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Author Topic: Arcade machine names  (Read 10544 times)

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SavannahLion

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Arcade machine names
« on: May 02, 2007, 07:02:38 pm »
I'm not trying to knock anybodies arcade machines here. I think there are a lot of machines here that are really well made, etc and all that brown nosing. But I have to ask.

What's with the constant infatuation with using the word, "MAME," or the many variations on, "ARCADE," in naming the machines? One of the very first things my buddy says when he sees my WIP is to throw away the existing marquee and replace it with a MAME graphic. (I told him to get the ---fudgesicle--- out.)

What's the attraction there?

ahofle

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #1 on: May 02, 2007, 07:07:59 pm »
Probably because it's hard to come up with a marquee for a machine that plays almost every arcade game in existence.  What's yours called?

javeryh

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #2 on: May 02, 2007, 07:43:28 pm »
I'm not a big fan of anything with "MAME" in it but "Arcade" seems quite fitting.  My current cab is "Bella's Arcade" - pretty basic stuff...

Organic Jerk

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #3 on: May 02, 2007, 07:55:28 pm »
What's with the constant infatuation with using the word, "MAME," or the many variations on, "ARCADE," in naming the machines? One of the very first things my buddy says when he sees my WIP is to throw away the existing marquee and replace it with a MAME graphic. (I told him to get the ---fudgesicle--- out.)

Yeah this actually irked me quite a bit as well, as I wanted the machine to have as much visual and perceptual "umph" as any other commercial game at first glance.. 

I ended up creating a name and theme for "my own game", trying to abstractly incorporate the idea of a "group" or "formation" into the name... (Pixel Assault)

Progress Rate:  Moderate      ||      Threads:  Cabinet  |  Art  |  MaLa Layout
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Chris G

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #4 on: May 02, 2007, 08:17:15 pm »
Savannah - you must harness your anger! ;D

I'm not planning to use either word for mine, however, I agree with javeryh.  Arcade is cool, but MAME not so much, especially when running multiple emulators.

Chris

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #5 on: May 02, 2007, 08:22:20 pm »
I wanted a name that "sounded" like something I might have played in the 80s.  I'm like you - I didn't want MAME or arcade in the name but I can kinda understand a lot of people giving credit to the MAME programmers for making it a possibility.

Jim

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #6 on: May 02, 2007, 09:06:20 pm »
If you think about all the different skills needed to build a cabinet:

Carpentry
Computer knowledge (which encompasses quite a bit)
Artistic ability
Electronics
Budgeting (some of us don't have this skill so much)

It's easy to see that someone may not be that artistic, but can manage the other aspects. It's easy to order a mame marquee and graphics and instantly have it mean something.

DrumAnBass

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #7 on: May 02, 2007, 09:22:04 pm »
You just gave me an idea for my next cab - the MameCicle!

:laugh2:
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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #8 on: May 02, 2007, 11:26:48 pm »
The only reason I didn't use MAME in the name is that anyone playing the thing would have no clue what MAME meant.  I just named the beast knowing that it would do more than just play classic games.   Name it whatever you want.  It is your baby.


Don
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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #9 on: May 03, 2007, 12:29:08 am »
I chose Mame because I suck at art and I could get a pretty sweet design thanks to both Knievel and Scott and mamemarquees.com

My old user name was marlborroman13, but I kicked the habit many years ago!

bfauska

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #10 on: May 03, 2007, 01:46:08 am »
Well I thought I was going to be original and name mine the "MAMECADE" :laugh2:  but apparantly that would be bad  :banghead: so I guess it's back to the drawing board. 

ummmmmmmmmmm 

ArcMAME?

Mameasourus? 

Arcadeasourus?

Arcadeology? ............Actually I think that one is clever, with some sort of archeology theme, maybe unearthing some old cabinets from a dig. Hmmmm.  Yeah I don't think that one sucks. 

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #11 on: May 03, 2007, 05:43:50 am »
It took me awhile to come up with mine too (Arcadia 2007) -- but there's some family history behind it--see my "Inspiration" page on my cab's site:  http://www.freewebs.com/vidmouse/inspiration.htm

I think tying in a little of who you are helps.


javeryh

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2007, 09:10:29 am »
My cocktail table was/is called "Knights of the Arcade Table" and it had a Jedi Knight theme (Obi-Wan, Vader, Yoda, Aayla and Darth Maul with lightsabers out) for the table overlay but the artist I hired totally flaked on me after I paid him some money for producing some prototype artwork - I email him every month and he promises he will get it to me but it never comes - what can you do?

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2007, 10:44:58 am »
Crack him in the kneecaps with a baseball bat? 

Won't mamemarquees do custom work?  I'm pretty sure they'll do design work for you.
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Extreme8

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2007, 11:02:54 am »
...What's with the constant infatuation with using the word, "MAME," or the many variations on, "ARCADE," in naming the machines?...

I think it just seems like overload to those in this community.

Whatever your machine is called it's going to be unique to >99.9% of the general public that has never even imagined such a thing existed.
Your buddies aren't going to look at it and say "Geez, not another black and blue cab with a generic MAME marquee".

Methinks we're a bit jaded.

Chris G

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2007, 11:39:44 am »
My cocktail table was/is called "Knights of the Arcade Table" and it had a Jedi Knight theme (Obi-Wan, Vader, Yoda, Aayla and Darth Maul with lightsabers out) for the table overlay but the artist I hired totally flaked on me after I paid him some money for producing some prototype artwork - I email him every month and he promises he will get it to me but it never comes - what can you do?

That's pretty cool, actually.  Too bad about the artist... maybe time to cut your losses and hire someone else?

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2007, 11:50:06 am »
I too wanted something original, I went with "Aemulari". Which is latin for "to emulate" or "emulator". Know matter how much I hear it or see the word on my marquee, it doesn't get old.

nexus6

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2007, 11:51:17 am »
i've named mine "retro·arcade". it's basic, but i can live with it ;)

moriartyds

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #18 on: May 03, 2007, 12:16:56 pm »
I named mine "WOPR" paying homage to the classic Wargames flick

GAtekwriter

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #19 on: May 03, 2007, 12:19:59 pm »
I'm a freelance writer, so if you're okay with taking some advice from a freelancer regarding freelancers, here some tips:

1.  Most "reputable" freelancers who have worked a while (including writers and graphic artists) are okay with accepting 1/3 payment when project starts, 1/3 payment on delivery of first draft and final 1/3 on final delivery of proof.  This is how I work and it protects me and YOU.

2.  If you are not familiar with the freelancer, feel free to ask to make 2/3 payment upon delivery of first draft and final 1/3 on delivery of final proof.  I do this often for new clients.

3.  I work with a handful of graphic artists and they are very professional.  I'm sorry to hear about your experience - it's NOT the rule.

4.  Offer some high-resolution color photographs after your cabinet is done to the artist - they like to use stuff like this in their portfolios and I promise very few of them have arcade cabinets to show off. 

5.  And finally, if you have a graphic artist friend - put him/her onto this site - they might like the opportunity to make some additional revenue by offering their services to a completely unique niche.

RayB

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #20 on: May 03, 2007, 12:23:44 pm »
Mine is "Amusement 360" an arcade from my youth.
NO MORE!!

javeryh

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #21 on: May 03, 2007, 12:35:20 pm »
I'm a freelance writer, so if you're okay with taking some advice from a freelancer regarding freelancers, here some tips:

1.  Most "reputable" freelancers who have worked a while (including writers and graphic artists) are okay with accepting 1/3 payment when project starts, 1/3 payment on delivery of first draft and final 1/3 on final delivery of proof.  This is how I work and it protects me and YOU.

2.  If you are not familiar with the freelancer, feel free to ask to make 2/3 payment upon delivery of first draft and final 1/3 on delivery of final proof.  I do this often for new clients.

3.  I work with a handful of graphic artists and they are very professional.  I'm sorry to hear about your experience - it's NOT the rule.

4.  Offer some high-resolution color photographs after your cabinet is done to the artist - they like to use stuff like this in their portfolios and I promise very few of them have arcade cabinets to show off. 

5.  And finally, if you have a graphic artist friend - put him/her onto this site - they might like the opportunity to make some additional revenue by offering their services to a completely unique niche.


Thanks for the advice.  I'm never making that mistake again - I made the payment to him on September 26, 2005 and have been getting about an email a month since then saying it was coming.  The last contact I had with him was just before New Year's - he sent me an email (without me sending him a reminder or anything) saying to expect something early this year.  I just forwarded his email to him asking what the deal is - I really hope this works out because I love his art style and think it would make a great cocktail table top overlay.

GAtekwriter

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #22 on: May 03, 2007, 12:41:55 pm »
Well, when you've had enough... here's my suggestion:

1.  You have the draft (or what appears to be a draft) of what you want.
2.  Post it on craigslist.com (up and coming freelancers LOVE that site).
3.  Explain your situation and what happened and, if you're willing to pay to get it finished, make an offer that you think is fair to finish it.  Ask with specifics - tell them what size you need the image, resolution, color or b/w, etc...
4.  Wait and see if anybody bites.

Many times, new graphic artists are just looking to build their portfolios, so be sure and offer some full-color photos for the portfolio when the project is finished. 

Your other option is to just do an online search for area graphic artists and make some calls.  Be sure to do business with someone local who has a local address and phone number and has been in business for more than a year or 2... but established artists are going to cost more :)

Good luck.

Jim

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #23 on: May 03, 2007, 12:45:43 pm »
Mine name is self explanatory.  If Batman had a videogame this is what he would call it

KenToad

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #24 on: May 03, 2007, 12:59:44 pm »
Isn't part of this discussion that the term arcade is what we say for the place with all the boxes, not for each box, no matter that it can play several thousand games? 

So since when does arcade refer to a game cabinet?

I'm sure Batman would have named his personal arcade, which he kept in a secret room in the Bat Cave, the Bat-Cade.  If it was just one box, maybe the Bat-Box, or Bat-Cabinet, or possibly Robin's Achilles Heel, if he was really feeling creative.   :dunno


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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #25 on: May 03, 2007, 01:14:47 pm »
Ill post my custom marquee when I get home from school but I called it Omega-X.  It kinda fits my cabinet because it was going to be a black and blue cabinet but I never painted it and im not going to because now that I know what I do im going to redo it some time soon.  Lets just say my cabinet was sub par and I fixed it up some what as much as I could but now i going to full out redo it.
17 years old and totaly addicted.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #26 on: May 03, 2007, 02:05:40 pm »
Hey fellow cabies,

Mine is called ARCADE EXTREME.  No pictures yet, sorry.  As for the literal definition of arcade, KenToad, it is "A commercial establishment featuring rows of coin-operated games", which you already knew but really who cares.  Not you, the definition. :laugh2:

Herk

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #27 on: May 03, 2007, 02:38:29 pm »
Herk,

I think Arcade Extreeeeeeeeme! would be a pretty sweet name for your box.

Anyway, I'm not jeering the brain fart and general conformist behavior of naming a box, Mame or Arcade (mostly kidding, since I've seen some great projects using these names).  I'm simply cheering those who see outside the box or have a firmer grasp upon the meaning of arcade.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #28 on: May 03, 2007, 03:22:08 pm »
In my case I would love to have custom artwork made for my machine. Unfortunately things like mortgage and car payments get in the way of hiring a professional graphic artist to do the custom work for me since I'm not particularly artistic myself.

Hence I will probably have to settle with what I can buy that's commercially available. Most of which has MAME or ARCADE or something similar in the name. Just the facts of life. Either that or wait 2 or 3 years to save enough money to hire someone. But we all know how that goes.

As soon as you have most of the money for that special thing you want the transmission falls out of your car as your flying down the interstate. There goes what you've saved. Again just the facts of life. So my cab will no doubt end up with MAME or ARCADE in the name and graphics.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #29 on: May 03, 2007, 04:36:16 pm »
My arcade cabinet is named "Incredolous Revenge: Alpha Death 2"

On the marquee, the left side is an erupting volcano, and a dude is snowboarding down the lava while shooting an UZI. On the right side, two penquins are locked in mortal combat. It's awesome.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #30 on: May 03, 2007, 05:57:57 pm »
Isn't part of this discussion that the term arcade is what we say for the place with all the boxes, not for each box, no matter that it can play several thousand games? 

So since when does arcade refer to a game cabinet?

I'm sure Batman would have named his personal arcade, which he kept in a secret room in the Bat Cave, the Bat-Cade.  If it was just one box, maybe the Bat-Box, or Bat-Cabinet, or possibly Robin's Achilles Heel, if he was really feeling creative.   :dunno

A single cabinet is called an "ARCADE MACHINE".  Being that MAME emulates many arcade machines,  it is fitting to call a MAME cabinet an "ARCADE" as it contains many different "Arcade Machines" all in one package.

So there!
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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #31 on: May 03, 2007, 06:28:50 pm »


I told you I was going to post my marquee and here it is.  Honestly spend some time in photoshop or something and just do a bit of editing and you can come out with something thats orginal and looks good.  Im not to happy with this but I have done better things for other projects.
17 years old and totaly addicted.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #32 on: May 03, 2007, 07:21:31 pm »
Yeah,

I named mine Tomatocade & Bombjack ..go figure  ;D

I'm not a graphic artist, nowhere near, but as deadkenndys1105 said, "spend some time in photoshop or something and just do a bit of editing..." ...!

Psychotech.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #33 on: May 03, 2007, 08:07:40 pm »
I think it is safe to say that around here MAME is the most popular emulator. Mix in the fact that maybe a lot of people are good (natured?) and want to show appreciation for MAME developers hard work, so they implement the name into there machine. I say good on 'em for it too! However, to each there own.
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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #34 on: May 03, 2007, 09:50:42 pm »
My arcade cabinet is named "Incredolous Revenge: Alpha Death 2"

On the marquee, the left side is an erupting volcano, and a dude is snowboarding down the lava while shooting an UZI. On the right side, two penquins are locked in mortal combat. It's awesome.

Mine too!!
Great minds think alike and all that...

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #35 on: May 03, 2007, 09:58:30 pm »
Isn't part of this discussion that the term arcade is what we say for the place with all the boxes, not for each box, no matter that it can play several thousand games? 

So since when does arcade refer to a game cabinet?

I'm sure Batman would have named his personal arcade, which he kept in a secret room in the Bat Cave, the Bat-Cade.  If it was just one box, maybe the Bat-Box, or Bat-Cabinet, or possibly Robin's Achilles Heel, if he was really feeling creative.   :dunno

A single cabinet is called an "ARCADE MACHINE".  Being that MAME emulates many arcade machines,  it is fitting to call a MAME cabinet an "ARCADE" as it contains many different "Arcade Machines" all in one package.

So there!


Gotta say, I'm with Frizzle on this one.  Multi Arcade Machine Emulator.  Implying that the games (or game cabinets) are "Arcade Machines."  Also if I were at dinner somewhere with a few cabinets and I wanted to go play a few games while I waited I would say to my cohorts that I was going to go play a few arcade games while we wait.  This makes at least 2 examples of "common usage" which as we all know (as has been pointed out in the past) is what dictates correct word usage, not dictionary definitions. ;)  No offense meant, to anybody who would take it. 

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #36 on: May 03, 2007, 09:59:40 pm »
Just to throw in my $.02...  ::)

I agree that MAME and Arcade seem overused, but I don't mind as long as it is a unique name and not already used by a dozen other people.

I bought a tempest style cab a while back that was half-built.  It already had a StarWars marquee and a StarWars yoke, so I decided to keep the StarWars theme with all of my menu graphics and screensavers. 

I think that when I change out the marquee,
I will have one made that says "Death Starcade".   

Where else would Darth Vader go to play?   ;D

P.S.  Hope to have pics up soon.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #37 on: May 03, 2007, 10:13:24 pm »
Yeah, I wasn't trying to bum anybody out, but it's true that a thread like this pops up every so often because, like a child who has only seen a few movies and thinks the latest Hollywood hack job is so fantastic versus an adult who has seen it a million times before done better (usually with just a few simple changes), this issue is one that is probably the most easily altered for the betterment of most projects.  Making a uniquely themed cabinet is a lot like learning to use a jigsaw.  Basically, someone tells you how to do it and you do it, once you know it needs to be done.  It's not like you really need to have something unique as a theme, but MAME is lame (and has to be explained to most people who will have a look at your baby) and who wants to name their box after the only commercial arcade product that has ever utilized the -cade suffix .... yes the dreaded ULTRACADE

Ahem, actually, I don't care and I do see Frizzle's point, of course.  "There are so many games in this box that it's like an arcade in there!  So, it's the Frizzle-Cade."  And all those Multi-Slot Neo Geo cabinets should have been called Neo-Geo-Cades.

Ok, nevermind, I don't know why I'm giving this so much thought, since this is at least the third thread like this I've read through.

Sorry if I offended anyone's project/ego, truly. 

Naru

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #38 on: May 03, 2007, 10:20:19 pm »
My cocktail table was/is called "Knights of the Arcade Table" and it had a Jedi Knight theme (Obi-Wan, Vader, Yoda, Aayla and Darth Maul with lightsabers out) for the table overlay but the artist I hired totally flaked on me after I paid him some money for producing some prototype artwork - I email him every month and he promises he will get it to me but it never comes - what can you do?


With this picture here I may be
able to draw this for you.
I don't know if I can replicate his
style exactly.
If you give me the dimensions
of the project (this is a marquee no?)
I'll work on it.
I'll do it for free,
so if it sucks you lost nothing.
« Last Edit: May 03, 2007, 10:23:07 pm by Naru »

bfauska

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #39 on: May 03, 2007, 10:22:18 pm »
I know I wasn't offended, I just wanted to point out that it may be more acceptable than some would think.  My favorite of the potential titles for my cabinet doesn't have either word in it and I think I have some art ideas too.  I can't share any of it or I'd have to kill you.  Well that's not it really, I just bet that if it is a cool as I think it is somebody else will DEFINITELY have the funds before me to use it and while I trust most of you, it's the lurkers that keep me up at night. <paranoid glances left and right>

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #40 on: May 03, 2007, 10:30:38 pm »
 ;)
« Last Edit: May 03, 2007, 10:49:24 pm by leapinlew »

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #41 on: May 04, 2007, 02:29:26 am »
I see naming it as a very important step of the project. I think that's why seeing the generic MAME marquees bug me. I always liked how the classic games had the entire cabinet on a theme. I wanted to do that with mine and looked at it as doing art for a ficticious game (much the way Aurich is doing with his deep 6 project). Coincidentally, I also used the "Vortex" name since I also thought it was a good analogy for all the games that would be played on it. The word "MAME" means very little to most people. At least using the word "arcade" in a name draws people in.

The MAME name isn't useless, but definitely deserves second billing. That's why I snuck it in as an experiment on a marquee I was designing for somebody in the artwork forum. I was pretty happy with the results.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=64761.0

My arcade cabinet is named "Incredolous Revenge: Alpha Death 2"

On the marquee, the left side is an erupting volcano, and a dude is snowboarding down the lava while shooting an UZI. On the right side, two penquins are locked in mortal combat. It's awesome.

I SO want to see this.
Brevity is not my strong suit.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #42 on: May 04, 2007, 02:42:05 pm »
What's yours called?

My current WIP is going to remain faithful to the original. It's a Hang-on cab.

I have other designs in a portfolio. One theme I'm trying to create is a pink Bubble Bobble version to try and entice my GF to allow a small cab in the living room. I'm not really very artistic, but I can tap into some artistic talents in some of my groups if I needed to.

I'm keeping names to myself until I can actually start the projects. No sense in giving other people ideas when I want to use them first :P


It took me awhile to come up with mine too (Arcadia 2007) -- but there's some family history behind it--see my "Inspiration" page on my cab's site:  http://www.freewebs.com/vidmouse/inspiration.htm

I think tying in a little of who you are helps.

You remind me a little bit of what's happening in my family. Except I lived in a technologically dry well. I doubt there was anyone who understood circuit theory within 30 miles of where I lived.


A single cabinet is called an "ARCADE MACHINE".  Being that MAME emulates many arcade machines,  it is fitting to call a MAME cabinet an "ARCADE" as it contains many different "Arcade Machines" all in one package.

So there!


Out in the wild, I don't think I've ever heard anyone refer to a particular cabinet as an, "arcade machine." Although I have heard people refer to them as, "arcade games." The word, "arcade," tends to carry the connotation of a room comprised of many gaming machines. Interestingly, if you look up the definition of, "arcade," the primary definition is not related to gaming machines at all, rather the structure of the room itself. That would explain why places like Fresh Choice refer to seperate areas of the restaurant as, "arcades." Go figure.

In any case, I would avoid naming a single cabinet with arcade unless it was specifically part of the name.

That's just me, I'm not out to offend anybody. It just stuns me when people put so much work and effort into their cabinet only to ahem... name it something chintzy like MAME or Arcade whatever. People can name their machines whatever the hell they feel like really. It's the games inside that count.


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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #43 on: May 04, 2007, 02:48:10 pm »
Fresh Choice is still around?  Man, those all closed around here years ago.  I remember kinda liking that place...

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #44 on: May 04, 2007, 03:02:25 pm »
Fresh Choice is still around?  Man, those all closed around here years ago.  I remember kinda liking that place...

They're springing up around here. I think there's five or six that I know of now.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #45 on: May 04, 2007, 03:05:13 pm »
When I first built my cabinet, I did use MAME as the name and marquee.  Whether there are other emulators are on it or not, the name is exactly accurate: the machine is a Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator.  And yes, it's the dreaded black and blue.

I'm revamping the machine now, and this time I am trying to come up with a better name.  But the last thing I want it to look like is one of those generic conversion cabinets that just said "ARCADE" or "New Game" on them, but once you start theming it it just doesn't fit to play certain games on it.  And I'll never do the "montage of video game characters" theme; I'll take a generic cabinet over that!

This is the fourth time I've revamped the machine, and I've vowed to myself that it will be the last: I'm going to tweak it until it's as easy to use as possible, throw out any games that don't run perfect with the available controls no matter how much I love them, and lock the thing down.  So I've been referring to the revamp project as "The Final Chapter", and if I can't think of a better name or theme then that's exactly what I'll put on the marquee.  I'm also toying with a Twilight Zone theme; if I do that, I'll go all the way and theme the whole game room that way.
--Chris
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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #46 on: May 04, 2007, 03:07:48 pm »

This whole discussion is making me consider alternatives to a marquee in the first place.  That space can certainly be used for cooler things.  Since people are building cabs that can play at least hundreds of games, a single name that doesn't scream "THIS IS A CAB THAT PLAYS MANY GAMES HENCE I CALL IT A MULTI-ARCADE CABINET" in fact screams "RANDOM WORDS".

There has to be better ways, with more functionality, to use the area above the monitor.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #47 on: May 04, 2007, 03:10:34 pm »
What we need is to find someone who makes 23"x7" LCD panels...
--Chris
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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #48 on: May 04, 2007, 03:13:48 pm »
SavannahLion,

I think manufacturers started using the term arcade in their games in order to differentiate between the home version and the one that sat in the arcade.  Thanks for the link to all the games that use the term in their names.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #49 on: May 04, 2007, 03:15:54 pm »
What we need is to find someone who makes 23"x7" LCD panels...

Or just make the cabinets a different shape.

SavannahLion

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #50 on: May 04, 2007, 03:44:48 pm »
What we need is to find someone who makes 23"x7" LCD panels...

Or just make the cabinets a different shape.

I did have the same idea when I was at the casino and saw, what I think are LCD, marquees on top of some of the machines. I went looking and found the website that manufactures them. IIRC, they start at $1,000 and go up. I'll see if I can find the manufacturer again.

leapinlew

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #51 on: May 04, 2007, 03:52:33 pm »
I think a LCD panel that displayed the marquee of the current game your playing would be pretty cool, but not worth paying a ton of money for.

My cabinets are meant to remind me of my fun times at the arcade. Games had marquees so I build mine with marquees.

I paid homage to mame in my first design. I didn't use a full size MAME logo as my name, but I don't mind that people do. You can see I used it in the lower corner. I think it's pretty cool when anyone builds one of these things - I'm not going to get hung up on the name.


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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #52 on: May 04, 2007, 03:57:59 pm »
I think a LCD panel that displayed the marquee of the current game your playing would be pretty cool, but not worth paying a ton of money for.

I agree, it would have to have some type of functionality other than the occasionally changing image.  A touchscreen does come to mind.

bfauska

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #53 on: May 05, 2007, 02:19:34 pm »
How about an arcade machine that doesn't even have a computer in it using a Mame marquee?

From Seattle Craigslist
Quote
Upright 39-in-1 Multicade Arcade Game; plays Ms. PacMan, Galaga, etc. - $1500
Reply to: sale-324721583@craigslist.org
Date: 2007-05-04, 10:41PM PDT


Game was just restored. Has new t-molding, joysticks, buttons, wiring, plexi glass, etc. Game comes with a bright and crisp 21 inch monitor.

Games included: Ms. Pac-man, Mappy, Pinball Action, Galaga, Centipede, Scramble, Frogger, Millipede, Super Pac-man, Donkey Kong Jr., Pac-man, Donkey Kong JR., Pengo, Donkey Kong 3, Phoenix, Galaxian, Time Pilot, Dig Dug, Super Cobra, Crush Roller, Hustler, Mr. Do, Space Panic, Space Invaders, Super Breakout, Pac-man, New Rally, X Galaga, 3 Arkanoid Gyruss, Qix Tank, Battalion, Juno Frist, 1942, Xevious, Ladybug, Mr. Do's Castle, Burger Time, Moon Cresta.

I live in Portland but I can deliver to Seattle.

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #54 on: May 05, 2007, 02:48:29 pm »
I think a LCD panel that displayed the marquee of the current game your playing would be pretty cool, but not worth paying a ton of money for.

I agree, it would have to have some type of functionality other than the occasionally changing image.  A touchscreen does come to mind.

A touchscreen marquee? That's an interesting idea.

Chris G

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #55 on: May 05, 2007, 02:59:40 pm »
How about an arcade machine that doesn't even have a computer in it using a Mame marquee?

Wow, if I were going to ask that much, I would at least buy the Timewarp marquee to match the CPO.

MaximRecoil

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #56 on: May 05, 2007, 03:46:10 pm »
Just slap a "NEW GAME" marquee on it and be done with it. That's what they did in the old days.

NoOne=NBA=

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #57 on: May 06, 2007, 01:44:05 am »
Just slap a "NEW GAME" marquee on it and be done with it. That's what they did in the old days.

Nope.

You need the wonderful Jaleco one that says "VIDEO GAME" in all-caps, with "We Present You Fantastic Time" below it.
That was the inspiration for my Jaleco "Fantastic Time" Pony cab.

I'll make you a deal though.
Come to Portland/Vancouver, and I'll buy you a few new ones, OK?
« Last Edit: May 06, 2007, 01:46:24 am by NoOne=NBA= »

GregorDV

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #58 on: May 06, 2007, 08:18:40 am »
I thought the perfect name was "Playchoice 10,000".  Unfortunately, it made for a _really_ lame marquee.  :-)

One of these days I'm going to revisit it and try to make one that is "cool, but evocative of the Playchoice 10 design", as opposed to "a photochop hack job of a Playchoice 10 marquee that looks really dated and sad". 

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #59 on: May 06, 2007, 12:20:26 pm »
In this case I think it has been a matter of ubiquitous branding.  In the States, adhesive bandages are commonly referred to as Band-Aids, cotton swabs are Q-tips, etc..  When folks in this community (especially those who lived in the era) think of video games ... the word "arcade" is strongly associated.  And when one thinks of the emulation "scene" - I think it's safe to say, generally, one thinks of MAME first.  Derivative neologisms are to be expected. :)

I have to admit, the MAME and "-cade" prefix/suffix convention seemed like a personal cop-out to me too when thinking about the design of my cab.  Building a cab is not really unique per se - but what makes it feel like it's "yours" is.  Everyone is entitled, allowed, and I think encouraged, to go as far with this as they want. 

"It came in a vision — a man appeared on a flaming pie and said unto them, 'From this day on you are Beatles with an A." 

That said, of course it is really important to remember the massive contribution that the MAME team and other emu programmers have made.  For me, explaining how all this works to my unenlightened friends seems to be enough... and that question always finds a way to be asked.


fjl

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Re: Arcade machine names
« Reply #60 on: May 08, 2007, 12:08:49 am »
I was thinking of naming my arcade, Awsome Arcade:dunno


I kind of like that Arcade Extreme but I would change the wording around to Extreme Arcade.