Converting a Garage into an Arcade? 18
The ever curious AtariDatacenter asks: "I'm finally going to get my wish, and upgrade my two car garage to an 80's style arcade room. I've found some good ideas in the RGVAC newsgroup. But for those who aren't hardcore into collecting, what are major aspects of an arcade gameroom that you'd put into your own home? Would this make a home more or less marketable?"
My Suggestions (Score:3, Insightful)
Thats what *I'd* put in mine. But you seem to want to have a 80s theme also. In this aspect, I'd get a couple of pinball machines, and a couple of your vintage arcade standups (i.e. classics like Pac-man and your personal favorties, mine all time fav being D&D: Tower of Doom). Then, you should look into making a standup MAME box (similar to one Taco has [cmdrtaco.net]).
Of course, thats what I'd put in my game room. Its all dependent on how much space and money you have really. Good luck and have fun!
Holy smokes... (Score:2)
I would get pinball tables, a CD juke box, and then I'd set up a couple of mame cabinets, with switchable controllers.
It would definetely make the home less marketable, unless you find a sad geek with a _VERY_ understanding missus.
Re:Holy smokes... (Score:2)
CDs?? This is Slashdot!
What you should do is find an old time jukebox (it doesn't need to work, you just need the case) and stick an MP3 (Ogg, etc.) player inside. Be sure to interface the existing controls to the system so it still has the nostalgic feel. Then hook it into your music collection and get ready to rock & roll.
Re:Holy smokes... (Score:1)
hmmm... (Score:3, Interesting)
Mame cabinet with Nintendo/atari games.
perhaps use one of those RGB projectors for the Mame cabinet. Mario would be as tall as you! That'd be cool.
memories... (Score:4, Informative)
On a more functional note- spend some time on lighting- you want to use diffuse, indirect light that won't cast a glare. Most arcades I remember were painted some very dark color inside, and kept pretty dim. Put some padding and carpet down on the floor, a smooth concrete floor (typical of garages) can be really ugly acoustically, especially if you just want to hear the game you're playing. Also, it can be really painful if you are planning on spending a lot of time in front of that game going for the new world record. Acoustic tile on the ceiling would also be good. For the sake of your neighbors, consider some decent soundproofing in the walls.
Re:Tokens vs Quarters (Score:2)
Also, a link with pictures would be great when youre finished!
Negative resale value. (Score:4, Insightful)
Lots of machines, both video and pin. If you're planning on throwing parties you don't want your friends waiting in line. Get some competitive machines, too. It's a blast playing Crusin' USA/World/Exotica on a four-seat linked system when you don't have to worry about feeding it your life's savings in quarters.
Where do you live? If it's a cooler climate, is the garage insulated and heated for the winter? If it's a warmer climate, is the garage cooled in the summer? In any case, a few ceiling fans would go a long way.
As for resale value... This will definitely decrease it. Think -- You'll probably want to take the games with you when you move. Even if you don't, there really aren't that many people out there who want a full-blown arcade in their garage. Even as a geek and gamer, I'd rather have a place to keep my car than a garage full of games. Plan on converting the arcade back to a usable garage before you sell.
Good stuff so far... (Score:2)
I like what I read to far. Any more good tips on how to get the right atmosphere?
Re:Good stuff so far... (Score:2)
Try making some signs:
No children allowed without adult supervision.
No refunds.
Not responsible for lost quarters. (Hide the quarter button. Watch neighbors visit and keep dumping quarters into your fake quarter slot:)
And then print some fliers. Lots of them in the newsgroup archives and the MAME sites.
I wouldn't bother with the MAME cabs if you are REALLY going for authenticity. But if you do MAME it, I'd suggest diskless boxes with a central server (the same one that houses the MP3 jukebox).
Really, there were so damned many arcades and so many styles that you really just ought to build what YOU remember from your misspent childhood. (Except that one of my big memories is that DK had the joystick on the left. Game woulda been a helluva lot easier if it had been on the right.)
And yes, it will probably decrease the value of the house unless you can change it to a general purpose living room or to a plain garage. So if you want to change it back to a plain living room, do a nice job on the finish work. Put in lots of outlets (mandatory anyway to avoid extension cords) and put in some nice RJ jacks for your network. And if you setup a jukebox, do a nice install job on the wiring/hidden speakers. If you do that, and repaint the walls a nice offwhite (hard to do if you start with black) then you can sell it as a rec room. Include pictures of what you did with it. Maybe you'll get lucky and find a buyer who likes that or is motivated by it.
Oh, two more things: first, make sure you don't have to go through the laundry room to get to it. That's what I have, and it sucks:) Second, don't try to run 15 games on one circuit. Try to spread the load around. If your house is like most, you've got tons of slots in your breaker box. So put the games on dedicated breakers (not 1:1, but, say, 5:1 or so). And, try to split it up. You probably have 30 amp service (in the States) which gives you two hot wires and one ground. Put half of your new lines on one pole, the other half on the other pole. If you can't do this, figure out where the server will go. Then, if there is one pole with only one slot on your box, wire that to the outlet for the computer/hubs/etc. Put the games on the other unit. (I'm not sure there is a reason to do this, but unneccessary complexity is a part of any proper home improvement project)
And a final word of advice: you are the one who has to live there. Who gives a crap about resale value? As long as you don't expect to get out what you put into it, you are okay. A corollary: don't put more into it than the enjoyment you will get out of it.
Re:Good stuff so far... (Score:2)
30 amp service? I've never lived in any house that didn't have a 100 amp main coming into the box....Most all of my breakers are 30 amp though..
I don't think I could have my network powered up and cook dinner at the same time with only 30 amps coming in...
Pool Table (Score:2)
If you do decide to put in a pool table, make sure that you put some thought into lighting. Pool tables need good light, but you don't want to get glare on the glass of your games nor do you want to interfere with the dark and dank look of the room.
In terms of getting the dark and dank look, I'd go for a very dark green flat paint. Dark green is going to be more appealing to the "normals" than black will, but under dim light should look just about the same.
Re:Pool Table (Score:1)
stools (Score:1)
2 Cars = Lots of space (Score:1)
I'm not going to wonder why or how. I'm just going to imagine ...
General Room: I remember alot of dark [dirty] red carpets with bad designs. I agree that carpet is gonna to help with sound and comfort, but I would like to add the suggestion of "outdoor" style carpet. For one thing its easier to clean and another if the doors are open... Since many pointed out the resale value "thing" instead of paint I would suggest cloth, either in the form of curtains or covered panels [maybe 4x8 sheets of foam insulation]. This makes it easier to retrofit the room and either idea will help with sound control. The bar stools [there are actually stores that specialize in these] would be a nice touch but not necessary. Lighting is imporant, indirect lighting is better with centralized fadable lighting controls. Also speakers placed through out the whole room [plenty of bass]. Also a couple of networked webcams would be cool.
Garage Area 1: Centered on the garage door with just enough room to get around it on all sides, an air hockey table. Surrounding it on three side by MAME machine [or as many as you can afford; you can save money by building them all into one piece of furniture instead of individual shells].
Garage Area 2: Centered on the back wall [opposite the garage door] a pool/billiards table. Back to back with the other MAME machines, more MAME machines. Opposite those the Sound System/CD Jukebox/Networked MP3 Player and vending machines [available at Sam's Club, Costco, and like] or frig and lockable cupboard. This would also be a good place for a wet bar and a tap or two or maybe a keggerator. In the center of the room, facing the garage door, seating [couch and lazy boys] and put a video projector in the above the pool table, use the door to project on [may need a screen to attach on it], in front of the seating a custom coffee table that holds all of your console gaming systems, and of course surround sound and a DVD player. The reason for the seating to be facing the door is for summer cookouts and neighbor watching.
In the spirit of keeping costs down I was thinking using smaller tv for monitors if you could get tv out on motherboard. The other thing I was thinking was putting OS, MAME, and 1 or 2 ROMS on a CD. This would allow harddriveless machines. Also building your own controlers would keep cost down I think, although I understand that they are inferior usually, so maybe this would be a place to splurge.
Am I forgetting anything? Well maybe the 802.11b network and X11 style automation for controling the sterio, lighting, and power. Lastly, climate. An air purifier and heat/air conditioning would be nice, but insulation might be a problem.
Aaah! Dreams....
Power. Lots of power (Score:2)
I'll tell ya, it's great fun to have a bunch of people over and playing. The sound of the arcade on full brings you back in time 20 years
I wish I had room for more pinball machines. I wish my wife would let me get rid of the dining room table to put an air hockey table in. I wish I had room for a pool table.
Most of all, I wish it was 5 years ago when RGVAC was the only place to get machines, and the prices were far better (til eBay came along)
Good luck in your endeavor! It's LOADS of fun!