This Old Room of Doom. (idea thread)

[Cobra Commander]

I'm not sure what forum this belongs in. I've seen threads in modern and classic about games rooms so feel free to move it you need to.

Later this year I'm getting married. Now to most gamers, that kind of thing tends to put a damper on collections and even playing. Luckily, my fiancee is quite a gamer. She can destroy at (almost) any game.

Anyway, since we will have the house to do as we please, I'm in the process of designing a Room of Doom for us. The room will have an area to spread out and play as well as be an area for the majority of my collection. Everything not HD i.e. 360/PS3 will be in there. I have tons of the usual items like stand ups display signs and posters.

What I'd like are some ideas or tips. I also thought it would be a nice place for anyone to give advice on what to do or what not to do in a room for everyone who would like to do their own RoD's. If you have any ideas for lighting, sounds setups, carpeting, wallpaper or anything that speak up!

[aclbandit]

The main thing that I can think of: One can never really have too many shelves, especially with a decent-sized collection. Mine is tiny compared to most on this forum, yet I'm still constantly running out of space on the shelves I have.

[Sabz5150]

The main thing that I can think of: One can never really have too many shelves, especially with a decent-sized collection. Mine is tiny compared to most on this forum, yet I'm still constantly running out of space on the shelves I have.

You and me both. Shelving is a top requirement and one can never have too much.

[GrandAmChandler]

Thread moved to Classic gaming.

-GAC-

[Xander]

An old and comfortable couch.

A very vital part of a room of doom imo.

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

My systems are hooked up all the time. When I look at pictures of other peoples' collections, they have their systems stacked on shelves without controllers in them and usually not hooked up to the TV. They must have to do a lot of work just to play a game.

If you are just starting, I would look for a way around it. If you plan it out, you can create a setup that is ready to play. If it helps, go to the Collectors section and search on Orion Pimpdaddy, you'll see some pics of my setup.

Also, look for shelving and CD towers on Craig's List.

[PapaStu]

Storage, storage, storage.

All the best rooms that i've been in, seen pics of ect have had AMPLE space for your stuff and then some, because you'll probably get moar before you have less.

[swlovinist]

What I'd like are some ideas or tips. I also thought it would be a nice place for anyone to give advice on what to do or what not to do in a room for everyone who would like to do their own RoD's. If you have any ideas for lighting, sounds setups, carpeting, wallpaper or anything that speak up!


The one thing that helped me alot was to view other peoples room of doom setups. I got a good snapshot of what I wanted to do in my own room. Adjustable lighting is always a plus. You can either do it with lamps you buy or install dimmer switches. For me personally, I like to have multiple TV sets, trying to have TVs from the era of games that they play on. I also recommend nice comfortable chairs, couches are a plus. For me, I had to settle on some things, but would really like to get a better sound setup eventually. I have a record player and some speakers, and would eventually like to flesh out my LP collection a little for the game room. I did the whole customizable shelving thing. I also did costco harware shelves for my systems(totally recommend). I use storage bins underneth the shelves to store my controllers. I just used some industrial carpeting to save money(it was like $100). Here are some pics, I wish you luck with your room. Make it your own, there is no wrong way to set it up. :)


link to my game room
http://s268.photobucket.com/albums/jj28/swlovinist/

[Nitrosport]

I agree with everyone above. Storage should be your top priority. You need to plan ahead on how your going to maximize storage capacity and still have a comfortable sitting area to play. You can never have enough shelves.

[XYXZYZ]

<hint>
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j286/bridgeonceburned/100_1690.jpg?t=1231781708

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_U8qQQUpgotM/SW62-z5kjpI/AAAAAAAAADY/YCbGqIHnfHA/s320/WeirdRoom+009.JPG

http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=51807&g2_serialNumber=2

http://www.videogamecollectors.com/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=207397&g2_serialNumber=2
</hint>

[Orion Pimpdaddy]

Other ideas:

Playing games in the dark is fun, but sometimes you need enough light to see the names on the cartridges when you are changing games. Maybe have a small, dim light, or even a strand of christmas lights, for the late night game playing.

You may also want to have two separate TVs in the room, an older CRT for the old systems, and a nice LCD for the modern systems that output in HD. From what I heard, a lot of the older systems don't look good on modern TVs. Also, I don't think light gun games work properly on modern TVs. Just make sure your "older TV" has good hook-ups in the back like s-vdeo, etc.

[thom_m]

While I still don't have a Room of Doom myself (only a TV Rack of Mild Destruction), I can't resist giving my two cents. Unlike most people here, I don't like hanging posters and signs all over the place. IMO, the systems and games on the shelves already count as decoration.

My idea of a cool RoD is a big CRT TV with all the systems hooked up to it, a nice comfy couch, a good sound system/home theater, and some cool shelving. This way, it'll blend easier with the rest of the house, and look less like a restricted area (which is only good if you want it to look that way). You said that your fiancee is quite a gamer but, if she's a little like MY wife, she'll probably like it better this way :)

EDIT: Forgot to mention that, if you have a short and wide TV rack like I do, it's a nice to have a little center table between the TV and the couch, so that the controllers can rest there without the need of rolling the cables, and you can stretch your legs on it when you want to.

[Cobra Commander]

To a certain extent she is a bit like that.
Personally, I've always wanted a feeling that this could be a game store except that I own everything. I like to be able to walk in and browse a little before I plop down and play. And yes, a coffee table is a must for me.

As far as shelving goes, I bought a fairly good amount from a video store that closed down. I'll post some pics of what I do have when I get my camera back.

I definately like the idea of mood lighting. I have a thing for rope lights I know they'd look very nice tucked on the underside of the shelves.

Keep 'em coming! I love this kind of thing!

[aclbandit]

As sort of mentioned, the best idea is to have (at least) two televisions, both as huge as possible.
1) A CRT with an s-video port with all systems that might need light guns hooked in.
2) A wicked HDTV with HDMI port(s) for your PS3, Wii, and 360 (if you have all 3). You want these to look as awesome as possible.

One other thing you will absolutely NEED to invest in: video switches. I've only got one composite switch, and I need another, really, and a component switch. Make sure you buy enough of those to daisy-chain, y-split, or whatever you have to do to make sure you can have all your consoles hooked in at once. I absolutely love my setup because (almost) all of my consoles are hooked in at all times-- grab a game, select the right input, and play.

My Setup:
http://i530.photobucket.com/albums/dd344/aclbandit/0127091639.jpg

EDIT: Yes, that is an entire dining room table. Yes, those are all hooked up at the same time. Yes, turntables are basically a little older than me, but I think the sound quality is far better. There's the answer to any questions I can think of which might arise.

EDIT2: Yes, my camera sucks ass because it is also my (Very Old) cell phone.

[Nebagram]

Not much else needs to be said on the 'needs' side of things, but I do have one recommendation- if you can, get a custom shelving unit built rather than relying on your local hardware store to come up with the goods. This way, you can tailor your room to be as doomed as you want, and you have a great centrepiece to build around. If I ever get the necessary funding to do up my R.O.D, that's the first thing I'd do.

[Trebuken]

Have a good sized CRT, you might consider a High Def CRT if you can find one. SOME of them work very well with old systems.

As far as lighting - consider a backlight for your set. You might even look into this as certaqin types of light can increase visual perception of what you see on the screen...I've got a hokey homemade version for my home theatre -- it's OK.

Large items like Cabinets and Kiosks (Store Displays) usually need to be put in another room.

Standees take up too much space. Posters should be framed or laminated but generally you will eventually need all the wall space for games...

Mini-refrigerators seem to me the in thing...

You can look for automatic video switches...they are nice. Hooking up numerous Rf based systems is annoying.

Generally you can settle for stereo audio though if you can find a cheap receiver with 5.1 support (Home Theatre In a Box) you might be happier...I am.

[thom_m]

I saw something really nice on weirdguy's thread about his Room of Doom (http://www.digitpress.com/forum/showthread.php?t=127379): a closet full of games, joysticks and stuff like that. It can be seen here (http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_U8qQQUpgotM/SW63LnUOt-I/AAAAAAAAADg/vgDDfXrLdPM/s1600-h/WeirdRoom+011.JPG).

If you have the space to do it, a huge closet with some cool lighting/shelves/drawers is an awesome way to accommodate your collection. It's like the gamer guy's equivalent to those closets full of designer clothes and shoes that chicks dig so much. And, as long as you keep it organized, is very wife friendly. LOL

[Spazz]

I love and play Doom a lot I even bought 2 GBA Dooms and a link cable, still haven't bought my second GBA yet. I plan on getting another GBA so I can deathmatch my friends anytime.

[aclbandit]

I love and play Doom a lot I even bought 2 GBA Dooms and a link cable, still haven't bought my second GBA yet. I plan on getting another GBA so I can deathmatch my friends anytime.

The word "lolwut?" comes to mind.

"Room of Doom" is the name given to a room basically dedicated to geekish joy, and almost always involving lots of games and consoles.

[Spazz]

My idea of a room of Doom would be 4 Windows 95 operating PCs networking and running any Doom (conveniently Doom Collector's Edition) 4 player. That's just me, and I don't have the money or desire enough try. I'm satisfied with the Gameboy Advance Doom even though the blood is green instead of red, I like the game enough the eye candy doesn't matter much to me.

[CreamSoda]

My idea of a room of Doom would be 4 Windows 95 operating PCs networking and running any Doom (conveniently Doom Collector's Edition) 4 player. That's just me, and I don't have the money or desire enough try. I'm satisfied with the Gameboy Advance Doom even though the blood is green instead of red, I like the game enough the eye candy doesn't matter much to me.

So I heard a rumor that you enjoy playing Doom.. Would there be any truth to this?

[Spazz]

Take all that back, had no idea what the thread was about until now after I decided to read what this 'room of doom' is about. Just saw the word Doom on the thread title. Yes I love classic games and I consider Doom a revolutionary classic.
:texaschain::fist::snipersmile:

[icbrkr]

Make sure you can put shelves all the way to the ceiling in whatever room you're going to use. I moved to my new house in 2006, and thought 'wow, I'll never use up all this space' but the roof is pitched so effectively, I don't have any more room than the tiny room I had at my old house. I can't even easily put in an arcade machine...

http://www.particles.org/newsite/gameroom/P5300233.JPG