So now I have this awesome cabinet and I never play it...

[Todd H]

So I spent all that time and money building a fantastic MAME cabinet, yet it hasn't been touched in over a month. The sad part is I'd love to actually sit down and play some of the games. But being married and a father means that free time is a rare thing. Don't get me wrong though. As soon as the wife and son go visit some of her family for a week or two, I'll be cranking up the 80's metal and playing until my hands hurt.

Anybody else run into this problem?

[trencej]

I feel ya.

My old cab was very much like this. And i rarely get any spare time. Although now, with my new cab, things seem to be a little different. As my son has now grown older, he wants to play games with me, and now, so does the wife occasionally. Plugged in an xbox pad last night and played 3 player gauntlet with them both. That, and now my new cab can play DDR, the wifes happy with it.

[Ginsu Victim]

Sure. If you played as much as you wanted to play, the wife and kids wouldn't be a problem because they'd be long gone.

It makes you appreciate your cab more when you actually do get to play it. It means you've taken care of the things that need to be done for your family and now you can enjoy a game. You've earned it.

[gaffner]

I actually have the same sort of problem.  I have no kids, but I'm married, and my wife is a stay-at-home wife.  When I get home, she is ready to do something with me (which I'm not complaining about), but it leaves little time to work on/play with my machine.

The biggest issue we have is that she doesn't like to hang out in my game room at this point.  The possible solution for you (and me) is to make the room where the arcade machine is into a room that anyone would want to regularly hang out in.  My wife likes to read, so we are going to get her a good chair/sofa for her to do that while I play.  Also, I plan on setting up some kind of media system for her so she can listen to her music or watch TV while I'm playing.

It's all about compromise...

[Ginsu Victim]

gaffner:

Luckily, my wife let me move our MAME cabinet into the living room. It has worked out much better this way and we both play it more.

[javeryh]

Yup.  My backlog of 360 games is embarrassing too.  By the time 10pm rolls around and my wife goes to bed I am too tired to do anything other than lay on the couch and watch TV since I have to get up at 5:30 every morning.  I did move my Donkey Kong into my dining room and I play it a lot more - it's rare that a week goes by without turning it on even if most of the playtime is on the weekends.  We are in the process of designing a game room / theater for our addition so I'm hoping we end up playing more...

[supadave]

So I spent all that time and money building a fantastic MAME cabinet, yet it hasn't been touched in over a month. The sad part is I'd love to actually sit down and play some of the games. But being married and a father means that free time is a rare thing. Don't get me wrong though. As soon as the wife and son go visit some of her family for a week or two, I'll be cranking up the 80's metal and playing until my hands hurt.

Anybody else run into this problem?

Same problem. Twin 2 year olds make it impossible anymore.

[Todd H]

Looks like there are a few kindred spirits here. 

[Blanka]

Just wait. If the kids are 6 they start telling they have the biggest Nintendo DS of the whole school.

[TOK]

Hang in there, it gets better with the kids. Usually by 4 or 5, they start becoming interested in the games.
Coordination isn't all there, so if you choose the games carefully and offer some positive reinforcement they will love playing them with you.

My kid loves Silver Strike Bowling, Ms. Pac Man and Frogger.

[southpaw13]

I thought we built these things for nostalgia...an occasional party usage...or just to say we have one...

I love telling my friends or co-workers to pick a game and 99 out of a 100 I have it!

[javeryh]

Hang in there, it gets better with the kids. Usually by 4 or 5, they start becoming interested in the games.
Coordination isn't all there, so if you choose the games carefully and offer some positive reinforcement they will love playing them with you.

My kid loves Silver Strike Bowling, Ms. Pac Man and Frogger.

yeah - my daughter is an arcade addict now.  She doesn't really show much interest in the DS or the consoles but she loves those arcade games.  A few weeks ago she was at the beach and there was an arcade on the boardwalk and all she wanted to do was play the cabinets even though everyone else was trying to get her to play the ticket games (which she also likes).  She can get to the third level in DK and she enjoys others like Galaga 3, Ms. Pac-Man and a bunch of others.  My 2.5 year old son loves arcade games too but he has no idea what he is doing.

[DashRendar]

I have no kids yet, but I have a fiance and a wedding coming up.

She originally thought I was daft for starting this project.  When I explained to her that it's a hobby, something for me to work on to take a break from work, she understood.

Now that it's basically done, we've had some heated discussions about where the cab will be.  I have a man cave in my basement, which works out pretty well.  She can sit and watch TV or movies, and I can play the cab.  We still have the benefit of being able to talk, and last night, for the first time, she asked if I'd like to play a two player game on the cab.

[jmike]

Same here. I have 9 month old twin boys. (Can't wait until they get older) but even then the wife says they'll take over the man cave. Yeah right! 

But here's a couple of tips (which I believe was given to me by someone on these forums)

1) Let the wife have a night out with her friends or sleep in late and you watch the kids (take them for a drive or something). Then it'll be your turn which of course you'll say I'm going to work in the garage on my arcade stuff. This usually works for me. I took them for a drive this weekend and even set them up in the backyard with a little picnic. Then I got a chance to work on my projects.

2) This is the important one. Plan ahead. Have exactly what you want to do ready to go. So do your measurements, layouts, and any other steps you can do while the kids nap. So when you're ready to go outside it's GO TIME!!!!!!

 

[kronic24601]

I'm actually seriously afraid of this. I have a 14 month old and a wife who doesn't appreciate the amount of time I've been spending building this thing. Mine isn't finished yet, but I'm seriously hoping my son will like this thing ... or I'm screwed  .

oh well ... half of building this thing was to learn how to do it all ... so ... whatever happens I'll still have had fun.

[DashRendar]

Mine isn't finished yet, but I'm seriously hoping my son will like this thing ... or I'm screwed  .

Yeah, that's a good point.  I actually am looking forward to having kids in the near future, and at some point being able to play the arcade game with them.  And till then, my nieces and nephews can have fun with it.

[Rusty Shackelford]

I hear you Bud. I work full time and have a 3 year old son to entertain. Buliding a cab and doing artwork are rare treats.

Anyone watch American dad? See the episode where Stan takes pills to stop him sleeping so he can do his hobbies at night when his family are asleep?

[FrizzleFried]

You think having ONE cab that doesn't get used is bad?

How about my gameroom which consists of:

Horizontal MAME
Vertical MAME
Cocktail MAME/Jukebox
Multi-Pac
Double Donkey Kong+
Atari System I (Indiana Jones, Marble Madness & Road Blasters)
Atari System II (Paperbox & Championship Sprint)
Tempest
Spy Hunter
Asteroids
Asteroids Deluxe
Race Drivin'
Battlezone
Punch Out
Super Punch Out
Williams Multigame
Wizard of Wor
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Pole Position (I & II)
Capcom Antology
Taito Multigame
Whirlwind Pinball
and Secret Service Pinball

...most of which see very little use lately.

Except the cocktail MAME which I get to play a couple games of each morning...

[Edwards80]

I've only been married for a month so we will see how things go when I finish my MAME cab in the coming months. She is pretty good with giving me time to play console stuff at the moment.

Another bonus is that she is a vet, So one evening a week and one weekend every few weeks or so she is on call and stays at the practice. Most of the time I have a few mates round and we drink beers and play some games. Should be even more fun when the cab is done

[javeryh]

It's not the getting married that's a time-suck, it's the kids (at least in my case).  Those little buggers wear me out.   

[Ginsu Victim]

I've only been married for a month so we will see how things go when I finish my MAME cab in the coming months. She is pretty good with giving me time to play console stuff at the moment.

I marked the most important parts of that statement in bold.

[Chunce DeLeone]

I work mostly on building/tweaking the cabs, then sitting back and watching other people play the cabs, then i lose interest and don't touch them for a long while,  i don't think there is an end-game here, i think for me its all about the journey to get there, the real game is the problemsolving to build the game!

[eclipso]

So I spent all that time and money building a fantastic MAME cabinet, yet it hasn't been touched in over a month. The sad part is I'd love to actually sit down and play some of the games. But being married and a father means that free time is a rare thing. Don't get me wrong though. As soon as the wife and son go visit some of her family for a week or two, I'll be cranking up the 80's metal and playing until my hands hurt.

Anybody else run into this problem?

Same problem and with the wife giving birth to the second child at the end of June I can only imagine how much less "free" time I will have.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I'm just really glad I built my cabinet before my son was born.  I definitely have less free time now than I did before he was born.

However, as for the use, I do admit I use them less, but only because I spend most of my time working on new arcade stuff, so I never have time to play with them afterwards.  Whereas before I would be able to build them AND play them.

But things are looking up... My son is starting to like the arcade room (he's almost 2).  Everytime he goes in, he gets all excited (even if they are turned off) and bugs me until I turn them on for him to play around with.  He's at the button mashing stage and doesn't really "play" the games yet, but it's a start.

So I imagine over time they will get used more.  

I posted some pics for fun below.  Enjoy!

DeLuSioNaL29

[atomikbohm]

I have a 7 year old, a 2 year old and my wife has really bad back.  Between the 7 year old getting upset that the 2 year old is in his stuff and my wife's "Good, your home I need a break" it's a trade off, sleep for arcade time.  Although my 7 year old is totally hooked on my cab so I get some Man time with my son at least once a week.  That plus there ais thean ea;srjeianm zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz....

<snort> WHA?!?!?  Sorry I was playing Gauntlet DL last night and couldn't find a rune stone ... 

[severdhed]

same thing here.  i have 2 boys (3 years old, and 18months) and i hardly ever get to play my cabinets.  when it comes to building and working on them, i seem to find the time to do that, but once they are done, i don't really get that motivated to actually play them.    the best thing i can tell you to do is....build another one  

[dmarcum99]

I don't have much advice for the wife thingy...I'm having a monitor "issue" and my wife thinks I'm "OBSESSING"...    so now I can't get time to sort out my monitor issue which makes me think about it even more....   

If you have kids I have two words....BUBBLE BOBBLE.  That game keeps both my 6yr old and my 12yr old entertained for at least an hour at a time....until they can't get any further and start screaming for good ol dad.. 

[R0UNDEYEZ]

I have a feeling a good portion of people on this board are like me where alot of the fun is the project itself with the  tinkering and building , the games are just a nice side effect.
I don't have a wife..or kids... My girlfriend  enjoys video games, (she bought the wii and Playstation 2 we have) as far as arcade games she likes the puzzle type games and tapper.. Her main complaint is having to stand, alot of times she wants to play, but isn't in the mood to have to stand around .At first I felt having to stand was part of "the experience", but maybe i'm getting old because I'm finding myself feeling the same way as her ,   I plan to get some nice stools soon to fix that complaint.
Honestly though it probably gets the most play when I have friends over, they don't have an arcade machine at their house to play anytime they want, so are always down to have a few drinks and play some games  
Like already mentioned a couple times I think the key is compromise, Sometimes i'd rather play a nice game of marvel vs capcom, but the girlfriend would rather play super puzzle fighter.. I play the puzzle fighter with the girlfriend  and save marvel vs capcom for the friends (where we can really unleash the trash talking hahaha)


 

[Epyx]

I love the playing and building equally.  To me standing in front of a cab we built and playing is a joy only we can relate to.  I am lucky in that my daughter is a huge gamer...14 years old and likes doing a lot of 2 player gaming with me. 

I also have "me" time which honestly all you guys should have in your relationships to keep both parties sane...my wife and I spend a *lot* of time together watching movies, dates, etc etc but always make sure we have our *me* time...for me that is gaming night with the boys every other week...or time to play while she watches her *trash* (Bachelor and other useless tv!). It works out great.

Of course work has to co-operate for this wonderful master plan to unfold properly

[Triangel7D]

My first cab is so close to being done, and I'm currently in intense negotiations with my wife as to where it will live. I have a 3-year old son (who I take care of full-time), with a second son on the way in June. I'm trying to get this done before all that starts. I really want to show the wife this thread to prove it goes in the Family Room (although I don't think it will change her mind). We get an hour of free time at night after the kid has gone to bed, so I could be playing while the TV is on.

I think dealing with spouses/family should be it's own sub-forum.

[RayB]

You're supposed to play them??

[javeryh]

My first cab is so close to being done, and I'm currently in intense negotiations with my wife as to where it will live. I have a 3-year old son (who I take care of full-time), with a second son on the way in June. I'm trying to get this done before all that starts. I really want to show the wife this thread to prove it goes in the Family Room (although I don't think it will change her mind). We get an hour of free time at night after the kid has gone to bed, so I could be playing while the TV is on.

I think dealing with spouses/family should be it's own sub-forum.

Put it in the family room.  She won't like it but she will get used to it.  You live there too and as long as it looks minty fresh and isn't some abomination you can make the space for it.  My DK is in my dining room (which is really just a part of my entire first floor which is open other than the kitchen) and it gets a lot of use.  My wife didn't want it there AT ALL but she has grown to like it (I think - at least she doesn't mention it anymore).  I've even caught her playing a game or two.  Whenever company comes over it gets a lot of use and anyone who sees it thinks it's the coolest thing ever. 

[Triangel7D]

Put it in the family room.  She won't like it but she will get used to it.  You live there too and as long as it looks minty fresh and isn't some abomination you can make the space for it.  My DK is in my dining room (which is really just a part of my entire first floor which is open other than the kitchen) and it gets a lot of use.  My wife didn't want it there AT ALL but she has grown to like it (I think - at least she doesn't mention it anymore).  I've even caught her playing a game or two.  Whenever company comes over it gets a lot of use and anyone who sees it thinks it's the coolest thing ever. 

I told that I'd get to have the coolest playdates ever with my dad and mom friends (while our toddlers play with toys), but she's not having it. She's already talking about hiring movers to get the thing up to our den on the 2nd floor. My plan is while it's idling on the 1st floor (as I finish putting in the monitor, cp, pc and speakers), to have some friends over and play it. Then hopefully she'll see how fun it is. I better get moving on that MaLa interface...

[drventure]

I have a feeling a good portion of people on this board are like me where alot of the fun is the project itself with the  tinkering and building , the games are just a nice side effect.

Well said!

I'm just about to tear all my buttons out and go all OND on 'em 

But, hook up BUbble bobblem, frogger, ribbit, and some pinball sims and the kids will usuallybe happy.

Oh, and definitely grab a copy of StepMania, some good tracks and some ridiculous character skins. My daughter loves being the princess girl in the game.

[HanoiBoi]

Is it safe to assume that the best time for most of us to play is around 10pm-12am?

Sure, real life gets in the way but as Ginsu mentioned, when you finally get to play - you've earned it.  Once everyone else retires for the evening, treat yourself to a few games.  If one night's free time becomes too late and you would prefer sleep, then make your decision knowing that there's always tomorrow.  

[Gorotsuki]

I'm just slightly less attractive
than my horrible personality,
so I remain unattached with
all the free time to play video games
that I need.
The only downside is I have to play with myself....

[Ond]

The only downside is I have to play with myself....

*looks at Gorotsuki avatar* *mind boggles* 

[Todd H]

I also have "me" time which honestly all you guys should have in your relationships to keep both parties sane...my wife and I spend a *lot* of time together watching movies, dates, etc etc but always make sure we have our *me* time...for me that is gaming night with the boys every other week...or time to play while she watches her *trash* (Bachelor and other useless tv!). It works out great.

Of course work has to co-operate for this wonderful master plan to unfold properly

What is this "me" time of which you speak? 

Right now my wife is working nights and weekends so I end up taking care of my little boy by myself.  By the time I get him to bed I'm exhausted. I'm hoping one of these days her schedule improves. Would be nice to have us both home at the same time.

[Edwards80]

I've only been married for a month so we will see how things go when I finish my MAME cab in the coming months. She is pretty good with giving me time to play console stuff at the moment.

I marked the most important parts of that statement in bold.

lol. Reading between the lines reveals alot sometimes

In all honesty though, In addition to the times she is working, we have agreed times that we can just do our own thing. She likes playing piano etc. as well as a few TV shows that I don't like so it works pretty well. The piano is in the games/music room though so I will just have to get her the music for popular arcade titles so we won't clash

"Page 16 please dear, I'm about to play Tetris"

[gaffner]

gaffner:

Luckily, my wife let me move our MAME cabinet into the living room. It has worked out much better this way and we both play it more.

Ginsu, after you left this comment, my wife and I discussed this last night.  Her comment was... "then what would we do with the game room?"  

I think it's just a matter of finding THE chair/couch for her.  She's really into reading, so if we found the perfect place and put it into the game room, I would have countless nights of 30 minutes worth of gaming time...