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Arcade-orientated new business - it's happening BUT NEED NAMES. Probably ;)

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drawfull:

Hi guys.

Today I found fantastic premises, right in the heart of town. All told they are 1600sq ft, split over two floors. It's looking very promising.

Games: What would be really helpful, is advice on which (cocktail) games to get for the main seating area. While the venture will almost certainly focus on the classics, in the first instance I am limited to what I can actually get my hands on. I am looking to buy 10-15+ machines in addition to the ones I already own. I would want a couple of uprights in addition to what I already have too.

What I feel is important is typical length of play. I am going to pinch the idea above of giving out custom tokens (Santoro? is that the person to speak to?) with purchases, but I want to figure out what the correct amount of tokens would be assuming most people will take 15 minutes for a sandwich / coffee etc. If a game is typically over in a few seconds then I don't think that will do. The problem is, I'm guessing we all play most of the classics to death, so for us, it's NOT over that quickly. Hope I'm making sense.

Seats: Also, what would YOU want to sit on in what will hopefully a fun but classy environment. I'm leaning towards comfy and sumptuous a la Costa or similar but there will be lots of cocktails so...

Lighting: I can't have it looking like an arcade! I used to be in lighting so have lots of ideas, but am certainly open to suggestions in this area.

What the hell can I call it?!

Thanks!





BASS!:

I don't have any big ideas, but here is I think the best operating arcade ive been to reecently.

http://groundkontrol.com/

leapinlew:


--- Quote from: drawfull on January 15, 2009, 11:20:34 am ---The problem is, I'm guessing we all play most of the classics to death, so for us, it's NOT over that quickly.

--- End quote ---

We aren't your target audience. Hardcore classic lovers built their own Mame boxes or collected the real deal. I don't play arcade games when I'm out much. If I do, it's just to check out the controls, sound or something. Casual classic players are sufficiently satisfied by the jakks, xbox360, or numerous other offerings to play.

Here is a name suggestion and a tag line to go with it:


Blip
Hurry up and check us out before we go out of business

DrewKaree:

"My Mom's Basement"

In your ads, be sure to mention the code for noisy

stan2323:

I know of 2 successful stand alone arcades in the US.  The both have miniature golf, a snack bar, no outside food, and about 30 games most of them the new ones.  Both host birthday parties, have ticket eating machines for redemption.  Only 2 or 3 machines at each arcade are older games or a pinball machine, about 10 to 15 machines at each location give tickets and these are mainly the games for little kids.  One arcade has a go kart track as its main attraction and the other arcade has batting cages and a gym like play area for kids as its main attraction.   

Both are part of a national chain or corporation as well so they have name recognition and a corporation that has had there back during at least one lawsuit each that I know of

Both use token and have there own custom tokens, relatively speaking token are cheap compared to other expenses you will incur.  Both are in very popular shopping areas that get a lot of traffic. 

Both go to reduced hours over the winter, only open 3 days a week Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.  Even then some times they will only bring in $20 to $40 a day in the winter.  That does not even cover the cost of one employ for the day.  They also run a winter special on Sunday, Token Sunday 10 for $1.  During the summer they have to run a special on at least one weekday to draw people in, Token Tuesday 10 for $1.  If they did not they would not bring enough customers on certain days. 

I know the owner of one.  He has been at it for quite a while.  He is hoping this will be the year that the “Family Fun Center” will take in a million dollars.  This is not how much he makes because of insurance, rent, wages, game rental, utilities, ect.  It is a hard business.  The worst part is dealing with the stupid people that are always trying to something for free.  Like the person who said he left his ATM card in the ATM last week and it was used and he wanted the owner to pay him for what was taken off his card.  In reality the ATM had been out of service for 2 months.   

The rest that I know of are in malls and not doing to well. 

Just remember it is location location location. 

For a name Your Last Name Family Fun Center.  Such and "Drawfull Family Fun Center"

Good luck

Stan

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