Psycho Beast and Big Brother in the same session? That was the line-up for part two of the Hairy Slotters' Onetec visit, which premiered at 9pm on 21 November 2020. The footage had been filmed before lockdown. With normal arcade visits off the cards again, the premiere gave viewers a chance to watch together and catch up in the live chat. The episode picked up at the end of the Andy Capp play before moving on to Psycho Beast and Big Brother. That change of machines was the point of the update: a quick preview of what viewers would see next. The original announcement had fun with the Big Brother theme, including nods to Davina and Nasty Nick. Anyone who remembered the television show would have understood the joke before the reels even started. Guy and Gina also came over after their own stream to join the chat. Those little crossovers were part of the appeal of the premieres: familiar names arriving, people saying hello and everyone reacting to the same footage. This is an archive of that November 2020 episode announcement. The premiere time and any competition promoted with it have passed. Did you join the chat that night? If you remember the session, which of the three machines was your favourite to watch?

This is where the countdown to Onetec Day began. Back in March 2021, we were looking ahead to 22 May and the chance to see Onetec’s new Casino Lounge. After so long away from the arcades, there was plenty to look forward to. The first part of the story took us back to Midas Amusements. The original article showed the arcade before the transformation, including its green checked tablecloth and the old change booth. Those little details matter: they show what was actually there before the refit. Onetec took over the venue and saw the potential to make it his own. The series followed that change, giving readers a look at the place behind the machines rather than just another list of jackpots. The Hairy Slotters were planning a live tour for anyone who couldn’t make it in person. For those watching from home, it was a way to join in and see what had changed. Did you visit when it was still Midas? What do you remember about your first trip to Onetec? Those are the stories this post was asking for, and they’re still a welcome part of the comments. This is a look back at the plans reported on 16 March 2021. The opening countdown and competitions mentioned at the time have passed; they aren’t current invitations or offers.

Why were adult gaming centres still having to wait? That was the question behind this post in March 2021, when England’s reopening timetable was being debated. The original headline, “Stay shut & rot”, expressed the frustration felt about the delay. It was an opinion about the decision, not a quotation of an official government message. At the time, attention was on the gap between April’s reopening of parts of the high street and the later return of indoor venues. For an arcade owner, another period with the doors shut meant more uncertainty. For regular visitors, it meant waiting longer to return. Looking back at the timetable, Step 3 of England’s roadmap was confirmed for 17 May 2021. The government’s announcement on 10 May said indoor hospitality and entertainment could resume from that date. Looking back, it is worth keeping the argument clear. People could disagree strongly with the reopening order without claiming that every type of venue had identical circumstances or that no evidence existed. This article records that particular moment in the arcade industry’s history. It does not describe today’s opening rules. The personal side of the story was simple: people wanted their local places back. Staff, owners and visitors all had reasons to care about when the doors would reopen. Source: UK government reopening announcement, 10 May 2021

What’s the win you still remember? The amount is only part of the story. Sometimes it’s the machine, the place or the people standing beside you that makes a moment stick. This post started that conversation in March 2021. Covid restrictions had stopped us filming normal arcade sessions, so the original update looked back through the Spin Raiders YouTube videos instead. That is one of the good things about having the footage. You can revisit the whole moment, including the build-up and reaction, instead of relying on a story that gets a little bigger every time it’s told. If you’re sharing a memory, tell us which machine it was and where you played it. Was it a classic you hadn’t seen for years, or a game you had only just tried? A photo or the name of the video helps other readers join the conversation. A big payout on screen doesn’t tell you the cost of the whole session, and another player’s result doesn’t tell you what will happen on your next go. The point here is to talk about memorable moments. So which one has stayed with you? Leave your story below, whether it’s from an arcade visit or a favourite channel video. This discussion was first published on 24 March 2021.