09/28/24 – Weekly Update

General :

This will be quite an update ! During work on the space , we generally keep the doors open to encourage neighbors and passerby’s to say hello and check us out ! There has been a stunningly great reception to what we do . A lot of opportunity has been expressed for future things ! In keeping with our strictly organic growth , here and now model , we can go on about those things when the time comes .

So let’s get started,

We’re now reviewable on Google ! We’ve had many great reviews given to put on our website for the Player Feedback Section ( we will continue to manage this page ! ) , but this is a lot more official to the rest of the world or those who might be taking interest and want to join forces !

So if you can , please take a moment leave your thoughts and feelings about what Araiguma means to you !

You can click here for a direct link to review : https://g.page/r/CQ5XU4WD3MtJEAI/review

Media :

We are also planning lots of media updates . Event Media being more curated , getting better shots using better equipment . We want the players to really shine and this is a part of that . Getting those good pictures .

We are also planning on capturing more player interviews with the regulars and better organized tournaments ! There is much to look forward to ! There is a great deal in the works for media projects that can be realized in this new location .

Event News :

We are currently 4PM to Midnight posted hours ( Of course can run far later than Midnight ) for Saturday hours ( Aka Kids In The Hall ) and Good For Health Bad For Education hours remaining the same , 5:30PM to 9:30PM ( Roughly, this can go to 10:30-11:30PM now just not scheduled for it – yet ! )

Haggar’s Alley ! The weather is turning cool ! And it is time to start planning our first in this tournament series !

Space :

More blank wall space has been filled up !

A ceiling fan has been added to the 2P side row !

During the wait to continue construction on adding the vent/diffuser in the center of the room , we have solved the issue of the wasted Air Conditioning that would blow across the wall and out into the hallway , but mounting this fan here , it goes across to be further distributed by the ceiling fan shown above !

Not like we have temp concerns anymore ( For once in our history ! ! ) but a nice circulation is best for the most competitive play . We will continue to do our best in evaluating these systems .

The US row of machines have been better spaced by reducing the amount of dead space caused by unnecessary door swing , left by an error during the original space surveying . The Pit now also has more seating space and more room between shoulders for Soul Calibur 2 , Super Turbo and the Naomi machine .

The Mahjong Tables and supporting equipment has now been moved back to the arcade and are stored with ease of removal and setup in mind ! These can be brought out with information in advance for UC Mahjong Club play !

Hardware :

Initial runs have started for building up our Broadcast ! We now have the player cams for Station A Cabs ,

The DVR has been added to the Versatile City B . This plays a double roll as running our chat monitor during Good For Health – Bad For Education . Outside of this event the DVR can be used as needed .

Soul Calibur 2 is back ! It is a slow roll out on machines coming back online ! We also had a Thursday night Soul Calibur 2 rotation from players from long ago who are feeling the competitive spirit and wish to learn more !

Next up is our MVC2 cab running our Sega Naomi System , we will have access to the entire Sega Naomi Library ( Sega Naomi NetDIMM ) and expect to convert the levers from American to Japanese when our surplus funds are restored !

MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM EXTREME VS. MAXIBOOST ON is currently in the process of service restoration , Much design work and consideration is being made , with respects to becoming forward compatible to a current new project you may have seen on the Discord , upgrading to Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Vs. 2 XBoost ! !

Specifically with MBON , we would like a roll out solution that can be easily deployed , torn down and stored outside of our hours . This service restoration will include all features from before , including streaming ability .

We currently have a team working at bringing EXVS2 XB together . Initially the Live Monitor / Server will be provided by the Araiguma: Advanced Battle Center along with monitors . We will initially be operating on BYOPC until a fully deployed solution is available .

While we have no ETA at this time , it is very possible from original design work and looking much closer than one may have expected ! Quotes will be built for interested parties who are looking to assist in the procurement of the required hardware .

Donation Call :

Did you upgrade your PC lately ? Within the last 5 years ? Do you have these unused components taking up space in your closet or under your bed ? We are generally able to work with these components ! Your old hardware , may be upgrades to rotatable equipment we are soon fielding ( Open arcade hours during IMC community events – Things not typically run during our main events ) .

Please reach out and let us know what you might have ! And a major thanks to all of those who have already provided us with spares and improvements !

Broadcast :

A new Broadcast computer is being built up ! We are starting over with a fresh system and fresh layouts , all following things learned from those of previous . A Broadcast cart is in the process of being assembled , that will allow us to be fully mobile !

We can use a corner of our arcade with a small footprint , wheel out to Haggar’s Alley , upstairs to the venues or even other locations to assist in the service of other events as this has been inquired about many times in the past !

This will be designed in such a way that it becomes modular to our arcade . Minimal interruption to service .

Please consider this a work in progress image ! There are many improvements to be made to this cart when parts are obtained , however higher priority is going live with Gundam EXVS 2 ! This had to be shown being a topic of excitement amongst some of our commentary team and others !

UC Mahjong Club:

This is another long talked about thing we’ve wanted to do one day when renting a space within the walls of our friends , The Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center ! The sponsoring of a community Mahjong club !

More information on this can be found here : UC Mahjong Club

But there is no rush ! This is notification only ! Please continue to enjoy Mahjong as you normally would . We have a new usage of space we wish to try out for this and see how it goes and what can become of it ! This has been met with a VERY positive reception , the player base in the area is much larger than one may have expected !

Please give us time and we will ensure a great play experience .

Gamesoft :

Terry is now available in Street Fighter 6 !

Title Updates :

Street Fighter 6
Granblue Fantasy Versus
Idol Showdown