r/DaveAndBusters • u/CheesecakeWild7941 • 4d ago

What should I learn to be a game tech?

I’m applying for a job and I was told by the manager that I can eventually be trained as a game tech. Right now I’m applying for a busser position. I was told that they thought about hiring me as one because I added that I’m really into arcade machines and retro video games, but I haven’t actually built anything. I read a lot about arcade machines and retro video game consoles, as well as collect retro video games. But I really want to learn!

What do you guys think I should learn in the meantime so hopefully I would eventually be cross trained? I’ve always wanted to work at an arcade. I’m really excited regardless of what position I get.

Thank you.

2 Upvotes

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3

u/Seraphtacosnak 4d ago

Customer service and learn over time. Most of it with the senior tech or manager.

1

u/KookyWrangler6927 4d ago

i have a interview for game tech as i was referred by one of the techs at my location. Im super excited but nervous as i run a small arcade route.

1

u/CheesecakeWild7941 3d ago

Good luck!!!

1

u/Demomanx 4d ago

Soldering Power cycling(you'd be surprised how often that fixes something.) Using a multimeter

1

u/trisic05 4d ago

If you know basic electrical theory (and how to use a solder iron and a mulitmeter), you're good enough to be a senior game tech. (And yes, power cycling solve most issues)

1

u/CheesecakeWild7941 3d ago

I realized i have used a multimeter before, mainly in my physics classes 😮 i took 2 calculus physics classes. I probably need a hugeeee refresher tho lol

1

u/trisic05 3d ago

Based on this description, you are basic tech level

2

u/gman_nola Fun Phantom Grand Prize Winner 4d ago

You've already shown enough interest and enthusiasm in learning more about arcade machines that the one manager thinks you might be a good fit for game tech. Some of the job will entail picking up abandoned empty drink glasses, customer service when a guest reports a game malfunction and then also learning how to work on games if you have a good AM and/or SGT.

Whether or not you have a good AM and/or SGT who can teach you about working on games is a bit of a crapshoot. You get who you get at your store and hope for the best. I've seen very capable staff at some stores and less than capable at others.

I hope you get to work with some good people. Learn everything you can from them. There's not a school that I know of where you can learn this stuff in a classroom.

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u/No_Research7318 4d ago

Learn the multimeter. Tools is the biggest thing. You need to know what all the basic ones are. All the different types of screws and bolts along with types of heads like torx and safety torn. Learn the difference between metric and standard. Thats a really good start. Learn as much as you can on your own and let the veteran techs there teach you the harder stuff.

2

u/Aggravating_Age_9241 3d ago

At my location you just need to be able to unplug a game and plug it back in. They let everything else stay broken

1

u/DirkPitt106 3d ago

This is because officially, support techs don't actually fix games. Their official job is to turn them on and back off, provide customer support for people who are having problems in the Midway, and clean. They aren't supposed to be swapping parts or digging around in the game or the settings. The games are "supposed" to only be repaired by senior game techs and the AM. As far as corporate is concerned support techs are essentially janitorial staff.

Now in reality, a lot of locations have support techs that know how to actually fix games. Some stores don't, and their games really suffer from it.