Support after we suffered a robbery

On April 28th, 2022 thieves broke into the Mobile Gaming Unit while it was parked in what we believed to be a secure lot. They gained entry by smashing the driver’s side window and made off with approximately $5,000 worth of equipment, including both our gaming computers, an external hard drive containing all our game files, and one of our hi-fi microphones. The break-in disrupted the start of what was to be the second full season of our ambitious project to bring gaming to the streets of New York City.

Three years ago Pixel Reboot embarked on this journey with only a vague dream: to build a mobile live-streaming studio that would allow us to game with and stream to our amazing online audience and friends, in front of live street crowds in Times Square and other outdoor venues in NYC and beyond. The outcome of this effort is the Mobile Gaming Unit, or MGU (pronounced “Magoo”), built from the chassis of a retired USPS delivery truck and fitted with state-of-the-art gaming computers, outward-facing LCD panels, cameras, microphones and a cellular transmitter—everything that allows us to play online games with a live audience, and stream the vibrant street scene to our viewers back home. Additionally, the MGU is fitted with rooftop solar panels and high-capacity lithium batteries for a completely eco-friendly gaming experience. It is truly like nothing else ever created before in the history of gaming.

After our initial development and trial period we were ready to embark on our first full season in the spring of 2020. Of course, we all know what happened then: the world shut down due to the outbreak of the deadly Covid pandemic. Undaunted, we set our sights on 2021, and were able to conduct a relatively successful run as the city partially re-opened and pedestrians returned to Times Square. We also connected with a number of incredibly talented gamers, performers, creators and influencers who joined us in the MGU as guest players and partners. While we were happy with the way things went in our inaugural season, we were really looking forward to busting out of the gate in 2022. Then came the robbery.

Still, it could have been worse. Although the thieves attempted to break into the area holding our bank of rather expensive lithium batteries, they either ran out of time or did not realize their value. They also neglected to take our cellular transmitter and about two dozen other small but important pieces of equipment that make our unique idea possible. While the New Jersey police are investigating the thefts (several other vehicles were broken into on the lot), we realize it is doubtful we will recover the stolen equipment. Nevertheless, we will not let this latest setback deter us from our dream to create a one-of-a-kind gaming experience. This project has come at significant personal expense, and for the first time we are asking our community for financial support.