Should SC3 go 'PRO'??

shertz

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We are gearing up and making plans for the next SC3 / Arcade party. A lot of people have asked us what is the future for SC3? For a while now we have considered going "pro" with SC3 such asmaking it a real convention like CAX and CGE. That would mean moving to a new location like a hotel hall or a banquet room, which would double or tripple the amount of arcade games and consoles, have vender booths, live bands (8-bit weapon, mini-bosses, etc), and more trades etc and other possibilities.

I wonder if the reason why people like SC3 cause it's pretty DIY and that its in someones house and backyard which is pretty much on the down low. Would SC3 have the same 'feel' if that was gone and became a real convention?

So we are looking for any feedback about SC3 going pro and making it a real convention or keeping it the same as it has been at the house. Please let us know.

If you dont know what SC3 is, please click on the link for the highlights and some pics from our last party in September..

http://www.sc3videogames.com/highlights/2009_09_26.php
 
Oh, thats a tough one to decide. I'm on the fence on this. I'd go to it no matter where it is held. But having only been to the 2 most recent SC3s and this year was my first visit to CAX, I'm not the best candidate to drop a vote. They both have their pros and cons as you mentioned.

I can say for sure that I'd miss the backyard/home/garage environment if it were to be no more. And where the hell would I keep my Jager!?!?!

Anyone else that's been to more of these events have any input?

Hec
 
I would love for something like this to happen. Especially if you get more pins in the mix. :D
 
Haven't been to SC3 but from the pics I've seen it does seem like the feel of the event would change a lot bringing it to a larger venue. The main thing I wonder would be if it did get bigger, would it be a unique event folks would attend in addition to CAX or more or less a LA area event that locals would attend instead of CAX? Kind of wondering if one event would have an effect on the other?
 
Is it getting too crowded for the house?

I think So Cal needs its own arcade/pinball convention...it was attempted last year at Hollywood Park - and while collector participation was good, the advertising was terrible and turnout was poor. There's already a built in SC3 awareness, which is a good start.

I think it's worth a try!
 
If you do go "pro"... try to have the event 6 months out or so from CAX rather than right around the corner time-wise.
 
I think you should go PRO . I've never been to a SC3 event , but I like the idea of it at a Hotel where you can get a room and stay the night . That way you can drink and play games and not have to drive home after . Maybe make it a weekend event , Sat and Sunday ,
 
No. SC3 sounds like a fun event and you should keep it that way IMO. I imagine its also a ton of work, but worth it in the end. Adding financial commitment for advertising and hall rental, room block guarantees and the effort of getting more games and participants to help cover financial outlay = work with less fun. Not always worth it.

I've done hundreds of large scale events and can't say that it was ever any fun, even if we did make money.

Chris
 
Thanks to everyone for all the feedback so far. Lot of things to think about.

RH, yeah it is getting a bit too big. The last gathering we had over 150+ people attend and every gathering seems to grow more and more. I remember the first Sc3 at my house in Oct 06 we had only about 50 people attend.

Frizz, you make a good point about keeping the dates seperate from CAX. I also heard CGE is making a come back in summer 2010. I dont think SC3 would be as large as CAX or CGE. As far as the arcade and pinball selection goes, it would NEVER match those of CAX. We would have a quite a few rare titles, but not on CAX scale. CAX gets about 300 - 400 games as SC3 would probably shoot for 100 - 200.

Cnlmoore, yeah the SC3 group does realize its going to be quite costly and more at steak. thanks for your input.

There is no doubt that if SC3 goes pro that the mystique and intimatsy will be lost. I think a lot people like the fact that it is a hidden group put on in someones backyard (not just mine, but anyones with a bunch of arcade games). Please let me know if anyone has any more thoughts and suggestions. Thanks!
 
Hell, you're close enough to the San Bernardino mountains, just go up there, find a huge ass spot to set up camp... bring some generators and set up. THAT would rock... an arcade party in the middle of the woods... People could camp over night before and after the event...
 
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