Jory Ray: Fort Collins’ favorite arcade owner
It’s been almost three years since Jory Ray brought affordable video gaming to his community, having a tremendous impact on building friendships between all walks of life. All That and a Bag of Chips is a highly acclaimed gaming den in Fort Collins, Colorado that Ray opened Dec. 18, 2014, located at 702 S. College Ave.
All That provides access to any gaming console the company owns, ranging from current-gen consoles to oldies like NES, a bag of chips and a coke for the low price of 5 dollars per person; females get in for free. Others whom can get in for free includes special needs citizens.
Colorado State University’s Center for Community Partnership claimed that All That “…provides a comfortable place for interactions to build social and recreational skill,” for their students that have disabilities. The praise doesn’t stop there, as All That has been applauded by veterans with PTSD, homeless, and anyone who wants to make a new friend. The positive impact of this welcoming business is impossible to ignore.
Ray is originally from Loveland, and moved to Hawaii for a few years to create a gaming “party tent” with his friend in Maui in the summer of 2013. In 2014, he decided to come back to his roots and create his very own gaming café.
In a riveting conversation via e-mail, Ray opened up to me about his businesses positive impact on the community, creating friendship, and founding a gaming café that is cheap and friendly to all.
Check out All That’s five star rating on Yelp
Q: How did you get the idea to make arcades?
A: It is just needed. PC places that charge by the hour are a rip off, and there is no way to get comfortable and meet people.
Q: I agree! I love All That and I know a lot of others who do too. There’s two locations in Colorado, correct?
A: The other one had problems with the people running it, so we had to close it.
Q: That’s unfortunate, what problems did you have with the people running it?
A: You just gotta love what you do, and they did not.
Q: That’s a good way of looking at things. The Fort Collins location seems really well established. Do you plan to open up another location? Or are you going to stay in Fort Collins?
A: I am working on obtaining a government grant to open more locations. From what I have seen at All That it can help handicapped with courage, veterans with a heart, at risk youth with a brain, and immigrants with a home.
Q: In past articles about All That, I read that your establishment can help “address autism”, can you elaborate on that please?
A: Any mentor working with a child can bring them into All That for free. All That has helped several special needs kids learn to communicate and become part of their community.
Q: What was the most rewarding day of your career?
A: The most rewarding day in my career was the first day a parent of an autistic kid thanked me for helping their kid make friends. However, the real most rewarding day still has not happened.
Q: What do you think will be the most rewarding day? What does the future hold for you?
A: I got super into game design last year, and made my first game. Now that I have gone through the whole process I am working on my next, and I am super proud of everything about it. Mostly the story though because it will prove creationism with scientific evidence.
Video Games can be Good for Children with Autism
Q: Oh that’s right, the game is called the Bike of the Wild, right?
A: Yes, my first game was called Bike of the Wild. It was basically a test to make sure I could do it. My next game is called Paper Fantasy. It is a hand drawn tactical RPG on your phone that is a massive 4 player campaign. It plays like Words with Friends. You take your turn, and then have to wait throughout the day for your friends to take theirs. It takes place in the 2400’s and it has been centuries since mankind purged in the Cola Wars.
You can buy Bike of the Wild right now, on Steam here.
Q: Bike of the Wild is coming to Xbox this year, correct? Paper Fantasy sounds awesome! Do you have a release date for that game yet?
A: No we just started development last month. There will be a kick starter up on March 1. Yes, we are still working on porting Bike of the Wild to Xbox, but it is turning out to be quite the process.
Q: What does a typical work day for you look like?
A: I pickup, straighten the chairs, sanitize all the controllers, and then I watch movies, play games, and practice Kung fu. In whatever order.
Q: Who are your biggest inspirations?
A: Brad Bird, Tyler Durden, and Buzz Lightyear.
Q: What type of games do you play?
A: The one[s] that really play out the experience. From the menu to the credits they are able to capture the tone of the game. Old WoW, Smash Bros., Zelda, Metroid Prime, old Halo, Metal Gear… and I really enjoy playing Bike of the Wild. I still can’t beat it.
Q: How old are you?
A: I am a super old man, who forgot his age.
Q: What would you say is your businesses mission statement?
A: I think my mission might be too big for a statement.