MICHIGAN Forum Gathering, August 2nd!

[Sega Hitman]

I just got done reading that post about a Canadian gaming expo, and I thought to myself, "Michigan probably has more collectors alone". I remember a year or so ago, somebody started a thread about people in Michigan, and it ended up being a few pages long. There are a whole lot of us here. Well, I was bored out of my mind anyway, so I went to the member list, and counted the number of people in MI, IN, OH, and Ontario. Folks, there are 78 people on this board alone. Also, the vast majority of people didn't list a location, and there are a lot of people with funny comments as their location. I'd estimate that there's probably 100 people in this general area from this board alone. Thats not even counting the Atari Age and Video Game Bible people.

Well I don't really know that many of you. I do know a guy in Grand Rapids with a basement full of classic arcade games. I know a guy a few miles away with a dedicated I Robot. I know that Tempest has, in my estimation, the biggest collection of Atari prototypes known to man LOL . His collection alone is one hell of a "museum" section. I'm pretty sure we've got enough people and games to have some kind of an expo/convention type deal.

Is too many convetions a bad thing? I certainly don't think so. I know for a fact that I won't be able to make it to something like CGE or Phillyclassic any time soon. They're too far away, it would cost too much too get there. Cinciclassic is the nearest thing I can think of, but thats still a 6 hour drive. With this many in Michigan alone, wouldn't it be worth it to have something? Right?

Thoughts?

-Hitman-

[den68]

yes, I think it would be well worth it. I wouldn't know the first thing about organizing a convention, though there are plenty here to ask advice from.

maybe if we organized something simple like a swap meet. if we found a location (I have a possible one I will look into) and a good date we could announce it here and at the other boards you mentioned and see who shows up. that might be a good gauge for interest and could possibly evolve into a convention one day.

it would at least give a bunch of us a chance to meet and trade some games. maybe have some pizza and some sodas. I'd say beer but I believe some of the youngens' are from MI and we wouldn't want to exclude them.

[Six Switch]

Sounds like fun.

I'm not sure where everyone is located but would it be around Detroit?I know a lot of people are located there.And a new shop that sells classic games just opened up by me,I'm sure the guy would love to come.

I hope this works out...

[Sega Hitman]

Out of curiousity, what shop are you talking about? My dad lives down that way. I may have to go "visit him"/go stop by the game store by his house.

-Hitman-

[davidbrit2]

Hey, I'm in the Grand Rapids area. Where's that guy with the basement full of arcade games? I have access to a van and heavy, blunt metal objects.

[norkusa]

I'm in Grand Rapids too. I can't afford to go to CGE this year, so a meet somewhere in Michigan would be real top. I belong to a private Polish club/bar, so I can get a hall rental (200-300 capacity) for dirt cheap if needed.

I think I've been to that guys basment arcade in GR. I it's the same guy I'm thinking of, I bought a Commando and Ikari Warriors off of him a couple years ago.

[Sega Hitman]

His name is Pete Mathis. Here's a link:

http://wolf.mystarband.net/default.html

I bought a battered Arch Rivals from him a few years ago. He still has a couple games for sale, some pretty nice stuff if you're interested. Be sure to check out his "Big Score" page, he manged to buy like 30 games from a warehouse or something. O_O

From what I remember though, he was into console stuff as well. There are probably pictures of his Dreamcast in a cabinet somewhere on there. If we ever did have a convention, he's definitely somebody we want to come.

-Hitman-

[Gamereviewgod]

I'm just below you in Toledo. It would be great to see a close convention.

[Dan Iacovelli]

I don't know the distance from Mi to IL,
but I'm holding a video game and computer trade show( yes it's a convention ,but a trade show sounds more profesional)
in IL next week (july 12th)
if anybody from MI want to come please do more the merrier.
heres the url: http://avc.atari-users.net/Events/FestVGS.html
(Advance payments have ended on june 30th, but you still can pay online)

Dan Iacovelli

[Starcade]

If I could drive yet, that would be a fun thing.

I think a good idea would be for sometime, everyone pays their way, and then chips in, rent a building, and we all can hang out, trade games,ect. I think it would be really fun fun for all (or most) of us to hang out sometime.

[digitalpress]

Don't forget to consult with the Official Collector's List from the link above, too - you may get some more names of local MI folks.

It's great when this stuff happens - please do keep us "non-Michigan" folk in the loop.

[Darth Vader]

Don't forget us Wisconsinites! There are many of us that collect too! Including me and dave2236.




Hey, I'm in the Grand Rapids area. Where's that guy with the basement full of arcade games? I have access to a van and heavy, blunt metal objects.

LOL

Danny

[ubersaurus]

From what I've noticed, there's a number of michigan collectors located in SE Michigan...with a couple towards the central region.

If you give us a place and time, I'm sure myself and a few others could show.

[Gunstarhero]

I'm about 3 miles from the Michigan line in North-Central Indiana. Very close to South Bend/Notre Dame.

[Ed Oscuro]

We very well could have a convention in Michigan...I live in Battle Creek, myself.

[maxlords]

I'd be up for it....I'm about 2-3 hours away in Southern Ontario. Detroit is fairly close by :) I'd buy a booth!

[Ed Oscuro]

Bah, stay away from De Troit (unless you're gonna do it on the outskirts). Detroid (hmm little energy suckers flying around there, interesting typo) is still looking pretty bad from the riots forty years ago.

Maybe we could have some sort of small get-together on some campground or other. I've got an acre on each side of my house (quite a long driveway) but I doubt that's long enough (nevermind the lack of power for however many arcade machines would be coming).

CGE, watch out! Here comes the MICGE ;)

[Zaxxon]

I'm in Rochester. Is that close enough Hitman?

[Sega Hitman]

It's a wonder I find anything in this town. 3 DP'ers is too many! :-D

I definitely think we all need to have some kind of swap meet when there is this many people in southeast Michigan alone. Where and when is up to whoever wants to host it, but as long as it's close, I'll be there.

If there really is enough interest, we should see about renting a hall and going all the way with this. There's a place in Livonia called "Knights of Columbus", or something to that affect, that has comic book shows all the time. It isn't the biggest place, but it may be just right to fit in a few booths and arcade games. It's about as close to Ontario as we can get too. Does anybody else have any suggestions?

-Hitman-

[Ed Oscuro]

We should hire out the Kellogg Arena for the weekend :D

That place is huge.

On a serious note -- Rochester? I've heard the name many a time. Small place, isn't it?

[ubersaurus]

You think thats bad? There's like 6 or 7 downriver where I'm at!

[Zaxxon]

It's a wonder I find anything in this town. 3 DP'ers is too many! :-D

I definitely think we all need to have some kind of swap meet when there is this many people in southeast Michigan alone. Where and when is up to whoever wants to host it, but as long as it's close, I'll be there.

If there really is enough interest, we should see about renting a hall and going all the way with this. There's a place in Livonia called "Knights of Columbus", or something to that affect, that has comic book shows all the time. It isn't the biggest place, but it may be just right to fit in a few booths and arcade games. It's about as close to Ontario as we can get too. Does anybody else have any suggestions?

-Hitman-

I'm not taking your stuff. I haven't actively sought stuff for a few years now and I never bothered looking in Rochester/Rochester Hills much. I'm not in the market for used baby clothes. I had suggested Marvin's Marvelous Mechanical Museum http://marvin3m.com/ in the previous thread as a meeting place. It's an arcade that doesn't suck. It's at 31005 Orchard Lake Road
Farmington Hills, MI 48334, U.S.A.
(248) 626-5020

http://marvin3m.com/games1.jpg
http://marvin3m.com/pins2.jpg
http://marvin3m.com/seats.jpg

[davidbrit2]

Yes, Marvin's is AWESOME. I go there occasionally to play DDR, Guitar Freaks, and Drummania. It's the most incredible fire code violation I've ever seen. I think holding a good sized gathering there would be foolish, given that moving from one end of the building to another requires practically crawling over several arcade machines. Heh. But everyone must go there at least once. As long as you aren't claustrophobic, that is. ;-)

Oh, hey, I'll be in the Detroit area this weekend, so if anyone wants to meet at Marvin's on Sunday to screw around for a few hours, I'm game.

[Tempest]

Marvin's rocks! I remember when that whole area was still Tally Hall. I actually used to live down in West Bloomfield so I went there alot. I'm up for meeting there on Sunday.

Tempest

[davidbrit2]

Cool. Any suggestions for when we should all saunter over there? I'm going to hit Pinball Pete's that day, too, so I want to work both of them in. The web site says Marvin's is open from noon until 9:00 PM.

[XJR15]

Sounds good to me

[ubersaurus]

Sunday I probably won't be goin-my friend is on leave from the army, and I must spend much time with the lad.

[Tempest]

So is anyone going to go to Marvin's or Pete's tomorrow?

Tempest

[hezeuschrist]

Rochester Hills represent, WHAT WHAT!

Sorry.

I'd probably go if nothing else gets in the way, like work. Damn that work to hell.

[Tempest]

Anyone going to show up? I'm not driving all the way out there if no one else is going to be there.

Tempest

[Ed Oscuro]

I won't be there. :/

[davidbrit2]

Anyone going to show up? I'm not driving all the way out there if no one else is going to be there.

Tempest

I was there briefly on Saturday, but didn't bother going today as it didn't really sound like anyone but us two had considered going. Next time we'll give everyone more advanced warning.

[ManekiNeko]

Count me in as one of the Michigan residents who'd like to see a classic gaming convention in this state. Not Illinois, not New Jersey, and certainly not Nevada... right here. If you guys are serious about having a convention in the Michigan area please be sure to let me know about it... I'd love to attend.

JR

[Achika]

Let me know two weeks in advanced if we're going to meet somewhere. Then I'll get the day off.

[davidbrit2]

Wherever we decide to meet, it needs to be in reasonable proximity to an arcade with DDR and Drummania, or I'll go insane.

But yeah, Marvin's would be okay, but definitely not for more than a dozen people. How about Ann Arbor Pinball Pete's? That place is HUGE and there's a nice anime/comic/nerd shop upstairs in the tiny little mall.

[norkusa]

How about Ann Arbor Pinball Pete's? That place is HUGE and there's a nice anime/comic/nerd shop upstairs in the tiny little mall.

There's a Pinball Pete's in Ann Arbor? I thought that the PP in Lansing was the only one around.

[ubersaurus]

Wherever we decide to meet, it needs to be in reasonable proximity to an arcade with DDR and Drummania, or I'll go insane.

But yeah, Marvin's would be okay, but definitely not for more than a dozen people. How about Ann Arbor Pinball Pete's? That place is HUGE and there's a nice anime/comic/nerd shop upstairs in the tiny little mall.

Depends, do you want to get ran in mark of the wolves and mr driller? Cuz we'll go round and round.

Seriously though I'd have to find a ride.

[davidbrit2]

Mmm, good ol' Mr. Driller.

I know of three Pinball Pete's locations. There's the one in Lansing, and then there's the one in Ann Arbor, that's literally 3 times as big. And there's also a mini Pinball Pete's lodged in Royal Scott Bowling alley in Lansing. They have 50¢ Guitar Freaks 2nd Mix, so I can't complain.

And if there's anyone between Grand Rapids and Ann Arbor, there's a slim possibility I could pick you up along the way. Space and patience is limited. ;-)

[Tempest]

Yeah the Pinball Pete's in Ann Arbor is MUCH bigger than the one in EL (I went to MSU so I spent alot of time there). They basically took over the unfinished basement of a strip mall so it's spread out. They used to have a ton of classic games there (Sinistar, Crazy Climber, Major Havoc), but now it's mostly DDR and other big games. They do have Tokyo Wars so I can't complain. They're also one of the only places I know of that has a Gaplus machine.

Tempest

[davidbrit2]

Holy crap, I must have missed the Gaplus. That's entirely possible, too, because it's an insanely huge arcade. And they do have a nice selection of classic games. It's just that the classic game cabinets are relatively small compared to the modern behemoths, so they have a very small percentage of the floor space. You could fit almost 10 of them into the space used for the 4 DDR machines. If only they would have kept the Gun Mania working instead of letting it languish in neglect.

[Zaxxon]

The only other big, spacious arcades I can think of are the Van Dyke Entertainment Center in Warren or Sterling Heights(?). It's huge and last time I was there it had everything, new stuff, classics, pinball and imports(Zero Gunner 2). The other is GameWorks in Auburn Hills at the Great Lakes Crossing mall. It sucks IMO. They're mostly all newer, expensive, timed, simulator/ride/light gun type games that have already been ported to the DC.

[Ed Oscuro]

The only other big, spacious arcades I can think of are the Van Dyke Entertainment Center in Warren or Sterling Heights(?). It's huge and last time I was there it had everything, new stuff, classics, pinball and imports(Zero Gunner 2).

Holy heck. I've never seen an arcade that had imports, but I haven't seen many arcades. Still, pretty nice, that..!

[davidbrit2]

I actually see quite a few imports at the arcades. There are usually a couple odd machines here and there, and just about any DDR, Guitar Freaks, and Drummania you see will be an import.

[Ed Oscuro]

Ah, I saw a DDR machine once, from a distance. Mighta been imported.

[davidbrit2]

Okay, I guess I have to be the proactive one for a change. ;-)

Pinball Pete's in Ann Arbor. How about an upcoming Saturday? July 26 or August 2 would give enough advanced warning. We can just go hang around there and do whatever the hell seems appropriate, unless someone has more creative ideas. Like selling and trading games out of the trunks of our cars. Heh.

[Achika]

I'm in for it

[ubersaurus]

Settle on a date and I'll see what I can do.

[davidbrit2]

Okay, how's August 2 for everyone? That should work fine for me.

[ubersaurus]

I'll check when I get home...I know that my cousin has a wedding in early august, but I don't know the date offhand.

edit-yeah I can go, along with Bizounce, though we'll have to be there after 3 (thats when he gets off work)

[den68]

count me a maybe. August 2nd is my nieces 4th birthday. the party may be sunday the 3rd though. I still may be able to make it if it's in the evening.

[davidbrit2]

Evening is good. I rarely get up before 1:00 PM anyway. :-)

By the way, I'm going there this afternoon, too, to meet a couple of other guys. If anybody wants to watch three skinny white guys make sweaty fools of themselves playing DDR, now's your chance.

[ubersaurus]

I hope Pete's will have SNK vs Capcom by then. That would rock like madness to be able to go there and play a few rounds with my girl Shiki.

[Sega Hitman]

I just want to give this thread one more bump before it dies. If anybody knows of any place locally big enough to have some sort of expo/convention type deal, post some details. Freakin Cincinatti has one folks, come on! :-D

-Hitman-

[Achika]

So, are we still doing August 2nd? What time?

Should we put this on the calander ^^ there for anyone who wants to come?


Novi expo center has a comic con every year, but I'm assuming that's a shitload of money to rent out. It's a prime place though.

[davidbrit2]

Yes, I'm definitely still up for Ann Arbor Pinball Petes on Aug. 2nd. How about we all just meet sometime in the evening (after 4:00 PM?) And maybe putting it on the calendar will get it some notice.

[Six Switch]

Ok so we are doing something?

Damn it is in Ann Arbor. :( I'll try and make it.

[davidbrit2]

Ok so we are doing something?

Damn it is in Ann Arbor. :( I'll try and make it.

Hey, that's about a 2 hour drive for me, so don't complain. ;-) I'd just as soon do it in my back yard. Heh.

[XJR15]

August 2nd eh?

[ubersaurus]

Ok, just to get a count here-who is all goin to A2 next week on the 2nd?
I am, Bizounce is, achika is, davidbrit is, possibly boogieman and foodle spanes, and my friend rudy is gonna meet us up there. As far as I'm aware thats everyone thats let me know. If you aren't on the list, post up ;p

[Six Switch]

I'll try,it's only about an hour away but I'll have to see if my parents would let me go...

[davidbrit2]

Yeah, you bet I'll be at Pinball Pete's. I can't pass up the chance to play a Drummania newer than 1st Mix. Too bad they got rid of the Gunmania. It never worked anyway, though. I wish I could have played a video game that used a real pellet gun, and a cabinet 6 or 7 feet deep. That thing looked so awesome.

[Six Switch]

I havenever been to this place,what is it like?Just lots of games new and old?And you don't have to be 21 or anything right?

[davidbrit2]

Okay, let me set the scene...
You walk into a little mini mall that's embedded in a strip of buildings. You go down to the lower floor of the mini mall, and you are assaulted by an absolute orgy of arcade games, old and new. The place is HUGE. It's at least the size of the average Walgreen's or Rite Aid drug store. There's no age limits or anything funny. It's just your average arcade, but really damned big.

By the way, there's a shop on the main floor of the mall that sells anime, manga, rpgs, and all sorts of geeky stuff like that. Bring cash if you're into that sort of thing.

[Six Switch]

Wow sounds pretty sweet.

And that anime manga store sweetens the deal.I'll try my best to make it,even though i will be like ten years younger than everyone ,might even bring a friend or two.Now I hope my parents trut me...

[den68]

is this the Pinball Pete's on S. University Ave? it looks like it's right on U of M's campus.

[davidbrit2]

Yup. That's the one. It sure doesn't look like much from the outside, but that changes quickly.

[den68]

cool! I'm gonna try and make it. may not be till around 7:00 though. if i do show up i'll wear my DP shirt so as to be easily spotted.

[hezeuschrist]

I might try and make it just as an excuse to have some Panchero's... Oh man. Panchero's is the greatest mexican food, ever. In the history of time. Better than Mexico's Mexican food. Mmmmm.... Panchero's.

If I don't show, you should all stop in there. Get a chicken burrito. Mmmm... O_O

[davidbrit2]

cool! I'm gonna try and make it. may not be till around 7:00 though. if i do show up i'll wear my DP shirt so as to be easily spotted.

I might do the same. We're going to look like a cult at this rate. He he. Maybe I'll just wear my flaming red t-shirt since it isn't very well lit in there.

[ubersaurus]

Umm...I'll wear whatever's clean in my dresser. Probably either my sweet atari shirt, my sweet zim shirt, or my sweet Hulk Hogan shirt.

[hezeuschrist]

If I go, I'll wear some dorky videogame t-shirt I have.

[Achika]

I'll probably be in some form of Paul Frank clothing. Look for the Julius symbol:

http://www.youngbradford.com/loves/julius.gif

[Tempest]

I'll be there if I can remember...

Tempest

[sisko]

You think thats bad? There's like 6 or 7 downriver where I'm at!

Make that 7 or 8 :-D

I'm one of those people who didn't list their location.

I wouldn't mind going to a con either. Heck, if it were coupled with an anime/manga con, I'd be there in a flash.

[Six Switch]

Does anyone have the address for this place?

Looks like I will be bringing two of my friends too,more fun I guess.

And are we all just going to meet like in the afternoon or what?