My wife has agreed that when we hit the lottery and move into a larger house, I can have a game room. I’ve put way, way too much thought into what that would entail. I don’t really want a lot of weird or special equipment, but there are specific things and a specific layout that I’d put together.
First, it has to accommodate a solid conference room table. For a smaller group we can cluster at one end, but I want room for at least 8 people. I would want the entire table painted with 1″ squares, with some sort of sealant or laminate that would allow it to be drawn on with dry erase markers. Ideally, this pattern would look decorative when it wasn’t being used for that purpose, but I’d also like a nice table cloth to cover the whole thing, because (as you’ll see) I’d have other uses for the room.
There will be outlets in the floor under the table. There will be power strips installed under the tabletop, so if someone needs to plug in a laptop we won’t have cords all over the place or even underfoot while you’re sitting. I’ll put hooks underneath the tabletop as well, to swag those cords on.
There would be no chairs on one long side of the table. There would be chairs, stacked in a closet or utility room, but one side would be kept clear. That would be the side where people could walk freely to move miniatures and such, without bumping into each other. That would also be the side where the sofa goes. Not up against the table, but on that side of the room. Then, if playing a roleplaying game that doesn’t require minis, people who prefer to sit on a comfy sofa and people who prefer to set at a table could still interact.
There will be tray tables, so if people need additional space for books and gear while at the table or sofa they’ve got the room.
On the wall opposite the sofa will be the big-screen TV. This will never be on during a game, but if friends want to come hang out before, after, or in lieu of a game we could sit and watch a movie or some TV episodes or something inspirational to the game. Maybe even video games. It mentally ties into the game because you’re watching it in the game room. Yeah, I’m weird. Throw that table cloth on the big table and it can hold the pot luck stuff and party food.
There will be a stereo system. This will be in a cabinet where people have to make an effort to fiddle with it. This can be used for soundtrack music during games. To be used carefully so it doesn’t become a distraction.
Wifi server will be in the same cabinet as the stereo, if it’s in the game room at all and not elsewhere in the house.
There will be cork boards and dry-erase boards on the walls for maps and other drawings, maybe even to hang pics and posters inspirational to the games being run. It will also help the room look less empty and help with acoustics. I don’t want any “permanent” art on the walls. I want to reconfigure it for mood, based on the game being run.
Speaking of mood, lighting will be important. Good lighting over the table. A dimmer switch, because lowering the lights for horror games is cool.
There will be a walk-in closet with shelves where all of the games will be stored. This closet will have a door. Then there will be no shiny objects to distract people from the game, while still being handy to grab if needed for reference. Any props will be in here as well, along with candles (for mood lighting in horror games, duh).
Ideally, the room would have a separate entrance from the rest of the house. Then, if we’re gaming late, we don’t have to worry about tromping through the house and waking the wife. There will be hooks on the wall for coats, and a table specifically for dumping backpacks and other stuff. Then you don’t have to hassle with that stuff at the table.
There will be a sink with filtered water, a mini-fridge for beverages and perishable snacks, a microwave, and a large trash can. There will be a hot-air popper for popcorn, because the first person to burn popcorn in the microwave would lose 1,000,000 XP and be sacrificed to the dice gods. There will be a high-end coffee maker, another reason for the sink being there. This kitchenette area will also be well-stocked with napkins, paper towels, and coasters as well.
There will be a bathroom nearby. Probably not immediately adjacent to the room, because I want neither the distraction of someone’s personal effluvia nor the noise of the ventilation fan coming into the game room, but right down the hall is perfect.
Windows will be the long narrow horizontal ones found in basement apartments and doctor’s offices. I’m all for allowing natural light in, but having windows people can stare out of is a potential distraction.
The room would be painted in a pleasant, soothing color. A sage green, probably. Carpeted, for acoustics, but something easy to clean in the event of drink spills. If a non-gamer walked into the room it wouldn’t look like a game room, but gamers should find it comfortable, inviting, and functional.
Does anyone else have any suggestions, or thoughts on what would constitute your perfect game room? Post your ideas in the comments below.
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