A Call To Action Comrades

Myrddin · 29-02-2012 10:56AM

Dale Parish wrote: »

There is no choice, there has to be an entrance fee otherwise it won't pay for itself The secret to keeping out "those" people is not the entrance fee, but where the venue is. I'm involved with antique fairs and we're yet to get any skangers. We have a big car park but it's far away enough from town so they generally don't come out.

In fairness antique fairs have a niche following, an event with games & arcade machines is going to garner far more youthful interest so the two can't be directly comparable.

I'd say location & fee will both determine the crowd in this case. People arn't going to go too far outta their way for this, so it shouldn't be too far off the beaten path.

RedXIV · 29-02-2012 10:57AM

I'm definitely up for this, Like o1s1n, I've often hoped I would get to open something similar to an old skool arcade. I can lend a few consoles and a TV.

I also happen to have a good bit of experience as door security

Myrddin · 29-02-2012 10:59AM

Next thing is public insurance, I take it that's mandatory. Is that a big outlay?

Dale Parish · 29-02-2012 11:06AM

EnterNow wrote: »

In fairness antique fairs have a niche following, an event with games & arcade machines is going to garner far more youthful interest so the two can't be directly comparable.

I'd say location & fee will both determine the crowd in this case. People arn't going to go too far outta their way for this, so it shouldn't be too far off the beaten path.

That's a valid point, but we also do classic cars. Not to mention these people look for trouble and don't really care about antiques or retro games

Steve X2 · 29-02-2012 11:07AM

EnterNow wrote: »

Next thing is public insurance, I take it that's mandatory. Is that a big outlay?

I don't think its crazy expensive. But its something we would need to cover ourselves.

Edit:
My own company that I've setup for contracting has insurance to cover the standard 2.3 million and its only a few hundred a year.
I'll check it out and see what the story is on costs.

.

o1s1n · 29-02-2012 11:09AM

It depends on the venue. I'd imagine if it's an exhibition space they'd already be covered and it would be factored into the price?

We could always just try to hold a private, invite event first somewhere and see how it goes. Doesn't have to be a big expo or anything. Think a step up from a beers in some sort of space set up to accomodate playing games for a couple of days. (Might even be able to bring some cabs?)

You could bring friends, but then at least they'd be vouched for people.

I remember Luas Dub suggesting the idea at our very first beers actually.

RedXIV · 29-02-2012 11:11AM

Steve SI wrote: »

I don't think its crazy expensive. But its something we would need to cover ourselves.

.

This one could be dodgy. They usually take this on a case by case basis and if you have an uninformed insurance company, they'll see "retro" electronics as "out of warrenty" and therefore, more likely to go up in flames if you plug them in. I'd suggest shopping around alot for this because I can see it varying wildly

Myrddin · 29-02-2012 11:14AM

o1s1n wrote: »

I remember Luas Dub suggesting the idea at our very first beers actually.

Yeah he knows a lad called Dr. Bob who can get on board. Which reminds me, in my haste I never volunteered

I'd be happy to lend some time & hardware to the cause.

There should definitely be a structured approach to it though, rather than the mindless cattle herding of that Game Expo thing. If the area was big enough, could you have pre-recorded talks on the different niches? You know like in museums where they play a T-Rex info segment...well we could have Retr0 & Dinorex talk podcast style maybe?

Myrddin · 29-02-2012 11:14AM

RedXIV wrote: »

This one could be dodgy. They usually take this on a case by case basis and if you have an uninformed insurance company, they'll see "retro" electronics as "out of warrenty" and therefore, more likely to go up in flames if you plug them in. I'd suggest shopping around alot for this because I can see it varying wildly

Agreed, it's the only real event-killer in terms of cost.

RedXIV · 29-02-2012 11:27AM

Just saw on http://www.gamedevelopers.ie that the science gallery in Dublin is planning on doing an exhibition on "Game" in August.

Perhaps a collaboration with them might work? they'd have most of the logistics already covered such as rent, power and insurance.

Optimus Prime · 29-02-2012 11:34AM

that gamerexpo that was going on in city west hotel last year, was cancelled at the last minute by the dublin fire marshal because it was going to be a fire hazzard with so many passing through it and electronics all over the place. those lads lost a fortune on that thing id say. I was up with them a few times and was organising a charity quiz for the night, game related, what they had planned was a proper expo.

o1s1n · 29-02-2012 11:42AM

keithgeo wrote: »

that gamerexpo that was going on in city west hotel last year, was cancelled at the last minute by the dublin fire marshal because it was going to be a fire hazzard with so many passing through it and electronics all over the place. .

Jaysus, I'd love to hear what they'd say about all our Vecceys switched on together and humming away in the corner

Jack burton · 29-02-2012 12:08PM

Well I'll put myself down for a helping hand aswell. I dont have anything extremly rare though. Apart from a few hard to get MD games

But if there's Logos or anything need doing ye can let me know and I'll whip up something

Andrew76 · 29-02-2012 12:42PM

Great idea folks and excellent to see the level of support for it so far. Lets hope EnterNow's Beers Law doesn't kick in though. :pac:

I'll throw my name into the hat to lend a hand, even if it's just turning up and paying the entrance fee. Not sure I'd fancy loaning out hardware though if joe public is involved - I recall plenty of stories about broken controllers etc at that Game On thing - not that I have anything worthy of loaning in the first place!

Dr Bob · 29-02-2012 12:47PM

Yup , me and my alter ego sir luas of dublin are volunteering to help lug stuff around , cable things or setup some sort of warlords + ginormous projector endevour!
Might be a bit far from the city centre , but back when I was thinking of organising a con I was toying with the idea of having it in maynooth? Its a short trainride from connolly , you're a little out of the way but not too far .You've got the college which may possibly rent out facilities/halls/whatever , theres also a moderately sized hotel that do funtions/cons etc so theres that.
Also I live there .Which is nice.;)

Dr Bob · 29-02-2012 12:50PM

By the way , 'Irish Retro-Gaming and Arcade Society'?
Sounds better than converntion organised by "the bunch of sound lads off boards who like old games like".

Myrddin · 29-02-2012 12:54PM

Way too dorky. I'm thinking ARcon

Sparks43 · 29-02-2012 02:17PM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WgUktfdDy4

docentore · 29-02-2012 02:52PM

If you need someone's handy with screwdriver and solder iron for whatever reason I will be glad to help and participate in the project.

DinoRex · 29-02-2012 03:13PM

Are you guys familiar with the National Computer & Communications Museum? It only opened there last year in Galway.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-National-Computer-Communications-Museum/113286082070723

We covered it in 2 episodes of my science podcast:

http://scibernia.ie/2011/10/21/scibernia-podcast-episode-18-teeth-brushing-in-space-nanoscience-and-the-first-home-computers/

http://scibernia.ie/2011/11/18/scibernia-podcast-episode-21-stem-cells-1980s-portable-computers-and-origin-stories/

As for the expo idea I know from experience of running the dublin paranormal convention that these thing are very expensive and time consuming to pull off. Ideally you want to start small. Maybe booking somewhere like the Central Hotel for a day. They tend to be home to all sorts of niche interests like this.

Dale Parish · 29-02-2012 03:18PM

Let's be honest. We wouldn't be gamers if we didn't love a challenge? :P

Dr Bob · 29-02-2012 04:36PM

EnterNow wrote: »

Way too dorky. I'm thinking ARcon

I think I had that as a (Red Dwarf)t-shirt years ago

Think we could work an I into the other one?
Arcades Ireland & Retrogaming Convention

AIRcon?

I still reckon we're still probably better attaching to another event/CON/Lan whatever first and seeing how it goes btw

Myrddin · 29-02-2012 04:46PM

Dr Bob wrote: »

I think I had that as a (Red Dwarf)t-shirt years ago
Think we could work an I into the other one?
Arcades Ireland & Retrogaming Convention

AIRcon?

Sounding good sir Bob.

Steve X2 · 29-02-2012 06:06PM

We are moving a little away from the museum idea with this arcade orientated convention(the convention is obviously a good idea to start with). What we really need is a convention that is both games, retro hardware and arcade machines but also with a strong angle on the whole "Computer Museum" idea as well. Something that could be built on after the convention if that's something we decide is worthwhile and are still talking to each other after it all

There really is no way to do this without it costing someone(me, you, a sponsor) something before any ticket fees are received or funds from other revenue generating ideas we can come up with are collected.

On the whole funding side of things we should probably think about sponsorship and if that's something we want/need or can even get. What local companies and services would benefit from exposure at such a convention and who would we be comfortable dealing with? I'm talking to one large Irish company I have some contacts in to see (unofficially) if they might be able to swing something for us if we decide that's the way to go and people are happy to use them. I'm not that hopeful getting them to sponsor us as they are very large and I'm not sure they'd want to be connect to it. Perhaps smaller sponsorship might be the way to go.

If we share the space with another event or convention are we free to go with our own ideas and what's the situation with revenue received at the door?

As for the insurance, we need to get a better idea as to what we will actually be doing before we can get a proper quote from someone. Health and safety will need to be a big part as well if we don't want to be shut down before we open like that crowd in city west were. I have some experience following and enforcing(within a team) local health and safety guidelines and laws on large scale projects as I'm sure some others will have as well as it's a must in most large IT projects.

I'm really glad to see so many people interested here and I reckon with a bit of effort and time we could definitely pull this off.

.

kevin2me · 29-02-2012 06:09PM

Nice Idea Steve

Id be happy to help out to anyway I can,
I do like idea of starting out small to begin with,
it be like Boards Beers Nite but for everyone, and it be good training for a bigger event.

Also good idea possibly attaching to another Convention if possible,
or similarly to Tour in a College would be something to think about,
If even only booking a Weekend exhibit and it be open to public.

Having it in a College would Many Benefits:
1 Could Advertise for weeks before hand in college halls
2 Insurance might be covered or cheaper there
3 Would deter rifraf as its being held in nice location
4 College will have Parking and Bus Routes
5 Everyone will find a College easy to find, whether its Centrally located or not
6 If works out could TOUR few colleges around the Country?

Also long shot be have likes of the Rage and if possible likes Gamestop\Game
provide some sponsorship? And definitely setup Arcade Cabs to Non Free Play.
The more Cabs at it the better. They have the wow factor.

Kev

Steve X2 · 29-02-2012 06:23PM

And of course a raffle with retro(and maybe non retro)prizes might bring some interest and funds on the day/days.

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DinoRex · 29-02-2012 06:36PM

You could always try something on fundit.ie or kickstarter.

Atavan-Halen · 29-02-2012 07:07PM

I'd be willing to help out and maybe lend a few consoles. All work depending though!

Steve X2 · 29-02-2012 07:08PM

DinoRex wrote: »

You could always try something on fundit.ie or kickstarter.

Interesting, might be a way to go all right.

.

OwaynOTT · 29-02-2012 10:54PM

I also would like to help out however I can.

A Call To Action Comrades

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