London Casino Crew meets (RIP the Arcade)

[bucko]

I'm one of the new faces who was at THoG opening on Saturday. I have fond childhood memories of Xenon 2: Megablast and Uridium 2 among others on the Amiga 500. Got back into shooters once I got to University via rRootage and other indie games, and haven't really been too into the commercial shmup scene much, though I've played a bunch of games at arcades in a few trips to Asia (mostly in a 2 month trip to Beijing), including Ikaruga, Castle of Shikigami and That One Game With The Pigs. Most of my recent experience is from playing the Touhou indie series, including completing Extra Stage clear on Touhou 12.5 Double Spoiler (after a lot of attempts).

Hi.

[Blinge]

I must agree with the praise showered on HoG, I ended up staying there all night, had a blast.
I'm not sure how the Hi-scores on the machines work though? I'm curious to see whether Rupert and Spadge's Shikigami II rivalry will be a battle for the ages..

I left at around 6am after one last Ikaruga 1cc attempt (easy mode ).. died on the very last boss with 3 seconds left. ='[

If anyone's trying to find the place it's not immediately obvious how to get there, even with online maps, but this path past a graveyard seems to be the best way.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 2675_n.jpg

Also seven PCB's.. CHI you are a bloody hero.

[PAPER/ARTILLERY]

HoG looks great and London isn't too far for me so a day trip is on the cards - when I can find the time. Hope to see some of you fine folks down there.

[CHI]

Also seven PCB's.. CHI you are a bloody hero.

You're welcome... on hand i have about 16 shmup PCB's, but for spudgy, he has about 30 shmup PCB's, he should be the bloody hero

It's sad to see this place go after all these years, but i believe it will make a come back, not soon but in futre
CASINO LIVES ON... in our hearts

I've mentioned this to spudgy and Rupert H about having monthly HOG meet-ups, i can speak to the owner of HOG giving us a special rate, let's see how far this will go...

[Illyrian]

You should come along tomorrow Chi! I'll be there from roughly 1pm for a bunch of hours, until early evening at least.

[Rupert H]

i can speak to the owner of HOG giving us a special rate, let's see how far this will go...

To be honest I think that Mark has the pricing spot-on for HoG. If you make a day of it you're getting incredibly good value for money. Hell, it's even worth the £7 evening sessions after 5pm. I really want this to succeed so I'm happy to pay full price each and every time.

I think with a community this small where everybody knows each other there's no room for hooking up friends. I've no idea what kind of profit HoG is turning over, but I imagine this is mostly a labour of love for Mark and I'd like to make sure he isn't too out of pocket.

[Illyrian]

Gonna be there from as close to midday as possible tomorrow.

[Skykid]

If anyone's trying to find the place it's not immediately obvious how to get there, even with online maps, but this path past a graveyard seems to be the best way.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/ ... 2675_n.jpg

Liking the sound of positive HoG feedback, not liking the look and sound of the location. I studied this shit, and I've said it before on this very subject: location constitutes 80% of your businesses success, the rest is down to what and how you sell it.

I hope Firebug can maintain his arcade in such a remote spot, but because of the location you're literally relying on your mates to finance you all year round. A daring gamble.

Cabs with old fighting games are one thing, cabs with old fighting games in a central location that can attract passers by is a totally different thing - even Casino lacked ground level visibility. Sadly central location overheads are astronomical thanks to the sheer idiocy of the UK government banding system and insane tax, so I know why Mark has made the decision he has. Hopefully it will still be there when I get back.

[mulletgeezer]

I think it'll do ok (for weekends at least) as the local fighting game crowd probably don't find the trip (around 30 mins total from Tottenham court road) to be a big deal for a full day of gaming.

The shmup corner now consists of Metal Slug 3, Border Down, Karous and Psyvariar 2. BD needs the sound turning up a bit, playing that game without being able to hear it properly is not cool.

[spadgy]

How was Saturday then folks? Sorry I didn't make it; I've gotta do a magazine in less time than ever this 'month', so working right through.

Anyway, firstly it's wicked to see so much chat in this thread still! (And hi Bucko! Good to have you join us! Did you and I meet at HoG? I had the skateboard, hat and glasses).

More importantly, we all need to meet up soon. It's shit not getting to hang out as much anymore, and we can't let it slip.

Also, I'm still feeling really positive about HoG. It's fucking wicked. Here's a picture of some shmupping from the opening night to prove it (a picture I accidentally Tweeted on my work's Twitter account):



Monthly at HoG I could absolutely do, and maybe more.

Oh yeah - and soon I will update the OP here!

See you soon!

[Skykid]

▲ looks awesome!

Spadgy, don't change the thread title when you update the OP, leave Casino's legacy intact for da memories. Why not start a new thread for HOG and get the ball rolling?

[DEL]

mulletgeezer wrote;

The shmup corner now consists of Metal Slug 3, Border Down, Karous and Psyvariar 2. BD needs the sound turning up a bit, playing that game without being able to hear it properly is not cool.

Daym! Border Down in an arcade within walkable distance from my flat in West Acton.
Just when I move to Eurodisney
Typical!
I'll be over for a period of a month during Summer, so I'll get down there for some sessions and hook-ups.

[Blinge]

The shmup corner now consists of Metal Slug 3, Border Down, Karous and Psyvariar 2.

Uh oh.. are Ikaruga and Castle Shikigami still running?

[dan76]

▲ looks awesome!

Spadgy, don't change the thread title when you update the OP, leave Casino's legacy intact for da memories. Why not start a new thread for HOG and get the ball rolling?

Wouldn't it be better to just add Heart of Gaming to the existing title, otherwise Casino will be buried and forgotten about.

[SharkSkin-Man]

Do they have a web presence outside of twitter/facebook (puke)?

[dan76]

No, I don't think so, but you don't need a Facebook account to view theirs. If you click on the "about" section it gives you the opening times and prices.

[spadgy]

How did I miss that Psyvariar 2 is in HoG now?

In fact, I'm all on my own Saturday, with no work to do, so would be up for heading down HoG. Actually, I'm definitely going if it's open. It would be wicked to see any of you there. I reckon I'll aim for fairly soon after opening, and be around for the afternoon/early evening.

[mulletgeezer]

The shmup corner now consists of Metal Slug 3, Border Down, Karous and Psyvariar 2.

Uh oh.. are Ikaruga and Castle Shikigami still running?

No!

Assuming that the shmups have been restricted to the one corner they must have changed them all between Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The HOG dudes are really aiming to please at the moment so if you want to play a specific game I recommend making a request before you visit.

[bucko]

(And hi Bucko! Good to have you join us! Did you and I meet at HoG? I had the skateboard, hat and glasses).

I may have seen a skateboard? I'm not too good at remembering people from only a few meetings, especially not in the dark so you may just have implanted that memory by mentioning it. I am a guy with (to quote Hot Fuzz) a great big bushy beard. Like Hagrid from Harry Potter, apparently.

[Blinge]

Assuming that the shmups have been restricted to the one corner they must have changed them all between Friday night and Saturday afternoon. The HOG dudes are really aiming to please at the moment so if you want to play a specific game I recommend making a request before you visit.

Damnit I might have to, otherwise this 'Ruga practice would've been for naught..

Hey Bucko, were you the metalhead chap with the long hair? I was the one with a less bushy beard and uh.. a scarf.

Also heres a certain gunner girl I dun drawed, maybe someone will like it, it's got scanlines and everything - http://i.imgur.com/CeAbcf7.jpg

[spadgy]

I know my shaved head doesn't contribute much, but it sounds as if HoG's shmups corner is going to be one of the most hirsute places in the scene!

So, anybody down HoG this Saturday afternoon?

[hzt]

I'm going to try and come down to check the place out but I expect to be fantastically hungover on Saturday so I might not make it.

[spadgy]

I prefer the hung over version of you. It's less intimidating.

See you there I hope!

[spadgy]

It looks like MX7 may make it if he hasn't got stang to death off a wasp. I hear he's been battling ones of monstrous size. And I still wanna see hzt there. Anyone else?

[spadgy]

Obviously I'm running late, but I'm well on my way to HoG right now...

[DEL]

CHI at Stunfest in France:


Looking forward to checking out Hog during the Summer

[spadgy]

Me and MX7 had a lovely time at HoG on Saturday. Got us some Psyvariar 2, Border Down and Ikaruga.

I'm more in love with this place than ever. Playing shmups on candies in London is such a treat!

[MX7]

It was a grand place altogether. The kind of place I'd imagine some crust punk night occurring, but filled with nerds instead. Definitely want to head back soon: Ikaruga on a candy is something special.

[Blinge]

I'm heading down tomorrow afternoon with a fighter friend of mine, anyone else gonna be around?

[spadgy]

Alas, I'll not be there tomorrow, but I'm really keen to get back at those NAOMI shumps at HoG again very soon!