(Topic ID: 87927)

MGC 2014 Arcade Hall wrapup

By Jazman

9 years ago


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  • 15 posts
  • 10 Pinsiders participating
  • Latest reply 9 years ago by tullster
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#1 9 years ago

I know, despite the fact that this is going to be a long post/email, that I'm going to forget something or someone. But if I don't get it out now, it might never get done. I had wanted to get this out on Monday, but that didn't happen...

First, if you are seeing this post online, but brought a game and did not get this via email, please email me at [email protected]. I want to make sure I have everyone on our mailing list so we can keep you in the loop on the status and plans for the 2015 show.

Now the good stuff: Based on all the feedback I've heard, the arcade hall at the 2014 Midwest Gaming Classic was a tremendous success and the best to date. That is a tribute to you guys.

1. With moving the arcade hall to the new room, we doubled the square footage of the free play area. I figured/hoped you guys would help us grow to fill that room in 2-3 years. I never DREAMED you guys would fill that space THIS year!!! That is a complete testament to you guys. Without you guys bringing games, we wouldn't be able to fill a hotel room with games. Not only did you guys fill the space we allocated for the freeplay area, we relocated a couple of vendors out of the vendor side of the arcade (thanks for that DK!) which allowed us a little more breathing room there. You guys are just AMAZING. If it sounds like I'm gushing, I am. Looking around that room when we opened at 10am on Saturday was a sight to behold.

2. We had approximately 240 total games registered during the weekend. When you add in the vendors who we don't register and the arcade in the basement, that puts our total game count well over *300* games. Of that total, *151* were pinball machines! That is just absolutely outstanding.

3. Modern Stern lineup: Based on what I was seeing registered, I made arrangements with 2 people to adjust their plans of what they were bringing in an attempt to get a decent lineup of different modern Stern games. Thank you to the two of you for doing that. I was figuring we would have 11-12 different titles to play and we had a spot for them. Then, what we actually ended up with was OFF-THE-CHARTS and we had to find more space. We ended up with *20* different modern Stern titles - not including the Pro/Premium/LE variations. I was completely blown away by the turnout and I hope you enjoyed playing them. To my own disappointment, I only got to play a handful of them as I was too busy with the show and then talking and socializing at the after-party. As I am typing this, I am still in awe of the turnout. Thanks to everyone who brought these games!
Harley-Davidson
Striker Xtreme
High Roller Casino
Rollercoaster Tycoon
Simpsons Pinball Party
Lord of the Rings
Elvis
World Poker Tour
Pirates of the Carribean
Spiderman
Shrek
CSI
Avatar
Tron (2 examples)
Transformers
AC/DC
X-Men
Metallica (4 total, 3 in the tourney)
Star Trek (2 Pros and 1 Premium)
Mustang

4. Python games: We had planned to put the Python Angelo games in a lineup, but ended up scrapping that idea for logistical reasons. But, I wanted to preserve the list of games that were there that he worked on. Thanks for everyone who brought them:
High Speed (I think there were 3)
Pinbot (3 of them)
Big Guns (sadly not working for most of the show)
Taxi
Jokerz
Bride of Pinbot (2 of them)
Fish Tales

5. Check out the Coast2Coast pinball podcast for some great coverage of MGC (episodes 75-77 specifically). Episode 77 in particular is a replay of the forum Nate moderated with some of the pinball greats - both senior and up-and-coming. If you didn't get a chance to catch it in person, catch the replay at http://www.coast2coastpinball.com/. Nate - it was a pleasure meeting you and I look forward to more great stuff from you!

6. A lot has been said about the show already so I'm not going to repeat most of it. But, I did want to take a moment to thank a few people. Thanks to my fellow arcade hall team leaders Steve and Chris. It is a total team effort and you guys already know that this wouldn't happen without you. The three of us are typically the first ones in the arcade hall on Thursday and the last to leave on Sunday. This year, it was 10pm when we finally got to head home. Brian and Tom - You guys are there every year to help muscle and thanks again for all you do (sorry we missed you Eric but I GUESS you had a good excuse - CONGRATS by the way). Corey - You went above and beyond this year to help out and we can't thank you enough. Corey was there with us right up until 10 this year helping get Kingpin loaded. If you think I missed naming someone, I apologize. Please feel free to throw out kudos to them here in the thread.

7. DAN AND GARY - I wanted to put you in your own line. Every year, you two do so much and spend so much time and money to put on this show. Without you guys, we wouldn't have a show. Our appreciation cannot be expressed. I know this year was especially tough and as you stated, you're going to take some time to digest it. But, we will all support you no matter what happens. What I do know is this - when 2015 comes around, we'll all be here to make it be as big of a success as is possible.

Ok, that is it for now as lunch is over and I need to get back to work. Thanks again to everyone who participated in the show, no matter how big or how small. It wouldn't be the Midwest Gaming Classic without you!

Keith, Chris, Steve, and the rest of the arcade hall crew

*EDIT* I KNEW I forgot something... Here's winners of the best-in-show awards from the after party. Congrats guys!

EMs: Lunar Shot
Solid-state: Sorcerer
DMD: Bram Stoker's Dracula
Custom: America's Most Haunted
Arcade: Joust

Post edited by Jazman: Forgot to add best of show winners...

#2 9 years ago

Here's a few pics of Steve, Chris, and myself putting the first plays on our first NIB games (*edit* I guess Steve has already had at least 1 NIB but it was a new experience for Chris and myself)...

Thanks to Aaron, Dan, and Marco Specialties for making it possible.

Keith

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#3 9 years ago

No problem Jaz.......I am glad everybody had fun playing the ACDC Pre........and the audits prove it!!!

#4 9 years ago

Just throwing Mark's name in there too. Both Corey and Mark really stepped up and helped us setting up the hall.

If I had to move those Sitdown arcade games one more time I was going to scream.

Moving the Propelcycle or whatever it was called was interesting. I am really glad those guys had this boards. It was seriously one of the most interesting games I have ever seen but never tried it.

#5 9 years ago
Quoted from pinheadpuckguy:

No problem Jaz.......I am glad everybody had fun playing the ACDC Pre........and the audits prove it!!!

That's great. I just wish *I* would have. My own damn fault. I still have yet to play a premium.

*EDIT* I KNEW I was forgetting something. A big thanks to Aaron for coordinating the after party.

Also, thanks to pinheadpuckguy for bringing the homebrew for the afterparty. I need to get the recipe for the Belgian pale from you. I hope everyone enjoyed the Nut Brown I brought as well. Considering that we had 15 gallons of homebrew between Eric and myself, PLUS the stuff that Aaron/Brian brought, you guys sure know how to have a good time!

Jaz

#6 9 years ago

That Twisted Enkel went quick........glad you liked it.

#7 9 years ago
Quoted from TomGWI:

Just throwing Mark's name in there too. Both Corey and Mark really stepped up and helped us setting up the hall.
If I had to move those Sitdown arcade games one more time I was going to scream.
Moving the Propelcycle or whatever it was called was interesting. I am really glad those guys had this boards. It was seriously one of the most interesting games I have ever seen but never tried it.

Yes...absolutely Mark was a huge help. If my fuzzy memory is working, him and Ian even showed up Thursday night already. And Corey is an animal. I've said it a few times but it should be said again, those guys really saved our butts this year (along with all of the other extra hands), so THANK YOU!

I am really ticked at myself for not taking the time to try out Prop Cycle. That was one of the most ridiculous and awesome things to ever show up at the show. Loading it in was insane. I wonder how they got it out? I hope someone helped them as I never got to that side of the hotel during tear down. They should have just left it there for next year...it fit well in that spot, LOL!

What a crazy, crazy year. I think we done pretty good this time.

Thanks again everyone!
Chris

#8 9 years ago
Quoted from Jazman:

Thanks to Aaron, Dan, and Marco Specialties for making it possible.

You're welcome.

Quoted from Jazman:

*EDIT* I KNEW I was forgetting something. A big thanks to Aaron for coordinating the after party.

and you're welcome.

I'm always happy to help in what ever way I can and i'm glad it made some folks happy. With luck, we'll all be able to do this again next year, even better.

#9 9 years ago

Oh and a big thanks to Pinball Life for first being there with parts and second for providing food to the after party.

Also thanks to Spooky for showing off AMH and Zombies, SkitB for Predator and KingPin for bringing the WOZ games.

#10 9 years ago

Techno ginger approves of the arcade hall and all of its contents.

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#11 9 years ago

Sounds like you guys had a great show this year. Wish I could have made it, but something more important took precedence. I'll be back in action to help out next year.

#12 9 years ago

Glad I could help, it was a blast! Lets do it again next year

Techno ginger is creepier than normal ginger.

Quoted from Jazman:

That's great. I just wish *I* would have. My own damn fault. I still have yet to play a premium.

Hey Jaz, anytime you want to pop over and give AC/DC a whirl let me know, Im around pretty much every evening.

#13 9 years ago

I'll try to lend a hand next year with the load/unload crew. I would definitely consider a Thursday night hotel room.

#14 9 years ago
Quoted from Deaconblooze:

I would definitely consider a Thursday night hotel room.

Im thinking thursday-sunday night is the way to go, I badly wanted a nap midday sunday

#15 9 years ago

Great job again this year guys, and glad to be a part of it again! Despite the setbacks, it did go really well.

So cool to have the kids involved. Brian put his 2 boys to work too!

Thanks to the usual crew and to Corey who really stepped up. Aaron was a huge part of making everything work too.

I was surprised by the number of first timers bringing games!

Seems like we were all human pinballs bouncing around visiting & playing! It was great to spend a great weekend with great people doing something that we all enjoy!

Hope to do it again in 2015!

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