What's up with ACAM/Funspot?

[88mph]

I'm curious about the status of ACAM/Funspot. This year:

•There was no ACAM arcade/exhibit at PAX east. I had been to the previous ones, and they were definitely a highlight!

•They cancelled their annual tournament (only to be revived/reincarnated via an admirable effort by Blkdog and company..)

What's going on?

 

[88mph]

Well, 95 views later and no replies. I guess time will tell!

 

[incrediblegamez]

sounds like falling on hard times or maybe a change in ownership?

Who knows but john is bringing in some business with his awesome AO tournament.

 

[DigDerp2099]

It would be nice if we could get an actual answer from Gary... I'm sure John got some info, but was sworn to secrecy. Level double secret.

 

[yaggy]

People occupying popular classic arcade titles for hours on one token probably isn't a good promotional event for any FEC. If they could charge for spectators, that might help, but I'm not sure if all three of them can make it this year.

 

[Steve W]

I know it's not all going to Funspot/ACAM, but I can't be the only one dropping a grand or so in Laconia, NH every year staying for the tourney. The tourney has to be helpful for local businesses, hell Patrick's Pub gets a crapton of my cash that week.

 

[DigDerp2099]

I know it's not all going to Funspot/ACAM, but I can't be the only one dropping a grand or so in Laconia, NH every year staying for the tourney. The tourney has to be helpful for local businesses, hell Patrick's Pub gets a crapton of my cash that week.

Seriously. Not to mention every time I go to Funspot I make sure to spend money. The bar in there alone gets at least $200 every time I'm in it.

 

[Pixel8Arcade]

There probably won't be an answer to this until after we all gather at Funspot June 1st ish.

Funspot just spent a shit ton of money shoring up the roof above the bowling alley to house the mini golf expansion upstairs....so they aren't closing up the place any time soon.

And the building will probably be in the Lawton fam forever....I don't see new owners coming in.

 

[rcb5588]

I usually visit Funspot once a month. I was there for a few hours last week, and saw more action with the games than I have in a long time. For instance, they were constantly dollying games on and off the floor that were dead or had issues. I was happy to see this, as there have been games that have had the same issues for years (1942's awful monitor, Zoo Keeper down for a whole year, etc). There were lots of games missing from the extra room (room that used to hold the golf course), but a lot of the games that are typically in that room were nowhere to be seen. Hopefully this means they were being worked on.

Anyways, I have no speculation on what the deal is with Funspot or Acam. As others have mentioned, I highly doubt they would have renovated the top floor above the bowling alley to add the new golf course if they were having financial issues.

Just figured I would add some information since I'm a frequent visitor and was there the other day.

 

[88mph]

I think the key issue may be the status of the relationship between ACAM and the owner of Funspot. The way I see it, a dollar spent on the mini golf course (Zzzzzzz..) is a dollar *not* spent on maintaining the classic vids/pins.

I'm pretty sure some peeps on here know what the deal is, but swore an oath to pretend everything is just fine up there.

 

[cdjump]

i was there a couple of weeks ago. I was there with family, and it should be noted that i didn't spend a lot of time in the ACAM area- but, i did pay attention to the mcr games that had problems last time i was there in November. I am happy to say that all of their mcr games were (at least in attract mode) up and running. Doing a quick walk through, i didn't notice any games not up and running.
I offered to fix their mcr games for them some time back, but i never heard back from anyone. I am glad they got them fixed though.

Edit- Funspot is not doing poorly, unlike most arcades. We were there on Saturday, and the place was packed. Even played a round of mini-golf at the indoor mini-golf course. Fun, but at 5 bucks a player, a bit pricey, imho.