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Man's Business Is All Fun And Games
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Published: March 15, 2009
NEW PORT RICHEY - Andy Allshouse's work is all play.
Like a lot of people, Allshouse dreamed of going into business for himself. A couple of months ago, he took the plunge when he found just the franchise he was looking for, one that would allow him to be his own boss and have a good time doing it while making a living, to boot.
In the past few months, residents in West Pasco and northern Pinellas counties may have noticed his business. Even though it's always on the move, it's hard to miss.
Allshouse operates the area's first Games 2U franchise. Founded by brothers Stuart and David Pikoff and based in Austin, Texas, Games 2U is a concept that brings electronic gaming to any party or event.
"I've always been in sales and marketing," Allshouse said. "It caught my attention as something unique."
Covered top to bottom, front to back with the Games 2U logo and video game images, Allshouse's truck and trailer setup is indeed an eye-catcher, one that loudly announces, "Here comes the fun!"
The 32-foot gooseneck trailer is designed inside and out to make good on that first impression. It is equipped with six 50-inch high definition plasma screens - four inside, two mounted outside the trailer. The trailer is equipped to run video games on all six screens, each screen with its own surround sound stereo system. Assuming four players per game, the system can entertain two dozen party guests at once, and that's just the beginning.
"What I like about it is it's so versatile," Allhouse said. "I can do corporate team-building, birthdays, festivals, church youth groups."
A built-in satellite system also allows for live broadcasts to show on any of the screens. For something like a Super Bowl party, the broadcast can be shown on one screen while guests play games on the one next to it. The trailer is also equipped to play DVDs or Blue-ray discs. The main feature, though, is the video game capability.
"Pretty much any hot, current game, we carry," Allhouse said. With Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation 3 and Xbox360 systems on board, he pretty much has the gaming world covered. And with a built-in generator, he can set up just about anywhere.
That can be handy, because along with the mobile video theater, Allshouse can quickly set up portable bunkers for a game of laser tag. This allows even more guests to be entertained at once.
Allshouse wasn't much of a gamer before he got interested in Games 2U. He said one of the happier perks of starting his franchise is the help he got learning the game systems from his three in-house tutors: sons Dawsyn, 10; Brandt, 8; and Ethan, 4. Dawsyn even likes to serve as a game coach at some weekend events. He's good at helping kids get set up, switch games or even help them through the games themselves, Allshouse said.
Before going to Texas to meet the Pikoff brothers, Allshouse did some local market research and determined a Games 2U franchise could make a go of it in north Pinellas/West Pasco. His official territory ranges from Clearwater Beach to New Port Richey, but with no adjacent franchises for the time being, he has a bit of leeway.
His first two months in business have lived up to his expectations and then some, he said. He's been doing some advertising, but word-of-mouth has been his best promotional tool.
"Once people see it, they see the possibilities," he said.
Games 2U costs $199 for the first hour, $99 each hour after for either video games or laser tag. A two-hour combo package of video games and laser tag, by far the more popular option, Allshouse said, is $349, with $99 each hour after.
For more information or to book an event, call Allshouse at 727-804-1384 or e-mail him at A2mobilegaming@tampabay.rr.com.
New Port Richey man's mobile video arcade promises to be the life of party - any party
BY KLINT LOWRY
THE SUNCOAST NEWS
NEW PORT RICHEY Andy Allshouse's work is all play.
Like a lot of people, Allshouse dreamed of going into business for himself. A couple of months ago, he took the plunge when he found just the franchise he was looking for, one that would allow him to be his own boss and have a good time doing it while making a living, to boot.
In the past few months, residents in West Pasco and northern Pinellas counties may have noticed his business. Even though it's always on the move, it's hard to miss.
Allshouse operates the area's first Games 2U franchise. Founded by brothers Stuart and David Pikoff and based in Austin, Texas, Games 2U is a concept that brings electronic gaming to any party or event.
"I've always been in sales and marketing," Allshouse said. "It caught my attention as something unique."
Covered top to bottom, front to back with the Games 2U logo and video game images, Allshouse's truck and trailer setup is indeed an eye-catcher, one that loudly announces, "Here comes the fun!"
The 32-foot gooseneck trailer is designed inside and out to make good on that first impression. It is equipped with six 50-inch high definition plasma screens - four inside, two mounted outside the trailer. The trailer is equipped to run video games on all six screens, each screen with its own surround sound stereo system. Assuming four players per game, the system can entertain two dozen party guests at once, and that's just the beginning.
"What I like about it is it's so versatile," Allhouse said. "I can do corporate team-building, birthdays, festivals, church youth groups."
A built-in satellite system also allows for live broadcasts to show on any of the screens. For something like a Super Bowl party, the broadcast can be shown on one screen while guests play games on the one next to it. The trailer is also equipped to play DVDs or Blue-ray discs. The main feature, though, is the video game capability.
"Pretty much any hot, current game, we carry," Allhouse said. With Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation 3 and Xbox360 systems on board, he pretty much has the gaming world covered. And with a built-in generator, he can set up just about anywhere.
That can be handy, because along with the mobile video theater, Allshouse can quickly set up portable bunkers for a game of laser tag. This allows even more guests to be entertained at once.
Allshouse wasn't much of a gamer before he got interested in Games 2U. He said one of the happier perks of starting his franchise is the help he got learning the game systems from his three in-house tutors: sons Dawsyn, 10; Brandt, 8; and Ethan, 4. Dawsyn even likes to serve as a game coach at some weekend events. He's good at helping kids get set up, switch games or even help them through the games themselves, Allshouse said.
Before going to Texas to meet the Pikoff brothers, Allshouse did some local market research and determined a Games 2U franchise could make a go of it in north Pinellas/West Pasco. His official territory ranges from Clearwater Beach to New Port Richey, but with no adjacent franchises for the time being, he has a bit of leeway.
His first two months in business have lived up to his expectations and then some, he said. He's been doing some advertising, but word-of-mouth has been his best promotional tool.
"Once people see it, they see the possibilities," he said.
Games 2U costs $199 for the first hour, $99 each hour after for either video games or laser tag. A two-hour combo package of video games and laser tag, by far the more popular option, Allshouse said, is $349, with $99 each hour after.
For more information or to book an event, call Allshouse at 727-804-1384 or e-mail him at A2mobilegaming@tampabay.rr.com.
Klint Lowry can be reached at 727-815-1067 or at klowry@suncoastnews.com. Klint Lowry can be reached at 727-815-1067 or at klowry@suncoastnews.com.
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