How do YOU light your game room?

[DeLuSioNal29]

So I'm in my new home and I have a game room I'm setting up.  Was looking to getting some fluorescent black light fixtures that I can mount behind the machines down there.  I bought those ol' cheapo screw in fluorescent black lights and they don't give off enough light to really do anything.  Plus I need to swap out the bulbs every time I need light to work on stuff.  Any suggestions on bigger fixtures?  What are you guys using for Arcade ambient lighting?  Links?  Sizes?  Prices?

D

[yotsuya]

No lights when the games are on. It's still well lit by all the ambient light.

[BadMouth]

When I had a basement bar with an arcade section, I had a single 4ft blacklight mounted on the backside of a floor joist at the entrance to the arcade section so you couldn't see it from the rest of the basement.  It was enough to light up the UV carpet.

For actual light, I used half silvered 40w bulbs.


Probably not applicable in your situation, but in a basement with simple bare fixtures they throw all the light back up toward the ceiling resulting in a lot of indirect ambient light.
It worked out really well for a bar atmosphere.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Mine is in a finished basement with zero windows.  So it's pitch black with the lights off.  I don't have enough games for "ambient lighting".  (yet).

Yots if you can must up the courage, you can click on my video below which shows what's in there now:


D

[DeLuSioNal29]

For actual light, I used half silvered 40w bulbs.

I'll need to look into that.  Eventually, I'm going to upgrade to track lighting with a dimmable switch, since it's going to double for a home theater.

D

[lamprey]

Since you are fully light controlled (cave), one thing I think looks "arcady" are neon signs. You could also run an LED strip around the perimeter of the room or something. I've seen someone do that with the RGB LEDs and they have a controller that slowly rotates the color. I haven't figured out my lighting yet (I just swapped rooms last week), but I'll probably put in some fluorescent black lights. Possible some simple "can" lights that you can set on the floor and point upwards. Might put a couple of those in some spots (behind some machines?) to help with ambient light..? And of course there is always the Star Ceiling..

[Malenko]

Still in the building phase. wide angle dim-able LED pot lights. florescent lights can muck with light gun games and I already own at lest 1 of those. 

[vwalbridge]

I watched your video DeL. You've got yourself a great space for a home arcade! I like all of the little touches down there.

I really like lamprey's suggestion of neon signs. You get good bang for your buck because you get arcade related signs that also light the space.

[yotsuya]

Mine is in a finished basement with zero windows.  So it's pitch black with the lights off.  I don't have enough games for "ambient lighting".  (yet).

Yots if you can must up the courage, you can click on my video below which shows what's in there now:

D

Simple solution.... get more games. Duh.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I saw this and was thinking of picking it up:
http://smile.amazon.com/American-Black-Blacklight-Tube-Fixture/dp/B0006MQSR6/ref=pd_sim_267_2?ie=UTF8&dpID=213ziOPINEL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=0K6D45Q0GW02KMSMHSYA

I like this too:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/160626844951?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

But I kind of like the RGB LED idea that rotates.  I need to look into it.  I already have a RGB Pacman ghost that rotates color and it looks great.

D

[yotsuya]

One thing you need to consider before you bling out your gameroom.... neon and LEDs are cool on the walls, but you might also get a lot of distracting reflections on your monitors from them, so place them accordingly.

[BadMouth]

Looks like the same blacklight I have, but it doesn't really do much for "lighting".
It just makes the responsive stuff glow.
<insert joke about bodily fluids here>

Do something custom for your arcade sign.


You asked what we were actually doing for lighting but if I build another gameroom, my plan is for indirect colored lighting running in a trough around the perimeter walls about 1 ft down from the ceiling.  It might just be a rope light or LED ribbon tossed in a trough.  It might not be a trough, but just a board with the light shining out both above and below.  Dunno yet.  Gotta experiment and see what gets the look I want.  In addition to that, there would be clear ceiling lights for when stuff needs worked on.

EDIT:  The idea is to wash the walls with light and not have any type of bulb directly visible, especially not as a reflection in a monitor bezel

[DeLuSioNal29]

I just saw this:  http://m.dhgate.com/product/wholesale-5m-16ft-led-waterproof-ultraviolet/217860549.html#pd-117

[yotsuya]

Looks like the same blacklight I have, but it doesn't really do much for "lighting".
It just makes the responsive stuff glow.
<insert joke about bodily fluids here>

Do something custom for your arcade sign.


You asked what we were actually doing for lighting but if I build another gameroom, my plan is for indirect colored lighting running in a trough around the perimeter walls about 1 ft down from the ceiling.  It might just be a rope light or LED ribbon tossed in a trough.  It might not be a trough, but just a board with the light shining out both above and below.  Dunno yet.  Gotta experiment and see what gets the look I want.  In addition to that, there would be clear ceiling lights for when stuff needs worked on.

EDIT:  The idea is to wash the walls with light and not have any type of bulb directly visible, especially not as a reflection in a monitor bezel

I like that look. Lights the walls in a very subtle manner.

[yotsuya]

Now that I think about it,  the biggest source of light in the game room when it's running is the wall - mounted TV that shows music videos.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Now that I think about it,  the biggest source of light in the game room when it's running is the wall - mounted TV that shows music videos.

I have my TV running an arcade flyer slideshow at the moment.  Still dark though.

But I did see this and it's pretty bad-ass.  http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Williams-Arcade-Video-Game-Room-HANDCRAFTED-Real-Beer-BAR-NEON-LIGHT-SIGN-/111838354913

D

[vwalbridge]

What? You don't like the Man Cave Neon? 

[DeLuSioNal29]

What? You don't like the Man Cave Neon? 

F that ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---.

[HanoiBoi]

Agree that the blacklight isnt enough light.  I have the 24" version and it's dark.

For the light changing LED strip, we have a few of these in the house..16ft strip for $30.  Comes with a remote and can select and adjust colors.  I usually set it to a solid color, but its got plenty of options.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006JUW77Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453245161&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=HitLights


For arcade lighting, we installed recessed lighting throught basement with 2 sections, each on its own dimmer.  For one of the lights right above the machines, I sometimes replace with a color chaning 'party bulb'.  I'm not suggesting it..haha..just sharing.

[lamprey]

For the light changing LED strip, we have a few of these in the house..16ft strip for $30.  Comes with a remote and can select and adjust colors.  I usually set it to a solid color, but its got plenty of options.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006JUW77Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453245161&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=HitLights

HanoiBoi, is that that kit you bought? If so, does that do the color rotation (meaning press a button and it goes into color rotation mode)?

Might pick one up for my room if it does.

[acvieluf]

I agree about that neon. Besides, doesn't "the man cave" just sound like an all-male strip club? Haha

Sent from my Atari 2600

[HanoiBoi]

For the light changing LED strip, we have a few of these in the house..16ft strip for $30.  Comes with a remote and can select and adjust colors.  I usually set it to a solid color, but its got plenty of options.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006JUW77Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453245161&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=HitLights

HanoiBoi, is that that kit you bought? If so, does that do the color rotation (meaning press a button and it goes into color rotation mode)?

Might pick one up for my room if it does.

Yep, same one.  And yes, it has several options.  The one you're wanting is called "Fade7", where is slowly changes to 7 different colors.  There is also a "Fade3", "Jump7" and "Jump3".  Jump feels more like a multicolor strobe.  Oh, there's also "Flash" which is a white strobe.  I dont believe you can strobe any other single color besides white. There are also Slow and Quick buttons that can sort of adjust the speed...but not as effective as I'd hope.  Really fun light and worth the $30.  We have them in bedrroms for night time ambiance and I've got a strip behind the liquor bottles at the bar.  When watching sports, I generally color match them to whichever team we might be rooting for.

Quick edit:  the lights all change at the same time...there's no 'chase' effect.  Just want to mention in case you were thinking it.

[Mr. Peabody]

Along the lines of indirect lighting, I really like the wall fixtures that are made that way, for example an up-turned dome-like thing I've seen. The plug-in night lights can be cool, too. I have one that is like xenon, and rotates halfway around. I painted over the lens with a few coats of water color yellow, pointed it at the wall, and it's just right. This one might be better as an inexpensive interim solution.

[brad808]

.

[Mr. Peabody]

LED lighting strips behind moulding above the games.

Maybe it's the camera, but that seems very bright. Recessing it would seem to be a lovely thing.

[brad808]

.

[EvilNuff]

Right now I am just using my overhead light fixture.  However, my plan is to make one or more light panels that look like the Death Star panels out of wood and led light strips.

[HaRuMaN]

Hard to get a good pic with the cell, but this:

[lamprey]

For the light changing LED strip, we have a few of these in the house..16ft strip for $30.  Comes with a remote and can select and adjust colors.  I usually set it to a solid color, but its got plenty of options.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006JUW77Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453245161&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=HitLights

HanoiBoi, is that that kit you bought? If so, does that do the color rotation (meaning press a button and it goes into color rotation mode)?

Might pick one up for my room if it does.

Yep, same one.  And yes, it has several options.  The one you're wanting is called "Fade7", where is slowly changes to 7 different colors.  There is also a "Fade3", "Jump7" and "Jump3".  Jump feels more like a multicolor strobe.  Oh, there's also "Flash" which is a white strobe.  I dont believe you can strobe any other single color besides white. There are also Slow and Quick buttons that can sort of adjust the speed...but not as effective as I'd hope.  Really fun light and worth the $30.  We have them in bedrroms for night time ambiance and I've got a strip behind the liquor bottles at the bar.  When watching sports, I generally color match them to whichever team we might be rooting for.

Quick edit:  the lights all change at the same time...there's no 'chase' effect.  Just want to mention in case you were thinking it.

Perfect. Thanks for the info!

[matsadona]

I'm in the process of building an arcade and have some ideas regarding lighting as well. I do want some real neon signs, but they are kind of pricey so let's see where I end up.
Regardless there will be LED strip ambient lighting in some way. Most probably I will go for addressable LED strips in order to get better control. Perhaps RGB strips to keep the cost lower...
I'm thinking of using recessed aluminum profiles like this one. The plastic will help avoiding LED hot spots and will be a great diffuser in general with a minimum of reflections.



I also have plans for some stars, either by LED's or fiber optics, for the atmosphere more than lighting purposes.

[BadMouth]

Since neon keeps coming up....
I had a fairly large red neon sign (maybe 8x1ft) in my basement and over time came to dislike it.
It was cool to have a neon sign at first, but myself and others found it bothersome to be facing it while having a conversation.
People avoided gathering near it.
Not sure if it was the brightness or an imperceptible flicker, but something about it became annoying.

I'll see if I can find a pic.

[harveybirdman]

Since neon keeps coming up....
I had a fairly large red neon sign (maybe 8x1ft) in my basement and over time came to dislike it.
It was cool to have a neon sign at first, but myself and others found it bothersome to be facing it while having a conversation.
People avoided gathering near it.
Not sure if it was the brightness or an imperceptible flicker, but something about it became annoying.

I'll see if I can find a pic.

found it

[Generic Eric]

For the light changing LED strip, we have a few of these in the house..16ft strip for $30.  Comes with a remote and can select and adjust colors.  I usually set it to a solid color, but its got plenty of options.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B006JUW77Y/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1453245161&sr=8-1&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=HitLights

HanoiBoi, is that that kit you bought? If so, does that do the color rotation (meaning press a button and it goes into color rotation mode)?

Might pick one up for my room if it does.

Yep, same one.  And yes, it has several options.  The one you're wanting is called "Fade7", where is slowly changes to 7 different colors.  There is also a "Fade3", "Jump7" and "Jump3".  Jump feels more like a multicolor strobe.  Oh, there's also "Flash" which is a white strobe.  I dont believe you can strobe any other single color besides white. There are also Slow and Quick buttons that can sort of adjust the speed...but not as effective as I'd hope.  Really fun light and worth the $30.  We have them in bedrroms for night time ambiance and I've got a strip behind the liquor bottles at the bar.  When watching sports, I generally color match them to whichever team we might be rooting for.

Quick edit:  the lights all change at the same time...there's no 'chase' effect.  Just want to mention in case you were thinking it.

I have a string of these.  I like them.  I'd like to get about 3 more sets actually.  For awhile, I had the string lighting a path to the washing machine on the unfinished side of my basement that was cool. That way I can turn on the second string to make it brighter, and the thirds string excreta. You can get these for a little cheaper on ebay sometimes; but you have to wait for the slow boat.

[DeLuSioNal29]

I think I'm going to pick this up.  What do you guys think?  Found it on Craigslist near me and the guy wants $125.  Retails for $185.

[HaRuMaN]

$125 is about what you would pay for that new from China, so, that's fair.

I paid $135 for my Atari neon, from China

[BadMouth]

I think that's a pretty good value for as many pieces and colors of tube are there.

[DeLuSioNal29]

Ran across this in my search for stuff.  Neat.


Here's a guy who used a shadow box to enclose it:
https://plus.google.com/116676741692028829704/posts/T9omLa9HEJj

Here are some other projects:
https://plus.google.com/communities/110336015520013689108

D

[lamprey]

I reading some stuff over at KLOV and some people have said they like having a Laser Star Generator. Something like this I think:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000VBNIP2/

There are some user pic if you scroll down to give you an idea, but basically it projects a nebula and stars on your ceiling. Might work if you need a temporary solution that isn't too pricy.

Bonus - Apparently, it is good if you want a have a magic mushroom party too. 

Cheers

[matsadona]

Regarding pixelart. All you need is a PC, a cheap Arduino, some adressable LED's and free software Glediator or Jinx (and some animated gif's).

[fischb]

I have recessed can lights on one switch then a halogen fixture, then the black lights on a separate switch to light up the carpet.  Also have the neon lights on their own circuit.  Not sure you can see it all in the video:




At about 45 seconds in I pan up to the lights, but the rest is just about the arcade machines