Gaming Rooms & Covid: Is yours ready for the “New Normal”?

Since it’s likely that square metre limits will remain in one form or another for some time to come, it would be wise to calculate your room capacity under 4m2/person and 2m2/person settings in addition to regular open trade.

Furthermore, a requirement for physical distancing within the room will likely be part of the “new normal” – can you comfortably seat your capacity trade while adhering to distancing requirements with the current room set up? Can you easily adjust at short notice?

What other improvements can be made to further minimise the risk of employees and clients unwittingly becoming infected or infecting others in the venue? What are the behaviours your customers exhibit that you need to apply the “settings” to? 

How easy is the room to clean and maintain and what features and amenities will make staff and customers feel safer in your gaming room?

An expert, holistic approach to the design and fit-out of your gaming room can start addressing these and other venue-specific considerations.

In the last year, gaming operations have been pulled apart at great speed to space out machines, but now rooms are left feeling awkward and thrown together. To truly address Gaming in the new normal, there are many aspects that should be considered as part of a gaming room design for a Covid safe world:

The layout of the gaming room needs to accommodate for physical distancing as a long-term requirement. Not just when players are seated at a machine, but also considering when patrons enter and move about the room.

A good design will allow for an increased size in walkways and service areas, allowing for even and uncongested pedestrian traffic flow and socially-distanced common areas. The use of screens and privacy panels to separate gaming seating from thoroughfares help define the walkways and provide privacy and a physical barrier for players.

A blend of privacy gaming pods and well-spaced social gaming areas can be achieved to ensure floorspace is used effectively – you might space your machines at 1.5m apart, but is there sufficient distance between players when they’re seated, particularly where players are back to back. Thoughtful use of space is the back-bone of a good gaming room, and in modern times, the first line of defence in the fight against Coronavirus.

Similarly, screens and panels can be used to separate players both physically and visually when seated, particularly since machines are spaced at larger intervals there is a resulting open area where players can see each other directly between machines. This can be awkward for players, but also means there is no barrier to aerosols from someone’s cough or sneeze.

Base back screens can be used to separate players physically when on opposite sides of a machine bank.
Operable divider screens could be utilised between machines, extended to provide a screen when needed, or stowed out of the way when not.

Ensuring players are comfortable and have the space they need when sat at their favourite game minimises movement and encourages players to stay at the same machine for longer. This translates into a few useful outcomes when operating in the Covid environment; less maintenance and cleaning, players don’t move around as often, safe and easy to reach surfaces of drinks and food which can be consumed while seated, among others.

An elevated shelf or storage unit between machines is a great way to break up the large open area and provide a place for drinks, food and belongings to sit on, meaning that drinks are kept away from the top of the base, where many players put their feet and will keep cigarette ash from getting into drinks and food.

Soft, dimmable LED lights create a great ambience which increases comfort, but also provides soft illumination for players to see their belongings, drinks, food and any potential obstructions or trip hazards on the floor. The additional lighting makes it easy for staff to see and clean around the machines.

1. Of course, cleaning and santising will be an even bigger focus area going forward. Regular and thorough cleaning of surfaces will ensure hygienic and safe environments for players and staff.
   
   When choosing finishes for your room, a good designer will guide you through options and assist to make selections which not only enhance the aesthetic of the gaming room, but that have practical advantages such as Anti-Microbial laminates, Chemical Resistance properties for heavy duty cleaning, smooth finishes for easy wipe downs.
   

The design of the joinery also plays a part. Ensuring gaps in benchtops are eliminated, open spaces or access points into the carcasses are neatly and securely closed as well as eliminating or minimising nooks and crannies where rubbish and other mess can accumulate all help to make the room cleaner and easier to manage.

 Using moisture resistant materials suitable for the space is an important choice also. Particle Board and Chipboard materials are susceptible to water ingress which can cause swelling and ultimately mould. 

The ability to quickly rearrange and adjust your room going forward will be a very important factor. Whether it is to adjust to new spacing requirements or floor capacities, having the ability to move bases and screens quickly and easily while ensuring that the rearranged set up looks finished and fit for purpose is a game changer for venues that want to be flexible.

Capital’s fully modular base and screen solution, means all parts are interchangeable and parts are reusable. We can design a room where you are able to move bases into another position and simply purchase additional dress ends and infills which slot in to finish off the room. Use an infill or screen from one area in another.

The system is easily bolted and unbolted to enable fast and efficient reconfigurations and refreshes.

Refreshment kiosks, hand sanitiser stations, mask dispensers, signage and TV screens, Check-in counters, cashier desks to name a few can all be designed and incorporated into the fit out of the gaming room.

In the same way, beautiful wall panelling, or dramatic ceiling features can be designed and installed to cover unsightly walls and surfaces and provide easy to clean finishes. A ceiling feature can also be designed to visually hide large ventilation intakes or other HVAC equipment without impeding air flow.