NY/NJ/PA/CT Gamers... the Return of NAVA!

[digitalpress]

The Return of NAVA:
The North American Videogame Aficionados (NAVA) reunite! If you're in the
NY/NJ/PA/CT area be sure to set December 6th aside on your calendar now so
you can attend the east coast's oldest organized classic gaming event.
NAVA was founded in 1995 by Mike Etler and held at Videogame Connections
in Howell NJ until earlier this year when Mike sold the store. The show
returns in style and just in time for the holidays. There is always great
trading and gaming at this event. For directions, details, and contact
info, check in HERE (http://www.digitpress.com/nava.htm).

[Sotenga]

WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!

What a great day to be a native Pennsylvanian and to still be living in the state! :D :D :D :D :D

[Drexel923]

Cool, I'll be there.

[Keir]

If anyone North/East of CT wants to go let me know. It's about a 4-5 hour drive from here and I'm not doing it alone. I might not be able to go anyway since I'm off to England around that time. We'll see. :)

[kainemaxwell]

That rocks!

[punkoffgirl]

Well, at least I have enough notice to take the weekend off this time :)
We'll probably be there!

[jonjandran]

I HATE ALL OF YOU GUYS !!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding, but really can't there be ANYTHING in Florida ????

[Videogamerdaryll]

The funny happened today was that I was writing an email to Mike Etler,for a game inquiry/purchase..(I haven't talked to him in awhile)
As I sent it ...I got an Email about the meeting.. :D

That struck me off guard..

[digitalpress]

I HATE ALL OF YOU GUYS !!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding, but really can't there be ANYTHING in Florida ????

Jon,
sometines you gotta do it yourself. I think you'd be the perfect guy to spearhead a gathering in Florida. Look, all we really did to get this going was contact a local hall that had the right amount of floorspace and facilities for a group of NAVA size (about 30). The rest is promotion and the initiative of attendees (to bring good trade items, games, and systems to play).

My buddy Mike Mize has been talking about organizing something in Florida as well. If you'd like I'll hook you up with him - e-mail me if you're interested. I have no idea if you two are anywhere near each other though.

[jonjandran]

Well, I could give it a try. If there is enough interest.
Go ahead and hook me up with Mike. I'd like to give it a shot. 8-)

[calthaer]

Do we get cool DP nametags like at some of the other events?

[TripppsK]

I am in. I just emailed Mike a few weeks ago about it too, its nice to have it the meetings back. Hopefully I'll also be able to make the next NJ Classic that I keep being unable to attend.

[AlanD]

Hmmm left out the VA collectors. Nice to see we are going to start having these again. That was one of the things I missed when I was away overseas. Young whippersnappers today don't know the way us old folk had it - driving 8 hours uphill both ways, meeting in a crowded store front, staying up way past our normal bedtime....but we survived and we liked it. :) I'll be sure to start setting up for that meeting around work schedule. Looking forward to it,
Alan

[Dan Iacovelli]

I HATE ALL OF YOU GUYS !!!!!!!!!!

Just kidding, but really can't there be ANYTHING in Florida ????

Actually, I heard about a newly formed atari club in Florida about planning a thier own show there.

here is their website: http://miaug.atari-users.net

Dan Iacovelli

[jonjandran]

Miami is 11 hours from me. :angry:
And I don't collect Atari. @_@

Oh well, like I said I might get one up myself, who knows ?

[portnoyd]

Fucking sweet. So what's the deal with this rec center? Does it have arcade machines? :D

dave

[digitalpress]

Fucking sweet. So what's the deal with this rec center? Does it have arcade machines? :D

Yeah. You're bringing yours, right?

[punkoffgirl]

More importantly, does it have beer in the vending machines?
Anyone know the area? I need to find a hotel.

[christianscott27]

i thnk i've done this exact post before, but if you want to start a florida group...the states just too damn long for one group, two or even three groups could fit, miami south FL, tampa gulf coast and central/north jacksonville. dont be worried about a small group or not enough space, just do it. we started out with 5 people at the first meet and had 30 this weekend. if we had everyone whose ever showed up come at once we'd break 50. it took awhile to flush out the collectors but each convert tends to bring at least one other gamer with them, every hardcore gamer has a pal or two that shares their hobby. that and very few people like to show up at a get together alone. the word of mouth you'll get from just a few members will be a huge source of growth but it takes time.

heres a few other ideas that have worked for me, obnoxiously large signatures, never passing on a chance to mention the group, having a web site about the group and most importantly contacting people. everytime we have a meet coming up i scan the memberlists of this site and atariage for new englanders, if the person has made a post in the last 6 months they're getting an invite. lots of never respond but maybe 25% do and of that half show up, so thats another 6 or so guests. conventions are fun but they're a hell of a lot of work, house meetings are easy to manage, give it a try!

[ClubNinja]

obnoxiously large signatures

You mean like the outdated one you're sporting right now? ;)

He's right though. Big promoting and word of mouth will go a long way for you.

[OldGuru]

More importantly, does it have beer in the vending machines?
Anyone know the area? I need to find a hotel.

I'm not even sure that there are any vending machines there... :)

As far as hotels go:
Sheraton (appx. 5 min. drive)(http://reservations.hotelseer.com/hotel/10007141-10212945O.html).

Sunrise suites (appx. 10 min. drive) (http://www.wyndham.com/hotels/EWRTF/main.wnt).

Hope it helps,
OG.

[RCM]

Mike Etler is the man! Long live VideogameConnections! I am def going to be there. I have been wanting to go to the NAVA meetings since the 90's!

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM

[digitalpress]

Ronen also sent me these local hotels you might want to check out:

Red Roof Inn
http://www.redroof.com/reservations/inn_details.asp?innNumber=211

McIntosh Inn of West Long Branch
294 State Highway 36 North East
West Long Branch, NJ 07764
732-542-7900

In the meantime I'll update the NAVA page to reflect this.

[portnoyd]

So really, what's the deal on the rec center? Is it equiped with TVs and systems? Should we plan to bring something? If I can bring my Xenophobe cab, can it make it inside (and maybe get the Scott Stiphenman to help bring it in ;))?

Don't mind me, I'm just happy NAVA is back. :D

[digitalpress]

So really, what's the deal on the rec center? Is it equiped with TVs and systems? Should we plan to bring something? If I can bring my Xenophobe cab, can it make it inside (and maybe get the Scott Stiphenman to help bring it in ;))?

Don't mind me, I'm just happy NAVA is back. :D

There really isn't ANYTHING in there. We'll have to supply all the goodies. I dont see this as a problem at all. If 50 people each bring something: a TV, a game system, a chair... we're good to go.

If you're on the NAVA list you'll get a coordination e-mail about this very thing. That will go out a little closer to the date.

[GrandAmChandler]

I'm in, depending on how my finals for school are looking, if I have a lot of studying to do, there is no way in heck I can go, and I would have a lot of goodies too...... Lets hope studying goes well.. :o

Edit: Don't forget us DE gamers in the Topic heading! There are at least 3 of us on this board!! :P

[chadtower]

Just curious... for the people who bring cabs to these events, are they set to freeplay? If so, what about cabs that don't feature freeplay (mine doesn't)?

[christianscott27]

dipswitches man!

[chadtower]

dipswitches man!

Not every pcb has a freeplay dipswitch. My POW doesn't. I can change the amount of credit per coin within certain parameters but there is no freeplay option.

[digitalpress]

Well the coin doors are always open on these anyway, and even machines that don't have free play usually have a switch that you can reach under the door and flick 50 times or so to put a bunch of credits up onscreen.

[chadtower]

Well the coin doors are always open on these anyway, and even machines that don't have free play usually have a switch that you can reach under the door and flick 50 times or so to put a bunch of credits up onscreen.

Yeah, but that is leaving a nontrivial mechanism open to the prying hands of an unknown number of people. The chances of it getting broken are really high. Those switches are usually tiny little levers that are tweaked as a quarter rolls past it. They don't stand up to much manual use.

Were I bringing such a large and expensive unit to a gathering I'd be open to a lot of things with it but that isn't one of them...

[TheSmirk]

Yeah, but that is leaving a nontrivial mechanism open to the prying hands of an unknown number of people. The chances of it getting broken are really high. Those switches are usually tiny little levers that are tweaked as a quarter rolls past it. They don't stand up to much manual use.


First , I'm thrilled there's a NAVA return! Second, I've been to about 4 NAVA's (5? hard to remember,heh) and I've never seen any problems with any of the coin-ops getting damaged, and believe me, this crowd knows how to properly *tickle* the credit switch.....I hear where you're coming from but the NAVA crew are respectful of others stuff

[TheSmirk]

Edit: Don't forget us DE gamers in the Topic heading! There are at least 3 of us on this board!! :P

LOL yeah!

[digitalpress]

Yeah, but that is leaving a nontrivial mechanism open to the prying hands of an unknown number of people. The chances of it getting broken are really high. Those switches are usually tiny little levers that are tweaked as a quarter rolls past it. They don't stand up to much manual use.

Were I bringing such a large and expensive unit to a gathering I'd be open to a lot of things with it but that isn't one of them...

You may find this surprising but you're in the minority on that. Even at CGE where over 40 coin-ops are donated (many, as you've seen are extremely rare and/or fragile, like the laser disc units) . A combination of trust and the knowledge that everything can be fixed motivates people to show off their cabs.

[chadtower]

You may find this surprising but you're in the minority on that. Even at CGE where over 40 coin-ops are donated (many, as you've seen are extremely rare and/or fragile, like the laser disc units) . A combination of trust and the knowledge that everything can be fixed motivates people to show off their cabs.

Eh, I'm surprised but I'm not, you know? I tend to be on the cautious side of things like this. I've had far too many poor experiences with people abusing things or just being total morons. Probably comes from having worked in networking and Lab administration for a time.

[digitalpress]

CGE is a greater risk than NAVA, too. At NAVA everyone knows each other, knows "of" each other, or will get to know each other while there. One thing I can say about people I've associated with in person within this hobby, they're very trustworthy, conscientious, and respectful of property. I have pretty large groups at my home with everything just "out there" to pick up, study, play... and nothing has been abused, broken or stolen.

CGE is a little different because you can't possibly 1500 attendees - but what happens there is that you have as many watchdogs as you have 'strangers'. Beating on a machine simply wouldn't be tolerated.

I guess the bottom line is that I've come to trust the people in this community, so far I haven't been let down.

[chadtower]

I guess the bottom line is that I've come to trust the people in this community, so far I haven't been let down.

Cool. Respectable. Hopefully when I have more experience in the community I'll feel the same way. My experience is mostly with the type of people who will open the coin mech door and go "hey, look at the lights, where's the stupid credit thingie oh crap I spilled my beer in there I'll just unplug it while no one's looking". For that reason I generally keep a bowl of quarters near my machine. That way, if someone does something stupid, at least it's only some quarters and not hardware.

That, and people are always shocked when they can't figure out where to get more quarters and my 4 year old son shows them how to empty the machine and get them back. LOL

[eolsen]

Hi, I and my mother or my father or maybe both will be attending the convention(I'm only 13). I want to have some questions answered about the gathering. First is it only one day? I saw that it started at 3 pm and that is kind of late for being only one day, and if it is only one day, is there a time that is has to end, or does it end when everyone is gone. Is everything free? It says there will be systems to play, but does that cost anything? About how many people attend? On average how many games are displayed for sale? Thanks if you answer any of these. I look forward to the gathering.

[digitalpress]

Hi, I and my mother or my father or maybe both will be attending the convention(I'm only 13). I want to have some questions answered about the gathering. First is it only one day?

Let me clarify that this isn't a convention but rather a local gathering of gamers, both traders and players. It is one day. We're expecting less than 50 attendees.


I saw that it started at 3 pm and that is kind of late for being only one day, and if it is only one day, is there a time that is has to end, or does it end when everyone is gone.

The rec center closes at 11pm.


Is everything free? It says there will be systems to play, but does that cost anything?

The systems will be free to play.


About how many people attend?

At NAVAs past, between 20 and 30. We're expecting a higher than usual turnout simply because there hasn't been one since February.


On average how many games are displayed for sale?

This depends on what people bring with them - but knowing some of the regulars, I'd wager in the hundreds, from Odyssey to Xbox. There are a number of hardcore collectors who frequent NAVA (check out the NAVA page at http://www.digitpress.com/nava.htm) and most of them bring lots of goods.


Thanks if you answer any of these. I look forward to the gathering.

I'm looking forward to meeting you! Please do introduce yourself when you get there. I'm the guy who kinda looks like a monkey but with a much larger-than-average head. Like those Japanese video games. :monkey:

[oceanfr]

wheres the nj/ny one located.... Oh its in NJ :-P , Great no admission fee (trip is enough) ill see if i can bring some popular titles

[Sotenga]

Six days and counting... if I am going, then do I have to bring anything? It would be my first ever video game convention, so I'd feel a little insecure bringing any of my games or consoles to the fold. :o

[wberdan]

Well the coin doors are always open on these anyway, and even machines that don't have free play usually have a switch that you can reach under the door and flick 50 times or so to put a bunch of credits up onscreen.

Yeah, but that is leaving a nontrivial mechanism open to the prying hands of an unknown number of people. The chances of it getting broken are really high. Those switches are usually tiny little levers that are tweaked as a quarter rolls past it. They don't stand up to much manual use.

Were I bringing such a large and expensive unit to a gathering I'd be open to a lot of things with it but that isn't one of them...


i dont think its really that fragile... i have a few with like 50000+ on its meter. if youre that worried about it breaking, just open the door and feed it 100 quarters over and over, and then lock the door. problem solved for the evening.

willie

[oceanfr]

Six days and counting... if I am going, then do I have to bring anything? It would be my first ever video game convention, so I'd feel a little insecure bringing any of my games or consoles to the fold. :o

um, didnt know this a convention too?

(you dont have to bring anything)

[rolenta]

It's not a convention. It's a get-together of a few dozen videogame enthusiests

[Sotenga]

*sigh*

...

I regret to make this desicion, but I'm not going. It's more trouble than it's worth in my opinion. It's more private than anything, and I really don't know everyone on here well enough. Plus, the drive would be too much of a pain... and it would be pretty embarrasing to be in that place with my mother as well...

...

However, I can and definitely will make it to the ECGE on Valentine's Day. This I promise.

[oceanfr]

Yea, Im not sure if I can make it either

[digitalpress]

All I have to say to those of you who bail out or have some feeble excuse for not going: you will regret it on Sunday when we tell our tales of newfound treasures and impossibly beneficial trades!

I'm just saying... in case you don't feel like showing up. There will be no sympathy for you the day after.

So. See you there.

[rolenta]

and it would be pretty embarrasing to be in that place with my mother as well...

It wouldn't be the first time someone came with his mother. During the early days of NAVA we had someone who used to take a three hour drive from Connecticut with his mother, stayed for an hour, and then drove three hours back home.

One day he came and didn't speak at all because he saw his brother the night before. Don't ask!

[Sotenga]

All I have to say to those of you who bail out or have some feeble excuse for not going: you will regret it on Sunday when we tell our tales of newfound treasures and impossibly beneficial trades!

I'm just saying... in case you don't feel like showing up. There will be no sympathy for you the day after.

So. See you there.

Heh heh... that's a good one, Joe. I'm telling you, if it was a convention among the lines of E3 or the CGE, then I'd be there in a heartbeat. But you're expecting less than 50 people... I'd be deadweight. I wouldn't bring anything. It's expected to be private... that just seems uneasy to me. Sorry. I can't come. Maybe if I actually got up the courage, I'd go. But I'd be worthless. It's not likely. Don't count on it. Sotenga will not be seen.

That is all.

...

[rolenta]

I'd be dumb-weight. I wouldn't bring anything.

I never bring anything to one of these and I'm always in the corner like dumb-weight, but I still have a great time!

[Sotenga]

Maybe I'll go... okay, just tell me straight out: About how many people often show up? Around fifty, right?

[Achika]

I missed NAVA last year, but went to some of the other east-coast gaming get-togethers, and all I have to say is this:

Do you bail on your friends when there are only 4 people going to the movies instead of 100? These events are fun times, great for a laugh, hanging out with other people, playing games. You don't have to bring anything to sell/trade off/etc. The only thing that is expected really is that you show up, have a great time, and game on!

[digitalpress]

I missed NAVA last year, but went to some of the other east-coast gaming get-togethers, and all I have to say is this:

Do you bail on your friends when there are only 4 people going to the movies instead of 100? These events are fun times, great for a laugh, hanging out with other people, playing games. You don't have to bring anything to sell/trade off/etc. The only thing that is expected really is that you show up, have a great time, and game on!

:love:

[Sotenga]

I missed NAVA last year, but went to some of the other east-coast gaming get-togethers, and all I have to say is this:

Do you bail on your friends when there are only 4 people going to the movies instead of 100? These events are fun times, great for a laugh, hanging out with other people, playing games. You don't have to bring anything to sell/trade off/etc. The only thing that is expected really is that you show up, have a great time, and game on!

Dammit, Adrienne, you're right! I'm going to be there whether anyone likes it or not! :D

... but if something comes up and I can't make it, my deepest apologies.

Just leave a spot open on the Neo Geo for me. 8-)

[punkoffgirl]

I'd be dumb-weight. I wouldn't bring anything.

I never bring anything to one of these and I'm always in the corner like dumb-weight, but I still have a great time!

Exactly! We can both stand in the corner and look pretty ;)
Ugh, six hour drive by MYSELF!

[Goblin]

I'm going, who else is definate?

If anyone wants to set up a trade, see my post in buy/sell and send a PM.

http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=24154

[kainemaxwell]

How far is it from me in northern NJ? Dang I wish I had the cash now...damn job...

[rolenta]

How far is it from me in northern NJ? Dang I wish I had the cash now...damn job...

It depends where in Northern NJ you are. The meeting is off of exit 105 of the Parkway so figure anywhere from an hour to 1 and a half hours

[punkoffgirl]

Is the Parkway I95?

[Sniderman]

Ugh, six hour drive by MYSELF!
<Remembers his 16-hour late night round-trip to Joe's house last month>

Pffft. Lightweight.

:P

[AlanD]

Unfotunately I won't be making it this time. I have just today been told I have to go to sea for a week starting this Sunday. No way I'll be able to head to Jersey and be back Sunday morning in time to leave. Gotta pass this time but hopefully next time I can make it. I definitely need to as I have a ton of arcade boards I need to get rid of.
Alan

[rolenta]

Is the Parkway I95?

No. The Parkway is the Garden State Parkway which goes North/South from the New York Thruway to Cape May.

I-95 is the New Jersey Turnpike from Exit 10 to Exit 16.

You hit the Parkway (southbound milepost 129) at Exit 11 on the Turnpike.

If you're coming from New England, the way I would go is I-84 West to I-684 South, to I-287 West/I87 North to Tappan Zee Bridge. Then take Exit 14a to Garden State Parkway South. Then travel South on the Parkway for approxamately 68 miles.

One note: Right now they're predicting a Nor'easter for Saturday night. Hopefully the forecast will change before then.

[eolsen]

Hey, the weather is supposed to be pretty crappy tommorow and Saturday...so what if we get like six inces of snow like they say? will it be rescheduled or will it still be on despite the weather?

[GrandAmChandler]

ITs noon, we have 3 inches of snow here in Delaware, and we are supposed to get 3-5 more tomorrow, so I dont think I can make it....

:o

[Schenley]

ITs noon, we have 3 inches of snow here in Delaware, and we are supposed to get 3-5 more tomorrow, so I dont think I can make it....

:oHmmm... Delaware have their own time zone now? It's only 11:15 here! x_x

Anyway, I'm about 30 minutes north of the meeting place and it's snowing pretty heavily now. We got less than an inch, but it just started sticking 20 minutes ago... The forecast is for up to 7" by tomorrow afternoon.

None of you know me, because this is my first post. I was planning on introducing myself tomorrow, but not sure if it's going to happen.

I'm a 35 year old teenager who just got back into retro gaming. I built myself a MAME cabinet, and jumped on Ebay and bought a Colecovision and 2 non working 2600's. I was looking forward to hopefully get the 2600s working tomorrow.

-=Schenley

[GrandAmChandler]

[/quote]Hmmm... Delaware have their own time zone now? It's only 11:15 here! x_x


-=Schenley[/quote]

lol my bad, the stupid freakin Network clocks are wrong!!!!!

[Drexel923]

Schenley, Let me be the first to welcome you to the boards. If you have a moment, please introduce yourself at this thread:
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11
This board is a great place and its always good to see new faces.

Now onto NAVA. I'm gonna have to pull out too. No way I'm hitting the highway in this snow. Oh well, there's always next year.

[portnoyd]

Bah I say, bah! Snow sucks. It looks like this snow is going to happen. Any calls from our grand host(s)?

Also, in preparation, I have everything we need for a NES, Genesis, and SNES at NAVA, I just need an actual SNES (heh), a NES AC adaptor. and a SNES AC adaptor. If anyone could bring those, we'll definitely have those three systems ready for play.

dave

[Sotenga]

AAARRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!!! :frustrated:

That's it. It's over. The first snow of the season has officially put the kibosh on my road trip down to NJ! It's not fair, dammit! :(

Sorry, Joe. Mark my words, however: I can, will, and MUST make it to EGCX. Count on it.

[Schenley]

Schenley, Let me be the first to welcome you to the boards. If you have a moment, please introduce yourself at this thread:
http://www.digitpress.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11
This board is a great place and its always good to see new faces.
Thanks, Drexel... I will as soon as I figure out what to say... It's gonna be a pretty long post. :-P

So, will this meet be cancelled or postponed? I hope postponed. I was looking forward to it!!

[Goblin]

...and 2 non working 2600's. I was looking forward to hopefully get the 2600s working tomorrow.


What seems to be the problem with them? You can either try posting to the restoration thread or else send me a PM. At this point I'm still hoping that the meeting will be a go, and the weather might cooperate. However even if it's canceled I'm also ~30-45 minutes north of the meeting location so I could probably give you a hand some other time.

Otherwise I might have an extra working system floating around I could sell you.

[Schenley]

...and 2 non working 2600's. I was looking forward to hopefully get the 2600s working tomorrow.


What seems to be the problem with them? You can either try posting to the restoration thread or else send me a PM. At this point I'm still hoping that the meeting will be a go, and the weather might cooperate. However even if it's canceled I'm also ~30-45 minutes north of the meeting location so I could probably give you a hand some other time.

Otherwise I might have an extra working system floating around I could sell you.Cool! I'll PM you.

We got about 3 inches of snow now, so it's looks really 'iffy.'

[punkoffgirl]

I won't be going, either; it looks like it's going to be snowing all the way from Maine to NJ, and there's no way I'm going to drive in that.

[mikeetler]

Since the location had to be rented (ie money already spent), tomorrow is locked in. Current forecasts call for very little between South & Central Jersey (1-3 inches) since this mess is supposed to turn to rain then back to snow tomorrow. North Jersey is another story, since they're not supposed to see the changeover.

While I personally expect the weather to affect turnout, if the location works out there should be another one in late March or early April depending on availability.

Anyone planning on going, watch this thread and if you're on the mailing list you mail box, for any changes around noon tomorrow.

-Mike

[RCM]

Damn the snow!

I still want to go tomorrow. If the roads arent too bad I have no choice but to get the hell down there. I encourage everyone to suck it up and go unless the conditions are really really bad. Long live me!

THE ONE, THE ONLY- RCM