The table is designed as a complete reproduction of the original arcade 'cocktail' tables of the eighties. Rather than housing the original hardware and software however, it contains a high-spec PC. The PC is wired to standard arcade joysticks and buttons, and completely emulates the original games using the MAME software described below.

Internally, the Optime Strategies Table is far from retro. Rather than utilising the original circuit designs, which would limit each console to playing a single game, Digital Tables have opted for PC technology and software emulation. The latest high-specification PC is fitted into each table, running Windows latest OS together with arcade emulation software capable of playing virtually every original arcade game on the market - currently well over 3000 titles and rising.

MAME Software

The table utilises the very excellent (and free) MAME software, to perfectly emulate the original arcade machines, and run a huge variety of games.

From the MAME FAQ:

'MAME stands for Multiple Arcade Machine Emulator. When used in conjunction with a game's data files (ROMs), MAME will more or less faithfully reproduce that game on a PC. MAME can currently emulate over 1500 classic arcade video games from the '70s and '80s.

The ROM images that MAME utilizes are "dumped" from arcade games' original circuit-board ROM chips. MAME becomes the "hardware" for the games, taking the place of their original CPUs and support chips. Therefore, these games are NOT simulations, but the actual, original games that appeared in arcades.

MAME's purpose is to preserve these early decades of video-game history. As gaming technology continues to rush forward, MAME prevents these important "vintage" games from being lost and forgotten.'

You can read the entire MAME FAQ here, or view the MAME site here.

Supported Games

As of 20th June, 2001, MAME currently plays 2930 different ROM sets - a total of 1702 unique games. The list is too long (and too transient) to be reproduced here - please see this list from the official MAME site if you are interested in seeing if your current favourite will play on the Optime Strategies table.

Of course, given that lurking inside the table is a PC, you can install and run whatever games and software you like. Whilst the Optime Strategies Table is intended as an accurate and stylish replica of the original arcade based table gaming systems, there is nothing to stop you loading up your favourite programs and running it as a standard PC. The system is supplied with a wireless keyboard and mouse, or you can fit any alternative input device to the standard PS2 or USB sockets.

Game ROM Disclaimer

MAME requires 'dumps' of the actual game files, emulating the original hardware for total accuracy when playing each game. Many of these ROM files remain the copyright of the original companies that developed them, and copying/using them without permission is against the law.

From the MAME FAQ:

'Where can I get the games (ROMs) for MAME?

You have three legal options:

1. Search for auctions (on eBay for example) of the actual arcade circuit boards, and buy a ROM dumper device to copy the ROM chips' contents into files.

2. Buy the HotRod Joystick control panel. It is bundled with a CD that includes MAME, the Arcade@Home frontend, and selected 100% legal Capcom ROMs.

3. There are also two free romsets available right on the official MAME site, in the miscellaneous downloads page.

The illegal option is to search the net with Google, Altavista, Yahoo, Webcrawler or other search engines, for the ROM files. Be aware that this is breaking the laws of almost every country. Before you consider doing this, see if the particular arcade games' copyright-owner has the ROMs available (as with Capcom). That way you will support the companies that support emulation. There are also two romsets available right on the official MAME site, in the miscellaneous downloads page.

Optime Strategies does not condone in any way the illegal use of copyrighted software.