Author Topic: What have you done to create an Arcade atmosphere around your cab? (Read 6724 times)

Justin · « **on:** December 14, 2003, 03:17:19 pm »

Just wondering...

...now that my cab is finished, I've been wanting to work on the 'surroundings' a little bit, to create a more arcade-like experience. (How obsessive!)
My basement is unfinished, so not much I can do here. Still, who cares while I'm in the dark LOL.
But I have already added arcade sounds in the background (I have this on a CD, and play it via the cab's speakers while in MAME), and I've been thinking about buying one of those disco lighting things, just for the heck of it (and for some fun).

What have you guys done is this area?

telengard · « **Reply #1 on:** December 14, 2003, 03:24:07 pm »

Quote from: Justin on December 14, 2003, 03:17:19 pm

Just wondering...

...now that my cab is finished, I've been wanting to work on the 'surroundings' a little bit, to create a more arcade-like experience. (How obsessive!)
My basement is unfinished, so not much I can do here. Still, who cares while I'm in the dark LOL.
But I have already added arcade sounds in the background (I have this on a CD, and play it via the cab's speakers while in MAME), and I've been thinking about buying one of those disco lighting things, just for the heck of it (and for some fun).

What have you guys done is this area?

Hehe, I have done the same thing. There is some website that has very long mp3s of ambient arcade noise. I have made a few of my own too. I also sometimes play 80s music which they do at Funspot and it helps the "experience".

The only other things I have done won't really be put into place until I move and have a gameroom. But I have bought some arcade signs and will probably put up black lights.

Unless someone sells "dingy arcade smell" spray I can't think of much else to do.

BTW Some might say you (we) have OCD tendencies.

mahuti · « **Reply #2 on:** December 14, 2003, 04:47:29 pm »

I also use the Ambient Arcade projects MP3s when browing with MameWah... only in browse mode, though.. not all the time, since my machine is right next to my living room.

If you want that authentic arcade smell, just get an old carpet, and leave it outside to mildew- make sure you keep it moist; add cigarette ash, and spill some coke (not diet-- you need the sugary syrup) all over it. Just drop that in your game room. Instant arcade smell.

telengard · « **Reply #3 on:** December 14, 2003, 04:55:56 pm »

Quote from: mahuti on December 14, 2003, 04:47:29 pm

I also use the Ambient Arcade projects MP3s when browing with MameWah... only in browse mode, though.. not all the time, since my machine is right next to my living room.

If you want that authentic arcade smell, just get an old carpet, and leave it outside to mildew- make sure you keep it moist; add cigarette ash, and spill some coke (not diet-- you need the sugary syrup) all over it. Just drop that in your game room. Instant arcade smell.

Heh, I'm too lazy for that. Someone needs to make a canned version of that smell to spray on my cabinet.

Nice cab BTW. I have a thing for Defender too as you can tell from my cab. Have you thought about putting original Defender sideart on yours?

jcoleman · « **Reply #4 on:** December 14, 2003, 05:26:39 pm »

I think everyone here will agree that there is only one way to create an arcade atmosphere around your cabinet: MORE CABINETS

Coleman

OSCAR · « **Reply #5 on:** December 14, 2003, 05:47:29 pm »

What I've done doesn't exactly make my game area look more like an arcade setting, but I put up various marquees, extra boards, and put some spare joysticks and controls on a shelf above my cabs.

mahuti · « **Reply #6 on:** December 14, 2003, 06:36:10 pm »

Hey Mr Sturk, I think I was supposed to send you some defender art a LOOONG time ago, and I never could get around to it.

As a matter of fact, I am in the process of stencilling defender artwork onto my cabinet. It's gonna be quite a time consuming project but will look great when I get done.

If anyone else is interested, the defender AI files are now up on the Mametrix-reloaded site.

telengard · « **Reply #7 on:** December 14, 2003, 06:41:24 pm »

Quote from: mahuti on December 14, 2003, 06:36:10 pm

Hey Mr Sturk, I think I was supposed to send you some defender art a LOOONG time ago, and I never could get around to it.

As a matter of fact, I am in the process of stencilling defender artwork onto my cabinet. It's gonna be quite a time consuming project but will look great when I get done.

If anyone else is interested, the defender AI files are now up on the Mametrix-reloaded site.

Hehe, I can't remember that far back. I appreciate your offering but I've since got the artwork and someone did the specialization I needed ( I am no artist ). Check it out.

http://users.adelphia.net/~bsturk/mame.html

The artwork is available somewhere so you might not have to go through the trouble yourself.

OSCAR, your game room looks like what I hope I can do with mine ( once I have it ).

DarkKobold · « **Reply #8 on:** December 14, 2003, 07:01:53 pm »

I notice a certain Williams worship atmosphere going on with Oscar's arcade... not that there is anything wrong with that....

OSCAR · « **Reply #9 on:** December 14, 2003, 07:52:41 pm »

Quote from: DarkKobold on December 14, 2003, 07:01:53 pm

I notice a certain Williams worship atmosphere going on with Oscar's arcade... not that there is anything wrong with that....

I still need to put up my Sinistar & Joust marquees, so perhaps there is...

RetroJames · « **Reply #10 on:** December 14, 2003, 08:13:30 pm »

I have not gotten that far, but you might consider populating the space with some posters etc that might have actually been up in an Aracde.

http://www.1980sflashback.com/

Also, if there is a door nearby, get one of those "Employees Only" signs. If you want true realism, burn some ganga behind the door to complete the "arcade smell."

Oh yea, and throw yourself out every once and a while.

Wienerdog · « **Reply #11 on:** December 14, 2003, 09:01:11 pm »

I dim the lights and play the Ambient Arcade projects MP3s. Oh, I also hired a high school kid to walk around my basement and check the tokens in my machines while I play.

Frostillicus · « **Reply #12 on:** December 14, 2003, 09:02:42 pm »

Quote from: 1hookedspacecadet on December 14, 2003, 08:13:30 pm

I have not gotten that far, but you might consider populating the space with some posters etc that might have actually been up in an Aracde.

http://www.1980sflashback.com/

Also, if there is a door nearby, get one of those "Employees Only" signs. If you want true realism, burn some ganga behind the door to complete the "arcade smell."

Oh yea, and throw yourself out every once and a while.

Nice link. I can't believe Three men and a baby was the topgrossing film of 1987. Yeah they took my $3.50

greven grevs · « **Reply #13 on:** December 14, 2003, 09:23:07 pm »

Our machine is located in the living room [the wife is very understanding] and we replaced most of the family pictures with movie posters in nice frames. It complements our home theater setup [61" tv w/ bose surround sound].
I liken it to being at a movie theater and playing in the small arcades that most theaters have. Well without the coke covered controls.
Like I said my wife is very understanding , she let me and kids talk her into buying a small bush from Alberstsons to use as a Christmas tree so that we wouldnt have to move the arcade into the walkin closet for the holidays. Man I love that women!

Justin · « **Reply #14 on:** December 14, 2003, 09:54:02 pm »

Quote from: Wienerdog on December 14, 2003, 09:01:11 pm

Oh, I also hired a high school kid to walk around my basement and check the tokens in my machines while I play.

BUAHAHAHAHA most excellent

Sephroth57 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 15, 2003, 10:07:51 am »

Quote from: greven grevs on December 14, 2003, 09:23:07 pm

Our machine is located in the living room [the wife is very understanding] and we replaced most of the family pictures with movie posters in nice frames. It complements our home theater setup [61" tv w/ bose surround sound].
I liken it to being at a movie theater and playing in the small arcades that most theaters have. Well without the coke covered controls.
Like I said my wife is very understanding , she let me and kids talk her into buying a small bush from Alberstsons to use as a Christmas tree so that we wouldnt have to move the arcade into the walkin closet for the holidays. Man I love that women!

omg thats hillarious, a christmas bush hahahaha. your wife rocks

paigeoliver · « **Reply #16 on:** December 15, 2003, 04:10:53 pm »

I mostly just put lots of other games around it. The more games you have, the more arcadie it feels.

Oh, and for you Defender sideart guys, I have two stripped Defender cabs here in St. Louis with perfect sideart, and I don't need them both.

mahuti · « **Reply #17 on:** December 15, 2003, 04:32:33 pm »

Saint Louis eh?

I've been thinking of making my in-laws a cabinet there...

I'll PM you.

RacerX · « **Reply #18 on:** December 15, 2003, 04:55:47 pm »

I have my niece and nephew come over and reach into the coin return or reach up and press buttons while I'm in the middle of a heated game of Robotron.

greven grevs · « **Reply #19 on:** December 15, 2003, 09:13:45 pm »

Quote from: Sephroth57 on December 15, 2003, 10:07:51 am

omg thats hillarious, a christmas bush hahahaha. your wife rocks

Yes our Christmas bush is beautiful , even if we keep having to put the star back on every time it falls off and that we had to set it on stool so that the dogs would stop eating the candy canes!

SirPoonga · « **Reply #20 on:** December 15, 2003, 09:17:43 pm »

Neon, 80s rock/metal/power ballad music, pop rocks, tang, darkly lit room.

RetroJames · « **Reply #21 on:** December 15, 2003, 09:52:49 pm »

OOOO! OOOO! I know, a tv on a wall mount bracket up in the corner playing tapes of MTV! There must be a place to buy or find full tapes of nothing but MTV from the 80's.

Also, the old blacklight posters with the black felt stuff on them. The panther, led zepplin, etc.

RetroJames · « **Reply #22 on:** December 15, 2003, 10:26:36 pm »

Xiaou2 · « **Reply #23 on:** December 16, 2003, 12:24:21 am »

heh, what about the redemption ticket games? and that prize case with all the candy and cheezy toys ; ) lol

JustMichael · « **Reply #24 on:** December 16, 2003, 09:52:07 am »

How come nobody has slapped an "Out Of Order" sign onto their cab or at least over one of the coin slots?

greven grevs · « **Reply #25 on:** December 16, 2003, 10:14:54 am »

Why not hire a teen to stand about the room , ignoring your every question about whether or not you can get help at the change machine.

RetroJames · « **Reply #26 on:** December 16, 2003, 10:21:07 am »

Quote from: greven grevs on December 16, 2003, 10:14:54 am

Why not hire a teen to stand about the room , ignoring your every question about whether or not you can get help at the change machine.

Also, make sure and have a change machine with working lights but no innards. You slide the dollar in and it drops in a bucket...

unclet · « **Reply #27 on:** December 16, 2003, 12:44:59 pm »

I built a driving cab to keep next to my upright cab so it does not get to lonely.

I also surrounded both of them by an arcade air hockey table, foosball table and this Saturday will be finishing the look by adding a real arcade 10' SkeeBall.

My kids think I am great

...... but my wife on the otherhand

MinerAl · « **Reply #28 on:** December 17, 2003, 11:25:34 am »

At a church garage sale I found an in-the-checkout-aisle style candy stand. The kind that you can put a box of $.75 candy bars, next to a box of rolls of sprees, under the little boxes of gum and certs. I'm going for a 7-11 feel rather than an arcade. I've stocked it with candy from the appropriate aisle at Sam's Club. I'm looking for a comic book rack and shelves of frito lay products

If you were going for the full Chuck-E-Cheese experience, you would need clear jars of toxic-plastic $.005 toys with labels that say "20 Tickets" and about a dozen out of order redemption games and claw machines.

greywolf22 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 17, 2003, 12:27:43 pm »

Hehe, actually my arcade machine currently has an Out-of-Order sign on the plexiglass, It came that way when I picked it up from the arcade dealer, and I figured I'd just leave the sign on until I get it up and running

soslo · « **Reply #30 on:** December 17, 2003, 06:33:54 pm »

don't forget the nasty BO smell from all of the non-deodorant-wearing teens playing DDR...

the last arcade I was in (Sunday) had such a foul smell that I could barely stand it.

Sephroth57 · « **Reply #31 on:** December 17, 2003, 07:30:01 pm »

yeah thats the worst soslo, i make it a point to put on extra deodorant before i go to play DDR so im not "the smelly kid". although there is plenty of the usual smelly kids there anyway, so everyone will just think its them if you forgot =P

but i dont these guys are talking about modern arcades, the old geezers are like "wha? DDR? oh thats the new faster RAM type right?" =P jk guys

paigeoliver · « **Reply #32 on:** December 18, 2003, 01:56:35 am »

Quote from: MinerAl on December 17, 2003, 11:25:34 am

and about a dozen out of order redemption games and claw machines.

Redemption machines and claw machines are hardly EVER out of order. They are much simpler than arcade games, and they make more money,so they tend to get repaired right away.

MinerAl · « **Reply #33 on:** December 18, 2003, 11:12:44 am »

Quote from: paigeoliver on December 18, 2003, 01:56:35 am

Quote from: MinerAl on December 17, 2003, 11:25:34 am
and about a dozen out of order redemption games and claw machines.

Redemption machines and claw machines are hardly EVER out of order. They are much simpler than arcade games, and they make more money,so they tend to get repaired right away.

Oh yeah??
Oh yeah??
Oh. Yeah.

The bowling alley I was in last weekend had several out of order redemptions, of the roll-your-token-through-the-hole variety.

What every modern arcade atmosphere needs though is a kick butt old title cabinet that runs the attract mode perfectly, but takes your money and then malfunctions and reboots. This seems to be a feature of every truck-stop arcade.

allroy1975 · « **Reply #34 on:** December 19, 2003, 12:15:08 am »

The out of order idea is AWESOME. next time I have trouble with a game that's what I'm doing instead of wheeling it off into the unfinished part of the basement to work on it.

I am also going for a NOT so arcade look, but a bar..although I don't remember many bars with as many games as I have. Pins maybe....anyway, I went out on ebay and got some of those NHL banners that have like 3 teams then a bud light logo...3 more teams..bud light logo..you know what I mean? they're on a little string and you just drape them up. I'm also looking to pick either a Neon Light that says ARCADE or maybe a Labatt Blue Neon sign of some sort. those little NHL banners are awesome though. Oh, and I think you guys have seen my old school trash can in my Space Invaders post.

Now I'm actually looking forward to having a busted game just to put a sign on it.

Allroy

jsomethin · « **Reply #35 on:** December 19, 2003, 10:30:29 am »

Quote from: Justin on December 14, 2003, 03:17:19 pm

But I have already added arcade sounds in the background (I have this on a CD, and play it via the cab's speakers while in MAME)

If you haven't already tried/seen it, I'd suggest having a look at 3darcade.mameworld.net for a front end.

Way cool 3d browsing of a virtual arcade. While you're walking around ambient arcade sounds are in the background, and you can have mp3's in the background. Also included are a virtual jukebox and a video wall where you can play .mov files.

Although it's a bit tough to configure....I'm still working on it....but so far seems like the best nostalgic front end I've found.

Brogner · « **Reply #36 on:** December 22, 2003, 11:29:52 pm »

Lets not forget having an 8 year old kid pushing his way in so he could put his head into the playfield and block your view of the game your playing (then the "accidental" elbow up side his head)

Or the dummy kid that would put his quarters on the playfield while your playing your "best" game then give you attitude because you're taking too long to play


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