Author Topic: Are you an arcade molestor? (Read 3154 times)

Jeff AMN · « **on:** February 15, 2007, 01:08:11 pm »

Yeah, I click every button, rotate every stick, check the monitor for burn-in, and check how sturdy the CP is attached on just about every cabinet I approach. This all started after I got interested in MAME and bought Project Arcade last year.

I should probably stop, but it's not like it's illegal (or even immoral) to molest an arcade machine.

So fess up, do you prod, poke, grope, and gaze?

ahofle · « **Reply #1 on:** February 15, 2007, 01:25:42 pm »

I occasionally stick my finger in the coin return chute.

Jeff AMN · « **Reply #2 on:** February 15, 2007, 01:35:03 pm »

Quote from: ahofle on February 15, 2007, 01:25:42 pm

I occasionally stick my finger in the coin return chute.

If money is exchanged, that's solicitation.

(+_+) · « **Reply #3 on:** February 15, 2007, 01:36:25 pm »

Ha that's a good one.

I was once sited for Robotron aggravated assault for tearing the control panel off it's hinges. We had a bet going on and the joystick kept sticking but the part that threw me over the edge was the guy name spaz that kept laughing at me every time my man would stick. Robotron is hard enough without the guy sticking every 2 seconds, let alone some high lunatic named spaz cackling hysterically with 5 bucks on the line.

ahofle · « **Reply #4 on:** February 15, 2007, 02:39:53 pm »

Quote from: Jeff AMN on February 15, 2007, 01:35:03 pm

Quote from: ahofle on February 15, 2007, 01:25:42 pm
I occasionally stick my finger in the coin return chute.

If money is exchanged, that's solicitation.

I usually only end up with a feeling that I need to wash my hand.

RandyT · « **Reply #5 on:** February 15, 2007, 03:36:29 pm »

Yeah, I have that problem too. I'm usually very self conscious of it and often wonder what the kid behind the counter is thinking.

Of course I think nothing of leaning into things like skeeball machine target areas and taking measurements or flexing the rings to try to figure out what off-the-shelf material could be used in their stead.

I haven't been harassed about it yet, but that day can't be far off...

RandyT

JeepMonkey · « **Reply #6 on:** February 15, 2007, 03:52:45 pm »

I am constantly looking at layouts, dimensions, button placement...

sphetr2 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 15, 2007, 05:13:54 pm »

How funny! I do this WAY too much.

javeryh · « **Reply #8 on:** February 15, 2007, 05:37:15 pm »

I don't "molest" per se but I do check out the design of the cab and layout of the buttons, etc. I've come to realize that I could probably build my own better than 75% of the cabs out there. They are just so beat up after all of this time...

fjl · « **Reply #9 on:** February 15, 2007, 06:05:32 pm »

yup i do that. Just lots of times wish I could see them from the inside as well. But i guess that would be like lifting a girls skirt in public. I'll end up being on an APB from the video game police.

Timoe · « **Reply #10 on:** February 15, 2007, 08:22:14 pm »

I always check under the dustwashers, I've even played around with the joysticks on those Grab the Stuffed Animal With the Crane machines at the supermarket.

_) (V) (-) · « **Reply #11 on:** February 16, 2007, 08:32:38 am »

Uh, I don't know what your talking about.

Havok · « **Reply #12 on:** February 16, 2007, 08:48:22 am »

Definitely. I am also an arcade stalker! Wherever I can find games, I check them out. Once my wife and I were eating in a restaurant that is part of a hotel. So, when I had to go to the bathroom, on the way back before returning, I went looking for a game room real quick. Found an X-men four player, redemption machine and pinball! Made the wife hang out for a while after dinner to play a couple of games!

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #13 on:** February 16, 2007, 10:00:58 am »

The looks I get from the teeny boppers at the local theater when I start going on about how blasphemous it is for them to relegate their classic Galaga cabinet to the back corner of the arcade room is comedy gold.

(+_+) · « **Reply #14 on:** February 16, 2007, 11:25:42 am »

All I can say is that when it comes to arcade cabs, I know how to push their buttons.

Crowquill · « **Reply #15 on:** February 16, 2007, 12:12:23 pm »

I'm definitely guilty of fondling the controls. I think I might even be a "peeping tom".

There's a local distributor who has a small showroom. It's by appointment so there's never anyone there, but there's always a slightly different variety of machines sitting around, usually some cabs have their backs off. Last time there was a Simpsons 4-player CP left sitting on the window ledge. I always wondered exactly how the latches were mounted on those. Now I know. If only it were in a better part of town.

u_rebelscum · « **Reply #16 on:** February 16, 2007, 01:24:51 pm »

Guilty. I always look for an arcade room in all the likely places I might visit (movie theater, mall, pizza, ect). I was even asked to leave (a pizza joint) for taking photos of a cabinet I was thinking of copying.

RayB · « **Reply #17 on:** February 16, 2007, 04:29:47 pm »

I like to play with my track-balls.

RandyT · « **Reply #18 on:** February 16, 2007, 04:47:30 pm »

Quote from: u_rebelscum on February 16, 2007, 01:24:51 pm

I was even asked to leave (a pizza joint) for taking photos of a cabinet I was thinking of copying.

Ha! The first one to get busted.

Maybe we should start a support group website. But "arcademolesters.com" probably wouldn't sound too good

RandyT

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #19 on:** February 16, 2007, 05:48:51 pm »

Quote from: u_rebelscum on February 16, 2007, 01:24:51 pm

Guilty. I always look for an arcade room in all the likely places I might visit (movie theater, mall, pizza, ect). I was even asked to leave (a pizza joint) for taking photos of a cabinet I was thinking of copying.

You are kidding?!?! Why in the hell would people be stressin' out on you taking photos of a cabinet? Perhaps you have a beard and look like a terrorist and they thought you were scoping out a possible location for your latest joystick bomb?

Jeff AMN · « **Reply #20 on:** February 16, 2007, 05:56:29 pm »

Actually, they might be worried that he was taking photos to possibly stake it out for a return visit with a flatbed truck, and a crowbar...know what I mean?

FrizzleFried · « **Reply #21 on:** February 16, 2007, 06:03:24 pm »

Quote from: Jeff AMN on February 16, 2007, 05:56:29 pm

Actually, they might be worried that he was taking photos to possibly stake it out for a return visit with a flatbed truck, and a crowbar...know what I mean?

In a bad neighborhood I could see that possibility...

...I still get people driving by my house taking pictures. It freaks me out. I've caught 4 or 5 people doing it and the last guy I ran out to and had a nice little discussion with him. Evidently my house was still on realtor.com or homes.com and they were coming by to take pix of potential houses to buy.

ahofle · « **Reply #22 on:** February 16, 2007, 06:13:00 pm »

I got a ton of dirty looks when collecting audio samples of coin changers at the local arcade for the arcade ambience sounds. I think they thought the mini microphone was some kind of device that caused the machine to spit out change.

RayB · « **Reply #23 on:** February 16, 2007, 07:44:46 pm »

Quote from: ahofle on February 16, 2007, 06:13:00 pm

I got a ton of dirty looks when collecting audio samples of coin changers at the local arcade for the arcade ambience sounds. I think they thought the mini microphone was some kind of device that caused the machine to spit out change.

Good thing you dont live in Boston.

daywane · « **Reply #24 on:** February 17, 2007, 10:22:35 am »

[/quote]
Good thing you dont live in Boston.

[/quote]

Spaz Monkey · « **Reply #25 on:** February 17, 2007, 06:12:02 pm »

I used to check out the joysticks when I went to the arcade to see how loose they were if I was going to play the game. Now I check out the layout, buttons, joysticks, and such as if I was going to buy it.

Fozzy The Bear · « **Reply #26 on:** February 17, 2007, 07:25:26 pm »

I wonder if there are any rehab groups for us Arcade Molesters..... I work for a large arcade so I get to feed my habit every day

I even get to take things to pieces

and I don't get dirty looks when I'm recording the sounds of machines, just strange looks from the customers ROFL

Best Regards,
Julian (Fozzy The Bear)

Jouster · « **Reply #27 on:** February 17, 2007, 11:27:28 pm »

Who have you been talking to?? I didn't think anyone saw me wheel that Galaga machine into the back room...

Personally I blame Saint and his dang book for giving me this affliction.

Jouster


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