DeKALB | Gaming stores are hitting DeKalb, giving students and residents another venue to pursue an alternative form of entertainment.

On Board Games opened in September at 811 W. Lincoln Highway and offers board games, card games, higher level strategy games and miniatures.

John Clemens said he and co-owner Seth McClure thought the store would appeal to the college market.

The store also offers tournaments for more popular games throughout the week, with prices ranging between $3 to $5 per entry.

“The store offers space to play games that aren’t provided in college [residence halls], which makes it a more enjoyable experience,” Clemens said.

One NIU student said he is glad the store came to DeKalb.

“I like the store,” said Nelson Voldeng, a second year physics graduate student. “I think it’s good for business coming here.”

For electronic gaming, Heaven and Earth Interactive Gaming will open in 2007 at 901 Lucinda Ave., next to the Village Commons Bookstore. Co-owner Rachel Kaufmann said the store is hoping to open the weekend of Jan. 19, the first weekend after the start of spring semester classes.

Kaufmann said the store will have two Xbox 360s and two PlayStation 2s. They will be connected to two 50-inch LCOS, HDTV projection screens, that offer a clear picture ideal for gaming. The PlayStation 2s will also be equipped for Dance Dance Revolution and Guitar Hero.

The store will also offer 24 custom-built computers for online interactive gaming such as World of Warcraft, with space for patrons to bring in their own unit. The store will have a supply-and-demand system for additional software.

Co-owner Abe Rednour said there will be a $75 membership fee per month, with a discount of up to $15 for online gamers who bring in a receipt for online fees.

“In the future, whatever games come out, we’ll make sure the computers are up to standard, and the RAM is high enough to support those games,” Rednour said.

Rednour also said the store will have individually seated reclining leather couches, on which people can relax while playing the systems.

Kaufmann said the store is expecting to have a $3-per-hour rate, or $2-per-hour rate with customers’ own computer units.

“Built by gamers, for gamers,” Kaufmann said.