You can build it with a raspberry pi for next to nothing . Amazon even posted a guide.

Yup, the software that the echo uses is open source. You just need to find a Raspberry Pi 3, I believe (older revisions will not do).

OP, The compatible outlets cost around $20 or so, but you can always connect a power strip to one to multiplex what you have to keep the costs down. I can't think of a better way to turn on and off your games! Good luck with the gameroom build, btw. Looks like it'll be a rewarding project for you.

Edit: The software will run with a raspberry pi 2, however since it lacks an internal wifi adaptor, you'll be forced to use an ethernet cable to provide it with internet. The raspberry pi 3 has a built in adaptor.

Even better, you can connect a couple of high quality loudspeakers to it (you'll probably need a pre-amp), and use it as a voice activated music hub to play things from your music library directly from it.

Update 2: Did some research, and the raspberry pi method required you to turn on the microphone each time you make a command, then turn it off again (using the mouse on an on-screen interface). A deal breaker for me. Amazon though, sell the Echo Dot, that is only $90, does everything the Echo does, but doesn't have a built in speaker. It's designed to be used with bluetooth speakers or some other existing set up. That might be your best option honestly. Considering that the Pi sells for $35, plus you'll need all the odds and ends to get it working, the Dot might be your best bet.

I did not know about the Dot. to not have to piss with the piss poor pi* it may be worth it.

*Disclaimer: I am allowed to say that being that I used to develop for Linux (Kernel level stuff) and have yet to find a use for the 4 rpi that I had. They are underpowered and generally just crap for any task I have thrown at them. Was going to try making an echo but would rather just buy the Dot.

I'm finishing my basement right now and am going to go with Zwave outlets for all the machines. There will be an iPad mounted in the wall running the app for my controller. Then it's just a matter of setting scenes for whatever I want to turn on. There will also be a list of all the machines so I can turn them on and off individually.

Everything but the theater is ready for drywall. I've been too busy to have them put me on the schedule.

You won't be sorry hiring a professional to do that.Believe me.

I don't know what it costs now but I paid $2500 to have my whole basement,2000 square feet taped and textured including the ceiling about 5 years ago.That was with materials.It took two guys a week to do it.

Here is what I was quoted if it helps for your comparison. The theater is separate since it gets a double layer of 5/8" for soundproofing reasons.

Phase_1_(resized).JPG

Theater_(resized).JPG

The workers were really happy since I had done such a good job on the framing and hanging of the sheet rock.It made it way easier on them to do a nice job.They even asked me if I wanted a job but I could never do it fast enough to make it profitable.

Drywall is a major pain. Especially if you are planning to paint the walls. Someone please correct me on this if I'm wrong, but I believe you can now buy solid color wallpaper to cover drywall instead of painting it. I believe that wallpaper is significantly more forgiving with bumps and seams if you're spackling game is on the weak side--or if you're just too lazy to spackle everything perfectly.

Wallpaper is crazy expensive these days...and like cabinet decals, it is unforgiving when it comes to bumps or depressions in the surface of the drywall.

You're right about it being more expensive, but we used some lightly textured wallpaper on the ceiling of our freshly remodeled kitchen to avoid the pain of ladders and dust created by sanding away all the seams. I believe we still had to paint over it, but it cut our time down significantly. The paper was pretty thick, and did a really fine job covering up our lackluster spackle job. Now, whether that was the product's intention remains to be seen--it may have just been another one of my dad's hair brained ideas to get things done faster.

The question though, would it be a feasible option to cover entire walls to avoid the enormous amount of labor it'd be to spackle everything?

You're probably right though, ForceFlow. I'm just a lazy DIYer trying to pass on some advice, haha. Take everything I say with the smallest grain of salt!

Looking forward to seeing the EM room. Probably finish that first because you may decide it should all be EMs.

Looking Good.

Strange science. So do I win the prize!?

Don't let that beauty get dusty!!

This is looking great. Going to be really kick ass when done. Looking forward to seeing it.

Yeah,something great.

Cool! Let me know when. Hell if you need any help, let me know. I'm just over the border and can be in Toledo in less then an hour.

Now you have to put on the cornerbead.

Nice! That's a whole lot of pinball space.

If he's a full time mudder I'll guess 7 hours and even then I think I'm overestimating.

I was going to say a day.

Goes without saying but wear gloves when doing the corner bead, extremely sharp. I always fold it in a little bit to make it fit nicer on the corner.