So here it is: Eurocade 2011. The first edition of an annual European meeting of arcade videogame collectors !
For the first edition, I've "chosen" my gameroom as the location. Of course the goal is to have all the games in there up and running. However, since the date is at the end of summer, the idea is to put up a large tent in my garden so we can house more cabs !! The basic idea is really that of the well-known California Extreme (CAX) meeting, where collectors from across the US come and BRING cabs to share, to play, to meet and to have FUN !
The longer term goal is to make this an annual event (of which the location can change) and hopefully it will grow bigger each year !
The key to the success of this meeting is the collectors who are willing to come over and bring a cab (or two ?) !
Yes it's nuts, yes it's crazy but YES IT'S FUN !!
So far, I have a promise of about 6 cabs to be added for the meeting, being some VERY nice titles indeed !!
While I took the initiative for Eurocade, I found some local arcade friends who are willing to help with the organization:
CKONG (Erik), Etienne, RobinHolland (Robin) & Gyruss (Pieter) have agreed to contribute to the success of the meeting, for which I'm very thankful.
So, for those who don't know where I live, Ridderkerk is a town which is VERY close to Rotterdam, the most important city of The Netherlands (although other opinions differ).
It is at a "cross roads" of two major hi-ways, so very easy to reach by car.
For those who want to fly into here, there is our local Rotterdam-The Hague Airport, but of course Schiphol airport is only 45 minutes drive away by car.
Of course there are lots of hotels around in the area, I will find out if we can strike a deal with a certain (close and very modern) hotel if there is enough interest.
You could easily combine a visit to Rotterdam for a great weekend here. If it's windmills you want to see, the largest "collection" of windmills in Holland is a 15 minute drive from my place.
So details:
What ? Eurocade 2011
When? 3 september 2011, 10.00 - 0.00 h.
Where ? Ridderkerk, The Netherlands
What do I pay ? Bring a cab, entrance FREE. Bring no cab ? You're welcome to spend a free donation in the "piggy bank" at the meeting
What if I bring my cab and it rains ? No worries, the tent is leak-free guaranteed ! There will be heating for the night-time.
What to drink/eat ? I hope everyone can bring some drinks,crisps, cookies you name it. Lunch/dinner is not arranged sorry, we can call some pizza's or whatever, everything is available.
Who is invited ? The primary "target" are the collectors of arcade videogames. However, there are also arcadevideogames enthusiasts who don't have any machines at all for some reason. We're not ruling anybody out but we prefer not to have "joe around the corner" who happens to come along and play some games then leave...
What are the house rules?
1) RESPECT the games. Should be a no-brainer, but I see bottles of beer etc. on or near machines at about every meeting I"ve been to. Sorry but there will be plenty of room for drinking/eating but not where the machines are.
2) No drunks. No problem if people grab a couple of beers, but know your limits. I don't want people sleeping/puking in my SW cockpit !!
3) No smoking. Not in my gameroom, not in the tent,not in my house. Smoking IS possible in my front yard.
4) No drugs. Yeah yeah we Dutchies are famous for our coffee shops, but I hate them.
What if I have a question ? Mail me or PM me....
What machines will be there ?
See the updated list above...
What to do next ?
1)Please contact me and let me know if you come and with how many people.
It's OK to bring a friend/wife/gf along.
2) Let me know if you can bring a cab and what game
3) Let me know if you need to stay a night (or two) and which night(s)
OK, too long probably but I wanted to "dump" all the info at once.
So, I really hope you guys are feeling like making this a success. I do realize some of you are from very far, but without your contribution it will be impossible to make it a success.
Let's get some of that US YES WE CAN spirit !
Cheers, André
