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Let’s say you are having a birthday party for your 12-year-old. And the guests decide to play video games. If there’s 15 of them and only two controllers, it’s a problem.
Justin Peaco*ck has the solution. The lifetime Champaign resident just opened his G-Code Illinois Game Truck. It’s a mobile gaming truck you have to see to believe.
Peaco*ck uses a Ford F-150 pickup to haul the mobile game room to selected sites. There are a total of eight TVs: seven gaming stations and one for traditional television like a basketball broadcast. Depends on the theme of the party and is totally up to the customer.
At a booked event, Peaco*ck pulls the unit up to the location. The parties run for an agreed-upon length.
The current prices are $200 for the first hour and $350 for two hours.
The unit holds 14 to 16 people at a time. In the hot summer months, it is air-conditioned and comfortable.
“It’s a creative way to have a birthday party,” Peaco*ck said.
Word of mouth and customer testimonials will help drive the business.
“I got a few bookings from the last party I did,” Peaco*ck said.
There is a full game library. You name it and Peaco*ck probably has it. Or will get it.
Most popular?
“You have to have Fortnite,” Peaco*ck said. “Kids absolutely love it. EA Sports games, NBA 2K and Madden.”
EA’s College Football 25 will be released later this month and is expected to be a monster hit. Peaco*ck said the game is perfect for an event at Grange Grove.
There are also opportunities for add-ons at G-Code events, like giant Connect Four or oversized Jenga. Bags games are also possible.
Peaco*ck encourages those interested in booking to call at 447-902-0101. You can also check out his company Web site at gcodegametrucks.com.
Peaco*ck is open for business any time. A recent event was scheduled for 10 p.m. with another from 6-8.
”I adjust my schedule accordingly,” Peaco*ck said.
Because of the cost of the equipment, you won’t see G-Code out in a blizzard. But Peaco*ck is working on a mobile gaming lounge to be used indoors during the winter months. Gaming is a year-round activity.
Spend money to make money
The screens themselves are high end and come with a wide range of video game options.
Including the new truck to haul the trailer, Peaco*ck estimates the entire setup cost in the $80,000 range.
“Any investment is risky,” Peaco*ck said.
There has been one blip. The first party Peaco*ck worked was for Chris Greenwold of Champaign’s Country Financial. After the party ended, Peaco*ck’s F-150 was leaking. He had to have it towed and repaired. Greenwold helped haul the gaming unit back to its storage space.
All got fixed and Peaco*ck was quickly back in business — with a pat on the back to Greenwold for pitching in.
Up and running
Peaco*ck is rolling out the business this summer, handling parties and events. Similar to the soft opening for a new restaurant.
“We’re trying to test the price points and see where the market is here,” Peaco*ck said.
He will make adjustments as needed.
The response has been positive.
“Once I show them the gaming theater, they’re like ‘Oh, wow. That’s a great idea.’
“Parents love it. When the kids go in the gaming theater, they don’t have to worry about the kids. There is no drama. There are plenty of games to play.”
The interest in video games is more than business to Peaco*ck. He enjoyed them as a kid.
“Tilt was the arcade we loved to go to,” Peaco*ck said.
His game truck is for all ages — from 5 to adults.
“College kids like to book it,” Peaco*ck said. “They like to have tournaments.”
Origin story
Five years ago, the now 38-year-old Peaco*ck was talking with Champaign native Travis Jones. They’ve been best friends since elementary school.
“It was during COVID when everybody was sitting still,” Peaco*ck said. “He wanted to start a business and that’s when the game truck idea came.”
Jones asked Peaco*ck to drive a pickup truck to Atlanta, where Jones established the game truck company.
Why a video game truck?
“Video games have evolved and stayed around,” Peaco*ck said.
It is a growth industry that Peaco*ck and Jones play a part in it.
Jones is now developing and building the gaming trucks. Jones’ company is G-Code Game Trucks. The business is expanding to Texas.
In the past year, Peaco*ck decided to bring the business to Champaign. Jones is helping.
“He’s on board for consultation,” Peaco*ck said.
Jones is doing well with his business in Atlanta.
“They have several game trucks there,” Peaco*ck said.
Background check
Justin and wife Amanda have three kids: Trey, almost 9; Lennnox, 5; and Easton, 3. Trey and Lennox will both be at South Side Elementary in the fall.
Amanda is a speech pathologist in Champaign. She is from the Chicago suburbs.
No surprise, Trey and Lennox are gamers, too. Now, they have a home arcade.
“They don’t realize how lucky they are,” Peaco*ck said. “I let them get in there first when we first got it. They played for a little bit.”
Trey actually helps with the parties, serving as a gaming coach. He knows the games and the technology.
Justin grew up in Champaign’s Holiday Park area. He attended Kenwood Elementary and Jefferson Middle School. He attended Centennial High School for a year before switching to Central.
“I had a lot of friends at Central for AAU basketball,” Peaco*ck said in explaining the move.
He played basketball at Central for coach Scott Davis. He continued his basketball career at Southwestern Community College in Iowa and Lake Land College in Mattoon. Injuries cut short his basketball career, so he returned to Champaign to attend Parkland College. Then, he earned his bachelor’s degree at Eastern Illinois University.
Peaco*ck earned an advanced degree from EIU in counseling.
For the past 13 years, he has worked as a therapist at The Pavilion in Champaign.
