Ideas for my upcoming commercial arcade.

[Coin_Op]

Hey,

My Girlfriend and I are planning to open a arcade in 2 years from now.

We have a prime location picked for this and it is in walking distance from our home.

What I am looking for is input form operators as well as collectors.

What games would you suggest?

our list so far are pretty much the classics.

short list so far... Pacman, Ms pacman, Centipede, Q*bert, Robotron, Defender, Galaga, Dig Dug, Burger Time, Space Invaders, Gauntlet, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr, Frogger, and Asteroids.

These are the games that came to mind while we were discussing the classic aspect of the arcade. can you think of any others that would be a must have?

We are also going for teen and kid friendly with redemptions, DDR, Pins, and Mario Kart GP($25000 OUCH!) high on the list.

What else would you suggest we consider?

As far as refreshments, It's Vending all the way.


The reason for all the classics is I am a parent, and we take our kids to good ol CucK e cheese.

Not a single game for the parents to play!!!! minus the mario kart that you can never get a turn on!

So... any input would be appreciated.

thanks if you post.

[SirPeale]

Advice?

Hate to say it, but...don't.

[Mauzy]

Im gonna have to side with Peale on this one.

If you have to do it, you'll have to find some gimmick that is completely separate from the arcade side like a restaurant with a few arcade games or something like that.

As an avid DDR player of several years if youre going to have a DDR machine, MAINTAIN IT PROPERLY! I know youre core base wont be a bunch of hardcore DDR players, but if one person from DDRFREAK or any other major DDR community visits your arcade and finds a machine with shoddy sensors or really quiet sound, everyone will know and none of us will come back. If we find a nice shape machine, a few more may show up once and a while. i guess this would go for any machine really.


 

[Donkey_Kong]

What city are you located in?

I would like to suggest a Robotron (one of the biggest money makers in the day). You could always search for one of those classic top 100 threads, there are tons of them on BYOAC. Better get a few pins!

Good luck man!

[Coin_Op]

I got Robotron on the list, That game is one of my all time favorites.

Well, I'm in North Canton Ohio, and the Building is the old Hoover Plant.

A hotel, many businesses and restaurants are also going into that huge building.

We have the high school with in spitting distance of it.

I just figured that an arcade would do well with all that is around it.

not much in the way of entertainment around the area.

Pins are also on the list.

Thanks.

[Ginsu Victim]

Don't do it.

If you're that close to a school, you're looking for trouble.

Typically your establishment will be inhabited by the type of kids you don't want there.

[Coin_Op]

Well that's a pisser, the police station is also next to the school though.

The neighborhood is outstanding, and we know a lot of the kids.

Wow, I thought bringing back an arcade as a good thing.

I guess if i get enough Don't do it........ I'll just kill the idea

[geomartin]

You really want to check into the local city codes and local establishments in the area.  Even though people are constantly complaining that kids have nothing to do these days but get in trouble, almost every city discourages any business that gets teenagers congregating together and will generally harass them to no end.  This is usually encouraged by other local business that don't want the teens near their stores as well.  I lived in one small town that drove the local teen hotspot out of business by passing all kinds of ordinances targeting them.  For example, requiring them to have on site security during evening hours.  My kids were really bummed when they closed the doors.  I must say I was too.  Their best draw was coin-op pool tables.  Another was the local bands they hired on summer Friday/Saturday nights for entertainement.

[Q*Bert_OP]

I was also planning to open a classic arcade/pinball hall. $120 per game for "tax tags"(Texas), plus general business licences, repair licences(I call  BS on that one), and repair costs killed the idea.

[Coin_Op]

I was also planning to open a classic arcade/pinball hall. $120 per game for "tax tags"(Texas), plus general business licences, repair licences(I call  BS on that one), and repair costs killed the idea.

Besides general business licenses, I was not aware of any of the other ones that you mentioned. Though we just started working on this idea, I appreciate your heads up. Now I am curious and needing to know more about these other licenses. What are they and will my husband need one , since he will be  the one repairing the machines. Especially what is a "tax tag"?

Thanks
Jules

[DaOld Man]

I say go for it.
We need to bring the arcade back..
I thought about doing the same when I retire from my real job here in a couple of years.
I too would like to know more about those taxes.
(As if we aint paying enough tax as it is.)

[SavannahLion]

 

Whatever floats your boat I guess.

Somehow you need to entice the adult element. Kids are great, but I'm not sure that, if I was an arcade owner, I would enjoy seeing the classic get beat up. Of course, I'm the kind of person that gets really irritated when friends, pizza, and the game console are all in the same room.

Anyhow... looking at a the few successful running arcades I know of.

Forgo coinage entirely. Kids don't seem to get dropping coins through the slot. Teaching the seven year old that four quarters == one dollar is not an easy task. One place here has refillable "credit" cards. A small fee for the card itself plus whatever to fill it up. The kids, especially the young ones, caught on to using the card, fast. They caught on so quick, that most of them figured out how to check card balances on any cabinet. They also burned through the credits faster than I ever did at their age. The system could also allow all day passes ($50 gets you unlimited play for example), discounted memberships (pay for a years worth of membership and get 6 credits for every $1 on the card), etc.

Offer the adults something other than arcades. I believe that despite the fact that the early gamers are now adults, we're very far from the point of every adult playing games. Sell Beer/Wine? Offer daycare? Offer package deals where mom/dad buy junior a game card and mom/dad get a freebie from some store you've partnered with? The Daycare option might work well, but I'm not sure of the logistics of mixing people who are in the daycare and those who aren't.

Consoles. I hate to say it, but consoles seem to be a real cash cow. Tournaments, etc, seem to be how a lot of game related businesses stay afloat. One thing that always irritated me about consoles is how every place seems to have them set up. Long folding tables with TV's, and folding chairs. WTF? That's so 90's. Consoles beg to be played best from a nice squishy couch, beanbag chair, or thick carpet. Toss around some beanbags, enclose your consoles in an acrylic box with a nice TV on top (or on the wall) and security measures for the controllers to prevent theft (deposit for instance). Charge flat rates per hour, game or whatever.

In this day and age, I have a hard time finding a local arcade that doesn't offer food. eg All-you-can-eat pizza.

[Singapura]

I love the idea of a classic arcade but unless you have a boatload of money (like Nolan Bushnell),a very solid reputation (like Funspot) or a unique proposition (like being a museum) it will be very difficult operating a commercially viable, dedicated classic arcade.

You might want to think about operating as a restaurant with an arcade on the side or, if you have a collection of mint classic cabs, operate as an arcade museum. I don't think young kids will be your main market group because most of them have Xbox 360's and the like and won't spend a lot of money after the novelty wears off. That leaves the "older" group that will come in because of the atmosphere. You need to recreate that atmosphere as closely as possible to draw in people from further away than a few blocks. An alternative is a "themed" restaurant or bar like Hard Rock cafe but with arcade memorabilia instead of music stuff. How about a sports bar?

Even in the old days the local arcade had to rotate machines and bring in new ones frequently. The new machines nowadays are big and expensive (just look at the cost of a Tekken 6 machine!) and you want to stick to the classics. That leaves you with a dwindling supply. I would suggest talking to the owner of an existing arcade like Funspot.

Off course if you have the money and aren't depending on revenue from your business then go for it  Make sure you have a Star wars cockpit 

[pointdablame]

Wow, I thought bringing back an arcade as a good thing.

It's a wonderful idea, but this is not the place to really gauge the reality of it.  We here would LOVE to see it, but realisically, it's not going to work.

The arcade era is dead and its not likely to ever return.  If you're lucky you'd get a nice 6 month to one year span where the novelty of the new arcade will be fresh and you'll do ok, but I'd guess after that it's all downhill.  If you take some of the suggestions above about alcohol or daycare you open yourself up to so much more regulations/taxation/insurance/liability concerns that you'll bury yourself in bills before you even open the door.

You also have to realize that even though a school likely means kids will be in there often, they're not likely to drop $50 in there everyday.  Kids will hang out with their friends and spend a few bucks on games if you're lucky.

I say don't do it -- unless you really enjoy losing money. 

[TOK]

The arcade has to be a sideline, it won't support itself. You need to have food or a liquor license to actually make money. If you're lucky the games will be break even proposition. The arcades like Funspot and Ground Kontrol that survive are basically "lightning strikes" type of propositions. You can probably count the amount of those surviving on your fingers.

As much as I'd like to see another successful arcade, the standalone version is one of the least likely to survive that you could pick.
If my area is any indication, open a check cashing and smoke shop. Use the cash that makes to have a huge arcade in your giant house. 

[Ginsu Victim]

If my area is any indication, open a check cashing and smoke shop.

Yeah, okay, why not a liquor store, loan service, and pawn shop as well?

What kind of people do you think they're trying to attract?

[TOK]

If my area is any indication, open a check cashing and smoke shop.

Yeah, okay, why not a liquor store, loan service, and pawn shop as well?

What kind of people do you think they're trying to attract?

I'd expect people they want to exchange money for a service, and I'd also say any of those things you named are more likely to succeed than an arcade regardless of how you feel about them.

Check cashing clientele definitely isn't any seedier than 80's arcade clientele. 

[Ginsu Victim]

I was about to say, "Yeah, well I grew up in Houston. You don't know the city life!"

....then I saw you're from Philly and shut my mouth.

[TOK]

I was about to say, "Yeah, well I grew up in Houston. You don't know the city life!"

....then I saw you're from Philly and shut my mouth.

I'm well north of the city. The worst crime I'm likely to stumble across is M. Night Shyamalan filming his next movie. 

[SavannahLion]

The arcade era is dead and its not likely to ever return.

Right alongside Figure 8 track racing.  

[Hoagie_one]

I always thought it would be cool to have some classic games to play while waiting to be seated at restaurants, maybe you can incorporate something old and something new their.  Sadly arcades are dead for a reason.

[Ginsu Victim]

I don't see why restaurants don't have them anymore. I used to always play while waiting for our food, then I'd play after.
When you bored waiting, or done eating, it's a great time for a quick game.

[HaRuMaN]

I don't see why restaurants don't have them anymore. I used to always play while waiting for our food, then I'd play after.
When you bored waiting, or done eating, it's a great time for a quick game.

Yeah I know...  Pizza Hut used to have some (at least when I was a kid in VA).  I'd play Altered Beast, Centipede, or Arkanoid while we waited for our pizza...

[RayB]

Coin-Op, the fact you have to ask what's a tax tag shows you haven't done any real research. Not only do you have to pay for a license for every machine you put on public location, you also need liability insurance, permits for the type of establishment, and the location has to be zoned for it too. Most cities have specific bi-laws restricting and/or heavily taxing arcade locations (you can thank paranoid mothers of the 1980's for that). Chances are you aren't even allowed to open in the location you are fondly eyeballing right now.

Insurance will blow your mind. My business is just a virtual online one, yet we pay over 8 grand a year for general liability insurance.

Anyways, good luck though. Would be nice if everything checks out and can work. Let us know what your research reveals. I'm sure we all secretly wish to open arcades.

[grantspain]

can't say for the u.s but the way forward for arcades in europe is the "family entertainment centre",which is basically a few new dedicated vids and shed loads of redemption and sports machines-we are relaunching in the fall under this guise,i have predicted 150% increase in profits at the very least using this new approach
not what anyone wants to hear but this is the brutal truth of how arcades will survive,it would be so great if you could run a retro arcade but the customers are not there anymore
sad but true
still i will have a few vids for the dads

[ark_ader]

Hey,

My Girlfriend and I are planning to open a arcade in 2 years from now.

We have a prime location picked for this and it is in walking distance from our home.

What I am looking for is input form operators as well as collectors.

What games would you suggest?

our list so far are pretty much the classics.

short list so far... Pacman, Ms pacman, Centipede, Q*bert, Robotron, Defender, Galaga, Dig Dug, Burger Time, Space Invaders, Gauntlet, Donkey Kong, Donkey Kong Jr, Frogger, and Asteroids.

These are the games that came to mind while we were discussing the classic aspect of the arcade. can you think of any others that would be a must have?

We are also going for teen and kid friendly with redemptions, DDR, Pins, and Mario Kart GP($25000 OUCH!) high on the list.

What else would you suggest we consider?

As far as refreshments, It's Vending all the way.


The reason for all the classics is I am a parent, and we take our kids to good ol CucK e cheese.

Not a single game for the parents to play!!!! minus the mario kart that you can never get a turn on!

So... any input would be appreciated.

thanks if you post.

I think it is a wonderful Idea, but start small with some classics, a coffee bar or Cafe' that is 80's retro in theme.  Don't make it a big deal, and put it right bang into an office park.  Small and inviting.

Add some sit-downs  or laserdisc games like Dragon's Lair then branch out with food and proper deserts and don't be cheap.  By the same time next year you will have a large arcade being paid for and a thriving business.

Nostalgia for us thirty somethings is something we love to immerse ourselves in, why not make it pay for your business.  I live in Vegas, and with all the casino arcades, I still go to the Pinball Hall Of Fame, because it feels like an old arcade, even if the proceeds go to a worthy cause.

You need to make it an experience, play 80's music and lose the vending machines.  Make it a place you can leave your old dear or friends while you beat the high score.  Open till 9pm. Like it used to be.

Do it. and don't look back.  Heck you could even have a franchise in the making.   

Nothing ventured nothing gained.   

[danny_galaga]

there are a couple around the world. i say, investigate fully and go for it if it seems right. ive had the idea for some time in my city. i would be aiming for 'suits' in my case. mostly lunch time crowd, so i would incorporate a bar/restaurant in it. ive paced out how far you can walk in 5 minutes from the very centre of the city and it encompasses many a large office block. many suits are generation x like many of us here, i think theres something in that...

the building you describe sounds like a good site to sset it up. the main thing to think about is the method of charging. i hadnt thought beyond the 'hey, what if' scenario. someone here posted about their arcade, they had a free credit button on all their machines, with some kind of cover charge...

[DaOld Man]

Ive been doing some wild hair thinking lately.
Wonder if it would be feasible to get a few games and set them up at already established businesses (restuarants or bars).
You could give the buisiness owners a certain percentage of the take.
Just have to swing by every couple of days and empty the coin box, check for damages, etc.
I wonder what kind of government interferance that would cause?
Myabe have a small building where you buy old machines, rebuild them, then put them up for rental?

[mpm32]

That would be called a route.  Most of the machine you see in the restaurants and laundromats are owned by someone that does exactly what you suggested.

They also rotate games in and out of the locations to try to maximize profits.

[HaRuMaN]

I would say there's no money in the arcade business.  Not anymore... which is a shame.  I'd love to open up my own arcade, but like so many people here have said, it's just not going to be profitable. 

[Ginsu Victim]

Ive been doing some wild hair thinking lately.
Wonder if it would be feasible to get a few games and set them up at already established businesses (restuarants or bars).
You could give the buisiness owners a certain percentage of the take.
Just have to swing by every couple of days and empty the coin box, check for damages, etc.
I wonder what kind of government interferance that would cause?
Myabe have a small building where you buy old machines, rebuild them, then put them up for rental?

Anymore, the money is in redemption machines. Sadly, no one in the general public cares about arcade games. When they do play, there has to be some gimmick. (Light gun, racing, etc)

Not everyone is like me, who will play almost any classic in public, no matter if I can do it at home for free. I'd rather people walk by and see me on a machine....not dust.

[RayB]

Where was it I read (other thread on here?) that many big "family fun" centers had their classics on free play because nobody was playing them otherwise.

But, just so its not all doom and gloom here, Coin-Op, search this forum for "1984 arcade". It's an arcade in some small town that is doing fairly well (but they rely on family as employees and sell food too).

[Dartful Dodger]

Be sure to collect a commission and rent from the drug dealer that's going to be using the last stall in your mens' room.

[CheffoJeffo]

Where was it I read (other thread on here?) that many big "family fun" centers had their classics on free play because nobody was playing them otherwise.

In the last couple of centres that I have been to, the pinball machines have had the replay levels set fairly low. I played RBION for a long time on two coinups at one place and, when speaking to the manager later, he told me that they do put their pins on "easy" settings to keep parents like me busy while the kids churn through tokens on the redemption machines.

Worked in my case -- they got eleventy dollars worth of tokens from my son while I spent a total of four tokens (which were comp'ed in the first place) playing pinball.

[Xiaou2]

I used to manage an arcade owned by Namco America.   We had 42 games, 
Galaga and Ms Pacman as our only real classics.

 If I recall the figures correctly...   Tekken III  made about  $500  in a weeks time
in the busy mall location.   Galaga and Ms Pacman were lucky to hit  $6.00  a
week. 

 

[RayB]

If I recall the figures correctly...   Tekken III  made about  $500  in a weeks time
in the busy mall location.   Galaga and Ms Pacman were lucky to hit  $6.00  a
week. 

[bishmasterb]

Insurance will blow your mind. My business is just a virtual online one, yet we pay over 8 grand a year for general liability insurance.

Just for perspective, let me add: I owned an IT company with 10 employees, no physical location (employees reported directly to client sites) and we had a $2M comprehensive general liability policy and paid less than a $1000 in premiums annually.

I'm not contradicting anything you're saying, as I don't know you or what business you're in, but I did want to make it clear that a CGL policy can be had for much less.

With a retail location however, one will pay significantly higher premiums of course.

[myntik1]

i'm tired so i didn't read all the posts.  but i toyed with this idea as well and unless you have a daycare for all of the parents yoo won't make it.  teenagers have no desire to play robotron or defender.  we do because we have fond memories of it.  but in their eyes they can get better graphics of an antique nes (antique to them)

my suggestion spend less on games and more on novelties.  make it like a retro store, with a t-shirt iron so someone can come in and get a dokken t-shirt.  pick up some cool old skool bumper stickers, pop rocks, etc.

[Coin_Op]

Man, one thing I will NEVER get tired of, are threads that are like,

"guys, guys, check this out.  I've got an AWESOME idea!!!  You know that old coin operated commercial equipment we have laying around?  Let's try to make money with it again!"

If it was truly THAT easy, there would be arcades everywhere and used, working games wouldn't sell for $50.

We never said this was going to be all classic arcade.

All we were asking for was some suggestions.

Of course We wouldn't last long if all we had to offer was a  pile of arcade relics that todays youth could give a crap about.

Do you care about the classics?

I do.
 
If no one cares about the classic arcade, why would Namco release a new Donkey Kong cabinet with DK,DKjr and Mario Bros?

Or the class of '81 Cabinets?

these games cater to our age group, but I find a lot of younger people enjoy the simple game play also.

Again though, we never said this was only a classic arcade.

Thanks.

[Jdurg]

Actually, I think the idea of a 1980's retro style diner/arcade/museum would be pretty cool.  Have 1980's music playing in the background, have movie posters from the 1980's, classic toy's and "gadgets" from that time gracing the walls, and a side section with classic arcade games.  It would be like a Hard Rock Cafe, but with the 1980's as a theme.  (And maybe early 1990's as well).  I think that would do VERY well, especially if you were to have simple meals and whatnot on the menu.

Of course, the licensing fees and rapings for all that muic and other stuff would eat into your profits.