Pinball, Skee-Ball, Packman, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, BurgerTime, card games, board games, and much more is what you can find at a downtown business that made its debut over the summer.
June 7th, Hero Depot officially opened its doors to the pubic. Arcade Owner Ryan Kiser enjoys being part of the neat vibe and unique culture of downtown Laramie, he said.
“It has been more than 10 years since there was a true arcade in Laramie,” said Kiser, “and the community seems very excited to have one again.”
Manda Still, a senior studying psychology is a casual gamer that was ecstatic about the opening.
“I would even say there was adrenaline pumping through my veins!” exclaimed Still. “Excitement was my reaction when I heard about it.”
The arcade doubles as a music venue occasionally.
“We’ve had bands come in and play that are from all over the country,” said Kiser.
Hero Depot hosted 7 shows over the summer and has two music shows slated for the month of September.
The arcade owner has always enjoyed playing games whether they’re board games, card games, or video games.
“Some of my fondest memories were spent in arcades,” said Kiser. “I prefer the social experience of playing and competing with others face to face.”
The machines and games have been hand picked by Kiser.
“I just picked many of the games that I’ve always enjoyed playing and hoped other people enjoyed playing them, too,” explained Kiser.
His addiction to video games started at 4-years-old when he first played BurgerTime on the Intellivison, and his addiction has not stopped.
“There is actually a BurgerTime machine at the arcade,” said Kiser. “And yes, I currently have the high score,” he added.
He said he has seen customers of all ages at the arcade and that he believes an arcade can be fun for all ages. His usual clientele is ages 18 to 30.
Still has become a friend of Kiser. She said it is great to get to support a friend’s business. She said she sees all the hard work Ryan puts into his business.
Kiser said people have been very supportive of his business.
“An artist and graphic designer, Shane Milner—who was a total stranger at the time—came in shortly after opening and volunteered to paint some video game themed murals on the walls,” said Kiser. “A few weeks later, there were Asteroids and Space Invaders on the walls.”
Still likes to go in to play board games and card games. She said she is interested in helping start a gamers club that would occur on Sundays after the weekly tournaments.
The tournaments include prizes and Kiser said someone won an Xbox One a few weeks ago and now a Play Station 4 is up for grabs.
The prizes redeemed by tickets are typically better than what you see at other arcade locations, said Kiser. Customers can even redeem tickets for gift cards to local businesses.
Skee-ball and pinball are the most popular games that reward patrons with tickets, said Kiser.
Still is at the arcade two to three times a week and she said her favorite game is the Demolition Man pinball machine.
“It was made very soon after the movie and has the triggers on the top of the machine instead of buttons on the side,” said Still. “That novelty makes it quite fun.”
Kiser was sure to add that a Skee-ball league will be added soon and he is looking forward to upcoming music shows.
The business owner is very excited to be part of downtown Laramie, he said.
“People have been extremely supportive and are looking for new ways to help keep the business thriving,” said Kiser.
He added that the best way to keep current with all of the arcade events is to find Hero Depot on Facebook.
