Sunday, August 25, 2013

MODA Field Trip: Gaming at Joystick

Given the XYZ: Alternative Voices in Game Design exhibition is primarily video game design from the female perspective, I thought going on the MODA Field Trip to Joystick Gamebar with my best female friend rather befitting. MaryJo and I have been dearest of friends since 1988, so we've seen a lot together, but it was the first time at Joystick for both of us—and was it fun!


MODA at Joystick
MODA at Joystick
Gaming on behalf of the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) were Jennifer and Clare, who earned high-score as hosts. Certainly a unique MODA Field Trip, Joystick gave us 2.5 hours of free gaming and a food discount...and they took very good care of us.


MODA at Joystick
MODA at Joystick
And speaking of food, turns out that the on-premise food partner Illegal Food was voted among the top five "Best Burgers in Atlanta" by Thrillist, and for good reason. They're amazing! The fries also are among the best I've had.

Truth be told, I didn't have a burger on this particular visit, but did only two nights later. Their burger "The Hank" is the one that won 'Best Burger'—number three on the list—and I had a taste of my friend's Hank burger—delish! But I ate every last bite of my burger. Its name I forget, but it had blue cheese, so I that choice was a no-brainer for me.


MODA at Joystick
MODA at Joystick
There are two distinct spaces at Joystick...the classic arcade games section, which is where the bar is, and a more relaxed board game room, which features classic Atari games on a television set right out of your grandmother's living room! My favorite Atari game back in the day was Asteroids—so much fun!—which is one of the many games on this set.


MODA at Joystick
MODA at Joystick
I've noted on numerous occasions that community is key to success for today's museums and tourist attractions, something that MODA does quite well. It appears to me that Joystick is doing the same thing. There were groups of friends there and others who made friends while there.


MODA at Joystick
MODA at Joystick
That evening I had the honor of meeting Beth, author of the blog The City Dweller. When Beth told me "Curiosity is my compass," I knew I'd be a longtime reader of her blog. And she's written a book, too! Check out The City Dweller...I think you'll like what you see.


MODA at Joystick
MODA at Joystick
MaryJo taught me how to play Donkey Kong, a game that I never did get around to playing as a kid. We also played the pinball machines...both great fun. I didn't make the 'high score' board on any of the games that night, but totally had a fun-filled evening.


MODA at Joystick
MODA at Joystick
Joystick opened just last year and it's already a neighborhood gem. And I'd like to offer a great big wanderlust ATLANTA "Thank you!" to the Museum of Design Atlanta (MODA) for continuing its brilliant Field Trip programming and to Joystick Gamebar for hosting us.


MODA at Joystick
MODA at Joystick

2 comments:

Ducktoes said...

Looks like an awesome place to hang out!

Bessie Boswell said...

When a windshield gets rock chipped there are almost always cracks associated with these breaks, these cracks may not be seen with the naked eye but they are there. cracked apps mac In addition, this portal has a mobile version, so you can access toomkygames.