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New Port Richey man plays road games

Klint Lowry/SUNCOAST

The interior of Andy Allshouse’s Games2U trailer is equipped with four 50-inch high definition plasma screens, each with its own sound system. With two more screens mounted on the exterior of the trailer, 24 players can play on up to six games at one time.

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BY KLINT LOWRY

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: March 14, 2009

Updated: 03/20/2009 07:55 am

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 of West Pasco and North Pinellas 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, Austin, Texas-based Games 2U brings electronic gaming to any party or event.

"It caught my attention as something unique," Allshouse, a sales and marketing veteran, said of Games 2U.

Covered from top to bottom and front to back with the Games 2U logo and video game images, Allshouse's truck-and-trailer rig is indeed an eye-catcher. It 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 a half-dozen 50-inch high-definition plasma video screens. There are four screens inside the trailer and two mounted outside.

In addition, the trailer is equipped to run video games on all six screens, each screen with its own surround-sound audio 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," Allshouse 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 standard DVDs or high-def Blue-ray discs. The main feature, though, is the video game capability.

"Pretty much any hot, current game, we carry," Allshouse said. With Nintendo Wii, Sony Playstation 3 and Microsoft Xbox 360 systems on board, he pretty much has the cutting edge of 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 and 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 klowry@suncoastnews.com.

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