A market research based question regarding a potential new arcade game.

[Alpha17X]

Before I ask the question, I suppose I'll give a brief bit of background without saying too much (NDA).

I'm part of an upstart game developer, we've got nothing out yet, one game that we hope will be done by the end of the year, and possibly out on Steam later.  Everyone in the company are all arcade enthusiasts, we've got four candy cabs and two pinball machines at the office, one is a MAME based system, the others are Street Fighter IV, UMK3, and Strider, as well as Adams Family Pinball and Return of the Jedi Pinball.

Being enthusiasts, the game we're making is designed with many arcade design concepts in mind,  for example it's meant to be played with a gamepad, or arcade stick, and there are two versions of it now with a few minor changes.

For example in the PC version of the game (technically both are PC versions) you can purchase continues by collecting certain types of items as you progress through the game and redeeming them.  While in the 'Arcade' version of the game, continues are purchased by hitting a button that represents dropping a coin into the machine.

With arcades across north america being on a decline there aren't really many arcades we could market this game towards, but we'd still like to experiment.   

See if there's any locations we could put some test systems at to see if they make any money.

So what we're trying to find out is;  With arcades largely gone, where do people that still play them often find that they do so?

Pizza shops?  Corner stores?  Random locations in shopping centers? 

We're attempting to get a good idea of where we might be able to successfully place up to 4 test units in an attempt to see how often the machines are played, if at all to see how viable they are.

Any comments or questions are welcome, and I certainly thank anyone who chooses to respond for their time and input.

[yugffuts]

I would suggest that you try and locate a local op, who would know the answer to your questions.  He might just tell you to get lost, but if you agree to give him some cash up front, maybe he'll be able to help you?

Otherwise, I'd suggest buying some old beater games, figure out the legality of operating them, and put them in a few different locations (pizza shop, deli, bowling alley, laundromat, etc).  This way, when your new game is finished, you can drop it into a location where you know what to expect in terms of plays per week.

[saint]

http://groundkontrol.com/

http://www.daveandbusters.com/default.aspx

[DashRendar]

I tend to see arcades in sports bars, bowling alleys, and movie theaters.  I think (?) they're sometimes found in laundomats too sometimes, as a way for people to kill time while waiting.

[NIVO]

unless its a specialty place like dave and busters i doubt youll see the traffic you'd like to have. Xbox Live is a cash cow, and unfortunately thats where the markets at. PSP online store for a portable version is another idea. High volume and fair price will sell what you've got as long as you have a demo and its something people will enjoy playing.

[DJ_Izumi]

What kinda arcade machine uses gamepads?  Unless you have them setup like game console kiosks at GameStop do, they're gonna get messed up rightiously quick.

How is the game going to make money if you buy continues with in game achivements?  The game makes money by eating your hard earned quarters.

How is this game made with 'arcade concepts in mind' if it's going to be an arcade game?  Arcade concepts should be the ONLY thing in mind.

[ark_ader]

Unless you guys have oodles of money to burn, I would say that there are plenty of new markets out there that need talented developers.  The problem is, that developers tend to go with what they know, other than what they don't.  All copied and repetitive. 

I have one idea (unfortunately I cannot say what it is) that would be the next guitar hero, which would be a real challenge to meet, unfortunately the hardware aspect side would be difficult to organize.  Cryptic clue:  What everyone has, but a majority do not.

I am currently planning to get my degree with this idea, and I'm sure someone will make a boatload of cash out of it.  Its those ideas I would be looking at, not coin-op not general game markets.  Something completely different and fun/challenging.

I would start by looking outside the box.

[HaRuMaN]

What kinda arcade machine uses gamepads?

Some of the Tekkens allow you to use your own PS pad.

[HaRuMaN]

http://groundkontrol.com/

http://www.daveandbusters.com/default.aspx

Don't forget Gameworks

http://www.gameworks.com/

[CheffoJeffo]

There was an article in GameRoom Magazine some months back about some folks who designed, built and marketed their own arcade game ... that might be of interest as a good read. I can't remember which month that was offhand .