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UK's Kingston University design student Lee Wei Chen realized that the skills he developed playing a lot of video games are practically useless in real life, so he set out to do something about it.
Behold, the washing machine/arcade combo, where the likelihood of getting your clothes cleaned depends on your ability to play the game:
The machine looks like an arcade style video console – but the bottom half of the unit is a washing machine, with the components’ circuitry linked together. Therefore, the washing cycle is dependent on the success of the person playing the game, meaning that if they struggle, extra coins are needed to make sure the washing cycle is completed.
Chen’s course leader, Colin Holden, says, ‘He’s chosen two instantly recognisable objects – a washing machine and an arcade game – to illustrate this idea. Together the two objects produce a striking new electronic device. It’s an extremely well-executed design concept.’
Despite the genius behind the idea, it seems Chen is still far from becoming a domestic god, remaining blissfully unaware of the nuances of actually washing clothes.
‘I don’t even know how to choose the programme,’ he says.
I sense a fatal flaw in Chen's project. I mean, clean clothes? What video gamers actually care about wearing clean clothes?
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Wind-Up Pac-Man & Ghost – $9.95
Attention Pac-Man fans! Now you can relive the golden age of video arcade games with the Wind-Up Pac-Man & Ghost set from the NeatoShop. This fantastic Pac-Man and Blinky, the red ghost, set will have you wound up with excitement and hungry for play. Nom. Nom. Nom.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more great Cubicle Toys.
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For you young folks, an “arcade” was a place where people could go to play games on “arcade machines.” It was fun! You could socialize, hone your fine motor skills, and spend all your money! See a collection of classic arcade games from the 19th century through the space age at Dark Roasted Blend. Link
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Photo: StevenM_61 [Flickr]
Galaga. Centipede. Pac-Man. If these words mean anything to you, then take a trip down memory lane (and straight into your local Chuck E. Cheese’s) with the Flickr pool Growing Up in Arcades: 1979 – 1989: Link – via Dangerous Minds
Joystick-It iPad Arcade Stick – $24.95
Mother’s Day is right around the corner. Is your Mom old school with new school moves? Get her the Joystick-It iPad Arcade Stick from the NeatoShop. With this little joystick she will be able to play all her old favorites on her favorite new toy.
Be sure to check out the NeatoShop for more fabulously fun Computer Accessories!
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Atari Centipede Arcade Pint Glass – $7.95
In honor of my Dad, I present to you the Atari Centipede Arcade Pint Glass from the NeatoShop. This was the very first arcade game my Dad taught me to play. Here’s to great fun, a great game, and a great Dad! Cheers!
Be sure to check out all the fun-tastic Glassware & Drinkware available at the NeatoShop.
Comments Off Have you ever thought about building your own claw game? Winning is easier when you don’t have to feed money into the machine! Will Gorman was inspired by Toy Story to construct one for his son out of Lego bricks. The complete instructions are posted at BattleBricks. Link
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We all have to keep up with the times, and the classic arcade game Whac-A-Mole is no exception. Inventor Tim Hunkin found what could be the best villain for the game ever: bankers!
Mr Hunkin said the game was "proving very popular."
"I keep having to replace worn-out mallets," he said. "The bankers are bald and all look the same because that’s how I think people see bankers, as faceless."
Players, who are promised a "truly rewarding banking experience", pay 40p to hit as many bankers as they can in 30 seconds. When a customer wins a voice says: "You win. We retire. Thank you very much to the taxpayer for paying our pensions."
Link | Tim Hunkin’s website | Making of Whack-a-Banker
From The Fun Theory, a project by Volkswagen and the ones who brought us the piano staircase, comes bottle bank arcade. Again the question is posed, “If we make it fun, will people start doing it?” Yes, they will.
Thanks, Luna!
Every inch of Marvins Marvelous Mechanical Museum's 5500 square feet of floor space with 40 foot ceilings containing an array of buzzing and clattering new and vintage mechanical devices and oddities. Overhead dangle signs, animatronic dummies, over 50 airplane models gliding along a steel rail, vintage fans of all types, and classic sideshow posters. Marvin himself travels the world looking for odd coin operated devices, both new and old. Some of his machines are custom made just for him, and can not be seen in operation anywhere else. Marvin's is also listed in the World Almanac's 100 most unusual museums in the U.S.
From the Upcoming Queue, submitted by 
