Arcade Business

[Sub_Zero]

Yo thanks for this post LS, it was a real wake up call. There are really alot of things i need to think about when it comes to a tournament, having a well organized team is one of em! Venue isnt to much of a problem as i know the guy who owns the place and i know he would be happy enough to do such a thing (as long as it makes him cheddar!) TBH i wont be making any profit from doing this as im not really bothered about the money but more about having a place we could regularly go to play ANY fighter we wanted without always having to go casino. Which now makes me think really that i could just propose a "SF4 Night" where everyone can go down there for a one off payment (£3-5?) for casuals or even have a small tournament on the day if enough people come since they wont have to keep rinsing their precious £1 coins.

i remember seeing a post on NE that WGE was looking for a place where we could have regular meet ups that has a good internet connection, i might just suggest this first, see how it goes, then if it turns out good and get consistent visitors, then move on to a tournament.

Since not alot of people are willing to use thier yard (or their mums yard ) for casuals and would just rather play online where it can get laggy occasionally, i think this could be a good idea. Its not to far or in the middle of no where like Harrow so travel shouldnt be a problem (Victoria Line). I dont know if you saw a pic of the place in my earlier post so here it is again, www.myspace.com/gamescity (watch the slideshow on the right, these pics are quite old though). what you guys think?

Safe again for that LS, think this is a better idea rather then a tourny which im not quite ready for yet.

Decent read, cheers.

subs im not far from covs, Invade Cov uni and the colleges in the area plenty of target groups to take advantage to generate enough interest.

Exactly the sorts of places I'd target. I've also been looking for a way to practise some of the new marketing techniques I've been thinking about so this would be a great opportunity.

Keep posting about anything to do with the idea guys, I get the feeling I'm going to be refering back to this threa alot.

[Skola]

havin gaming as the main aspect of your business would be tough

if that was one aspect and you had like i dunno a bar or some sh*t maybe that would help

eg the virgin megastore have a gaming zone

a mix of consoles with tvs, and other stuff like the skating game on the wii with the board etc

but then they have so much money behind them

and a steady stream of customers already

it would be tough but

if you get a business off the ground, in a recession, youve got a great business

[Mr. Gayle]

I commend you in what your trying to do, but like said, why would someone pay for a membership to play at your place, when they play at home, play competitively online

[Vtec]

I commend you in what your trying to do, but like said, why would someone pay for a membership to play at your place, when they play at home, play competitively online

why not? at least members would know where there money is going, to provide a venue where they can mix and interact with rivals and friends and make new friends IRL, as opposed to some random username and over inflated ego hiding behind an I.P. address

and im guess membership would be optional, as some peeps could just turn up pay and play without being a dedicated member.

obvs needs to provide an incentive/exclusives for membership joining and so on.

[Mr. Gayle]

I commend you in what your trying to do, but like said, why would someone pay for a membership to play at your place, when they play at home, play competitively online

why not? at least members would know where there money is going, to provide a venue where they can mix and interact with rivals and friends and make new friends IRL, as opposed to some random username and over inflated ego hiding behind an I.P. address

and im guess membership would be optional, as some peeps could just turn up pay and play without being a dedicated member.

obvs needs to provide an incentive/exclusives for membership joining and so on.

Not knocking him, but im pretty sure this wont work, if you have the choice to stay at home and do the same, then I think a very high percentage would stay at home.

They have the game, can play online with rivals and make friends, I have, your my friend aint you Vtec lol

[Em Dott]

I respect what you're trying to do, but I don't see nuff people in Cov looking to spend money to play games at a venue. You an I know most of them are concerned with hanging at the bus station drinking and nicking cars and peds. You may have a better chance in Brum though purely because there are a wider array of people available.

[LS]

The only thing that could work here is a gamerbase type center where its just console andPC Manchester/Reading etc all have one and it does pretty well. Arcades simply just won't happen imo 'cause i don't think Coventry have that many dedicated players (Never seen any traveling to london for major tournaments)

[Em Dott]

Fam, in Cov you have uni students, everyday people and chavs (the majority). Uni students may pay it, but would be more concerned with playing at home or at friend's house. Everyday people I have no real clue about. Chavs would nick the set ups and burn some cars in the car park in the process.

[Faisal]

Start a Steam Cafe in Harrow and I'll come everyday in my lunch break.

[Vtec]

I commend you in what your trying to do, but like said, why would someone pay for a membership to play at your place, when they play at home, play competitively online

why not? at least members would know where there money is going, to provide a venue where they can mix and interact with rivals and friends and make new friends IRL, as opposed to some random username and over inflated ego hiding behind an I.P. address

and im guess membership would be optional, as some peeps could just turn up pay and play without being a dedicated member.

obvs needs to provide an incentive/exclusives for membership joining and so on.

Not knocking him, but im pretty sure this wont work, if you have the choice to stay at home and do the same, then I think a very high percentage would stay at home.

They have the game, can play online with rivals and make friends, I have, your my friend aint you Vtec lol

yeah we bestest mates now lol.

/

I know ur not knockin it. Just good to debate it. pros and cons.

A few heads on here vip2's E.Den. Who I haven't met in IRL. Who I can tell are safe and seem normal

[Dubby]

opening a bar with arcade consoles in >>> opening an arcade

[Sub_Zero]

A very good idea which was spawned by an idea from Vtec was like a casual internet cafe with consoles, a few fruity's and certain amusement machines. It's good to have so many different options but I think it's going to be a hard decision to finalise what I want to do. I definitely wouldn't make it dark and dingy like them amusement arcades in them sea side resorts. I reckon I'd constantly be updating with newer and better stuff as it picks up in popularity.

I've spoke with a lady from Coventry city council and she says that Coventry is part of a number of cities in England which are due for growth and it's currently undergoing a 9.3 billion renevation with new businesses in mind.

Also had a minor conversation with someone whose selling there arcade in Radford, Coventry and I said I'm not buying I just want a few gorey details. I got a few numbers I'm musing over now. She's selling it because she has other business up North. There's so many improvements I would make to it but here is the photo I found online

TENURE : The arcade has a new lease, start date September 2008 until September 2018, with a break clause and rent review after five years. The arcade is open Monday to Saturday from 9.00am until 6.00pm. SALES : The arcade is currently turning over £2,600 - £2,800 per week.

EXPENSES : RATES: £8,760 PA RENT: £31,200 PA (Head Lease) INSURANCE: £1,040 PA GAS/ELEC: £10,000 PA LICENCES: £11,400 PA WAGES : £15,600 PA

There is additional income from the 2 flats above the arcade which bring in £8,320 per annum. There is additional income from the subdivision of the larger arcade – the rental from a furniture shop brings in £13,000 per annum. (On a monthly notice). These two rental incomes allow the net rent to be paid for the arcade area to be £9,880 per annum.

EDIT

Summary

130000 turnover PA, that's at 2,500 a week. Not including the income from the furniture shop or 2 flats.

78000 expenses. What this doesn't include is all the startup costs which I currently have no idea about.

There's obviously no way I would break even in my first year but what business does? The numbers are very positive though but this is massively rough outline because what that place does is not really the way I want to take my business.

[Natty]

dont do it costs are massive

and profit aint that high

[Jefferson]

I like this idea

i have someone on my xbl who opened up the first xbox online console lounge thing in colchester a few years back (when i was living there)

they had a membership which was like £10/15 per year

and rates were about £2/3 per hour or £10 for the day (which was like 6 hours max; if you were a member)

think this guy runs it if you want i could get intouch with him and hook you up with more info?

stuff like this DO work, but as people have stated location and viability are key.

they held competitons and probably ranking battles etc etc.

cos it was on the xbox, people could import their own gamertag and just play through them, play and try new games before they bought them. Racing games were popular etc.

/

on a side note.

before that, there was a decent pc lan centre that was booming. Had regular lock ins (gaming all nighters; free food and drink and competions)

for all the popular pc games back in 05/06 times maing playing cs,halo, battlefield and WoW.

this store was also a PC repair and shop, every1 bought their custom pc's from them as there were cheap and had decent offers.They had all the hardware/software you needed so the upstairs PC Lan centre they had just helped them shift loads n made decent p.

so that helped advertise their store

[Zelys]

On the other note about a bar with Xbox's, PS3, Wii's for example there's one I use to go to in "all bar one" in Sutton. They didn't charge for the usage of consoles but they made sh*t loads on booze and food.

But a pub with consoles in it and have a competition held on a day to day basis with multiple games could work very well. Not just fighting games. Anything and everything....footy games, fighting games you name it as long its competitive. You'll get social gamers and hardcore gamers.

You get be on a winner. For example if Neo empire or anyone else wants to rent the venue you could hold special events as well which will work as and they don't even have to bring extra equipment down and you could just charge a set fee. plus the cash made on drinks and food is a bonus.

Just an idea

[Sub_Zero]

I like this idea

i have someone on my xbl who opened up the first xbox online console lounge thing in colchester a few years back (when i was living there)

they had a membership which was like £10/15 per year

and rates were about £2/3 per hour or £10 for the day (which was like 6 hours max; if you were a member)

think this guy runs it if you want i could get intouch with him and hook you up with more info?

stuff like this DO work, but as people have stated location and viability are key.

they held competitons and probably ranking battles etc etc.

cos it was on the xbox, people could import their own gamertag and just play through them, play and try new games before they bought them. Racing games were popular etc.

/

on a side note.

before that, there was a decent pc lan centre that was booming. Had regular lock ins (gaming all nighters; free food and drink and competions)

for all the popular pc games back in 05/06 times maing playing cs,halo, battlefield and WoW.

this store was also a PC repair and shop, every1 bought their custom pc's from them as there were cheap and had decent offers.They had all the hardware/software you needed so the upstairs PC Lan centre they had just helped them shift loads n made decent p.

so that helped advertise their store

On the other note about a bar with Xbox's, PS3, Wii's for example there's one I use to go to in "all bar one" in Sutton. They didn't charge for the usage of consoles but they made sh*t loads on booze and food.

But a pub with consoles in it and have a competition held on a day to day basis with multiple games could work very well. Not just fighting games. Anything and everything....footy games, fighting games you name it as long its competitive. You'll get social gamers and hardcore gamers.

You get be on a winner. For example if Neo empire or anyone else wants to rent the venue you could hold special events as well which will work as and they don't even have to bring extra equipment down and you could just charge a set fee. plus the cash made on drinks and food is a bonus.

Just an idea

Thanks for taking the time guys. I've been at this all day so I'm gonna sleep on it and see if I'm still motivated to persue it.

Jefferson if you could get any sort of contact info off that guy in Colchester that would be a huge help.

[Jefferson]

kool

jus pmd u some info

[Guest Esquilax]

Open a video game themed bar like these guys

http://www.manabar.com.au/

[Em Dott]

On the other note about a bar with Xbox's, PS3, Wii's for example there's one I use to go to in "all bar one" in Sutton. They didn't charge for the usage of consoles but they made sh*t loads on booze and food.

But a pub with consoles in it and have a competition held on a day to day basis with multiple games could work very well. Not just fighting games. Anything and everything....footy games, fighting games you name it as long its competitive. You'll get social gamers and hardcore gamers.

You get be on a winner. For example if Neo empire or anyone else wants to rent the venue you could hold special events as well which will work as and they don't even have to bring extra equipment down and you could just charge a set fee. plus the cash made on drinks and food is a bonus.

Just an idea

Good idea. Probably the best one.

[Sub_Zero]

Even more determined than yesterday, currently writing up a rough business plan. All you're opinions and thoughts have helped massively so if you have more to contribute keep it coming.

I do like the idea about the bar with consoles in it but I'm not going to base my business on that. It would definitely be good for someone but I'm not looking to go down that route, it involves alot more licensing and alot more trouble. Plus I know zero about running a bar and with pubs shutting down every other week, who have had owners in the industry for 30 years I don't think it would be a good time for me to learn.

I'm leaning towards 6 high powered gaming machines, 5 Xbox's/PS3's/Wii's and 5 standard PC's. The 5 standard PC's would be just for the casual person looking to check there e-mails or to enjoy there lunch break. There would be a £10 joining fee to use the gaming machines and then £2 for every hour of play. After 10 hours of play you get 1 free. Using the standard PC's would be £3 an hour. These are just an outline of the prices and will almost definitely change but I'm working off these numbers now.

If all goes well I will add in arcade machines at a later date (unless I get a substantial grant) but childrens fruit machines should be there at launch.