Mathieu Wargnier and his company Retropad have been a huge success. In three years, this former carpenter, passionate about video games, has sold 180 arcade machines, created in his workshop, which is also his garage.
What video game lover has not dreamed of having an arcade machine in his living room? With 3000 to 12000 games available, the famous Street Fighter, PacMan, racing, sports or board games? Mathieu Wargnier roamed the bars of downtown Toulouse in his teenage years. And on the eve of quarantine, he embarked on the manufacture of these little jewels. It was a little over three years ago.
A video with Toulouse Youtuber Tibo In Shape
When we met him in 2018, he was selling 3 charging stations per month. Today, it is four times more. Sare customers? SNCF, which has installed a terminal at Saint-Jean station, the Eklo hotels, dozens of companies that set them up in their relaxation area, but also individuals, and stars, such as PSG footballers …
A terminal built by Retropad, near Toulouse, is freely accessible at Saint-Jean de Bordeaux station
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With its team of graphic designers, Actarus Prod and its after-sales service, Arcade Activity, which can take control of a remote terminal, Mathieu ships his machines everywhere in France, and even abroad. “Today I work with a carpenter, I can no longer do everything myself, and I have really positioned myself on the top of the range. In terms of materials and electronic components, we provide the best ”. The price range extends from € 2,199 to € 3,650, depending on the options chosen: Bluetooth, screen size, terminal width, illuminated buttons, pinball button, under floor lighting, etc.
Endless customizations for the biggest stars
To decorate the terminal, twenty-one visuals are in the catalog of the site Retropad, but everyone can make proposals and 100% personalize their “jewel”. “I have requests like Grendizer, a basketball fanatic, and Michael Jordan asked me to include the first range of basketball shoes at Nike, and so on. ”
“Retropad” terminals in the Leonard de Vinci museum, in one of the Loire châteaux
Mathieu always assembles his video game terminals at home, in his garage, but he is thinking of expanding. “It will be here, or maybe I will take premises outside …” One of his last orders in dayou? The Clos Lucé castle, former home of Leonardo da Vinci, in the Loire Valley, has ordered six terminals, which will appear in its future “immersive space”. “Visitors will be able to play a game there which refers to the history of the place and of Leonardo da Vinci”. From video game culture to the great Leonard De Vinci, the link is called Retropad.
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