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Video games may have changed since the time King, 39, of Auburn, was a child. But what hasn't changed, he believes, is that they're best enjoyed socially.

That's why King is opening The HideOut, a video game lounge, at 157 State St. Beginning Wednesday, Aug. 1, the business will offer guests the ability to rent time at several video game stations: Two PlayStation 4s, two Xbox Ones, two arcade cabinets with 8,000 games apiece, and an Oculus virtual reality station. There's also an internet room in the back with Wi-Fi and a few tablets.

King, who grew up in New York City and moved to Auburn about 15 years ago, was joined Friday at The HideOut by partner Lakisha Vest, also of Auburn. Bleeps from "Pac-Man" and the theme to "Street Fighter II" bounced off the boldly colored walls, parts of which are decorated with the Koopas, blocks and pipes of "Super Mario Bros." King said it all began with a desire to open a business for area children. Feeling they don't have many places to go in Auburn, he wanted to offer one that would keep them away from dangers like crime and drugs, he said. 

So King remembered where he went when he was a child: arcades. Then, about six months ago, he had a conversation with friend Darryl Clark. Though King was considering opening a clothing store instead, Clark encouraged him to pursue the video game idea because it was new to the Auburn area, King said. Clark even built the business's two arcade cabinets.

Guests of The HideOut can pay $2 an hour to play PlayStation 4 and Xbox One games, King said. The business has about 25 games for each console. He'll obtain popular games as they're released, as well as ones his guests frequently request. The console games can be played from two black leather couches that give the lounge a living room feel, King said.

Though they're not coin-operated, the arcade cabinets are classically priced at 50 cents a game. King expects their older game libraries, which run on X-Arcade hardware, will appeal to adult players. 

The Oculus VR station, meanwhile, has 25 games and costs $3 for 30 minutes. The technology immerses the senses so much that guests will likely want to take a break afterward, King said.

For those who want to use The HideOut's internet room, as well as those who just want to hang out and watch others play, there is a $2 cover charge, King said. He expects the business will become a social hub. With the rising popularity of Internet game streaming on Twitch and YouTube, he noted, it's more popular than ever to watch friends and even strangers play video games.

But The HideOut will do its part to build that community. King said he plans to have representatives of Alcoholics Anonymous and the Auburn Police Department in the lounge to speak to children. He also plans on hosting parties, live debates, board game family nights and video game tournaments that players can join at home or at the lounge. And there will be a weekly drawing through The HideOut's Facebook page where the winner will be eligible to work a few hours there in exchange for credits at its video game stations. All to give the children of Auburn a place to go, King said.

"We kind of want to be the anti-drug," he said.