Gamestate brings the popular crane machines to your living room!

Gamestate, known for its arcade halls in the Netherlands, is now coming up with something new. From now on, you can play the well-known crane machines, which you normally see at the fairground, at home. Via the website Gamestate Now, you control a real machine remotely.

What you win will be sent to your home. No hassle. Would you rather pick it up? You can do that too, at any Gamestate branch near you.

The crane machines work just like at the fun fair

According to Gamestate chief Roel Veltmeijer, the idea started years ago. Now it is a reality. So you don’t play on a fake game, but on a real machine somewhere in Belgium. And just like at the fun fair, you pick up soft toys, gadgets or – yes – even erotic toys. The latter are in separate machines and are only for players aged 18 and above.

Each machine has its own prizes. And yes, they really are in there.

Saving tickets only works online

In arcades, you can normally save tickets for prizes. Online, it works slightly differently. You can still earn tickets, but you can only redeem them on the website. They are not valid in the physical branches.

Not a game of chance but a real skill game

A Gamestate spokesperson calls it ‘real skill games’. That means it’s all about timing and dexterity, not just luck. Unlike a slot machine, where chance is the boss.

At the same time, they know that this too can be addictive. That’s why the website has a system that monitors how much you spend. Buy too many credits in a short time? The system temporarily blocks your access. You will get the following notification: 

‘Take a break, try again in a few days.’

That technology comes from the company that also supplies the machines. Those machines are really in Belgium, not on a server or in a game.

Gripping power always remains the same

Many people doubt gripping machines at fairgrounds. They think they are tuned in such a way that you can barely win anything. Gamestate says it is clear about that: 

‘With us, the gripping force always remains the same. No tricks.’

That makes it fairer. And more fun. Because when you win, it’s really because you’re good. Not because the system lets you ‘win once’.

Why it works so well online, according to Gamestate

The halls contain all kinds of games. Think racing games, shooting games or those motorbikes you can get on. At home, you don’t have those distractions. You focus on one thing: the crane.

The social aspect is still there. Players can send each other a picture of their prizes via WhatsApp or Instagram. That way, there’s still a bit of ‘playing together’ even if you’re alone on the sofa.

Gamestate eventually wants to offer the crane machines in other countries as well. But for now, they are focusing on the Netherlands. 

‘You never know,’ says a spokesperson. ‘Maybe soon we will also grab Belgium or Germany.’