A while back we heard about a new arcade event that would be taking place in Banning, CA this year, an event aiming to set a record with “750+ Vintage Pinball & Arcade Machines” available to play. Called the Arcade Expo, it started today in Banning, CA at a 40,000 sq. ft. facility called the Museum of Pinball. We have mentioned the facility and the expo on Arcade Heroes before; the first day is still going on as I write this, since they close at midnight.
This is just a piece of the pinball room at Arcade Expo in Banning, CA. If you have a chance, please check it out! pic.twitter.com/ZZBCSAb9n8
— Japan Arcade (@Japan_Arcade) January 16, 2015
With such a massive selection of games, especially on the pinball side, available to play, they are aiming to set a world record on Jan. 17th for “most people playing pinball simultaneously”. Just playing a lot of pinball is not the only thing they have available, there are seminars, tournaments and movie nights. The expo will end on January 18th; here is a press release below with more details.
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PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SoCal’s Largest Arcade Expo Boasts Over
750 Retro and Modern Pinball and Arcade Games
To Be Held January 16-18, 2015 in Banning, CA
Banning, CA – January 12, 2015 – With a nationwide resurgence in nostalgic gaming, the Museum of Pinball will host Arcade Expo, its inaugural three-day event in Banning, California, on January 16th-18th, 2015. Over 500 retro and modern pinball machines and arcade games will be on “freeplay” for ticketholders of the expo, which expects to attract over 1,500 people over the weekend.
“From the moment I dropped a quarter into a pinball machine in 1975, I was hooked,” explains John Weeks, founder and executive director of the Museum of Pinball. “I’m excited to see young and old come together for three days of absolute fun.”
Weeks began collecting pinball machines 40 years ago, and he’s been storing them for quite some time while looking for an appropriate venue to display the games and give access to others. With over 40,000 square feet on an 18-acre campus in Banning, California, the Museum of Pinball will be hosting twice-a-year events for the general public. While local residents have been purchasing tickets, gaming enthusiasts are flying in from as far as Canada to experience what is noted as the largest arcade exposition in southern California.
Attendees will be treated to a wide array of games from the 1960s to the 2000s, and a variety of family-friendly activities are scheduled including:
- Chiptune musicians creating electronic music produced by the sound chips of video game consoles.
- Nightly arcade-themed documentaries.
- Pinball and arcade game tournaments.
- Vendors will gaming-related merchandise.
- Seminars on the psychology of gaming, basic pinball machine repair, and the role of patents and pinball.
- Q&A sessions and panel discussions with notable special guests including Walter Day (founder of Twin Galaxies), Roger Sharpe (the man credited with saving pinball), and Richie Knucklez (gaming world record holder).
“Not only do we want young people to experience the excitement of an electronic game that doesn’t just appear on a handheld screen, but we want to preserve the amazing history of gaming,” said Kenny Hardy, show director. “Ultimately, we just want more people to fall in love with pinball and retro arcade games.”
On Saturday, January 17th, at 2pm, attendees at Arcade Expo will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for “most people playing pinball simultaneously” – currently held by the Texas Pinball Festival at 272 people. All attendees are welcome to participate.
About Arcade Expo
Arcade Expo will be held at the Museum of Pinball located at 700 South Hathaway in Banning, California. Tickets are available online at www.arcadeexpo.com or at the door with a three-day pass available at $75. The daily schedule and ticket prices are as follows:
Friday, January 16th (2:00pm-12:00am) – $25/adult and $10/child (6-14)
Saturday, January 17th (10:00am-2:00am) – $40/person and $15/child (6-14)
Sunday, January 18th (10:00am-5:00pm) – $25/person and $10/child (6-14)
Media Contact:
Erin Cavanaugh
714.749.8172
