Any arcades in Helsinki?

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 2:59 pm

I've got one evening free tomorrow on a press trip to Helsinki - any arcades or even just lone cabs anywhere in town?

jpj · Post by **jpj** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:16 pm

Post by **Ghegs** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 3:51 pm

The movie theathers have few cabs here and there, whether they have shmups is a totally different matter. There used to be one cab that had a selection of titles, some of which were shmups...I remember it had Andro Dunos and Carrier Airwing, at least. Dunno if it's still there, in Tennispalatsi.

What time are you free? I might be able to show you around.

Post by **spadgy** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:33 pm

Ghegs wrote:The movie theathers have few cabs here and there, whether they have shmups is a totally different matter. There used to be one cab that had a selection of titles, some of which were shmups...I remember it had Andro Dunos and Carrier Airwing, at least. Dunno if it's still there, in Tennispalatsi.

What time are you free? I might be able to show you around.

Hey Ghegs,

I'm actually meant to be free from about 4.30pm (I'm actually visiting the guys behind Super Stardust HD in the day, and some studii=o called Everyplay), but the thing is that these press trips tend not to stick to their times very well, and I'd hate to arrange a time to meet and then not be able to make it.

I'm really torn - I want to accept your generous offer and it would be so cool to be shown round by a local and meet another forum member, but I don't want to have to mess you about.

I'm going to send a quick email now and see if I can secure an early interview slot and get a guaranteed end-time, just in case you are around then.

Either way - thanks for the offer!

Shocky · Post by **Shocky** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:18 pm

Ghegs, you need to bring Spadgy to the Street Fighter IV - Millionaire Fighting Atomic Final Shodown! Maybe we could squeeze in some shmups too!

Post by **Ghegs** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 1:59 pm

Shocky wrote:Ghegs, you need to bring Spadgy to the Street Fighter IV - Millionaire Fighting Atomic Final Shodown! Maybe we could squeeze in some shmups too!

I was actually thinking the same thing, but I haven't heard from him yet.

Post by **spadgy** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 3:10 pm

Hey guys,

I'm back to my hotel (The Klausk K) a little late, and being taken off for drinks by my hosts. Got to do the work networking thing!

I got your number though Ghegs, so if I'm free I'll call.

So what's the Millionaire Fighting Atomic Final Showdown?

Shocky · Post by **Shocky** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 5:29 pm

spadgy wrote: So what's the Millionaire Fighting Atomic Final Showdown?

It's a local tournament, but the thing is that you need to be a millionaire to participate, we are playing for money (most of us are it-millionaires or play professional poker). But we could do an exception and let you in as a representative of the media.

Nah, just kidding, me and friends are just playing SF4 at my place in Hakaniemi, near the center. If you have time you're welcome to join us =) Call Ghegs for details.

MJR · Post by **MJR** » Wed May 20, 2009 4:21 pm

It's sad but true, helsinki had shitloads of arcades 15 years ago, now there's almost none. Oh the memories, I remember getting free games from operators because I was one of their best customers.

The mangacafe at kaisaniemenkatu, helsinki downtown has arcade cabinet on freeplay mode, they rotate few PCB's there. One of the owners actually works at housemarque, who lent that cabinet for their use.

Linnanmäki (local amusement park) has some old arcade games too, but nothing worthwhile really.

Biggest arcade / console collection was / still is at cute communications, but sadly they closed their doors from the public many years ago.

Post by **spadgy** » Thu May 21, 2009 8:52 am

Ah - I visited Housemarque on my trip to Finland (It was a press trip and I'm writing an article about the Finnish dev scene). They were lovely guys, and a funny lot too. In fact all the devs there were very friendly to our pack of press.

The Everyplay guys introduced me to the demoscene, and the Secret Exit, IronStar, Recoil and Sauma lot were lovely too. Even in the slick studios that housed Sulake and Digital Chocolate were full of friendly places. Seemd a really nice, close-knit dev community...