Thinking of opening an arcade...

[IG-88]

7 hrs 54min for me.  Sounds like a road trip. 

[DashRendar]

Hmm, that brings up a good point though.

Operational costs are much higher than they were in 1983.  So machines that took a quarter back then may have been able to cover the costs, but that might not be the case now.

I see in Vectorman's arcade that he'll be charging an admission fee.  I guess that's one way to keep the games running off quarters.

I do think that you'd HAVE to sell food and beverage to make this viable.  Private parties would be a big help too (you sell the cakes, rent a party room out, etc etc).

Also, being on or near a college campus would help a lot.

[Epyx]

Nice! Do they have a link on that site on which games are in the museum?

[Turnarcades]

Hmm, that brings up a good point though.

Operational costs are much higher than they were in 1983.  So machines that took a quarter back then may have been able to cover the costs, but that might not be the case now.

I see in Vectorman's arcade that he'll be charging an admission fee.  I guess that's one way to keep the games running off quarters.

I do think that you'd HAVE to sell food and beverage to make this viable.  Private parties would be a big help too (you sell the cakes, rent a party room out, etc etc).

Also, being on or near a college campus would help a lot.

It's in this format I'm currently in talks about to create an entertainment centre/gaming museum/party venue here in the UK.

[Ummon]

There's one rink left in Tucson. I think there were only ever two anyways, and one of 'em was the north location of Skate Country, so now only the East one exists. They do pretty good business, and there's no weird ---steaming pile of meadow muffin--- going on.

Adult night they don't even have monitors on the floor. Everybody just skates about as they want, just not real fast. Probly a hundred people or so make it. Regular times are much busier. Also, schools have the place locked up a year and a half in advance for parties, with days here and there open for parties for anybody else, but mostly not.

If your population is big enough, and you're the only gig in town, it might work. But seriously look into the details - including insurance.

We had an ice rink they built in the late 80s/early 90s that closed a few years ago, and Tucson is a million people now.


Ace - what arcade are you talking about?

[HaRuMaN]

Probably the one in the mall right across from Castles and Coasters

[drawfull]

I wanted to do it too, but it will not work on its own. We realised that (with help from here) early on and ended up with three floors, only one of which has a FEW games. And they're all on free-play.

Generally mine is quite successful but by far it's the food that brings people - the games at the moment are a nice touch perhaps and we're getting more and more people booking that space out for private functions.

We currently have 6 retro games, two B&O tvs for presentations and sport I suppose and are about to put DDR in there too for Xmas. We also have a load of board games and stuff. Keep it fresh, offer something different (easier where I live) and you have a chance, but games alone, imo, will not make you $$

Games are not cheap. Rent, or buying somewhere, is certainly not cheap. Consider putting food on? Bars? Making it look nice? You will spend $$$$$.

I guess it depends what you want and what your budget is (as budget increases, common sense decreases too), good luck!!!!

If you want some tips on what it cost and stuff drop me a pm and it should give you a frame of reference

[MaximRecoil]

Am I the only one here that doesn't care about the demise of the arcades? I didn't go to real arcades very often as a kid anyway. The main places to play arcade games in my small town were at the laundromat (3 video machines and 2 pinball machines), and the corner store by the red light downtown (5 to 7 video machines). There was one place that had maybe 10 arcade machines and a pool table, but it didn't last long, and there was a general store that had a room dedicated to arcade machines in the back (about 10 of them, plus a few pinball machines), but that didn't last long either. Maybe once a month I got to go to Space Port in the Bangor Mall (45 minutes away) which was a real arcade (I went there more often in the early '90s when I got my driver's license and was into SFII).

But the thing is, I never thought that having to go somewhere and pay money to play the games was ideal; I did it because it was the only way to play the games at the time. What was the big wish that was oft repeated in those days by kids? "I wish I had one of these at home."

It is similar to a movie theater. Would you ever bother going to someone else's theater; paying admission, and dealing with noisy people and sticky floors, if you owned your own theater?

So I have my own "arcade" now. Yes, it is only 4 machines, but that's more than the laundromat had back in the '80s, and almost as many as Fossa's had. Additionally, they aren't just 4 random machines, they are machines that I specifically sought out and acquired because they are favorites of mine. Even Space Port never had 4 favorites of mine simultaneously at any given time; in fact, I was lucky if they even had one favorite of mine when I went (and I stopped going completely when the SFII era died, because nothing past that point ever interested me).

So if an arcade opened up nearby, what are the odds that they would even have games that I care about? I can think of maybe 10 to 12 that I care about, and I already own 4 of them. And the games that I only have a mild interest in, I am perfectly content playing them on MAME from time to time.

The one thing I do miss about the "arcade experience" is the direct competition with other people for high score, like between Lawton Mann and me on the Super Punch-Out machine at Fossa's in '87; and of course, random human competition on SFII is fun too.

[DashRendar]

Am I the only one here that doesn't care about the demise of the arcades?

Not the only one, but in this community, you're definitely in the minority.

[MaximRecoil]

Not the only one, but in this community, you're definitely in the minority.

I wonder how many people here (especially the ones who own at least several of their own machines, and/or a MAME machine) would really frequent an arcade if one opened up locally.

[DashRendar]

Well, I think we build/restore our own because it's getting nearly impossible to go out to a real arcade.  If we didn't have our own machines, then I think we would be going to whatever arcades are still around.

[HaRuMaN]

I have my own machines, and I still enjoy going to the local arcade.

[CheffoJeffo]

Not the only one, but in this community, you're definitely in the minority.

I wonder how many people here (especially the ones who own at least several of their own machines, and/or a MAME machine) would really frequent an arcade if one opened up locally.

If it was convenient and had cool games that I liked, then yes. Otherwise, not so much, except for gatherings with other enthusiasts.

I've got 2 FECs, a movie theatre with 20 games and a Go-Kart track with about 25 games within a 10 minute drive of my house. I only go when the kids have a party at one of them or when we go to a movie.

There is an arcade museum opening up across the city and the owner has some amazing and rare classics. He's also a good guy and I really want him to succeed. I don't see myself getting out there even once a month outside of gatherings.

[IG-88]

I have my own machines, and I still enjoy going to the local arcade.

+1 on that.

I came from a small town myself and our "arcades" were local mom & pops too. What I have come to appreciate about them was that they didn't have just "favorites" or even top sellers. The limited selection at the time forced one to try different games. And more times than not I ended up loving a game that on initial inspection didn't appeal to me at all. Or when they did rotate in a new game we jumped on it immediately. Eyes and Omega Race are both games that fall under that catergory. Mouse Trap was another. Although I never could get the love for Dragons Lair.   

[RayB]

Those of you saying yes you'd frequent arcades, are you thinking you'd do so on your own, with buddies or with your kid? I bet the majority are dads and are thinking its something to do with your kid.  I'm 39 and have unhealthy obsession with the classics and am nostalgic of arcades, but if one opened up within 5 minutes distance, I might visit it twice a year with buddies and that's it, cuz really... I can get my gaming fix at home. I also have no interest in hanging out with teenagers.

I'd make an exception if the offerings were *REALLY COOL* like these:


Toronto has a realistic jet fighter simulation place open to the public, and yet I've never even been to that yet. Consider me skeptical that many of us would actually make arcade play a frequent enough activity except as something to do with your kid.
 

[DashRendar]

True.  I think that many of us that are in our mid-20s to mid-40s may pass on going to an arcade-

BUT I think that we'd still like to have them around, for the next generation of kids.

[Blanka]

It is against the MAME license, and is illegal.

Too bad the MAME license still stinks. Really time for the guys to go GPL with it. That would really help making MAME much bigger than it is today, and have more programmers join it. Think MAME as official sales for iPhones or Wiitendo's! Those big companies would arrange good ROM packages with legal licenses without any problems. Weird thing above all, is that the only one making profit from MAME are the game makers themselves, as they use MAME illegal now in their vintage PC emulation sets.

3.  I was thinking of setting up kiosks for systems like the NES, SNES, Genesis, and N64.  (Like the PS3 kiosk at Best Buy where users can play, but the system is under lock and key).  I would like to put a PC in each kiosk cabinet and emulate these systems.  Does the copyrights to these games hold true with the above? 

I think you better make some corners with the actual consoles, with original cartridges. If they are on free play, I guess there is no problem. You might only be charged for music rights (game music is music too).

[Benevolance]

One of the semi-local amusement centres has Nintendo/Xbox/PS3 pay-for-play machines. I'm not entirely certain how it works, but it is coin operated. It's attached to a timer, and will ask for additional funds as the timer runs out. When the time elapses, the system resets itself and the circle of life begins again.

Other arcades in our area previously have used a rental fee concept - they basically rented you a chair at a console for X time, and you could play whichever game you wanted on the system you chose. The consoles themselves were at a front desk nearby, so if you wanted to change games, you had to get up and ask, but it seemed straightforward. I can't say that playing consoles in the arcade is something that ever appealed to me, because I have purchased the systems for my home. And if we wanted to try a new system out for a particular game, most video game/movie places rent out the systems pretty affordably.

In spite of that, the aforementioned semi-local amusement centre seems to be doing well. But like other posters mentioned, it has diversified. It has a batting cage, soccer cage, go-karts, bumper cars, mini-golf, etc. It's been around for years and years, and is moderately busy most any night we go. It is one of the few places that still offers mini-golf, and because it bought all its machines when it opened and has maintained them well, it has an awesome collection of mid-80's and 90's video games, still playable for .25 cents in most cases.

[EightBySix]

Would be interesting to rig the cabs so that they take larger denominations to help pay the way, or maybe tokens that you can purchase.

[Benevolance]

A lot of places I've noticed moving towards the swipe card method. No more tokens or coins.

[MonMotha]

A lot of places I've noticed moving towards the swipe card method. No more tokens or coins.

People seem to spend "points" on a card with impunity whereas they are generally better at tracking expenses when using coins (cash or tokens).  The card systems also allow for "VIP clubs" and similar.  The cards also encourage people to put lots of money on the card up front (to get a better deal on the "points") which lets the establishment get cash sooner than if people buy tokens $10 at a time or just drop in quarters.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of card systems, but I like them better (as a player) than location-specific tokens that I have to cart around and remember.  Cards at least fit in my wallet.  i still prefer just using quarters or dollar coins, though.  The Japanese arcades were wonderful: just drop 50 or 100 yen coins that you probably have in your pocket, anyway.

Cover/admission also seems to be becoming popular.  I basically don't patronize such establishments.  I never, ever get my money's worth as compared to places without cover, even if the game prices are discounted.  I think that has more to do with the types of games I play than anything else, though.

[lingpanda]

Any other site besides Super Auctions in the US for Arcade auctions?

[SirPeale]

On the flip side, it is a one time expense, short of maintenance. Overhead is going to be a tough one here, since laser tag arenas have to be very large to be any fun. There is a laser tage place that opened up by where I live, and it is slow going. It doesn't even open until 2PM during the school year.

Take it from a guy that used to maintain Laser Tag equipment, though the up-front is a one time, if anything breaks on it it's an arm and a leg to get it repaired.  Even if you do the work yourself the parts cost a TON of money.  I know it's how the companies stay in business when they're not selling whole setups, but WOW.   I couldn't believe the money they were asking for really basic stuff.

[Expressline99]

I wonder how many people here (especially the ones who own at least several of their own machines, and/or a MAME machine) would really frequent an arcade if one opened up locally.

I live in a casino town...and the arcades are run by the casinos. I tried to go to one about 3 months ago and found it horribly depressing. Lights were dimmed and all machines were ticket/redemption type. Very very few actual video or pinball machines. I'd say out of 50-60 games 6 total were video or pinball.  Personally I don't like where the industry went with that. My expectation was to leave the place with a little bit of nostalgia. Instead I left within a couple of minutes pissed off and looking forward to working on my pins and MAME machine.

So if it was an actual arcade I.E. no ticket givers. I'd love to go.

[MaximRecoil]

So if it was an actual arcade I.E. no ticket givers. I'd love to go.

I'd go too, but how often? I mean, I'm not 12 years old anymore, walking past a place with arcade games on my way home from school with allowance money to spend. I certainly wouldn't go most every day like I did when I was a kid.

Now if there were games I liked (unlikely, considering I only care for a tiny percentage of the thousands of games that were made), and if there was a worthwhile social aspect to it (i.e., people from my generation, rather than a bunch of kids), then I might go somewhat regularly.

I came from a small town myself and our "arcades" were local mom & pops too. What I have come to appreciate about them was that they didn't have just "favorites" or even top sellers. The limited selection at the time forced one to try different games. And more times than not I ended up loving a game that on initial inspection didn't appeal to me at all. Or when they did rotate in a new game we jumped on it immediately. Eyes and Omega Race are both games that fall under that catergory. Mouse Trap was another. Although I never could get the love for Dragons Lair.   

What you're saying was true for me back then too. Obviously, the only way that my favorite games became favorites in the first place, was that at one point I had to play them for the first time as completely unknown games. However, there is little chance of me finding another favorite among random unknown games in this day and age, considering all the years I've had access to MAME and thousands of random unknown (to me) games. My list of favorites still mostly consists of games that became favorites when I was a kid. About the only addition that I can think of is Pengo, which I never played, saw, or even heard of as a kid. Even then, I don't put it on the same level as my childhood favorites, because there is no nostalgia associated with it for me.

[Ummon]

I've never liked Pengo much anyways. (DL I never really got a chance to like playing. But I'd watch the bastard and love it.) However, it is part of my stock in MAME. I have about 370 games, perhaps half that many I really want ta play.

As for going to an arcade, yeah I'd love to if it was stocked with games I like. (Pins count as well, but didn't till I was in high school, and then mostly I liked watching my friend.) The closest one is 120 miles, though. But even if that place were close to me, let alone if it were an all classics place, admittedly, I wouldn't go all the time. Perhaps once a month, because:

- money

- well.....that's probly mostly it. I do like sit-down cabs an all, but at least for the next year, if I had access to a large retro arcade (at least 50 machines, with at least half being ones I really like), and I could spend all the money I wanted, or if it were like Arcade84, I'd probly go once a week. Maybe more.

I think what monmotha said about card systems is correct. At C&C, I definitely go ahead and get $20 worth (= 100 credits), and after three hours still have half left. Even with playing fifty cents pins. They've made money on me every time I've gone.

[Silas (son of Silas)]

It's in this format I'm currently in talks about to create an entertainment centre/gaming museum/party venue here in the UK.

*Silas ---punks--- up his ears with interest and hopes this would be in the Midlands.....

[Franco B]

Where abouts are you in the midlands spawn of Silas ()?

You can come and put some money in my Neo Geo machine once its on location next week. 

[EightBySix]

It's in this format I'm currently in talks about to create an entertainment centre/gaming museum/party venue here in the UK.

*Silas ---punks--- up his ears with interest and hopes this would be in the Midlands.....

+1

[Franco B]

Are you in the Midlands too EightBySix? Where abouts?

[Silas (son of Silas)]

Where abouts are you in the midlands spawn of Silas ()?

You can come and put some money in my Neo Geo machine once its on location next week. 

Right now I live nr. Solihull, but planning to move more towards Warwick in the next six months. Are You in the Midlands? Whenever I have read you posts I never realised you were in the UK (or maybe I did realise but mis-filed it in my brain along with the will to finish the report I am supposed to be writing for work instead of browsing forums.)

[HaRuMaN]

Where abouts are you in the midlands spawn of Silas ()?

You can come and put some money in my Neo Geo machine once its on location next week.  

[Silas (son of Silas)]

Where abouts are you in the midlands spawn of Silas ()?

You can come and put some money in my Neo Geo machine once its on location next week.  

Its that old 'lure them back to your pad on the false hope of a game of Double Dragon' ploy 

[Franco B]

 

Nah, the cab is going on location in a Uni Bar.

Yeah I'm in the UK, not far from Lincoln, East Mids. 

[EightBySix]

Are you in the Midlands too EightBySix? Where abouts?

Near Chesterfield...

[Franco B]

Ah cool, your not far from me at all. I drove through Chesterfield last weekend on the way to Congleton to deliver a cab.

[Turnarcades]

It's in this format I'm currently in talks about to create an entertainment centre/gaming museum/party venue here in the UK.

*Silas ---punks--- up his ears with interest and hopes this would be in the Midlands.....

Well you're not going to believe your luck if this goes ahead, but right now I'm looking for investment. I'm from Wolverhampton (now live on the border of Wolves/Walsall) and basically I'm looking to create an arcade museum, entertainment centre and party venue that is essentially going to be a huge bachelor pad. It will be a 'pay on entry' venue at weekends where all pool tables, arcade machines etc. will be set on free play, but will almost exclusively be a venue to be rented out for corporate events, stag/hen parties, but I would also like to host expo type shows on a smaller scale centred around video gaming, both modern and retro. I won't go into detail about the exact layout and included features, but the good news is that I am looking to open it in the Midlands so it is both local to me and equally accessible from all corners of the country.

Dunno when this will go ahead exactly, but I'm talking with a few investors and still revising my business plan to decide if it's worth doing. To be fair, I'm only looking for marginal profit as I do with Turnarcades at the moment, as I have the luxury of no longer being the primary earner in my household since I fell ill a few years back. This would be a working hobby and hopefully I can get a lot of family to get in on it to reduce overheads.

[ChadTower]

It was asked above who would go to an arcade, with whom, and why...

There is an arcade museum/private beach 45 minutes south of me.  I take my kids there a couple of times a year and would more often if the beach part didn't make it a full day trip.

Funspot is 4-5 hours north of me.  I take my kids there a couple of times a year and we spend several hours.  If it were half the distance we would go every couple of weeks.  If it were inside an hour I'd probably have to open a monthly payment plan to them.

There is also a great traditional arcade about an hour north of me at Salem Willows Park.  Good pin lineup.  Not too many classics, though, and we never have more than a half hour when we make it there because we're always in the area to visit my wife's family.

[Gatsu]

I also once thought about opening up an arcade...especially since all the arcades in my area closed. But after contacting the owners of the establishments and talking with them about the businesses....it seemed smarter to drop the idea. They all closed for a reason. Upkeep was too costly, newer games were ridiculous to buy and upgrade, and people started complaining about the cost per play.

So I would suggest the next best thing. Take the money you planned on starting the business with and build an arcade/bar/hangout spot for yourself and your friends. Just the games you want to play, and a small bar for drinks & snack stuff with some couches a juke box and maybe a pool table. Several guys here on the forum have done this and I'm sure they are happy they did it.

As soon as I can afford a house this will definitely be in my plans. Since I can't start a business.....I'll just start my own collection.

[ark_ader]

You going to do all this in a recession, and with everyone around with consoles?   

What is wrong with opening a 80's themed restaurant and bar with a small arcade in the back?

The fun is finding all the nostalgic paraphernalia that creates the environment.

Start small in a industrial area and work up.