Friday, March 14, 2008

SMASH IT UP! Video Contest

Contest Extended Until May 31st

Arcade-in-a-Box Smash It Up Contest!

Arcade-in-a-Box will be holding a contest and will be giving away a complete Arcade-in-a-Box solo console arcade controller to the winner. More prizes will be added as the contest progresses. New sponsors and prizes will be added to this post including other prizes for Arcade-in-a-Box, Gameroom magazine and more.

For the contest we are asking contestants to enter videos showing them destroying gamepads in the most creative ways possible. We just ask that you be safe, be smart, and don’t injure yourself in the process.

The contest will last until the end of May, at which time our panel of judges will pick the top 10 videos. Once those videos are selected, there will be a website created where users can vote on their favorite video by DIGGing them. The winners will be determined by the amount of DIGGs each video gets.

We have a youtube group created for you to upload your videos.
http://www.youtube.com/groups_layout?name=smashitup

We just have a few simple rules.
No nudity
No drug use
Nothing illegal
Must be a United States Resident

That’s it, now get out there and Smash up those wussy gamepads ;).

Prizes: (More prizes are coming - Updated March 18th)
1st Place -
  • Arcade-In-A-Box Solo Arcade controller built to order.  You choose the system, button type, layout, Joystick type and artwork.
  • 1 Year Subscription to ConsoleClassix
  • 1 Year Subscription to GameRoom Magazine
  • Construction Plans for the Ultimate Arcade I or II Cabinet from Mameroom
2nd Place -
  • $75 gift certificate towards the purchase of an Aracde-In-A-Box Solo Arcade Controller
  • 1 Year Subscription to ConsoleClassix
  • 1 Year Subscription to GameRoom Magazine
3rd Place -
  • $25 gift certificate towards the purchase of an Aracde-In-A-Box Solo Arcade Controller
  • 1 Year Subscription to ConsoleClassix
  • 1 Year Subscription to GameRoom Magazine
4th-10th Place -

A New Direction

I have decided that it's time for a change.  Arcade-in-a-Box is moving in a new direction and I will be concentrating creating the best console arcade controllers I can.  This decision has been a very hard one considering the Arcade-in-a-Box Home Arcade Console was the staple of this company, it was the product that started this company and has kept it alive for the past 8 years.  However, due to very low sales over past year, it is apparent there is a shift in the market for the home arcade enthusiast.  

When we launched the press release just 5 months ago about the release of the Xbox 360 solo arcade controller, I was not prepared for what was about to happen.  The amount of sales I got in that short time was overwhelming.  Since then I have realized the absolutely amazing community of gamers out there that desire a good arcade stick for their home consoles.  Whether they are competitive tournament players or casual players.  The embrace I got from that community just blew me away.  Then came the very favorable reviews from sources like Official Xbox Magazine and IGN to name a few.  This community of enthusiasts is one of the main reasons I am making this change.  Without them stepping up and purchasing a product from a virtual unknown company in console arcade controllers was amazing.  I realized then that this was a special community that I had to be a part of.

I continue to search for feedback and new ideas from this community, and I won't stop.  On top of that, this amazing community has also contributed artwork for use on my arcade controllers, and new artworks is pouring in all the time.  I don't know what to say besides thank you.

So what will the changes be?
  • The Arcade-In-A-Box and Jamma-In-A-Box systems will no longer be sold.  Of course I will fulfill any current orders and will continue to support my customers that have purchased those items in the past.
  • The Arcade-In-A-Box building plans will be made available for free in a downloadable PDF file.
  • Dreamcast, Playstation 2, Playstation, Playstation 3, and GC/Wii controllers will all be made available very soon.  These will compliment our 360 controller.
  • Two solo stick designs.  One for those that like to play with the stick sitting on a table or chair (the current design) and one that will be designed for lap players.
  • Box colors will be offered in more than black.  Blue, Green, Red, White are a just a few examples of what is to come.
  • We will continue to accept new artwork to our collection to make sure we always have something for everyone.
  • A new design will be coming as well.  The old style will still be available as many people seem to like it, but the new design will be moving the joystick and button up on the stick to allow more wrist room.  It will also move the non Play buttons to the side of the controller.
  • We will also offer a service upgrading your old arcade controllers (X-Arcade, SFII Anniversary Stick) for use with the 360
I think that's all for now.  Thank you for your continued support for Arcade-In-A-Box and I look forward to building more arcade sticks.  A lot of changes are taking place, so please be patient while arcadeinabox.com is updated.

Ed Farias
Owner
Arcade-In-A-Box: Hold Your Own!