London Casino Crew meets (RIP the Arcade)

[JDE]

Casino Crew Mini Meet #13

Game of the Month: Armed Police Batrider
Date: Saturday 08th March
Start Time: 6:30 PM

Venue: Loading Bar, 53 Rupert Street, Soho (inside MADD)
Website: http://loadingonline.co.uk
Nearest Tube Station: Piccadilly Circus

The Game of the Month for March is a complex one: Armed Police Batrider! To make things a little simpler we'll be playing with the rank set to minimum each time, which you can easily do in MAME by booting the game in service mode, selecting "Game Mode" from the menu and pressing P1 Start.

Icarus has written an awesome guide with tons of great tips in - read it! http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=26814

[Taylor]

Dang, I'll be around London this Saturday but it sounds like nothing is happening.

[Mills]

Should you be surprised.......

[JDE]

Dang, I'll be around London this Saturday but it sounds like nothing is happening.

Nothing's happening at Loading, but you should definitely check out The Heart of Gaming and Las Vegas Arcade if you get the time:

https://www.facebook.com/TheHeartOfGaming
https://www.facebook.com/LasVegasArcadeSoho

[spadgy]

And though the sticks seem to change in quality every bloody day (use player 2) there's Air Assault and Raiden 2 at Game One (on the road that runs parallel with the west side of Leicester Square (opposite the W Hotel/M&M's shop, in other words)).

[spadgy]

Still on target to make Saturday, and definitely bringing the DC and Neo XYX. Mainly to make up for not touching Batrider!

[Illyrian]

So Wong Kei is on the BBC website right now:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26468295

[JDE]

"Each night scores would queue up at the 500-cover restaurant to be verbally abused over the chicken satay and pork fried noodles... but this notoriety has been consigned to the past. Wong Kei's operators have pledged to adopt a new, politer waiting style after a revamp of the premises."

This is an outrage! What next, will they start serving food on clean plates? Wong Kei has just lost its USP.

[Rupert H]

I'm there tonight chaps. See you later.

[Skykid]

Man I want Wong Kei! Fucked up as that sounds, it's true.

[spadgy]

Wicked micro meet with Rupert H and JDE. I'm a convert to Batrider. Really want to get playing it ASAP, but as I'm stuck with Mac MAME, and not much of a MAME user, it might have to be a PCB for me to think about.

And I love our idea of more meets at people's houses, with themes, like the discussed Euroshmup Meet, and a Space Moth/insect-themed meet. I'm up for hosting something.

[hzt]

Euroshmup Meet

what
why would you even
no

[spadgy]

You're dressing as Angela Merkel for the occasion mate.

But seriously, there are some good Euroshmups. Agony and Apidya, for starters. And Space Moth.

[Rupert H]

Exactly. Jamestown and Neo XYX are legitimately good shmups too.

Not to mention the fact that playing less proficient games can be enlightening, if only to appreciate what makes the great, well, great.

Besides, you're actually in love with Yagawa games. Don't even try to pretend you aren't fond of a bit of masochism.

I'm going to set this up for around a month from now. Maybe a Saturday?

[JDE]

Wicked micro meet with Rupert H and JDE... I love our idea of more meets at people's houses, with themes.

I'm going to set this up for around a month from now. Maybe a Saturday?

Saturdays are good for me!

[Mills]

Dang, I'll be around London this Saturday but it sounds like nothing is happening.

Nothing's happening at Loading, but you should definitely check out The Heart of Gaming and Las Vegas Arcade if you get the time:

https://www.facebook.com/TheHeartOfGaming
https://www.facebook.com/LasVegasArcadeSoho

Visited HOG last fri 14th and spoke to Mark. Definitely the best place in London to have any future shumpmeet. Forget Loading Bar period.

[DEL]

Glad you managed to get to HOG Mills.

[spadgy]

I love HoG, but... The only thing with HoG is having them keep shmups in. I loaned Mark my DDP PCB for HoG, and Mark was really excited by having it in. But apparently shmups just don't get played there, making it hard for Mark to justify filling machines with them.

Of course, if we all went more, maybe that would change, but it happens to be a long old distance for most of us to make regularly.

That said, having worked out my freelance career, I'm more flexible with time, so would be up for trying to get the ball rolling with maybe just monthly shumpmeets there.

And I know it doesn't take that much effort for Mark to get the Naomi shmups 'installed'.

Still, come early May we may have that central London location sorted with cabs that we can loan boards to etc!

EDIT: Well up for a Saturday rupert!

[dan76]

I'm free for the next few Saturdays, would be cool to meet up. Plus JDE and I might need some more Casino crowd play testing on our little game.

I would offer to host but my flat's not really up to it.

[JWS]

Of course, if we all went more, maybe that would change, but it happens to be a long old distance for most of us to make regularly.

Me and Blinge come an hour on the train just to get to london! Loading is ok to hang out at but I do enjoy going to HOG a lot more, it just has a better atmosphere.
No disrespect to your organization JDE, I know what I pain it can be to get things sorted.

Its a shame that Mark doesn't keep the shmups on but I can understand why. Can anyone guess at the monthly electricity bill for a single cab? I think Ikaruga is a decent one to have set up though, I've seen it attract the regular fighting Joes. Its somewhat modern looking and has that cultural capital to it.

Spadgy, did Mark ever install DDP? That would be an even better pick.
The main problem with HOG in my eyes is the fee to get in, but if we have earlier meets then its worth it. I'd be gutted if it died out.
I think its internet presence is on the rise, it would be great if they could stream some shmups and get people interested.

Ive moved out and finally got my own place, I'd totally have you all over but I live in St Albans, and only have Psikyo games, much to Blinge's disdain.

Exactly. Jamestown and Neo XYX are legitimately good shmups too.

I love Jamestown, the story and the art design are really original. Wish I could afford Neo XYX, looks like the shit.

I'm totally up for a Euromeet. Are we talking this weekend?

[DEL]

JWS wrote;

Me and Blinge come an hour on the train just to get to london! Loading is ok to hang out at but I do enjoy going to HOG a lot more, it just has a better atmosphere.
No disrespect to your organization JDE, I know what I pain it can be to get things sorted.

Its a shame that Mark doesn't keep the shmups on but I can understand why. Can anyone guess at the monthly electricity bill for a single cab? I think Ikaruga is a decent one to have set up though, I've seen it attract the regular fighting Joes. Its somewhat modern looking and has that cultural capital to it.

Spadgy, did Mark ever install DDP? That would be an even better pick.
The main problem with HOG in my eyes is the fee to get in, but if we have earlier meets then its worth it. I'd be gutted if it died out.
I think its internet presence is on the rise, it would be great if they could stream some shmups and get people interested.

Ive moved out and finally got my own place, I'd totally have you all over but I live in St Albans, and only have Psikyo games, much to Blinge's disdain.

On the subject of HoG, Mark would like to run more shooters but he says that the Shmups crowd don't come down (on the whole). So its understandable that he isn't running several of them.
Plus he needs Cave PCBs and can't get hold of any. Or at least no-one is loaning him any Cave boards.
I was happy to bring down my X360 game CDs and put them on the Viewlix cab and play in amongst the fighter players.
I'd like to see HoG supported more.

[Blinge]

I think Ikaruga is a decent one to have set up though, I've seen it attract the regular fighting Joes. Its somewhat modern looking and has that cultural capital to it.

The main problem with HOG in my eyes is the fee to get in, but if we have earlier meets then its worth it. I'd be gutted if it died out.
I think its internet presence is on the rise, it would be great if they could stream some shmups and get people interested.

Ive moved out and finally got my own place, I'd totally have you all over but I live in St Albans, and only have Psikyo games, much to Blinge's disdain.

Good point about 'Ruga, there are times i'd watch a newb at HoG try it out, and eventually figure out what the polarity button does, and somehow I'd feel proud of this total stranger..

I wish they'd stop leaving Shikigami and Psyvariar 2 installed though, all 3 of these games are harder for somebody to just pick up and play. Especially the latter two with how slow paced or even boring they are; without prior knowledge of the mechanics. It'd probably be better if they had Under Defeat and Ikaruga as their mainstays on the vert cabs unless somebody asks for something else. UD because it's simple enough to pick up and play.

Hahah I don't hate Psikyo THAT much, I'm still planning to put some time into Strikers 1945 and get the clear this year.. You also have more than just Psikyo

I was happy to bring down my X360 game CDs and put them on the Viewlix cab and play in amongst the fighter players.

Come to think of it, Since they acquired a whole bunch of CRTs for Smash Bros and Mario Kart players,
we could grab a few and tate them..

[Illyrian]

Whenever and wherever the next meetup is, I'm there!

[Mills]

Of course, if we all went more, maybe that would change, but it happens to be a long old distance for most of us to make regularly.

Me and Blinge come an hour on the train just to get to london! Loading is ok to hang out at but I do enjoy going to HOG a lot more, it just has a better atmosphere.
No disrespect to your organization JDE, I know what I pain it can be to get things sorted.

Its a shame that Mark doesn't keep the shmups on but I can understand why. Can anyone guess at the monthly electricity bill for a single cab? I think Ikaruga is a decent one to have set up though, I've seen it attract the regular fighting Joes. Its somewhat modern looking and has that cultural capital to it.

Spadgy, did Mark ever install DDP? That would be an even better pick.
The main problem with HOG in my eyes is the fee to get in, but if we have earlier meets then its worth it. I'd be gutted if it died out.
I think its internet presence is on the rise, it would be great if they could stream some shmups and get people interested.

Ive moved out and finally got my own place, I'd totally have you all over but I live in St Albans, and only have Psikyo games, much to Blinge's disdain.

Exactly. Jamestown and Neo XYX are legitimately good shmups too.

I love Jamestown, the story and the art design are really original. Wish I could afford Neo XYX, looks like the shit.

I'm totally up for a Euromeet. Are we talking this weekend?

Was thinking the very same about Loading Bar vs HOG. Loading Bar is great for a social hangout place being in London Westend but HOG kills it for the gaming atmosphere. Played mainly Borderdown Red level, just couldn't get into the other two vertical titles. Wanna try and get in touch with Darmesh (ARK) and his brother about loaning some jamma titles. Mark is trying get the other vert cabs sorted some I will try and hook up with the Casino engineer and see if he has time to help out. Maybe down again either fri or Sat night around 8pm-ish.

[PAPER/ARTILLERY]

The really important question nobody is asking is - but can you get a beer at HoG?

[spadgy]

I just got back from a games industry event and was told by a few people that Loading has now moved on to be set up in Dalston. Is that the case? It barely seemed to be struggling for custom.

Anyway, if it is true, HoG might be the only option until Las Vegas on Wardour gets those shmup cabs in.

I could do a Saturday at HoG soon.

[Blinge]

is Las Vegas the place that had a little Guilty Gear cab in the basement among pool tables?
it was there a few months back.

[JDE]

I just got back from a games industry event and was told by a few people that Loading has now moved on to be set up in Dalston. Is that the case?

According to MCV, it closed today: http://www.mcvuk.com/news/read/loading- ... me/0129547

Absolutely gutted.

[Blinge]

[Illyrian]

This is the video that is from.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UbxgdHQ6Sls

If you don't know who Vince McMahon is it won't make any sense!