Funspot

[zotmeister]

I apologize for not getting this post out sooner. Let's try this again, shall we?

Up in Weirs Beach, New Hampshire (near Laconia) is a place called simply Funspot. It's an entertainment complex of sorts - bowling alley, indoor golf center, bingo parlor, that sort of thing. However, its real draw is the American Classic Arcade Museum, an

Comments

[dioderm]

If you didn't schedule it right in the MIDDLE of my trip to California I would totally go.

On similar thought, want to go to Tokyo Game Action with us this Saturday?

[zotmeister]

I can assure you that I had no input whatsoever in the scheduling! It's roughly the same time every year, the weekend after Memorial Day.

I'm being pulled in a lot of different directions this weekend - I've already been clued in to Anime Boston, for example - but given that my birthday is this weekend I'll likely be declining all of these invites. However, this is the first time I've heard of TGA, and some quick web research shows that it's a place I would definitely like to visit at some point. - ZM

[dioderm]

I know I've told you about TGA, and I think I asked you if you wanted to go last time I organized a trip.

However, don't feel too left out, because the current plan is repeat the process of "fix car->go to TGA". This time I managed to replace a headlight, the next project is to fix the power steering. So when I fix the power steering (I think I have to replace tubes and the pump) I will organize another trip. And be sure to let you know ahead of time.

And yeah, I've lost half the people who would go with me to Anime Boston. But considering the gazillion things out there I if I reschedule I won't be able to go to TGA until June. You can also use that as an estimate of the next time I'll be going.

[jdyer]

I noticed when I went to the Classic Gaming Expo the crowd tended to be alcohol-free. Minds at top concentration and all that.

Anyway, best of luck on Quartet! No other games you plan to try?

[zotmeister]

Nothing as seriously. I'll certainly play quite a few games while there, but as far as concentrating on a record is concerned, Quartet is about it unless there's something new there I find myself really liking. - ZM

[agent_grimm]

Count me in. I won't be arriving until late late late late late Friday night.
I'd appreciate either a notice as to what room to be looking for and where, or some way to contact you when I get there. If there's any way you could borrow a cell phone, that would be good.

[zotmeister]

I'll wait until the end of this week to see who else comes out of the woodwork, and then I'll make the calls to get the room - looks like I'll have three people for two nights, so I'm willing to make the plunge.

Contacting me is a bit of an issue, isn't it? Perhaps Barry may have a solution for that one. - ZM

[barryr]

Count me in. I have yet to finalize a schedule for June, etc. but I expect that I'll either end up coming up there with you or Cliff. Unless I actually decide to make the run on my own, which would be quite the new thing for me.

Re: Cliff's comment about a cell phone... Adam, do you think maybe it'd be worth getting a Tracfone or something, so you don't need to worry about contracts and stuff? It's all of $15 for the most basic phone, $15 or 20 for a minutes card, and it deactivates if you don't put more minutes on it after three months or something. Just a possible option.

Actually, another option is that I have a pair of Motorola talkabout radios and can always bring them along. So, we have options.

[zotmeister]

The irony is that I used to sell Tracfones. I hate irony. Walkie-talkies are an excellent idea, though. They'll likely be useful in several different ways. - ZM

[unknownforce]

June? Well, I would be unable to go until Friday night, but it might be possible to stay Saturday and most of Sunday. Thing is, I have zero experience when it comes to the real old school games. Would they have slightly more recent late 1980's through early 1990's games?

[zotmeister]

Saturday and most of Sunday sounds perfect to me - I myself leave for home about 6 PM or so on Sunday. (The tournament ends at about 5 PM Sunday, with about an hour or so of final ceremonies.)

They do have a number of post-1987 games at Funspot. However, I would think that, for you in particular, remedying the zero experience issue would be the main draw. If you're interested in the tournaments themselves and are concerned about lack of experience, join the club - everybody is in that boat to some degree, as not only are the tourney games not known in advance, but they tend to be games not even out on the arcade floor until the tourney starts. Even someone who goes to Funspot every day and practices every machine they have available will likely get a surprise! - ZM