CCAG 2012

[Arkhan]

Your loss.

 

I had fun talking to nateo up there for awhile.

[Nateo]

Your loss.

 

I had fun talking to nateo up there for awhile.

 

Hellz yeah! And I got to feel important while offering my two cents on a work in progress!

 

I had fun, but was disappointed. There was a long line that took over 30 minutes to get through. Also, there seemed to be higher sticker prices all around, though most of the vendors did negotiate. I bought about 20% of the amount of stuff I bought previous shows. Still worth going, but not as exciting. I think a bigger venue (and more cashiers) is required with a bigger crowd, but that will likely necessitate higher entrance and table fees; Ah, the pains of success.

 

My thoughts EXACTLY. A bigger venue would really help, if only to give people reason to stick around for a little while longer. It was supposed to go from 12 - 8, but I can't imagine there were many people there past 6:30.

 

Three things I'd like to see from the next CCAG:

1. Bigger venue, as stated above.

2. More playable games, arcade or otherwise.

3. More homebrews! I think there was one table dedicated to repros, and one for homebrews (Arkhan's table), and that's it. I love the old stuff as much as anybody, but you gotta have some new and exciting things to show off!

[darryl1970]

Your loss.

 

I had fun talking to nateo up there for awhile.

 

Hellz yeah! And I got to feel important while offering my two cents on a work in progress!

 

I had fun, but was disappointed. There was a long line that took over 30 minutes to get through. Also, there seemed to be higher sticker prices all around, though most of the vendors did negotiate. I bought about 20% of the amount of stuff I bought previous shows. Still worth going, but not as exciting. I think a bigger venue (and more cashiers) is required with a bigger crowd, but that will likely necessitate higher entrance and table fees; Ah, the pains of success.

 

My thoughts EXACTLY. A bigger venue would really help, if only to give people reason to stick around for a little while longer. It was supposed to go from 12 - 8, but I can't imagine there were many people there past 6:30.

 

Three things I'd like to see from the next CCAG:

1. Bigger venue, as stated above.

2. More playable games, arcade or otherwise.

3. More homebrews! I think there was one table dedicated to repros, and one for homebrews (Arkhan's table), and that's it. I love the old stuff as much as anybody, but you gotta have some new and exciting things to show off!

 

I had a good time there. I wish I would have paid attention on here. It would have been nice to meet some Atari-Agers... I did manage to get the high score on Crazy Kong.. I was kind of bummed when I saw it wasn't really Donkey Kong, but it was a lot of fun.. Brought back memories, because the Boys' Club and CYC had Crazy Kong.. It's not as polished, but easier and more common back in the day.. Centipede was fun too.. Was never very good at it, but I enjoyed it on a new level. There were a lot of cool things. Great time, and I was surprised at the huge turn-out!

[Arkhan]

Next year, they are planning on a bigger venue because of how crowded it is. We didn't get to claim our tables and pay for them at the end of the show this year like we usually do.

 

I was bummed I didn't get to play Robotron 2084 too much. By the time I could sneak away for it, they were doing the Soul Calibur V tournament. The guy running the tournament said I would be in the way because he decided he needed to stand in front of it to referee the tournament.

 

A bigger venue would remove that problem completely.

 

 

I hope more homebrew starts showing up. I talked to a few people about how to get started on various platforms. At one point there was some Atari stuff being demoed, but that was it.

 

I'd love to see more people making stuff, and showing up to demo it. Alot of people get excited to see new stuff. Even by v0.15 Atlantean demo got alot of excitement from people.

 

One of my favorite parts of the show is Digital Dinos showing up and setting up a bunch of old computers to let people play on.

[Nateo]

Next year, they are planning on a bigger venue because of how crowded it is.

 

Glad to hear that we weren't the only ones that recognized this! I'm VERY excited to hear where they plan to do it next year.

 

One of my favorite parts of the show is Digital Dinos showing up and setting up a bunch of old computers to let people play on.

 

Moi aussi. The convention definitely needs more stuff like that.

[Arkhan]

The attendance has been going up every year, so it was only a matter of time before it got too crowded. It's definitely a good thing. It'll be sad to not be at that building though. It's a nice, comfortable building with alot of good food over at the bar, for cheap.

 

Next year I might set up a Turbo Grafx-16 and flip the game out constantly. I feel like the Turbob isn't as appreciated as it should be.

[+GroovyBee]

I hope more homebrew starts showing up. I talked to a few people about how to get started on various platforms. At one point there was some Atari stuff being demoed, but that was it.

 

To get more homebrewers to turn up the best thing to do in my opinion is send out some personal invites to people who are local to the event. I know "local" is a subjective term, but maybe people with up to 3 to 4 hours drive from the venue? Or if further away than that try and point them at cheap hotels in the area. Its a bit of work doing some research upfront and may take some time but thats how quite a few of the UK homebrew lot got together at a two day event last summer. It was a ton of fun meeting people from different scenes and everybody talking about their projects in an informal manner.

[Arkhan]

Part of the problem here is, over in America, there aren't as many homebrew happenings as you damn Europeans!

 

It's few and far between. We need fresh blood, basically. New guys willing to try their hand at coding stuff.

[+GroovyBee]

Part of the problem here is, over in America, there aren't as many homebrew happenings as you damn Europeans!

 

The event we were all invited to was for people interested in homebrewing and included coders, pixel artists and musicians and retro gaming fans. There were also some industry veterans there from back in the day too.

 

It's few and far between. We need fresh blood, basically. New guys willing to try their hand at coding stuff.

 

True! But sometimes you need a catalyst to draw people together. Don't forget that not everybody is confident in their own abilities.

[Nateo]

And you know, you may not even need the programmers themselves, just volunteers who are interested in the product and willing to be a representative. I'd gladly do that for Atari Age for any "local" convention.

[Arkhan]

I demoed a french guys IK+ style PC Engine game for a bit at the show.

 

I will say though, that the Aetherbyte stuff has been successful in kickstarting the PCE scene and getting more people interested.

 

Before, it was one of those "oh that platform is impossible, there isn't even any chip sound" sort of things where people thought you had to be some kind of expert guru.

 

Not anymore! Insanity was the first thing I ever did. If some loudmouth kid from college can make it happen, so can anyone

[+GroovyBee]

And you know, you may not even need the programmers themselves, just volunteers who are interested in the product and willing to be a representative. I'd gladly do that for Atari Age for any "local" convention.

 

Also true. But some people like to be there with their stuff especially if its early WIP/has other problems/requires expensive/prototype hardware. Maybe you and some other interested parties should get together and form your own group that is officially attached to the show with your focus being homebrew development and its promotion?

[Nateo]

And you know, you may not even need the programmers themselves, just volunteers who are interested in the product and willing to be a representative. I'd gladly do that for Atari Age for any "local" convention.

 

Also true. But some people like to be there with their stuff especially if its early WIP/has other problems/requires expensive/prototype hardware. Maybe you and some other interested parties should get together and form your own group that is officially attached to the show with your focus being homebrew development and its promotion?

 

Not a bad idea... kinda like my grandfather used to say: "You may never be an athlete, but you can always be an athletic supporter."

 

But yeah, I really do like that idea - getting some people together to help promote homebrews and other related projects.

[Arkhan]

That would be cool. I only have so much room at my booth, and it's mostly crammed up with my own jive.

 

There is alot of overseas stuff that could use some love, like Soulless.

 

That game is so hood alpha gangster.

[+GroovyBee]

That would be cool. I only have so much room at my booth, and it's mostly crammed up with my own jive.

 

If you are an official part of the show it would make sense to have more space. You never know until you ask . At Replay there were a variety of machines all running a selection of homebrews over the two days.

[Arkhan]

That would be cool. I only have so much room at my booth, and it's mostly crammed up with my own jive.

 

If you are an official part of the show it would make sense to have more space. You never know until you ask . At Replay there were a variety of machines all running a selection of homebrews over the two days.

 

Well, I am not an official part. I am just one of the vendors that buys 2 tables and demos my stuff. lol

[+GroovyBee]

Well, I am not an official part. I am just one of the vendors that buys 2 tables and demos my stuff. lol

 

Ah sorry, what I meant was if you became an official part of the show by getting some like minded individuals together and approaching the organisers of the show you'd probably be entitles to more space. With enough persuasion directed at the powers that be you might get the tables for free too.

[Nateo]

Not to needless resurrect a dead thread or anything, but I have been curious about this: Arkhan, have you heard about how much larger of a venue these folks are looking at?

[Arkhan]

Not to needless resurrect a dead thread or anything, but I have been curious about this: Arkhan, have you heard about how much larger of a venue these folks are looking at?

 

 

probably about double the size. There's lots of nice sized places around that area, so I expect something awesome

 

Also, here is some footage of the show:

 

 

 

 

There are two other videos with interviews of me floating around.

 

 

 

Incase you want to watch that weird guy people like to avoid. :3

Edited July 16, 2012 by Arkhan

[Nateo]

Incase you want to watch that weird guy people like to avoid. :3

 

Yup, that jackass with the red and black-striped shirt wandering into frame during your interview is certainly a guy I'd like to avoid

[Arkhan]

Yeah, that guy was a real pole smoker. Who let him into the convention!

 

lolol.