Is there a living to be made from arcade cabs?

[sealslayer]

Does anyone on here actually do this as a full time job?
I'm having so much fun making my cab I was wondering if it is possible to sell cabs if they are built to a really high standard, seems like the perfect job to me 

[NiteWalker]

It's definitely possible. I make and sell desktop arcade controls as a for the most part living. It is fun working out of home.

[quarterback]

Does anyone on here actually do this as a full time job?
I'm having so much fun making my cab I was wondering if it is possible to sell cabs if they are built to a really high standard, seems like the perfect job to me 

Well, I guess I should defer to Night Walker's answer since he does this and I don't.... but I'd still say the answer is "no".

Search around, you're certainly not the first person to wonder and not the first to ask.   My response is that there already are already people who have established businesses doing what you're asking about but I'm not sure any of them are rolling in the dough.   It's a niche market.   The advice in the past has been something to the effect of:

 "Give it a shot.  Try selling some to your friends, neighbors, co-workers but you'll probably find that the market is small"
"You'll find that people don't want to pay what it costs to make one-off cabs (and for your labor)."
"You'll find That shipping cabs is expensive, and that legally selling arcade cabinets without MAME and ROMS installed, means that the end-user needs some MAME knowledge, in which case, it's likely they'll build their own cab"
"You'll find that you become a computer tech who has to troubleshoot their machines for them when something doesn't work" etc

Again, there just aren't that many people buying these things and most of those who might buy them are going to want them to be a turn-key gaming solution. 

If it's fun for you, then go for it.  Give it a run and see what happens.  But you should think about how many hours you've spent on your cab?  What hourly-wage would you need to do this for a living?  Then add that up with all the supplies and come up with a total.   Now shop that price around and see what you can do.  If you've got some rich friends, you could be in business, but one reason that this community exists is because we're not willing to spend $3,000+ to play 20-games on an Ultracade machine.    And, outside of people in this BYOAC community, I know exactly ZERO with arcade games in their homes.

My 2-cents

[unclet]

Has annyone heard from 1up lately ..... ?

[horseboy]

Has annyone heard from 1up lately ..... ?

He sold his prototype spincade a couple weeks ago in BST. He said that it is just because he was moving and that he still plans on selling them, but who knows.

[unclet]

What is BST?

[Lutus]

Buy/Sell/Trade = BST

[Gambit]

It would be easy.  Design a cheap to build arcade machine and get it sold in Walmart stores and you will become a millionaire.

I believe you'd just need something like those $19.99 things that connect to the TV and slap it in an arcade standup made like ikea furniture, add a cheap TV, and there you have it.

[spacies]

I do it for a living here in New Zealand and we only have 4 million people.
I guess one bonus about living in a small country is that I can freight a machine from my central location to anywhere for around $100NZD.

Started out building 1 cabinet and selling then progressed from there.
I have just signed a deal to build 41 cocktail machines over the next 15 months for an up and coming food chain here.

I started out building MAME only machines but after 2 PCs gave up and I had to replace them, I stopped building PC machines. The above poster is right, you end up becoming a PC tech and support help line for inexperienced PC users who have purchased a machine. It has supported me for the past 18 months and I only build JAMMA machines now.

I can see how you guys feel ripped off buying $3k machine because the most expensive machine I build is $2495 NZD. NZD = .066c USD$

If you think you are skilled enough and have some money saved or some customers lined up then go for it. The standard of machines has to be VERY VERY high for you to succeed or else the word will get around about the quality.

Good luck in what ever you do but it may pay to keep your job and do this as a hobby income until it is established properly.

 

[leapinlew]

I do it for a living here in New Zealand and we only have 4 million people.
I guess one bonus about living in a small country is that I can freight a machine from my central location to anywhere for around $100NZD.

Started out building 1 cabinet and selling then progressed from there.
I have just signed a deal to build 41 cocktail machines over the next 15 months for an up and coming food chain here.

I started out building MAME only machines but after 2 PCs gave up and I had to replace them, I stopped building PC machines. The above poster is right, you end up becoming a PC tech and support help line for inexperienced PC users who have purchased a machine. It has supported me for the past 18 months and I only build JAMMA machines now.

I can see how you guys feel ripped off buying $3k machine because the most expensive machine I build is $2495 NZD. NZD = .066c USD$

If you think you are skilled enough and have some money saved or some customers lined up then go for it. The standard of machines has to be VERY VERY high for you to succeed or else the word will get around about the quality.

Good luck in what ever you do but it may pay to keep your job and do this as a hobby income until it is established properly.

 

Is this legal? I mean, selling the machines is one thing - but selling a machine with Roms?

[NiteWalker]

I don't think he mentioned anything regarding roms...

[spacies]

Selling a machine with roms is no more or less legal than you having them yourself. Do you think you above the law by having them privately and think nobody will find out? Dude, you are on here saying you have a MAME machine, with roms, and your ISP address is accessible. Doh!

However, I didn't sell my machines with roms anyway. I am not stupid. I am in businees and you need to protect yourself every way you can.  I just 'gave' them away on DVD instead! LOL

The whole rom issue is completly overated IMO. If the owners of the 'protected' rom images were that concerned then they would shut down sites which contain roms for FREE download and also prosecute rom burners who have paypal accounts which contain their details.  Have you ever heard of anyone that has been charged with a rom 'offence'? I haven't.

Anyway, I don't build MAME machines anymore. Too much hassles.
How legal are the multi boards that are around these days that use a cut down version of MAME? Not very right? What about Clay and his multi boards or Arcadeshop? Or the 100, 200, 400, 800 in 1 boards from China which clearly show a hard drive sitting on top! If you ghost that hard drive you will even see ArcadeOS running on it!

Who cares, they should be happy we still play these games and think of how many businesses wouldn't be operating or would take a serious decline in income if we didn't have access to roms. Sh*tloads!

Website owners
Artwork suppliers
Cabinet builders
Electronics suppliers
Joystick/button suppliers
Ultimarc
Keywhiz
T-molding
Me!!!

Dont get to tied up in the legality of roms mate. Lets just be thankful to the MAME team and all the rom dumpers and 100s of others who have contributed to keeping these old games we love alive.

 I  to them all and so should every member on this forum and 1000s of others who are re-living their mis-spent youth. 

[Paladin]

The cab I'm currently working on has cost me less than $30 so far, and I'm going to try and sell it for $175.  Sounds like a good profit until you realize that I problably have 100 hours into it.  It's amazing how much time little things can take to sort out.

[spacies]

You are correct.
You can spend a LOT of time on a cabinet and not realize it.
MAME is a killer for this. Installing games, configuring games, configuring front ends, MAME itself, configuring video cards, sound cards then the PC freezes up and you have to install new HDD or RAM or mobo and still have the problem. Arrgghhhhh!!!!

I have job sheets for each machine which details time spent and money spent.

I have done  lots now and can give fairly accurate estimates to customers.

$175 sounds cheap?! You won't get anywhere working for a buck and hour mate. Might wanna hurry things up a little or put your prices up! LOL.

Anyway, I can't comment on the market in the USA because I dont' live there. But here things are just getting better and better and I am the only one in this country who builds machines from scratch that I am aware of. There are a few who buy old cabs and put in new bits and sell them but they only advertise 1 every 2 months or so.

To the original poster, get the word out about what you can do. There are 1000s of people that don't know you can play every game ever made on 1 machine and when you tell them or show them they are blown away. Take your machine to markets, fairs, galas or whatever you call them over there and be seen.  Even home shows or stand in the middle of malls handing out flyers. Anything!

[leapinlew]

I have just signed a deal to build 41 cocktail machines over the next 15 months for an up and coming food chain here.

Anyway, I don't build MAME machines anymore. Too much hassles.

I guess a lot can happen in 24 hours.   

Excuuuse me for assuming that selling machines to a food chain meant that you sold machines that actually worked. I would also assume that the food chain would be using these machines to be used to generate revenue. Thats what I get for assuming I guess.... silly me.

I thought that perhaps the laws were different in New Zealand or that US Laws didn't apply or something...

It's not the "legalities" of it all that I'm concerned with... I'm more concerned with the Mame Developers and thier wishes. They are nice enough to provide a great piece of software. On the Mame Devs website they have a FAQ and one of the things they state is:

"Can I put a computer running MAME in a cabinet and charge people to use it?"
Absolutely not. According to the license you may not use MAME for commercial activity.

I was curious about your 41 cocktails that you say you signed a deal to build right before you said you don't build machines 


 

[Izrun]

He doesn't build MAME machines anymore.  Cocktail cabinet does not necessarily imply MAME machine.  He said in an earlier message that he build JAMMA machines, so my guess would be he buys up JAMMA boards and just uses them to make dedicated cabs.

[leapinlew]

He doesn't build MAME machines anymore.  Cocktail cabinet does not necessarily imply MAME machine.  He said in an earlier message that he build JAMMA machines, so my guess would be he buys up JAMMA boards and just uses them to make dedicated cabs.

Got it!

Chalk it up to me reading through it too quickly.

[spacies]

Sheesh,

MAME in a commercial application?! Might as well go hand myself into the law 
Can you imagine a kid banging all the buttons and bringing up menus or shutting the machine down. 

My machines are all JAMMA. Dedicated PCBs as Izrun pointed out.
I doubt there is anyone stoopid enough to install MAME and try to gather revenue from it. Well, there probably is.

Anyway, the MAME team should buy a 100,200,400 or 800-1 board from China and remove the HDD, connect it to a PC and take a look. At first glance you just see a bunch of folders that don't mean much but then you see ArcadeOS. Then you think about it a bit and then a lightbulb goes on above your head and come to the conclusion it needs MAME to work.
After a bit more poking around you will see a 'roms' folder! Take a look inside and you see some good ole roms. Then there is the snap folder and a hi score folder but no MAME emulator.
Scratch you head for a bit and then another lightbulb flashes and you pull off some more tricks and there it is! A hidden partition! And MAME! Well, AdvMAME. Just like fraggals boot disk.

These boards are built for a commercial application. You install them in you JAMMA machine and it makes you money.



Gee, I wonder whats under that fan? You remove it and find an intel CPU.
Crikey, whats that? RAM!
An ATX power supply socket!
A HDD sit clearly on top.

Is this a computer? YES!!!!!!
Does it have MAME? YES!!!!!!
ROMS? YES!!!!!!
Illegal? ...... You do the math.

Whats worse than all those? Windows 98 is installed too. Microsoft would sh*t themselves if they saw that.

How would MAME , a non-revenue gathering 'business' fight the might of the Chinese? Dunno.
Microsoft on the other hand would chew them up and spit out mangled capacitors and resistors.

You cant install a PC with MAME, MAMEWAH, some roms, a coin mech and go stick on site and expect to come back in a week to get you money. It won't work. So the Chinese build a PC, install Windows and DOS, use software similar to Fraggals boot disk, put a JAMMA connector on the side and sell them. Why, 'cos they can. Who cares? Not me! Funny thing is they don't even try to design a new skin for ArcadeOS. Its identical to the version on the net 

Back to the original topic of this thread.
Sealslayer:
Build yourself some JAMMA machines. If you put one of these in a machines in the right bar, nightclub, cafe or whatever and you can generate a fairly good side income. A couple of days ago I got a phone call from a site were I have a Defender tabletop.


 
It has Defender, Robotron, New Rally X and Ghost'n'Goblins on it. He said people had been playing it quite a bit but were complaining because it was too hard, losers, LOL. So I drove to where it was and replaced it with another tabletop with 4 games installed, Ms Pacman, Galaga, Frogger and Space Invaders. I emptied the coins from the machine, $2 = 2 games (we have $1 and $2 coins here) and I drove away with $278 dollars which was my split of the 50/50. The machine had only been there 2 weeks and the bar hadn't even been that busy. So $140 per week from 1 machine is pretty good. If you have 4-5 of those and sell machines on the side you can easily make yourself a good income. The only problem I see though is you guys don't have dollar coins. Just quarters right? Bummer, since our $1 and $2 have become coins it kinda becomes 'worthless' and you don't think twice about sticking it into a pool table or video game for a bit of fun.

Try that to start with and see how you go. Design some business cards or a flyer attach to the machine stating you can also build these to sell and how cool it would be for a customer to have it in there house.

Whatever you do is up to you. I gave it a shot and now do it full time. I have seen a few guys advertise on this forum in the For Sale section advertising that they want to build full time and then you can't get hold of them. Bad business sence. Good luck my friend! 

[Gambit]

The cab I'm currently working on has cost me less than $30 so far, and I'm going to try and sell it for $175.  Sounds like a good profit until you realize that I problably have 100 hours into it.  It's amazing how much time little things can take to sort out.

Wow.  My cab cost me something in the $1000+ range.

Around $450 for the computer, $250 for the monitor, then the artwork, joystick/buttons,  wood, etc.

[Flip_Willie]

     Just out of curiousity; don't you have to have an arcade licensed or something before you can legally use it for profit?  I mean, you can't just build a Jamma cabinet and drop it off somewhere and expect it to make money, can you?

[spacies]

     Just out of curiousity; don't you have to have an arcade licensed or something before you can legally use it for profit?  I mean, you can't just build a Jamma cabinet and drop it off somewhere and expect it to make money, can you?

Not here.
We had an Arcade in the 80s and machines were supplied by a guy who owned them all, we just provided the site.

There are loads of companies who will supply a machine, for free, into your cafe or whatever and split takings 50/50. Not sure what the rules are in the states but here you can do what you like. As long as you pay tax the Government dont care.

There is an arcade just opened in the city I live in and all the machines, pool tables, air hockey etc are owned by 1 company. The shop is leased and all they do is run it. The owners of the machines do all the servicing etc.

Money for Jam.

[Flip_Willie]

     Just out of curiousity; don't you have to have an arcade licensed or something before you can legally use it for profit?  I mean, you can't just build a Jamma cabinet and drop it off somewhere and expect it to make money, can you?

Not here.

      Guess I need to move to New Zealand.   ;

[spacies]

Don't move here! You might steal my market  LOL

Most of the time I use multi-game PCBs available from China. 4, 9 or 48 in 1 Vertical or 4, 9 in 1 Horizontal. Those have Defender, Robotron, Joust, Splat, Bubbles, Rally X etc etc.
Don't know if you have ever seen one but they have a plastic cover box on the PCB. I melted the little pins to remove the cover to see what was underneath and there is some hynix RAM, a Flash card and an Intel CPU. Crazy, but clever, Chinese! No guessing what that is running huh?

They also make new dedicated copies of some oldies, Bubble Bobble, Galaga, Ms Pacman, 1942, etc and I have built a few dedicated cabs using those. They sell for about $70 per PCB and support cocktail too. Nice.

 

[Flip_Willie]

They also make new dedicated copies of some oldies, Bubble Bobble, Galaga, Ms Pacman, 1942, etc and I have built a few dedicated cabs using those. They sell for about $70 per PCB and support cocktail too. Nice.

      Where do you buy the dedicated games from?  ( I know you can get old ones on ebay, but generally they aren't around when I want them).

      Also, where can you buy the Chinese multi-game PCBs?
     
Thanks.

[Haze]

Every single one of those Multi-game boards we've looked at has either been a) MAME, or b) NES versions of the games.

Running them is just as illegal as running MAME in a cabinet, some of them claim to be licensed with the original manufacturers (doubtful) but NONE of them are using MAME legally.

We've dumped the flash drives / hard drives off a number of them, in most cases, as pointed out they're advmame with a front-end, usually using a hacked up hiscore.dat system to transfer credits.  Keep that in mind.

[spacies]

Every single one of those Multi-game boards we've looked at has either been a) MAME, or b) NES versions of the games.

Running them is just as illegal as running MAME in a cabinet, some of them claim to be licensed with the original manufacturers (doubtful) but NONE of them are using MAME legally.

We've dumped the flash drives / hard drives off a number of them, in most cases, as pointed out they're advmame with a front-end, usually using a hacked up hiscore.dat system to transfer credits.  Keep that in mind.

I know, I have dumped them too.
Very clever, not that I am complaining 

[Flip_Willie]

Running them is just as illegal as running MAME in a cabinet, some of them claim to be licensed with the original manufacturers (doubtful) but NONE of them are using MAME legally.

     Ok, New Zealand aside, how do you go about getting a cabinet legally authorized?

     If it is as you say, then multi-boards are out of the question.  So I suppose you would have to get the original pcbs for the game you wanted, right?

     Where is a good place to buy original PCBs?

Thanks.

[spacies]

Running them is just as illegal as running MAME in a cabinet, some of them claim to be licensed with the original manufacturers (doubtful) but NONE of them are using MAME legally.

     Ok, New Zealand aside, how do you go about getting a cabinet legally authorized?

     If it is as you say, then multi-boards are out of the question.  So I suppose you would have to get the original pcbs for the game you wanted, right?

     Where is a good place to buy original PCBs?

Thanks.

Not sure what you mean by 'authorized'?
The artwork is available from loads of stores in the USA or you just print your own. I doubt wether any of it is licensed.

I can drive up to a bar or cafe and go inside and either sell them a machine or put one in there and go 50/50 if they are interested. No problems.

[quarterback]

Every single one of those Multi-game boards we've looked at has either been a) MAME, or b) NES versions of the games.

Running them is just as illegal as running MAME in a cabinet, some of them claim to be licensed with the original manufacturers (doubtful) but NONE of them are using MAME legally.

We've dumped the flash drives / hard drives off a number of them, in most cases, as pointed out they're advmame with a front-end, usually using a hacked up hiscore.dat system to transfer credits.  Keep that in mind.

I know, I have dumped them too.
Very clever, not that I am complaining 

I think you're missing the point here, spacies.  Haze is (was?) a mamedev.  His point is not "hey, look how clever these boards are", his point is "Running them is just as illegal as running MAME in a cabinet".    I won't put words into any of the mamedev's mouths, but I don't think they appreciate or approve of what you're doing or recommending others do for income.    haze should feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about his last post.

Just an overall FYI: In the past, the BYOAC forums have been very supportive of the mamedev's feelings about things like this and conversations suggesting ways to circumvent their usage aggreement or things of that nature are generally frowned upon.   That doesn't mean that the multi-boards are never discussed here but, for example, there was a pretty big debate just about whether or not a BYOAC user should release a bit of software that would allow credits from one game to be used in another.  This would be a nice addition for people using tokens in their homes and would allow people to add a bunch of credits and THEN choose what games to play.  But a number of people were dead-set against this software being available just because it *could* be used in a commercial environment and the software was pulled.

No mods seem to have any interest in commenting on the contents of this thread but, just for reference, the idea of making money off of the mamedev's work is not usually taken well.

[spacies]

I am not missing the point.

I understand what is inside these boards.
We don't make them so how can we be the bad guys.   

We, as the purchasers, are the end users and it is I who gets the finger pointed at me.
The boards are sold with emulators and roms as a PCB. They have all the dip switch settings for lives, coinage etc which obviously is set up for commercial use.

I am not saying that everyone should do it, I am saying you 'can' do it.

I have already expressed my gratitude to MAMEdevs. There are legends IMO. All of them.
They already knows what goes on, its obvious. But there are 100s of PCB boards shipped to USA and all over the world everyday from China. Heck they even come with a 1 year warranty and a return to sender address.
Take a look at this shot and you get the idea, LOL



Do you own 5000+ original PCBs? No? Then you too shouldn't have roms.

I just say enjoy it while you can, if it gets taken away we will all moan about it and then were will we stand? 

I am not the only person in the world doing this so dont be hard on me please. Just look the multitude of game websites in the USA selling Multi-game PCB and MAME machines. Ring them and tell them they suck too. MAMEdevs could do it in person if they wanted too.
I enjoy what I do and will continue doing it as long as people want to buy them or I sell the business. But I DON'T build MAME machines anymore. Only JAMMA running PCBs and If I didn't ghost the HDD or flash card I wouldn't have known what was on them so IMO, ignorance is bliss. 

This thread isn't about MAME and its legalitys. Its about making a living from doing something you love!

Arcade machines remind us of the fun times we had as kids. No Bills to worry about, just were to meet your mates and if there were any new machines inside the parlour. Thats why we love them, build them and sell them I reckon.

Yes you can make a living from these machines. But you have to be good at it.
Also, I saw a doco on TV about 2 guys who set up a business in USA building and restoring arcade machines. I even saw a machine running that had a screen shot of a 4-1 PCB. And a machine with Multi Williams artwork too 

[saint]

Making a living from doing something that's illegal, or by using something illegaly made that you know is illegaly made, is still a morally bankrupt idea and very well may introduce you to some legal liability yourself.

...

OK, now I'm going to spend 1/2 hour reading this thread in its entirety.

[quarterback]

I am not missing the point.

I understand what is inside these boards.
We don't make them so how can we be the bad guys.   

If you think that Haze's only point was to tell you that mame is inside these boards (something you already clearly knew) then I think you are missing the point.  But, again, I'll leave that to Haze.

Do you own 5000+ original PCBs? No? Then you too shouldn't have roms.

I am not the only person in the world doing this so dont be hard on me please.

Just look the multitude of game websites in the USA selling Multi-game PCB and MAME machines.

If you think that this is what my post was saying then, again, you are missing the point.   I'm not picking a fight with you and  I have no interest in debating the similarites or differences between an end user with illegal roms and a guy who sells a machine and then 'gives away' the roms with it.   My point was only to let you know (my understanding of) where these message boards stand.  Or, at least, that there are some strong feelings here against people making money off of selling MAME.

I only posted because nobody else beisdes leapinlew seemed interested.
Peace
qb

Edited now that saint has made a post

[Santoro]

Making a living from doing something that's illegal, or by using something illegaly made that you know is illegaly made, is still a morally bankrupt idea and very well may introduce you to some legal liability yourself.

Especially when you brag about it on public forums, 'lol.'  

[spacies]

Does anyone on here actually do this as a full time job?
I'm having so much fun making my cab I was wondering if it is possible to sell cabs if they are built to a really high standard, seems like the perfect job to me 

Well, I guess I should defer to Night Walker's answer since he does this and I don't.... but I'd still say the answer is "no".

Search around, you're certainly not the first person to wonder and not the first to ask.   My response is that there already are already people who have established businesses doing what you're asking about but I'm not sure any of them are rolling in the dough.   It's a niche market.   The advice in the past has been something to the effect of:

 "Give it a shot.  Try selling some to your friends, neighbors, co-workers but you'll probably find that the market is small"
"You'll find that people don't want to pay what it costs to make one-off cabs (and for your labor)."
"You'll find That shipping cabs is expensive, and that legally selling arcade cabinets without MAME and ROMS installed, means that the end-user needs some MAME knowledge, in which case, it's likely they'll build their own cab"
"You'll find that you become a computer tech who has to troubleshoot their machines for them when something doesn't work" etc

Again, there just aren't that many people buying these things and most of those who might buy them are going to want them to be a turn-key gaming solution. 

If it's fun for you, then go for it.  Give it a run and see what happens.  But you should think about how many hours you've spent on your cab?  What hourly-wage would you need to do this for a living?  Then add that up with all the supplies and come up with a total.   Now shop that price around and see what you can do.  If you've got some rich friends, you could be in business, but one reason that this community exists is because we're not willing to spend $3,000+ to play 20-games on an Ultracade machine.    And, outside of people in this BYOAC community, I know exactly ZERO with arcade games in their homes.

My 2-cents

Geez, you change your tune quick mate.

Look, lets get this straight.
These things are out there and you can't deny it.
If you want to buy one, then buy one.
If you don't, then don't.
Your choice.

I can easily stop selling machines with the PCBs inside and refer them to a guy I know who sells PCBs only. I have done it before. Problem solved, saves me money when I import them.

MAME is free. How does the manufacturer get away with selling PCBs with it installed? Maybe they are just 'giving' it away free and all they are selling is the PCB itself?

Who knows?

Like I said, I am not the bad guy.

'nuf said.

Making a living from doing something that's illegal, or by using something illegaly made that you know is illegaly made, is still a morally bankrupt idea and very well may introduce you to some legal liability yourself.

...

OK, now I'm going to spend 1/2 hour reading this thread in its entirety.

OK, how about this?

What about all the illegal MP3s you have on your PC? There is a REAL live artist/band out there losing money because of that. Maybe you should turn your attention to that? But you still DL new songs each day? Why? Because you can. And will always do it.

Who is losing money when some Chinese has installed an emulator on a PCB and selling it? Can you answer that? Who is it hurting? Where did you get your roms from? A rom burner? And you paid for them? Sheesh.
So many questions un-answered.

Who is going to admit they have illegal music and roms?

No takers?

Sounds like you guys are blaming me for the Chinese guy who designed these boards?

Heres a number to ring 1-800-who-gives-a-dam.

[spacies]

Also,

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?

 

[jimmy_bored]

Also,

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?

 

LMFAO... My point exactly....

If you think this website is paid for by non-grey market companies(e.g. boiler rooms walking the legal line) you are living in a fantasy land.  Everything here is paid for by one of these companies.

Welcome to pirate land... Ahoyyy.... mates

[spacies]

Also,

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?

 

LMFAO... My point exactly....

If you think this website is paid for by non-grey market companies(e.g. boiler rooms walking the legal line) you are living in a fantasy land.  Everything here is paid for by one of these companies.

Welcome to pirate land... Ahoyyy.... mates

VERY WELL SAID MY FRIEND.

Probably me only friend too by the looks? LOL.

This site wouldn't exist without roms and companies who supply goods related to MAME.
MAME is NOTHING without roms.

Ahoyyyy

[CheffoJeffo]

LMFAO... My point exactly....
If you think this website is paid for by non-grey market companies(e.g. boiler rooms walking the legal line) you are living in a fantasy land.  Everything here is paid for by one of these companies.
Welcome to pirate land... Ahoyyy.... mates

As usual, you just whip it out to piss on things ... and your source for this latest revelation is ?

 

Cheers.

[jimmy_bored]

LMFAO... My point exactly....
If you think this website is paid for by non-grey market companies(e.g. boiler rooms walking the legal line) you are living in a fantasy land.  Everything here is paid for by one of these companies.
Welcome to pirate land... Ahoyyy.... mates

As usual, you just whip it out to piss on things ... and your source for this latest revelation is ?

 

Cheers.

I'm not a PI, but given the ads on your site, and the topics that are allowed to be conversed I think I'm in the house.... Plus I run similar sites...  I have nothing against the site... I love it here... I have been a long time reader...

Its just time to step up to the plate and join the Swedish Pirate Party... http://www2.piratpartiet.se/the_pirate_party

 

[johnm160]

Also,

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?


 

It was already asked in this thread and you did not respond

[CheffoJeffo]

I'm not a PI, but given the ads on your site, and the topics that are allowed to be conversed I think I'm in the house....

Uh, it's not my site. It's saint's site. I have the mustache and floppy hat -- he has the helmet and shield.

You said "everything here is paid for by one of those companies". I asked for the source of that information.  You haven't answered the question.

Cheers.

[Chris]

 

[spacies]

Im moving to Sweden!  

Quote form link:

The monopoly for the copyright holder to exploit an aesthetic work commercially should be limited to five years after publication. Today's copyright terms are simply absurd. Nobody needs to make money seventy years after he is dead. No film studio or record company bases its investment decisions on the off-chance that the product would be of interest to anyone a hundred years in the future. The commercial life of cultural works is staggeringly short in today's world. If you haven't made your money back in the first one or two years, you never will. A five years copyright term for commercial use is more than enough.  'End quote'

Are the girls are HOT HOT HOT!

[jimmy_bored]

Also,

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?


 

It was already asked in this thread and you did not respond

I am also interested in this board... Please let me know the details.  I forgot to to post this is my last message.

Jimmy

[CheffoJeffo]

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?

I would presume because you have already documented where the ROMs are on these boards and discussing how to get ROMs is against the rules.

Cheers

[jimmy_bored]

I'm not a PI, but given the ads on your site, and the topics that are allowed to be conversed I think I'm in the house....

Uh, it's not my site. It's saint's site. I have the mustache and floppy hat -- he has the helmet and shield.

You said "everything here is paid for by one of those companies". I asked for the source of that information.  You haven't answered the question.

Cheers.

Sorry... I thought you were the the supreme chancellor. Since that's not the case, I don't think a direct answer is appropriate....  But I still, "love you man..."

[jimmy_bored]

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?

I would presume because you have already documented where the ROMs are on these boards and discussing how to get ROMs is against the rules.

Cheers

LMFAO...

Where have you been???  Watch the google ads and you'll see <<<reference removed by saint -- don't link to rom sellers please>>> advertised... Who needs a search when its at the top of the page...

Lets not feed the  .

[jimmy_bored]

Im moving to Sweden! 

Quote form link:


Are the girls are HOT HOT HOT!

Very hottttttttttttttttttttttt................

[CheffoJeffo]

LMFAO...

Where have you been???  Watch the google ads and you'll see romnation advertised... Who needs a search when its at the top of the page...

Sorry .. the skin I use doesn't show the ads. I guess that explains where you are coming from, though.

Cheers.

[majs]

Also,

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?

 

OK, so where do you get them? 

[saint]

Get this straight - this web site is paid for by me, out of my personal pocket. I get advertising dollars from Google Adsense, and from mamemarquees.com, and once in a blue moon an affiliate sale from Amazon, X-Arcades, and mameroom. There are zero rom advertisements allowed here. In fact, I cut my own pocketbook by specifically banning ROM vendors from my Google ads, which limits the amount of ads I get from Google. This is not a MAME site. This is an arcade control site. There are hundreds and hundreds of games you can play with arcade controls that do not involve MAME or emulation, or involve legally purchased emulation. Yes, you can be a pirate if you want, but to claim that anyone involved in this hobby must be a pirate is blowing smoke out your keester. You're just plain wrong.

I bought every single ROM that starroms had legally available for purchase when they were in existance, including ROMs for games I physically own. I have purchased every arcade compilation available for the PC that I'm aware of. The most often used games on the Project Arcade cabinet are "Best Friends" from http://www.retro64.com/, and Jazz Jackrabbit 2 from Epic ... yes, both purchased. My kids love them.

Be a pirate if you wish, but don't paint everyone with your paintbrush, it doesn't wash.

--- saint

Also,

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?

 

LMFAO... My point exactly....

If you think this website is paid for by non-grey market companies(e.g. boiler rooms walking the legal line) you are living in a fantasy land.  Everything here is paid for by one of these companies.

Welcome to pirate land... Ahoyyy.... mates

[saint]

By the way (and perhaps this has already been addressed, if so I'll nuke my reply when I find it) -- it's entirely possible that it *is* less legal to sell than to possess illegal material. I believe in the US that possession of pot, for instance, carries a lesser penalty than possession with an intent to sell. It wouldn't surprise me if such variations existed for copyrighted material as well. I am, however, talking out of my hat on this one as this is purely conjecture.  "I gave them away instead of selling them" wouldn't fly worth a flip in court though in either case I'm sure.

The above isn't an attempt at moral persuasion one way or another -- that's between you, your conscience, and God -- it's just a statement that I would think long and hard before engaging in a venture that included transfer of copyrighted material you don't have the rights to distribute. Is the money worth the risk to your house, possessions, and liberty?  You won't think so if someone takes you to court. Even if you avoid severe penalty, you'll pay a fortune in court costs, lawyer costs, and the toll on your psyche and wits. You'll make at least as much money at a boring 9-5 job without all that.

Now, making these things for fun and profit without venturing into illegal material?  Several vendors have done so, some with more success than others. I suspect it's a saturated market unless you can find a way to undercut costs significantly without compromising quality -- so far that's proven to be the toughest nut to crack. 

--- saint

Selling a machine with roms is no more or less legal than you having them yourself. Do you think you above the law by having them privately and think nobody will find out? Dude, you are on here saying you have a MAME machine, with roms, and your ISP address is accessible. Doh!

However, I didn't sell my machines with roms anyway. I am not stupid. I am in businees and you need to protect yourself every way you can.  I just 'gave' them away on DVD instead! LOL

The whole rom issue is completly overated IMO. If the owners of the 'protected' rom images were that concerned then they would shut down sites which contain roms for FREE download and also prosecute rom burners who have paypal accounts which contain their details.  Have you ever heard of anyone that has been charged with a rom 'offence'? I haven't.

Anyway, I don't build MAME machines anymore. Too much hassles.
How legal are the multi boards that are around these days that use a cut down version of MAME? Not very right? What about Clay and his multi boards or Arcadeshop? Or the 100, 200, 400, 800 in 1 boards from China which clearly show a hard drive sitting on top! If you ghost that hard drive you will even see ArcadeOS running on it!

Who cares, they should be happy we still play these games and think of how many businesses wouldn't be operating or would take a serious decline in income if we didn't have access to roms. Sh*tloads!

Website owners
Artwork suppliers
Cabinet builders
Electronics suppliers
Joystick/button suppliers
Ultimarc
Keywhiz
T-molding
Me!!!

Dont get to tied up in the legality of roms mate. Lets just be thankful to the MAME team and all the rom dumpers and 100s of others who have contributed to keeping these old games we love alive.

 I  to them all and so should every member on this forum and 1000s of others who are re-living their mis-spent youth. 

[saint]

Bah ... message removed as I totally missed the switch to discussing all-in-one boards and it doesn't apply.

[saint]

If anyone has seen a rom seller advertised on this site's Google ads, please let me know so I can add them to the ban list.  As far as I know there haven't been any slipping through for many many months, and they get banned as quickly as I'm made aware of them.

--- saint

Thanks for the PMs and emails asking where to buy the multi-game PCBs from.
You guys really crack me up.

Why don't you ask on the boards?

I would presume because you have already documented where the ROMs are on these boards and discussing how to get ROMs is against the rules.

Cheers

LMFAO...

Where have you been???  Watch the google ads and you'll see <<<reference removed by saint -- don't link to rom sellers please>>> advertised... Who needs a search when its at the top of the page...

Lets not feed the  .

[quarterback]

Does anyone on here actually do this as a full time job?
I'm having so much fun making my cab I was wondering if it is possible to sell cabs if they are built to a really high standard, seems like the perfect job to me 

Well, I guess I should defer to Night Walker's answer since he does this and I don't.... but I'd still say the answer is "no".

Search around, you're certainly not the first person to wonder and not the first to ask.   My response is that there already are already people who have established businesses doing what you're asking about but I'm not sure any of them are rolling in the dough.   It's a niche market.   The advice in the past has been something to the effect of:

 "Give it a shot.  Try selling some to your friends, neighbors, co-workers but you'll probably find that the market is small"
"You'll find that people don't want to pay what it costs to make one-off cabs (and for your labor)."
"You'll find That shipping cabs is expensive, and that legally selling arcade cabinets without MAME and ROMS installed, means that the end-user needs some MAME knowledge, in which case, it's likely they'll build their own cab"
"You'll find that you become a computer tech who has to troubleshoot their machines for them when something doesn't work" etc

Again, there just aren't that many people buying these things and most of those who might buy them are going to want them to be a turn-key gaming solution. 

If it's fun for you, then go for it.  Give it a run and see what happens.  But you should think about how many hours you've spent on your cab?  What hourly-wage would you need to do this for a living?  Then add that up with all the supplies and come up with a total.   Now shop that price around and see what you can do.  If you've got some rich friends, you could be in business, but one reason that this community exists is because we're not willing to spend $3,000+ to play 20-games on an Ultracade machine.    And, outside of people in this BYOAC community, I know exactly ZERO with arcade games in their homes.

My 2-cents

Geez, you change your tune quick mate.

My tune has not changed by one single note.   The fact you think it has changed just makes it even more obvious that you are either not reading or understanding the words I'm typing.   


This is saint's forum.  Whether you, I or anybody else agrees with saint's rules is irrelevant.  It his house, and his rules apply.

[spacies]

  to Saint.

I dont believe in God, not until he shows me his face. If there is an afterlife, I just hope it is has roms!

 

[RobotronNut]

I have purchased every arcade compilation available for the PC that I'm aware of.

do you play these compilations directly, or do you play them through mame, as a "fair use" of the copyrighted material in the compilations you've purchased?

[Haze]

My point is simple.  You should not be using those multi-game boards, nor recommending them.  They're just as bad (actually worse IMO because they're set up for arcade use) than people selling ROMs, MAME Cabs etc. on ebay or whatever else.

If you're knowingly purchasing the things, and using them, making a profit with them, taking money from people via them thus creating a market for them then you ARE the bad guys.

If nobody purchased the boards, and suppliers were flooded with them then they wouldn't buy additional ones, the market would be gone.

It's impossible to operate those boards legally in any location.  We very specifically do NOT want MAME being used for commercial purposes.

[spacies]

.  We very specifically do NOT want MAME being used for commercial purposes.

I fully understand where you guys are coming from.
I have NOT given out website adresses for the PCBs and wont be doing so anytime soon.

I am saying these are out there but you clearly know that.

But maybe MAME should email China and Japan and explain it to them that what they are doing is illegal. Or maybe you should look in your own back yard first as I could find 10 webistes selling MAME machines in the USA in 0.13 seconds using Google. Theres even one with Celebs playing them!

I am sorry if I have come across the wrong way.
I love what you guys have done but it has been exploited while you were sleeping.

Also, if we didn't have a product to buy in the first place then this wouldn't be a problem. Not the other way around.
You stop the source you stop the problem. Because if the market was flooded then the price would drop and even more people would buy them.

[Haze]

We are aware that it is a problem.  Just because we're aware of something doesn't mean it's easy for us to stop it.  If things were that simple there wouldn't be any drugs problems anywhere in the world, and you'd never have to worry about getting shot on the street etc.

Please remember that we work on MAME mostly because we enjoy working on it.  We don't get paid for it, we don't have money to try and track down whoever is producing these things in China etc.   What we can do is inform anybody who is using them that they shouldn't be using them.  I'm sure one day MAME will end up having to emulate them to document that they existed, but it's sad to see them in operation.

You guys gave Ultracade a lot of stick here without actually ever proving that it was MAME.  The majority of these Chinese/HK/Taiwan things are KNOWN to be MAME.

[NightGod]

  I'm sure one day MAME will end up having to emulate them to document that they existed, but it's sad to see them in operation.

That phrase simply drips with irony-I love it!

[saint]

If you're not good in life, all the ROMs in the afterlife are the Atari 2600 ET.

to Saint.

I dont believe in God, not until he shows me his face. If there is an afterlife, I just hope it is has roms!

 

[danny_galaga]

spacies, the difference people are trying to point out is much like the difference between downloading some illegal mp3s, compared to downloading them and then selling cds on a rug on the street. technically they are both illegal, but who is the law going to chase first? also, from an australian perspective. we are descended from convicts. standover tactics are not dead here! iffen i go and set up some totally illegal machines somewhere, it wont be the law i have to worry about. itll be angry arcade owners. which would suck because ive seen some of those 40 in 1 games in the 'legit' arcades.

talking of dodgy chinese pcbs. they are pirated obviously (arrggghhh! by the way  ). at any time, whoever is importing them into a western country, can expect a friendly visit from customs. china famously has no copyright laws. but bring that merchandise into a 'western' country and its not chinese law you are playing with. same as if i go and buy a whole bunch of knock off dvds from bali. customs turn a blind eye to a few, but if its obvious by the fact i have several boxes of them that i want to sell them i can expect trouble...

i can tell you now that if you tried to set up 41 machines with pirated games in australia, and probably the US then once other arcade owners cotton on, they will be more than happy to give your details to the man. or sort something out themselves...

edit: just looked at your site. nice work BTW 

[shardian]

If you're not good in life, all the ROMs in the afterlife are the Atari 2600 ET.

to Saint.

I dont believe in God, not until he shows me his face. If there is an afterlife, I just hope it is has roms!

 

Don't forget atari pacman.

[RayB]

What a great thread! 

There's some truth to some of what Spacies has to say. We just don't want to hear it. In my opinion, there is much hypocrisy on all sides of the argument.

I hope this thread doesn't end up in Post Hell. Spacies dissection of one of these jamma boards was very informational. I had no idea how those things were built. It's really interesting learning that they are just PCs running ArcadeOS and MAME, and even more eye opening is the fact that they have Windows 98 on there rather than a Free DOS! WOW, how brazen of them!

[leapinlew]

What a great thread! 

There's some truth to some of what Spacies has to say. We just don't want to hear it. In my opinion, there is much hypocrisy on all sides of the argument.

Yes, there is some truth to what Spacies is saying and I'm not disputing that. The primary issue to me is the building of machines to put into commercial settings and his "enjoy it while it lasts" attitude. That kind of mentality will bring the gray area of this hobby to the front and center stage. And we all know how much friendlier the hobby will be if lawyers get involved.

Spacies also assumes this is a ROM driven hobby. This may be true for a large portion of the crowd, as Saint pointed out, it doesn't cover everyone.

With all this being said, Spacies is alright with me. He has some obvious building talent and seems like a good guy overall. What he's doing is neat, but I wonder what impact he (and others like him) are having.

[horseboy]

Scabies, I have a few points for ya.

to Saint.

I dont believe in God, not until he shows me his face. If there is an afterlife, I just hope it is has roms!

 

You, sir, are an idiot. If I was Saint (and 75% of the other people here would do the same), I would have already pushed that big glowing red button on his desk and jettisoned you back into obscurity. Saint is good enough to pay for and maintain this place for us to all discuss and help each other build our own arcade controls, and you should respect him for that. Just because he feels strongly enough not to use illegal roms is certainly no reason to mock him.

But maybe MAME should email China and Japan and explain it to them that what they are doing is illegal.

My Outlook address book got erased, do you have their emails?  

Or maybe you should look in your own back yard first as I could find 10 webistes selling MAME machines in the USA in 0.13 seconds using Google. Theres even one with Celebs playing them!

How much do you want to bet that none of those machines come with the ROMs? If any of them do, a couple of well placed phone calls could end that in a hurry.

I am sorry if I have come across the wrong way.

You have, and I already knew you were sorry.

I love what you guys have done but it has been exploited while you were sleeping.

The only person freely admitting exploitation here is.........you.

Also, if we didn't have a product to buy in the first place then this wouldn't be a problem. Not the other way around.
You stop the source you stop the problem. Because if the market was flooded then the price would drop and even more people would buy them.

Wow, what a revelation. My outlook has totally changed due to this statement. So wise are you.

The U.S. government can't stop people in Mexico from making meth, if they could it would stop a huge portion of the meth problems here. Since they can't, though, I now feel the only thing to do is capitalize off of it. Well, I'd love to keep chatting, but I got to get to the school yard down the road. It's almost recess!!!!!

 

[Chris]

There's always someone who's going to take a look at the hard work of folks giving their work away for free and rub their hands and say "How can I make money off this?"  I face it all the time with WinCab jukebox; people who build jukebox cabinets and "just give away" the software in violation of the license.

The bottom line, folks, is that he's just yanking our chains and laughing his ass off as we all get frothy.  Spacies is a troll, the type we've seen come and go plenty of times before.  Put him on Ignore and move on.   

[jimmy_bored]

It amazes me that this thread is still open... I also enjoy the fact that these types of topics get the most posts and reads.  Yet when I ask what a certain cabinet material is no one knows... 

This thread is as good as the Hanaho one...   Lets stay focused on arcade controls like the saint said... He pays for it and this is just wasting bandwidth. 

BTW - I love you all! 

[CheffoJeffo]

Yet when I ask what a certain cabinet material is no one knows... 

OK ... I responded, but you may want to post pics for questions like that.

Cheers

[Santoro]

The bottom line, folks, is that he's just yanking our chains and laughing his ass off as we all get frothy.  Spacies is a troll, the type we've seen come and go plenty of times before.  Put him on Ignore and move on.

Agree & Done. (wait, is there an ignore function here?)

[horseboy]

It amazes me that this thread is still open... I also enjoy the fact that these types of topics get the most posts and reads.  Yet when I ask what a certain cabinet material is no one knows... 

Uh huh, and you are 7 of the first 68 replies. So what exactly was your point?

[Chris]

The bottom line, folks, is that he's just yanking our chains and laughing his ass off as we all get frothy.  Spacies is a troll, the type we've seen come and go plenty of times before.  Put him on Ignore and move on.

Agree & Done. (wait, is there an ignore function here?)

There is, but it looks like it only works for PM's.    Pretty glaring omission from any forum software...

[jimmy_bored]

It amazes me that this thread is still open... I also enjoy the fact that these types of topics get the most posts and reads.  Yet when I ask what a certain cabinet material is no one knows... 

Uh huh, and you are 7 of the first 68 replies. So what exactly was your point?

Do you really need a point to understand?  What was your contribution to the thread?  Nothing but garbage, absolutely nothing of value and more importantly nothing about arcade controls.  So whats your point of relevance to the topic?

BTW - I love you man!

[Chris]

The bottom line, folks, is that he's just yanking our chains and laughing his ass off as we all get frothy.  Spacies is a troll, the type we've seen come and go plenty of times before.  Put him on Ignore and move on.

Agree & Done. (wait, is there an ignore function here?)

There is, but it looks like it only works for PM's.    Pretty glaring omission from any forum software...

Found a mod for it, posted it on the Forum Discussion board.

[horseboy]

It amazes me that this thread is still open... I also enjoy the fact that these types of topics get the most posts and reads.  Yet when I ask what a certain cabinet material is no one knows... 

Uh huh, and you are 7 of the first 68 replies. So what exactly was your point?

Do you really need a point to understand?  What was your contribution to the thread?  Nothing but garbage, absolutely nothing of value and more importantly nothing about arcade controls. 

Actually, I was letting scabies know that he was making no sense in his defense of selling illegal roms. But, I can see where you wouldn't understand that, as you never make any sense.

So whats your point of relevance to the topic?

Well, my post towards you was making a point by asking a simple question. You are "upset" because posts such as this get all of the replies and reads as opposed to other posts with more content about arcade controls. I will now rephrase my question a bit so you can understand.

How can you be so shocked that posts like this get all of the reads/replies, when you contribute 7 8 replies to the cause?

Just doesn't make much sense to me. That was my point relevant to your ignorant post.

[jimmy_bored]

[



Uh huh, and you are 7 of the first 68 replies. So what exactly was your point?

Do you really need a point to understand?  What was your contribution to the thread?  Nothing but garbage, absolutely nothing of value and more importantly nothing about arcade controls. 
[/quote]

Actually, I was letting scabies know that he was making no sense in his defense of selling illegal roms. But, I can see where you wouldn't understand that, as you never make any sense.

So whats your point of relevance to the topic?

Well, my post towards you was making a point by asking a simple question. You are "upset" because posts such as this get all of the replies and reads as opposed to other posts with more content about arcade controls. I will now rephrase my question a bit so you can understand.

How can you be so shocked that posts like this get all of the reads/replies, when you contribute 7 8 replies to the cause?

Just doesn't make much sense to me. That was my point relevant to your ignorant post.
[/quote]

The topic is, "Is there a living to be made from arcade cabs?".  Where is there selling roms in the topic?  The real ignorance is going off topic, like you did.  Your count to the thread continues to grow? Are you trying to catch up. 

Bottom line is grow up.  Learn when not to speak because in instances like this your limited mental capacity is clearly demonstrated.

[DeLong20]

You forgot to tell me you loved me

[horseboy]

The topic is, "Is there a living to be made from arcade cabs?".  Where is there selling roms in the topic?  The real ignorance is going off topic, like you did.  Your count to the thread continues to grow? Are you trying to catch up. 

Bottom line is grow up.  Learn when not to speak because in instances like this your limited mental capacity is clearly demonstrated.

I was simply debating the same thing that had been being debated for the last 60 posts.

So, which of your posts were on the topic at hand...

Was it the first one where you called Saint a pirate and said this site is paid for by pirate companies?
Or is it the next one where you say you run pirate sites?
Maybe it is the 3rd one where you ask where to get the pirated boards?
Is it one of those next 2 where you berate CheffoJeffo and call him a tool for telling you that discussion of where to get roms is illegal?
It has to be the one where you laugh because people are still posting in this thread, right?
I know it wasn't the last 2 where you were futilely arguing with me.
Wait, I found it. The only one I missed...

Very hottttttttttttttttttttttt................

That is actually the most informative post I have ever seen you post on the boards. Good job, bud. Now shoo before you make yourself look even more ridiculous.

[ahofle]

 
Thread outta control!!!

[Gambit]

So its illegal to make money from the chinese boards with mame on them, but is it ok to put them into your mame cabinet for use at home?

Seems like if they do cost just $70 its better than using a $450+ PC. We could burn our legal roms onto the flash or harddrive or whatever it uses.

This may have been answered already in this thread, just too much to read.

[saint]

This argument surfaces every so often on the forums here, and I don't believe it's ever been post-helled. Discussion on the morality or legality of ROMs is not a violation of the rules (just don't give out ROM links, or hints and nudges to the same.

What a great thread! 

There's some truth to some of what Spacies has to say. We just don't want to hear it. In my opinion, there is much hypocrisy on all sides of the argument.

I hope this thread doesn't end up in Post Hell.

[horseboy]

So its illegal to make money from the chinese boards with mame on them, but is it ok to put them into your mame cabinet for use at home?

No, both are illegal. An argument can be made though, that it is worse to make money off of them than use them yourself. It is kind of like arguing that it is worse to sell weed than to have a little personal stash to smoke.

[Chris]

So its illegal to make money from the chinese boards with mame on them, but is it ok to put them into your mame cabinet for use at home?

Yes, it is illegal on several levels:

- It is a violation of the MAME license to do so.  This is equivalent, say, to a PC seller selling an OEM version of Windows without the required hardware in violation of Microsoft's license.  The fact that the MAMEDevs don't have the resources to hunt down the perpetrators is not a defense.

- As noted, these boards also have (most likely) unlicensed versions of Microsoft Windows on them.  This is equivalent to any PC seller using bootlegged copies of Windows acquired from the grey market; the fact that someone else started the piracy doesn't absolve the seller.

- I won't even touch on the ROM issue, which is the crux of your argument, but the boards would be illegal based on the above two reasons even if no ROMs were involved.

Yes, it is illegal to use the ROMs at home as well, but there is usually a severe difference in penalties between personal copyright violation and commercial copyright violation, at least in the US.  

[spacies]

Yes I am yanking your chain. And wipe the froth from your keyboard as it not a good look.

I have never bought a 10,200,400 or 800 in 1 PCB. The one we Ghosted was a friends. I would never use one either because they are known to be unreliable. Its a PC and we all know how unreliable they can be!

Horseboy: Please don't insult people by calling the names. God only knows how you thought up your name?

Saint: Do what you will my friend. I sincerely apologize for my comments. I got a little keyboard happy as did the others. I was stating what was out there and we all got defensive and offensive. If you blacklist me its my fault for speaking from the dark side. I don't fully condone the use of roms but the temtation is too great for all, well most, of us. I DO NOT build MAME machines anymore and the machines I am building are all dedicated, but, are new PCBs. Go figure.

You have a great asset here to preserve the history of arcade machines. This was THE main reason for starting the business. I dont make a lot of money, in fact I just get by but its something I have a skill in doing and I really flippin enjoy it.

I am not here for trouble. I have vast knowledge of games, I build all my machines from scratch myself and I also restore dedicated ones. I am here to help others in there quest to building and owning there own arcade machine. Also to offer tips and tricks I find along the way. So if I post on your thread when looking for advice or help, please remember the good guy inside that has the some hobby as you.

Apologies again,

Malcolm.

[saint]

No rules have been violated, no worries

Saint: Do what you will my friend. I sincerely apologize for my comments. I got a little keyboard happy as did the others. I was stating what was out there and we all got defensive and offensive. If you blacklist me its my fault for speaking from the dark side. I don't fully condone the use of roms but the temtation is too great for all, well most, of us. I DO NOT build MAME machines anymore and the machines I am building are all dedicated, but, are new PCBs. Go figure.

You have a great asset here to preserve the history of arcade machines. This was THE main reason for starting the business. I dont make a lot of money, in fact I just get by but its something I have a skill in doing and I really flippin enjoy it.

I am not here for trouble. I have vast knowledge of games, I build all my machines from scratch myself and I also restore dedicated ones. I am here to help others in there quest to building and owning there own arcade machine. Also to offer tips and tricks I find along the way. So if I post on your thread when looking for advice or help, please remember the good guy inside that has the some hobby as you.

Apologies again,

Malcolm.

[leapinlew]

No rules have been violated, no worries

What about the rule that says no one will open my chest, pull out my heart and rip it to shreds?! Spacies toyed with my emotions and left me to shrivel and die.

[jimmy_bored]

The topic is, "Is there a living to be made from arcade cabs?".  Where is there selling roms in the topic?  The real ignorance is going off topic, like you did.  Your count to the thread continues to grow? Are you trying to catch up. 

Bottom line is grow up.  Learn when not to speak because in instances like this your limited mental capacity is clearly demonstrated.

I was simply debating the same thing that had been being debated for the last 60 posts.

So, which of your posts were on the topic at hand...

Was it the first one where you called Saint a pirate and said this site is paid for by pirate companies?
Or is it the next one where you say you run pirate sites?
Maybe it is the 3rd one where you ask where to get the pirated boards?
Is it one of those next 2 where you berate CheffoJeffo and call him a tool for telling you that discussion of where to get roms is illegal?
It has to be the one where you laugh because people are still posting in this thread, right?
I know it wasn't the last 2 where you were futilely arguing with me.
Wait, I found it. The only one I missed...

Very hottttttttttttttttttttttt................

That is actually the most informative post I have ever seen you post on the boards. Good job, bud. Now shoo before you make yourself look even more ridiculous.

While I admire your determination to waste time analysing my posts, I have to ask what's the point?  I'm glad you also found my knowledge of Sweden informative.  May I suggest you spend a little less time in front of a computer and maybe more time exploring the real world.  Like a vacation outside of your computer room or garage?

Opps... I almost forgot, "I love yoooouuu man!"

[horseboy]

While I admire your determination to waste time analysing my posts, I have to ask what's the point?  I'm glad you also found my knowledge of Sweden informative.  May I suggest you spend a little less time in front of a computer and maybe more time exploring the real world.  Like a vacation outside of your computer room or garage?

Opps... I almost forgot, "I love yoooouuu man!"

It is like beating a friggin' dead horse with you dude. Anyone with half a brain can tell that you made no point and continue to do so.

[CheffoJeffo]

Seems like if they do cost just $70 its better than using a $450+ PC. We could burn our legal roms onto the flash or harddrive or whatever it uses.

The 400-in-1 kits were running $350-$450 last I saw (about a year ago) and the list of games was less than impresive (now, you could hack it, but for $450 you're better off with the PC).

Cheers.

[jimmy_bored]

It is like beating a friggin' dead horse with you dude. Anyone with half a brain can tell that you made no point and continue to do so.

  Great come back.  And even better you twisted the question on to me... Maybe you should try politics.  BTW - "Dude", even a better sign of your adolescence stage in life.

[saint]

Great come back.  And even better you twisted the question on to me... Maybe you should try politics.  BTW - "Dude", even a better sign of your adolescence stage in life.

http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html
 
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html
 
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html
 
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html
 
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html

[jimmy_bored]

http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html
 
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html
 
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html
 
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html
 
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_message_rules.html

Sorry saint.    I'm done..

[1UP]

Has annyone heard from 1up lately ..... ?

He sold his prototype spincade a couple weeks ago in BST. He said that it is just because he was moving and that he still plans on selling them, but who knows.

I am still around, and so is Spincade.  Just had to take some time to rethink the design and revise the company's business model.  I wanted to keep costs of the arcade units down to a reasonable level so that they are sellable and buildable at larger quantities, rather than building only a couple at a time and selling at a high price.  We are doing some test marketing of lower-cost units at the moment.  Keep your fingers crossed--if all goes well, you may be able to get a rotating arcade unit for not much more than a basic UAII setup. 

As far as the prototype, it was the very first one I had the cabinet shop make, so it was only suitable for photographs--the control panels didn't close properly, and the t-molding was loose.  (I had a lot of problems with that builder, another reason we had to stop selling temporarily.  )  It was still usable as a regular fixed-panel cab with a little work, but I just didn't have the time or space to work on it and was going to be moving soon, so I let it go as a fixer-upper.  I really didn't have any further use for it, because I had another finished, working prototype already, as well as the original Pac-Mamea.

BTW, I will probably be around a lot more once Spincade gets rolling again!   

[Havok]

Keep your fingers crossed--if all goes well, you may be able to get a rotating arcade unit for not much more than a basic UAII setup. 

Unassembled kit? Better yet.. plans, and full size templates?

Please?