For those of you who own a machine, is it worth it?

[ΩOMEGAΩ]

I forgot how much power they used too. I would not mind having a Solo machine, any machine would be fine, as long as it was cheap (wont happen).

also ya, lilQ has "other hobbies". He does go to arcades every once in a while still, but I have not seen him since GOLD tested, and he was pretty funny.

[Poochy]

I don't actually own a machine, but I used to know someone who did, as well as a few arcade employees who would do maintenance on a DDR machine, so here's my secondhand experience, as far as maintenance goes:

1. Don't get an old-but-upgraded machine. They may be a lot cheaper at first, but you'll spend a ton more money on spare parts to fix whatever breaks. I'm guessing this is the main reason for people regretting buying a machine.
2. Wear shoes (or sandals) when you play. Shoe soles will distribute your weight out over a larger area as well as absorb some of the impact, so the pads won't wear out as quickly.
3. Clean out the dust and stuff under the pads (i.e. on the sensors themselves) regularly. To abuse a cliche, a stitch in time saves nine. Don't let the dirt and grime compact.
4. Clean off the tops of the pads often. It prevents the dust and dirt from falling in through the seams and getting on the sensors.

Basically, they're only high-maintenance if you neglect the easier but less obvious maintenance tasks.

[danirith]

I personally wouldn't want a machine. Just get me the metal pad w/bar and I'll be good.

[「dj.TK」]

Mine was cool for a while, but it wasn't really worth it, pads where pretty meh even after cleaning and replacing some parts. I kinda enjoyed playing in public more.

DDR'n at 1am with just pants on and drinks was a plus however.

I would have keep it if was ITG2 tho.

[ΩOMEGAΩ]

I was going to buy a Solo 2000 machine for $200 with no pad, but the guy that was selling it on ebay never sent me a message back. This over a year ago, and I heard you can hook up a PS2 dance mat to a machine, so I would just buy a really nice metal pad for the machine, and tra-da, custom DDR machine! Sucks that the guy never sent me a message back, because it is possible to do.

[Blackraven]

Not sure as to how much power an actual machine consumes but if anycase......



The SN1 machine we have in my country (which was brand new when purchased in 2006) consumes around 320 watts.

So if that's any indication, then I guess it's the best estimate to reflect how much electricity will be consumed once this thing is on.

[fellatius]

See I don't see what is wrong with buying two metal pads, a decent monitor, and just playing Stepmania a lot

It'd be a lot cheaper and less of a hassle, so unless you really want THE ULTIMATE ARCADE EXPERIENCE it's probably the better idea

[DJ LongCat]

I like how all of the 16 year olds are gonna open up an arcade sometime in their lives.

That is fucking hilarious as the arcade with only Bemani would fail within a month.

ITT: People who don't know how arcades work.

[Shigekix]

Originally Posted by DJ LongCat

That is fucking hilarious as the arcade with only Bemani would fail within a month.

I'm pretty sure "an arcade with all the Bemani games" is different than "an arcade with only Bemani games".

But still owning an arcade is a sad dream.

[Silver Brian]

I want to have an arcade too. Don't shatter my dreams.

=(

[BemaniAK]

Originally Posted by DJ LongCat

I like how all of the 16 year olds are gonna open up an arcade sometime in their lives.

I'm not, well, I don't plan to.
If you open it in the right area, like SunnyBank, in Australia, (Also known as Chinatown) or certain parts of Brisbane city it could do alright.

[ΩOMEGAΩ]

Originally Posted by DJ LongCat

I like how all of the 16 year olds are gonna open up an arcade sometime in their lives.

That is fucking hilarious as the arcade with only Bemani would fail within a month.

ITT: People who don't know how arcades work.

I never said it was only going to have Bemani games, its going to have other arcade games, and game set ups, and video game tournaments.

Also if it was such a bad idea, I would have never even have considered it an idea. Also i realize bemani games are very expensive to import, and I never said I was going to have all of them right when it opens if I do start a arcade business. This is still pretty far down the road, and I still plan from time to time. So we'll see what happens in the future...

[June.H]

For home/private use, if you don't pay a lot for the machine then sure, it could be worth it. But playing by yourself, heck you might as well just invest some money on a solid home setup and stick with that. It's not an arcade machine, but a) it saves a PISS load of money, b) easier to move around, c) you only really have to put up with a pad and songlist that's not as arcade perfect (which stepmania can help), but honestly, mind over matter, and d) saves a whole lot space.

Machine really really suck to move around. If you need to put it somewhere, unless you have a lot of friends, don't plan on moving it anywhere else. The casters on the pads are annoying as hell to balance properly on all 8 sides, machine really sucks if you have to move it anywhere else except on one flat plane, and the marquee just add annoying height, so chances are you're going to have to disassemble that before moving the machine (and again, you'll need a couple friends to help you with that).

tl;dr: unless you REALLY want to put up with the cost and hassle, it's not worth it.

In terms of maintenance, it could be high maintenance depending on the condition of the machine you receive it in, and how heavily it's used. Of course, it also depends on what the damages are and/or what machine you're buying.

DDR really isn't necessarily high maintenance if proper measure are taken to keep the machine in good condition. It can take a hell of a beating.

[SF1]

If I got my own machine, I'd have no reason to leave the house.

[DJCykon]

I think an ITG2 machine would be worth it because of r21. That alone would make the up-keep on the machine worth it in my opinion.