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ROCHESTER |
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Date: April 11th-13th 2008 Report by Pinballeric The third annual Rochester Gameroom Show was held at a new location, The Rochester Armory. The location changed from a rural setting at the Minnett Hall of the Dome Center in Henrietta, an agriculture showplace, to the urban setting of downtown Rochester. The Armory was built in 1905 for the military to use for training soldiers. In use for the National Guard until 1990, the Rochester Armory was recently refurbished under private ownership, was officially opened to the community in 2006 and is a home for rock concerts, sporting events and trade shows.
I arrived on Saturday, parked my car for free and paid the adult $12 admission to the show. Truly a family event, kids 12 and under only $5.00, under 5 free. The Rochester Game Room Show was about having fun. There were over 200 pinball and arcade games available for free play. My main interest is pinball, however there were video games and contests for the younger kids in attendance, a snack bar and an adult drinks bar.
The armory’s 35,000-square-foot (3,300-square-meter) main arena was a nice space for a game room show. The wooden floor and high ceiling kept the noise level down which was excellent for having conversations with both players and vendors alike.
Games were set up for the P3Tournament competitive pinball. The top 8 players made it to the finals and the finals were split into an A and B division. The top 4 qualifying players played in the A division and the next 4 qualifying played in the B division for the finals
I was really impressed by the selection of pinball machines set up for free play. From the newest from Stern to the rare games, many of which were not for sale, it was a player’s paradise. There were great prices on games to take home for your game room.
 Old Chicago Classic pin was designed by Greg Kmiec with artwork by Dave Christensen
Some games I enjoyed playing were:
The folks at the Rochester Gameroom Show really want to help you out in putting together a Game Room. If your basement is in need of an overhaul then BFS Direct’s Trent Bohrer can get the job done 1-866-998-ROOM
 “We’ve Got Your Balls” STR Industries has a 70% of world market share
 Neon is cool
Team 1930, The Comets, is a third year FIRST Robotics team located in Henrietta, NY. The team is composed of 25 students and a handful of teachers, mentors, and parents.
The P3Tournaments Wizard Of New York qualifying rounds took place on Friday and Saturday with the finals held on Saturday evening. Qualifiers played 3 of the 5 games available - The Sopranos, Rollergames, Big Bang Bar, Family Guy and The Shadow. The top eight qualifiers were split into an A Division for the top four and a B Division for fifth to eighth. They were (in qualifying order): The A Division final saw Sean O'Neill taking first place, Sean Grant in second, Trent Augenstein in third place and Ed Zeltmann in fourth. In the B Division it was John Flitton who triumphed followed by Steve Bowden in second, Paul Drabik in third and Bruce Nightingale in fourth. There was also a "No Limits" pinball tournament which allowed Sean Grant the opportunity to improve his second place in the A Division and take first place. Jory Rabinowitz took second while Steven Bowden was third. I had a great time at the Rochester Gameroom Show, talking with many people and of course playing pinball. Next year’s show should be bigger and better so be there or be square. Don’t forget to check out my website at http://pinballeric.com/ - The Home of the Price Guide.
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