London Casino Crew meets (RIP the Arcade)

[Skykid]

I'm currently having a wonderful time in Shanghai, but I miss you lot and wish you a merry Xmas.

[Blinge]

Looks like they've got an xmas event going on on the 13th. I'm totally up for it there's a book tickets option here! Is there a danger of it selling out if we don't pre-book?

https://www.facebook.com/events/2995104 ... pe=regular

[JDE]

I'm currently having a wonderful time in Shanghai, but I miss you lot and wish you a merry Xmas.

We miss you too dude! Has Xmas fever hit Shanghai yet? Retailers pushed hard to make Black Friday a thing over here this year, and although the insane deals were welcome the mass hysteria was not.

Xmas Meet Update

The HoG are having an official Xmas Bash at the same time as the Casino Crew's last meet of the year, during which alcohol is allowed in the arcade!
However, you will need to book in advance and tickets are limited. Grab them here soon to avoid disappointment - http://bit.ly/1A40YLH

[Blinge]

Same price btw.

[DEL]

I would have gone to that HoG Bash, but unfortunately I'm not over 'til a week later.

[spadgy]

Right - I'm certainly still up for the 13th. And I like that there's an event there already; a busy arcade's always good.

I'll buy my ticket now. I presume we're not going for 'Overnight'?

Tickets are available here direct on Eventbrite, and only on sale until Friday (seemingly off sale late-morning).

So - I think it's me, JDE, Rupert H and blinge for sure.

Paper/Artillary, Dan76, MX7 - you coming?

blinge - wanna give JWS a nudge?

Anybody else?

Oh - and midday start time for us shmuppers?

I'll chase people up on Twitter, WhatsApp etc...

[dan76]

I just got my ticket so I'm in. Not sure about 12 though, probably head there for 3 or 4.

Anyone know if there's a PC with mame to play? I was thinking about bringing my original xbox along as it has coinops 6 installed with thousands of games - including Trap's Ketsui arrange modes.

I can also bring some Cave games.

[MX7]

Just got my ticket (protip; select pay at the event to save 90p). Looking forward to it, really haven't been to the HOG as much as I would like. I remember making my first pilgrimage when it was in Potter's Bar or somewhere similarly illogical. Maybe we should contact the place and beg them to have some shooters ready?

[JDE]

Anyone know if there's a PC with mame to play? I was thinking about bringing my original xbox along as it has coinops 6 installed."

I don't think there's a MAME PC, but it would be awesome if you could bring your OG Xbox!

Maybe we should contact the place and beg them to have some shooters ready?

No need: I gave them my JP 360 several months ago, which can be set up on request as long as we bring games.
Plus there's always Ikaruga, Xexex, Space Moth and at least one Neo-Geo shmup in cabs.

[Blinge]

Currently nudging JWS. I think he's off to the theatre with his missus in the evening though so he might be too pushed for time.

[spadgy]

I've got my ticket too. Gonna arrive as close to midday as I can. Probably have to shoot around 9pm. Might brave staying later depending on how many of the rest of you do, but I should make it home that night. Neglected Mum-helping duties early AM Sunday.

And Rupert H certainly has a ticket. I'm pretty sure JDE does too.

Can't wait!

[spadgy]

I'd actually missed some of the posts above.

Great there's your JPN 360 there JDE. Is it actually in a cab, or in the console room and reserved for shmups?

I'll bring some shooters, for sure. Do we need sticks?

Just in case, I'll also bring Battle At Kemble's Cascade; it's a brand new board game based on arcade shmups. I'm really interested to see how it does it (I'm yet to play it). We'll probably not get a chance, but you never know; it might be just what a couple of us feel like, and it seems a good place to play it (and I might be reviewing it for The Guardian.)

As for timings; you know what I'm like. I'll aim for midday, just to make sure I actually get there!

And I'll get to play Space Moth in a cab!? Can't wait for that!

[Illyrian]

Hey all. I will be there tomorrow, but I will pick up a ticket on the door.

Looking forward to it!

[JDE]

Great there's your JPN 360 there JDE. Is it actually in a cab, or in the console room and reserved for shmups?

It lives behind the front desk, reserved for anyone that brings Japanese games and asks nicely! It isn't with the other consoles to avoid confusion with people trying to use UK games on it. Also the HoG have plenty of sticks but they usually get snapped up quickly for fighting games, so it's probably a good idea to bring your own if possible.

Really hyped for this now - nearly the whole crew will be there for the first time in ages! See you all tomorrow!

[dan76]

Also, I left my tated monitor there last time for use with the J360, so ask for that as well. I'm bringing all the cave games for 360, but won't get there until after 3.

[Illyrian]

I'm having a fucking god awful hangover right now, I'll be there at about 3pm most likely, after my brain stops dripping out of my ears.

[MX7]

Mildly hungover but getting ready to head in. So most people are getting there at 3ish?

[spadgy]

I reckon I'm now getting there between 2pm and 3pm too.

And I've got some games, and will chuck in a 360 stick. Alas, my 360 sticks are shitty Hori Fight Stick 3s, but it'll do!

See you soon!

[JDE]

The Xmas Meet yesterday was awesome, best meet of the year for me! After some obligatory faffing around getting all the tech to work properly, we had a JP 360 hooked up to an LCD, and an original Xbox with emulators on a CRT.

Delta Zeal (aka G-Stream 2020) and ESP Galuda were the stars of the evening, and we even had a few Smash Bros. players come over and have a go! Some of them used more than one credit, but we didn't kick them out of the arcade because Xmas spirit etc.

Massive thanks to everyone for making it down, especially since it's a long way to travel now that most of the Casino Crew lives outside of London!



Edit: more pics!

[Mills]

Gutted I didn't make it, simply waaay too tired after work to leave and make an approx 2hr trip to HOG.

Can't tell from these pics what was being played and who was in attendence.

[DEL]

2hrs Mills
I remember Woolwich being an inaccessible place, but 2 hours..?
Anyway, glad to see you're keeping the pennies rolling in.

EDIT:- Went to Las Vegas and saw the cabs. Perfected AWP techniques and sadly had to return to BE after 2 weeks (Richer tho...).

[CHI]

It's awfully died around here...

A belated Happy New Year Casino peeps
So, who's going to Stunfest this year

Can't tell from these pics what was being played and who was in attendence.

Let me guess...
First picture: MX7 playing ESPGaluda
Second picture from left to right: spudgy, dan76, MX7, JDE and Blinge

[DEL]

So, who's going to Stunfest this year

Me.
Via train again.

[spadgy]

I really hope to! Any news on the presence of shmups at Stunfest yet?

[JDE]

Casino Crew Monthly Meet #05: Journo Tat Edition

Date: Saturday 31st January
Time: 3PM - Late
Venue: The HoG
Website & Map: http://www.facebook.com/TheHeartOfGaming
Nearest Tube Station: North Acton

Happy belated New Year to all the Casino Crew! Now that we've all made our New Year's resolutions, let's add another: to keep the monthly meets going strong in 2015! For the first meet of the year we'll be having a scoring competition on a mystery game, and spadgy has kindly agreed to provide prizes from his stash of game journalism freebies.

The HoG now offer a monthly pass for £20, which is great value for anyone living or staying in London. The usual entry fee is £10, then you can stay until closing at midnight and all the machines are on free play. Guests are welcome, and to help anyone that hasn't been before find us, I'll be bringing a big messenger bag with "Casino Crew" written on it: look for the bag, then come and say hi!

[dan76]

I'll be there with the old xbox again as a back up.

[JDE]

Confirmed so far for the meet this Saturday:

dan76, spadgy, Rupert H, PAPER/ARTILLERY and myself.

Can anyone else make it?

[PAPER/ARTILLERY]

Oh crap I just realised I'm double booked this Saturday. I'm gonna have to drop out I'm afraid. Pity, I was looking forward to it.

[Deril]

Hi,

I would be interested in joining next London SHMUP meet! I am researching the genre... and in general curious about SHMUP community.

[JDE]

Hi Deril, welcome to the Shmups Forum! The Casino Crew usually meet on the last Saturday of each month at The Heart of Gaming. At the moment several stations near The HoG are closed for repairs at weekends though, making it difficult to visit, so we might meet at Las Vegas Arcade in Soho instead. It would be great if you could come along, so keep an eye on this thread for updates!

Any thoughts from the regulars about going to LV instead of The HoG this month? They have ESPgaluda II, Gunbird 2 and a Neo Geo multicart with almost every shmup for that system!