This week i reached out to Astro City Amusements, a freeplay arcade in Southend-on-sea and tonight i had a very lengthy discussion with Paul the owner who is very keen to invest in up to 7 pinball machines dependent on community support. Previously they had 5 pinball machines there but we’re unable to keep up with maintenence on them as they only had a general technician not a pinball specialist, and sadly got rid of them. Currently they only have a very sad SF2 machine (which i will be servicing this coming week hopefully) and bringing back up to standard. However, the owner is keen to form a ‘hub’ for the local pinball community.
I discussed many things with him and we came up with 2 possible options:
1) Him taking a big risk and investing in 6 other machines outright which he was concerned about doing as if players dont turn up then hes at a loss.
2) local owners using the arcade as free storage and placing their own games there which i was concerned about as he would be profiting from my own/others games.
I discussed the options of regular tournaments with him and thats also something he is willing to go ahead with. I would be keen to hear some of your thoughts/opinions and even more so if you would be willing to travel to the arcade to give it a go. What machines would you like to see? (theres not a big enough budget for a line up of new Sterns btw)
Personally, bringing the local community together is a huge priority, if i had the funds to open something like Tilt or Cheif Coffee i would love to but thats not really an option for me so this is the next best thing. But the owner just needs a bit more persuading!
I discussed many things with him and we came up with 2 possible options:
1) Him taking a big risk and investing in 6 other machines outright which he was concerned about doing as if players dont turn up then hes at a loss.
2) local owners using the arcade as free storage and placing their own games there which i was concerned about as he would be profiting from my own/others games.
I discussed the options of regular tournaments with him and thats also something he is willing to go ahead with. I would be keen to hear some of your thoughts/opinions and even more so if you would be willing to travel to the arcade to give it a go. What machines would you like to see? (theres not a big enough budget for a line up of new Sterns btw)
Personally, bringing the local community together is a huge priority, if i had the funds to open something like Tilt or Cheif Coffee i would love to but thats not really an option for me so this is the next best thing. But the owner just needs a bit more persuading!
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