It’s the dream of just about every 12-year-old with a serious penchant for gaming. Picture this: A trailer truck pulls up, loaded with just about any game imaginable, and inside, you discover a comfortable gaming den with enough room for you and all your friends to throw down on some Halo. No parents allowed.
With Game Movers, Santa Maria couple Kurt and Cary Mason can make that dream a reality. The Masons’ air-conditioned hauler trailer comes complete with four Xbox360s, two Nintendo Wiis, four flat-screen TVs, and seating for up to 16 kids (or kids at heart). There’s also a staging area for more physically demanding favorites such as Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution.
Powered by a generator, the mobile arcade can be parked and open for business in minutes, at just about any place with a flat surface. With the Masons acting as game hosts, kids can choose from a huge library of multiplayer games. Call of Duty: Black Ops is the most popular pick, followed by Halo Reach, which allows for a mega multiplayer experience.
“We can link all the systems together so they’re actually playing against all their friends,” Cary said. “If you’re at home on Xbox Live, you’re playing against strangers, but when you’re playing against your friends, it makes it more fun because it’s people that you know.”
As far as mobile gaming goes, the Masons’ trailer is the only game in town on the Central Coast. A teacher at a Santa Maria junior high school, Kurt was inspired by his students’ love of video games and also their complaints about a lack of things to do around town. A gaming trailer seemed like a natural solution, so the couple looked into franchising opportunities.
In the end, however, the Masons decided to put the unit together themselves. It took three months, and the rig made its debut in the 2010 Santa Maria Christmas Parade of Lights. Since then, it’s become a popular option for youth sports team parties and a hit as a reward for fundraising events at local schools. Though it can be booked for any social event, birthdays have far and away been Game Movers’ biggest play, starting at $199 for two hours.
“We’ve had parents say, ‘This is the easiest party we’ve ever had, but we feel guilty because we’re not doing anything,’” Cary joked.
So far, Cary said, business has been in line with her goal of four parties a month, even with limited commercial advertising.
“It’s like a giant billboard driving around town,” she said of the trailer. “We get a really good response.”
The Masons will be putting Game Movers on public display with a pay-to-play exhibition at the Elks Rodeo Parade Family Fair on June 4 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To book Game Movers for your next event, call 878-GAME or visit gamemoversparty.com.
Highlights
• Chamber members, mark your calendars for the Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce’s monthly mixer at the Historic Santa Maria Inn on May 19 from 5 to 7 p.m.
Attendees will enjoy live music by Sammy Labastida Jazz N Blues in the Inn’s Olde English Tap Room, sample fine wines by William James Cellars, and enjoy handmade hors d’oeuvres. Ed Carcarey and Mega Radio 97.1 will host the event.
For more information, visit santamariachambernews.com.
• What treasures are waiting to be discovered in Santa Maria’ TV’s Treasure Hunters Roadshow is bringing its worldwide treasure hunt to the Radisson Hotel May 12 to 14.
During this free event, locals can bring their rare and unusual collectibles to experts for professional assessments—and perhaps make a big sale. The Roadshow is especially looking for gold, silver, coins, vintage jewelry, musical instruments, and toys made prior to 1965. The show runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 12 and 13, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 14.
The Radisson Hotel is at 3455 Skyway Dr. For more information, visit treasurehunters roadshow.com or call (217) 523-4225.
Biz Spotlight/Highlights are written and compiled by Staff Writer Jeremy Thomas. Information should be sent to the Sun via fax, e-mail, or mail.
This article appears in May 12-19, 2011.