In the age of technology, the world seems to have finally started to accept that computers virtually control where we go, when we go and how we get there.

Back in the day, the world used to visualize what it would be like to live in this computerized world that we live in today. Many believed cars would fly by the year 2000 and people would be cloned by 2001. Although the clone issue can still be in debated, there are places, such as Duckets Game Station, that basically cater to the computer and video game junkies of the world.

Located on the Strip at 608 S. Illinois Ave., Duckets has everything that a game enthusiast could ever want. From Internet access to console games, Duckets seems to have it all.

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The business, owned by Doug and Amber Stone, opened March 15, 2000. The reason owner and operator Doug Stone said he opened the business was simply because it was “fun as hell.” There are so many available activities at Duckets that even the most experienced gamers would find something new and exciting. There are 20 gaming computers that are available to the public that has access to approximately 20 games that can be played online or over a LAN (Local Area Network). For the computer illiterate, LAN simply means that one computer can play directly against another computer over a network hook-up.

These same gaming computers can also be used to do other things, such as homework. The 20 computers, all of which are capable of printing, have Microsoft Office and other programs that can be used for only $3.50 per hour with no time limit. On top of all that, these computers are all Internet-ready, which only costs $5 per hour.

The staff at Duckets also specializes in basically anything computer-oriented. They not only custom build computers detailed with anything the customer wants, but they also make house calls. If there is a problem with a PC, a representative will come to your home and diagnose and fix whatever is wrong. The price for custom-built computers is also relatively inexpensive, at $500 and up.

There are also various tournaments that are held at Duckets. Annual tournaments for X-Box are among these. The tournament that ranges from single players to teams can be played in an elimination-type setting where the final two players or teams compete for the championship. There are also various sports-oriented tournaments that are held. For example, Madden 2004 was just released. Stone said he expects to have a Madden 2004 tournament coming up soon.

Of the many customers and clients that Duckets has, manager Doug Stone said that about 50 percent of the business comes from SIU students. In addition to that, Duckets employs three SIU students who perform various tasks around the game station.

The gaming station also has a snack bar and is open until late at night. Shawn Rea of Carbondale said he finds everything affordable and comes to Duckets about once a week to play the pinball and shooting games.

Business hours for Duckets are noon until 3 a.m. In the next month or so, Duckets will be offering a “two-for-one” special from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m. and from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m.

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With a convenient location and affordable prices, Duckets game station has a variety of attractions that are meant to appeal basically every type of person. From Playstation to console games, there is always something new to do. Everything is designed so that Duckets isn’t too high-tech for the average Joe and not too basic for Joe extraordinaire.