps will glow from "underneath", and the light will escape off to the sides for a cool visual effect.

OK Gozer you win.. What time can you come over and do all of this??!!! :D

Great ideas.
 
OK Gozer you win.. What time can you come over and do all of this??!!! :D

Great ideas.

moooooohahahaha!
Once you posted a photo of the steps, it really helped seal the deal on artistically appealing steps in that spot.
I think it would look awesome if you did that. If you end up doing it, you gotta post pics! I'd be jealous.
 
Do touch sensor light steps. It can be like Qbert :)

Kevin


I have a feeling that people would misconstrue this effect as me wishing I was in the Billie Jean video rather than Q*bert. :D It is a good idea though.

mj7.gif


You guys have all come up with some killer ideas. My concern on some (ie the Frogger and DK ones) is that I don't have those games as of yet. So, people might not get what the graphics are if they are "amateurs" :)

I keep thinking about Phet's DK girder idea too. Maybe I'm thinking too hard about it, but if you are walking up the steps and you are looking down and seeing girders, I could just see someone telling me they shouldn't be on the horizontal part that you 'step up' on, but rather the vertical parts that are in between the steps. After all, Mario's not walking on the side of the girder that you see on the screen. I know I know, again I'm thinking too much about it!!

I have enjoyed all of the ideas so far, and I really like the thought of putting a black light UNDER the steps to make them glow. It would also make them safer IMO when the lights are off out there. I wonder if a real plexi marquee, mounted on the top of the step, and then covered with another piece of plexi, would handle the weight put on it or if it would crack? After all, these games themselves weren't expected to live for 30 years and have, so maybe the marquees can handle a higher load capacity than were intended too? Maybe I'm just being too optimistic here. :D
 
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I wonder if a real plexi marquee, mounted on the top of the step, and then covered with another piece of plexi, would handle the weight put on it or if it would crack? After all, these games themselves weren't expected to live for 30 years and have, so maybe the marquees can handle a higher load capacity than were intended too? Maybe I'm just being too optimistic here. :D

I think you'd have to use 1/4" lexan to pull it off. Or perhaps transparent aluminum?
 
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