Is retro computing cool enough for Cyber Cafés?

[Delta]

Hi guys, I'm about to open a gaming center (cyber café) soon and in addition to top of the line gaming PCs I was thinking to have a small "retro" section with 2-3 machines such as A500 and C=64 for the nostalgics.  

I'm wondering if its a good idea or if I am just another weirdo that will make my customers laugh...  Any of you know someone who already does that?

[bloodline]

That's is a really cool idea, but you would probably get more milage with Emulators... Since the retro machines are going to need software, most of which is under copyright and would have to be loaded from floppy and in some cases tape!

[motorollin]

I don't care who knows I'm a geek, so I would definitely play retro games in a web café if I were there. There are things you can do to get around the problems of media in retro consoles (like a hard drive in an Amiga or MMC64/IDE64 on a C64). But this won't help for consoles like SNES (assuming you wanted to use them). One alternative would be to have a the retro machine on display with the machine running the emulator hidden, and use original controllers with USB adapters connected to the PC. That way if you rig it up cleverly it might look like the player is using the original machine.

--
moto

[Eclipse]

How cool would that be!
You go in and see some old retro computers in the corner. You should print out a description of what they are and the years etc. and put it near the mchines.

[arnljot]

it's actually a cool idea.

I only use such facillities once or twice a year when I'm out travelling and needs a full browser to do something, and I don't happen to have my laptop with me.

But if I went by a place that had amigas for use, I'd happily go in and spend some time.

It would mean that they would have to be set up so that it was click and go to enjoy the games

[arnljot]

bloodline wrote:
That's is a really cool idea, but you would probably get more milage with Emulators... Since the retro machines are going to need software, most of which is under copyright and would have to be loaded from floppy and in some cases tape!

Also it should be easier to make more user friendly, and robust. It would be crap if the setups died the first week.

[A1260]

setup two a500 with Lotus Turbo Challenge and paranet(serial network) them together and you got a great two player game

[motorollin]

BTW, as for the question of whether it's "cool" enough, just look at the resurgence of retro games in the mainstream. The XBox and Wii are two examples of consoles which are bringing retro games back to the masses. So I think the simple answer to "is it cool enough" is "yes" :-)

--
moto

[Delta]

Thanks for the enthusiast replies, it gives me a boost

I would surely setup the systems to be really easy to use, just click and play.  Easy for Amiga, just start the games trough icons as normal.

For C=64 I can make a little script in basic with a "press X key for game X".  I would definitely need an expansion that let me put the games on an SD card or a HD, I think there is plenty of info on the net about these kits for the C=64.(?)

Of course i'll have to check every licence that are still alive and see the conditions for commercial usage.  Most of it must be abandonware tho and therefore the fees are applied to using the computer "at large".

[motorollin]

Be really careful about just setting up an Amiga running Workbench or C64 in BASIC. Very open to abuse - so be prepared to re-copy everything if someone decides to delete all the games from the Amiga or overwrite your BASIC menu on the C64!

Also I regret to inform you that there is no such thing as abandonware. As long as the software is in copyright, you would need to obtain permission from the author/publisher before using the game in a commercial manner.

--
moto

[amigakid]

great Idea mate.  Only suggestion is that if you do use like an Amiga I would definately use and A3000 or A4000 with a good sized HDD so that you can have all your software loaded for the customer and to make sure that no customer walks with any of your discs.  Also please use original software and not pirated copies.  Good luck and cheers!!!

[spirantho]

Sounds like a great idea to me!

But be warned, don't use emulators - for one thing, you lose all the nostalgia factor when using an emulator - a C64 just becomes a blue box in a window, but actually using the C64 itself is a different matter. Same with other machines. Also, copyright permission for ROMs is a nightmare with emulators, and probably a lot of hassle you don't need.

Good luck with it! If I were near I'd come and check it out for sure!

[bloodline]

motorollin wrote:
I don't care who knows I'm a geek, so I would definitely play retro games in a web café if I were there. There are things you can do to get around the problems of media in retro consoles (like a hard drive in an Amiga or MMC64/IDE64 on a C64). But this won't help for consoles like SNES (assuming you wanted to use them). One alternative would be to have a the retro machine on display with the machine running the emulator hidden, and use original controllers with USB adapters connected to the PC. That way if you rig it up cleverly it might look like the player is using the original machine.

--
moto

I think this is the best option, that way you can program a nice front end for the Emulation (This could probably be done using an HTML based interface)... with Game selection, and also a Timeout/credit system so that you don't get someone just sitting there all day... with a cold cup of coffee, playing monkey island. It also preserves very old Hardware from the abuse of 16hours a day 300 days a year will give... As Moto says wit the Emualtion machine hidden well no one would ever know... a suitably powerful PC could proably run all the emulations at the same time (Two C64 and two E-UAE run fine on my MacBook Pro), with a multi-monitor setup... saving quite a bit of money...

[Speelgoedmannetje]

Well, I have a little 'museum', and every single reaction is very positive, whether it's from a computergeek or not. I'd reccomend an Atari 2600, (with the 32in1 cartridge). It boots fast, it has huge pixels (so, a huge retro-factor), easy and addictive games... And it's being played on the most when I got visitors.

[Delta]

I like the idea of the Atari 2600   Haven't planned on getting consoles yet but if I do i'll surely keep the same "new meets retro" spirit.

A pile of floppies beside an amiga or a C=64 isnt my kind of idea for sure that's why I must have a practical solution like  a harddrive or a card reader.  

Emulators are tempting but it just isn't the same as the real thing.   I still even have my old CBM1701 monitor and plan to use it