1984 arcade (Blatant ad)

[Hoagie_one]

What, are we going to kick the kids out of the theater without a parent?

[quarterback]

And how much "free babysitting" are you getting, with parents just dropping their kids off, paying their admission, and saying they'll be back in 3 hours?

My guess is that "location" has a lot to do with this phenomenon.  If you're in a mall where parents are walking around with their kids, it's one thing.  If you're on a downtown street, it seems like that's inherently less likely to happen.  If you're out in the boonies (with nothing else within walking distance for the parents to wander off to) it seems even less likely.

Dropping your kids off "for a second, just while I go to the store next door" is much more common than dropping your kids off in some location where you wouldn't have your kids in the first place.

[ChadTower]

Yes, not your problem.

[nostrebor]

He'd have to get million dollar liability insurance.  There's no way that would fly.

I would expect this to be more like 2 mil primary liability, 10mil umbrella. I personally am a bit surprised that their liability insurance is a cheap as it is for the current arcade, given the litigious climate that we now live in.


Quarterback has it nailed on the "kid drop off syndrome" Because of the location and the demographic in the area, random parents with kids in tow is less likely than at a mall or something. 1984's location is more suited to a college age to 30 something demographic. The downtown YMCA is across the street, so the word might get out in time. My experience there is that there are a few kids, but the parents seem as excited as the kids to be there.

[ChadTower]

He wouldn't need much liability in terms of customers for an arcade, the risk of personal injury is tiny.  He'd just have to make sure he had coverage in case a machine burned the place down or something.

[1984arcade]

We allow no one under 18 without a parent/guardian with them.

[RayB]

Next thing I expect is people here are going to post that you're probably using the wrong floor wax, elevating the risk of slips and falls.

And your lighting is too bright or too dark.

And in winter you'll probably have no heat and no one will come anymore.

And .. and... and...

 

[ChadTower]

All those monitors probably produce a lot of heat, so he's covered there.

[nostrebor]

There's no lack of heat.

The floors are laminate, so no wax is required. They are somewhat noisy, maybe they should do something about that

Oh, and my comment above on liability insurance was speaking to the skate park comment, not the arcade comment. I would imagine that it would be pretty hard to break your neck in the arcade. I do get bruising on my forehead from beating it aginst the DK jr. Marquee when I lose Wonder if I have a case there...

[TurboC--]

Hi there, this is Devin, this is the owner of 1984.

[MaximRecoil]

Hi there, this is Devin, this is the owner of 1984.

[GGKoul]

Hi there, this is Devin, this is the owner of 1984.

[Havok]

Ms Pac-Man is a ---stingray---..

[1984arcade]

She'll sleep with anything that waks.

[RetroJames]

She'll sleep with anything that waks.

...anything that waks

Best.

Pun.

Ever.

[1984arcade]

;-)  Thank you, it's a natural talent.

[fiend471]

that is impressive and means Success.  not the money factor,  the Maslow one.   

one good thing or bonus would be that some of these multibillionaires of the 80's that made cash on Arcades would add funds or collector stuff to your place.   players deserve it,  we paid their fortunes !  (there are not many museums dedicated to gamers... shame on these business men who lost or forgot the real mean of success)

[ahofle]

Mr.1984,
I don't suppose I could interest you in placing an mp3 recorder somewhere on a shelf for about an hour during peak playing time?
    

[Hoagie_one]

Mr.1984,
I don't suppose I could interest you in placing an mp3 recorder somewhere on a shelf for about an hour during peak playing time?
 

[quarterback]

Mr.1984,
I don't suppose I could interest you in placing an mp3 recorder somewhere on a shelf for about an hour during peak playing time?
    

I was thinking the same thing

Yeah!!!

[RetroJames]

Thinking about the sounds (great idea BTW) - I just had an epiphany.

[RayB]

After a few (hundred) attempts to bum some change, you would undoubtedly end up looking over some poor sod's shoulder while HE played.

[RetroJames]

After a few (hundred) attempts to bum some change, you would undoubtedly end up looking over some poor sod's shoulder while HE played.

[ChadTower]

"hey, want to buy some pills?  weed?  ninja stars?"

[RetroJames]

Dad, why does the art teacher smell like the office at the arcade?

====================================================

Ahhh Ninja stars....that takes me back.....

[markrvp]

1984arcade:

Have you considered sending your DK Jr. board to Mike's Arcade and having it modified to play both Donkey Kong AND DK Jr.?  This way you would have another original game without giving up more floor space.

http://www.mikesarcade.com/cgi-bin/store.pl?sku=DDKBOARDSET

Congratulations, BTW.  I wish I were close enough to come visit.

[delta88]

well if you branch out to michigan I have a few games i'll donate for a partnership.. pacman cocktail,space invaders cocktail,robotron,wacko,burger time ,2 gottlieb pins...

 deal?

[cw]

same offer for central tx.....

[got_mame]

Great Place!  Any plans to add a pinball to your collection of games, I didn't see any pictured or mentioned.

I wouldn't blame you if you don't get a pin, they are a fortune to maintain.  They are awesome though, and there were a lot in the 80's.  Of coarse those are the worse to maintain.

Best of luck with your place.  Wish you were closer to me. 

[nostrebor]

they have 2 pins. BK2k and... well some other pin.

Obviously, I mostly play the Black Knight.

[Hoagie_one]

How is this place doing?  I see teh web site has closed down, which bummed me out.  I  hope they are still open for buisness.

[ChadTower]

I'm still waiting for the ninja suit to arrive so I can get them those pics, too.

[Havok]

I hope they are still going also, but I remember saying 6 months back in October. Hope I'm wrong...

[nostrebor]

I hope they are still going also, but I remember saying 6 months back in October. Hope I'm wrong...

You're wrong. All was just fine a week or two ago. Devin's complaint was more to the tune of "We are getting sick of working so much" with all of the special events and non-business hours rented time gigs. I drive by there probably 3 times a week, so I'll check in on him and post back later in the week.

I think that he took the site down because nobody had time to keep it updated. I'll find out.

[Havok]

Good! I would really like to see these guys succeed and perhaps open a few more locations...

[quarterback]

Still hoping that somebody will record a chunk of real-life classic arcade game sounds from this place.

Mr.1984,
I don't suppose I could interest you in placing an mp3 recorder somewhere on a shelf for about an hour during peak playing time?

[Havok]

Still hoping that somebody will record a chunk of real-life classic arcade game sounds from this place.

Mr.1984,
I don't suppose I could interest you in placing an mp3 recorder somewhere on a shelf for about an hour during peak playing time?

GameEx gives you the option of downloading and running an Arcade Ambiance mp3 file while in the frontend...

[quarterback]

Still hoping that somebody will record a chunk of real-life classic arcade game sounds from this place.

Mr.1984,
I don't suppose I could interest you in placing an mp3 recorder somewhere on a shelf for about an hour during peak playing time?

GameEx gives you the option of downloading and running an Arcade Ambiance mp3 file while in the frontend...

Yeah, but it's not "real".  And considering ahofle (Mr. Arcade Ambience himself) posted the original request for real life recordings, I don't think I'm stepping on anybody's toes when I say that even though the Arcade Ambience is very cool, it isn't quite the same as an actual recording from a working classic arcade.

Just hoping

[RayB]

You're wrong. All was just fine a week or two ago. Devin's complaint was more to the tune of "We are getting sick of working so much" with all of the special events and non-business hours rented time gigs. I drive by there probably 3 times a week, so I'll check in on him and post back later in the week.

That's when you hire someone to take your place.

I think that he took the site down because nobody had time to keep it updated. I'll find out.

Taking the site down is either a sign they will not stay open, or it was a dumb move. Alot of people rely on the net to look up phone numbers, addresses and other info about businesses. You don't need to keep a simple info site "updated". It makes no sense to take a site down completely, unless you plan on the brick n mortar business to disappear as well.

Of course, I'm opinionated and assumptuous, so what do I know. 

[ChadTower]

Could it be as simple as the ISP had a problem?  Or they are going to move the page?