London Lock-In / cools' Birthday Bash 20/9 - Heart of Gaming

[pubjoe]

Going back on the booze at 9am probably wasn't my wisest decision ever.

Gatecrashers included, HoG was a really lively place last night (and quite a mess this morning!). I hope it was worth it all for Mark. We did leave some birthday cake!

[Pete]

It made me smile today as I drove past the pub we visited on sat night remembering good times

[cools]

[pubjoe]

[crunchywasp]

Who's the handy chap in the muscle vest?

[pubjoe]

It's Dance Dance Darren. He gave us a show later.

---

Cools: "Yeah, it is the wrong way"
Me: "Isn't there a dipswitch to flip it round?"
Cools: "Not on SH3"
Me: "Really?"
Cools: "Nope"

[crunchywasp]

Did you film the show too?

---

[cools]

One of Chi's DDR buddies apparently.

I should've clocked the cab was the wrong way when you started moving it TBH. I was clearly more fascinated with whether the cab would survive.

[bloodhokuto]

Blood Hokuto wins everything because of his excellent t-shirt. Fine choice of attire sir!

Great to meet all of you guys, you're all pretty cool and awesome. Definitely up for another meet up.

I discovered that the best thing to do when your flagging at early o'clock and wondering about how to get some sleep, is to crack on and play hours worth of SFA3, 3s and Last Blade with Neo'nate! Great to play with you Nn, the last batch of battles on Last Blade were so close!

Thanks to Joe for organising the meet up, and props those that travelled from so far away.

That tate'd cab was crazy, but awesome!

[Neo'nate]

Wow gents that was a crazy night indeed! In a good way! With only two hours sleep in 24 hours yesterday I was a total mess! Great to see some people from the forum Ive met before and many new people also, count me in for amother meet nearer Christmas for round 2! Cheers again Joe for putting it together.

I discovered that the best thing to do when your flagging at early o'clock and wondering about how to get some sleep, is to crack on and play hours worth of SFA3, 3s and Last Blade with Neo'nate! Great to play with you Nn, the last batch of battles on Last Blade were so close!

Mate, those games were intense! Virtually every round there was so little health left on the victor each time! I'll bring along LB2 next time also!

[pubjoe]

I'm just about over hangover day two and after making all my apologies for stupid things I've said, I've been contemplating the night. The HoG makes for an incredible meeting place. The atmosphere was amazing all through the evening, night and morning. I felt more than comfortable relaxing, drinking, playing games and getting into heated debates. ...That's everything ticked for a perfect night.

With a place like this you can turn up once, play a few games and write a mini-review... List some games they do or don't have... Make a walkaround video and post it to a blog... etc etc. But only after at least a few visits or attending an event do you start to get a real appreciation of the spirit of it. I'm just going to let it gush out...

The staff and visitors are passionately involved in all the various games and branched-off cultures, and this is immediately apparent in conversation and in the obvious pleasure we share. At one point I had to stop and just say how amazing it is to talk about these classic games in depth. ...We all have our own history and memories to share, and there's always plenty to learn.

The HoG is a very special thing and I feel very lucky to be a part of that simply by attending. It is already one of my fondest arcade memories, and it's happening now!

Mark was very accommodating and although it must have been a massive headache for him to host he was was very much one of the guys and made us all feel at home. It takes a rare person to be mental enough to build it, determined enough to keep it up, and cool enough to relax with the community. Mark is that man.

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While this place exists I feel it would be crazy not to make the most of it. In my opinion it'd be great for us and for the HoG if it becomes quite a regular thing.

I'm really glad there seems to be interest in a December meet. Also there'd be a bit more advance notice to impress the WaGs with. The first week seems to be available for some of us, so please drop a mention if that sounds doable.

[Pete]

Tbh I bet he was glad for the business for Sat night "prime time" it was hardly busy with all the rent & power costs ect I hope he is doing ok as it would be a shame to see such a great place disappear.

Or maybe we just went on a quiet night what has it been like for others ?

[pubjoe]

On my visits the back console room is usually busier, and I've seen the arcade peak a bit once or twice, but I gather that it does rely on one-offs such as cab hire and events.

[pubjoe]

I edited my post from last night into even more of a HoG megasuck.

It was brilliant to see everyone and thanks for coming. And of course it would have been great to get together wherever we were, as it always is. I think as the HoG's in a central location (all corners or the country made the journey in the morning) and extremely accommodating it automatically makes it ideal, but I just wanted to reflect on how overly awesome the place is. The Heart of Gaming very much lives up to it's name.

"Organising" it was really nothing. I did **** all over than write a couple of posts and pass on money. I feel I should have probably done more actually.

I hope everyone found the trip to be worthwhile. I'm glad everyone also got some gaming in as it's easy to forget sometimes! Most of all, I hope cools had a good birthday party. ****! I forgot the stripper!

[cools]

Turns out I took no pictures of people whatsoever, except the one of Mark playing Ibara that made it on to Twitter.

Actually played games for most of the night, which makes a change. Nice to be able to sit on a Daytona until your backside gets sore and actually practice properly. Also that Tetris (Naomi?) title was excellent fun in versus.

[fuse]

Man, not sure how I missed this but it looks like fun was had regardless. Will try and make it out next time!