If you were to open an arcade, how would you go about doing it??

[C.N. Fuzzy]

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 80's are long gone.

hmm, agreed the 80's are gone, but I doubt your that sorry.

1. You need to attend a City Council meeting to propose you idea of opening an arcade. It is up for the City Council to decide if they will approve such business. And even if you own the building, the City Council can still deny your request.

This is true, but is rarely a problem in large cities, and if you are in an established strip mall, it is even less of a problem.

2. You need a very good insurance because you will never now when a fire will destroy your arcade at 3:00 AM. Also if someone dies electrocuted by one of your machines (Yes, it does happen), the surviving family will make sure to sue you and take everything that you own.

Yes it does happen, however if your machines are factory new, or wired to the UL Approved Standards, (grounded properly) the insurance companies will give you a lower rate. hire an inspector, it's worth it.

3. Be prepare to work hard, like 22 hrs a day, 7 days a week. Because if a machine breaks, you will have to fix-it now. And you will always have 1-2 employee(s) that will not show up for work.
And on top of that, you will have to make time to sleep, eat, take care or your girlfriend/wife, and kids.

just a regular ray of sunshine, ain't he?

4. Having classics is good, but about 90% of your games should be the latest and the greatest. The few people who actually bother to go into the arcade want to play the lastest game out there before its released on a PS2.

Sure, if you want to go broke in a big way, go ahead, buy new games. At an average cost of $4000.00 a piece your arcade will have what, a whopping what, 6-15 games? I can just see the kids lining up around the block for that.

These are some harsh facts. So if you still want to pursue it, then I recommend you to quit your job and work for an arcade to get a feeling of how things work.

Well, Harsh anyway....still I do agree, don't try it unless you have worked for an arcade for at least 6 months, as it is not for everyone.

Trust me you will go back crawling to your old job in less than a week.

hmm, lessee here...I worked for an arcade for 2 1/2 years, and I now work for a local operator with a personal responsability to over 40 locations....I must be a masochist =)

[Decepticon]

Originally posted by Magnaflux
Only problem with that is you'd have to have the machine out of commision for a bit ever time windows 98 crashes.

Use Linux

[FeelGood]

Originally posted by Sythe
Looks like someone has actually put a decent amount of thought into this idea.

when I was in junior high, I had to make a fantasy company. This was it. just different games.

[Arcademan]

I'm loving this thread to bits, everyone. Thanks for the imputs and suggestions on making a great arcade.

Most game rooms and fun centers have nice and expensive games...even classic ones...plus pool tables, air hockey, CHEXX Hockey & Foosball however the mainstay of many gameroom these days are redemption games like Skeeball, Cyclone, etc. The games that pay out tickets so you can win stuff.

Don't get me wrong. I love the idea of a "video games" only arcade but I don't think it could survive on games alone.

Someone mention cost of games. In order to compete, you need the latest games but when the distributor can charge $10,000 for a Time Crisis 3, the operator can NOT charge only a quarter or even 50 cents a play and expect to pay for it. That's the main reason they charge 50...75 cents...even a $1 a play.

Classic games are nice but the kids of today have better access to better games on the home consoles and most likely will play it once and that's it.

In the entire Phoenix Metro area, there is only ONE 'pure' arcade left. They have roughly 100 games including an impressive 4 cabinet dual sit-down Daytona USA that plays 8 people...new games, classics like Tron, Joust, Tetris...a room with just pinballs and cocktail tables, another room with pool tables and air hockey tables and a projection TV set-up that shows a 6' by 8' screen of a game. An excellent place.

I think a arcade has a better chance in a smaller town or city with less competition where something like this would be welcomed and more appreciated. Getting top-notch games are nice but the best games to get are the ones that work, hold the interest of the players and experience little or no down time. Neo-Geos are great since games can be swapped easily and affordably. Ultracade is a good buy since the kit itself goes for under $1800 and comes with 88 games without worrying about a program crashing in it.

Gun games are a must and very affordable. Driving games always make money but be prepared to spend a bit on those...even the older ones can be costy.

Pinball machines are great however the biggest drawbacks on them...high maintenance. that's what almost wiped out the industry.

I don't claim to know everything about running an arcade. I've been in the business for 20 years myself and seen the rise and fall of the games in the early 80's and have seen them evolved thoughout its lifetime. Personally...I'm a classic game player who enjoys the games from times past. Maybe there is a future for them. Many companies are remaking these games to introduce to the next generation of game players.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Good day

[SeaWolf69]

Hah,

I would buy alot of PCB's & cabinets. To hell with the music, tv's, etc. Just alot of killer games . Up here in Alaska there is alot of things to do except play video games & watch movies . The last Arcade up here did very well, the reason it closed is because the owner got too old & closed it down. Sold all of the cabinets & that was that. I already have one, going to pick up a few more. I already have my nephews & neices breaking down my door to play it. Hah, they even bring their own quarters to play. So, why the hell not, I already have enough PCB's for 12 cabinets . If it doesn't work out, I'll still have all those games to myself .

[neo*geo]

the best games too have is puzzle bobble in a 1 slot and xmen vs street fighter or if you had a retro department for your arcade put on super street fighter or better yet space invaders


but i have an arcade of my own and thinking of getting another one for the fun of it and put the greatest fighter the world has ever seen super fighter

[Arcademan]

Originally posted by SeaWolf69
Hah,

I would buy alot of PCB's & cabinets. To hell with the music, tv's, etc. Just alot of killer games . Up here in Alaska there is alot of things to do except play video games & watch movies . The last Arcade up here did very well, the reason it closed is because the owner got too old & closed it down. Sold all of the cabinets & that was that. I already have one, going to pick up a few more. I already have my nephews & neices breaking down my door to play it. Hah, they even bring their own quarters to play. So, why the hell not, I already have enough PCB's for 12 cabinets . If it doesn't work out, I'll still have all those games to myself .

That's by far the cheapest way to set up a game room...get JAMMA convertable cabinets and the PCBs so you can freely and cheaply rotate games. Having the bells and whistles like TV's, music and such isn't a necessity IMO.

Also a good thing to do is have the parts for the games handy. Worse thing in the world to have is having a game with a crappy joystick, sticky buttons and a coin mech that won't take anyone's money

[Shinji]

My Arcade
This is how, i'd make MY arcade. I'd have the top floor be with all the bells and whistles, some vending machines, some of the ticket games, some music games (I'm thinking DDR, Guitar Freaks, that DJ game). The reason for the music games to be up there, is because it would be quieter then the bottom floor.

The bottom floor would be where it's at. I'd have about 4 50 inch MEGALO's with the newest, most money making 2D games. I'd have about 2 4 slot Super Neo 29's with some classics. Then i'd have a whole bunch of Versus City's

3 for Street Fighter 3rd Strike
1 for Street Fighter Alpha Three
2 for the newest KOF
1 for Matrimelee
1 for SvC
1 for the newest Guilty Gear

Then in another corner would be 4 linked New Astro City's with either Gundam DX or some linkable beat 'em up game.

Of course, this would be how it'd be if I am going to make it right now.

For location, i'd pick Kobe. Because I just loved my stay there.

[Arcademan]

Cool! Set it up and I'll be the first one to show

[Shinji]

Gotta get through school and get the money first

[Arcademan]

No worries...I'm a patient person LOL!!!

[Charles Franklin Fernandez]

Originally posted by C.N. Fuzzy
hmm, agreed the 80's are gone, but I doubt your that sorry.

The only thing about the 80's that I miss is the Golden Age of Arcades.

This is true, but is rarely a problem in large cities, and if you are in an established strip mall, it is even less of a problem.

Maybe in Florida, but not in California. In the City were I live, which is fairly large, there is only one arcade and it is located inside Paramount's Great America. The City Council is so hard headed that they do not allow anymore arcades within the city limits because they believe that it promotes violence
My city is located right next to a large city, and I only know about two Nickel Cities.
There was a large arcade in the Great Mall of The Bay Area that was forced to shut down when Dave And Busters open a chain there.

Yes it does happen, however if your machines are factory new, or wired to the UL Approved Standards, (grounded properly) the insurance companies will give you a lower rate. hire an inspector, it's worth it.

You haven't heard about static shock haven't you. And even if the machines are up to code, shit still happens. Also the electrical scenario was just an example. There are still other liabilities, like some stupid shit that succesfully tiped the arcade machine over him/her.
Insurance companies can lower the rate somewhat, but there are still too much liabilities for them not to take under consideration. BTW, I know many arcade operators that where forced to close their arcade because they could no longer afford insurance.

just a regular ray of sunshine, ain't he?

You are entitled to your own opinion as I am entitled to my mine.

Sure, if you want to go broke in a big way, go ahead, buy new games. At an average cost of $4000.00 a piece your arcade will have what, a whopping what, 6-15 games? I can just see the kids lining up around the block for that.

***Sarcasm on***
Gee, I can just see the masses lining up around 3 city blocks just to play a 12 year old game.
***Sarcasm off***

Well, Harsh anyway....still I do agree, don't try it unless you have worked for an arcade for at least 6 months, as it is not for everyone.

I completely agree with you there.

hmm, lessee here...I worked for an arcade for 2 1/2 years, and I now work for a local operator with a personal responsability to over 40 locations

OK, tell me one thing. Are you just responsible to collect the money? Do you drive around town to fix a machine when it brakes down? And do you carry enough parts to fix the machine? Or do you have someone else do that for you?

....I must be a masochist =)

Your word not mine

[C.N. Fuzzy]

You haven't heard about static shock haven't you. And even if the machines are up to code, shit still happens. Also the electrical scenario was just an example. There are still other liabilities, like some stupid shit that succesfully tiped the arcade machine over him/her.

Static Shock....isn't that a cartoon on Saturday Mornings? =)
Actually static electricity is not much of a concern here in FL, as the temperature is very rarely cold enough. As to the other liabilities, I agree... never understimate the power of human stupidity. A trend that is becoming more and more popular however, is that many of these arcades are using wavers that many customers dont even realize they have agreed to... example....XS Orlando uses a standardized liability waver, that basically works out that if you use their cards (the arcade uses a card-swipe sytem instead of quarters) you agree to their terms and conditions... this is one of the reasons the card is not tranferable.

OK, tell me one thing. Are you just responsible to collect the money? Do you drive around town to fix a machine when it brakes down? And do you carry enough parts to fix the machine? Or do you have someone else do that for you?

Actually, That's four things....But to answer your questions, I do Collect the Money, I do Repair the Machines when they break, I do carry enough parts to fix most problems, I am the only one that does this for the locations I am responsable for. I am also the one that tranfers the games between the locations.


-Daniel





__________________

[Charles Franklin Fernandez]

Originally posted by C.N. Fuzzy
Static Shock....isn't that a cartoon on Saturday Mornings? =)
Actually static electricity is not much of a concern here in FL, as the temperature is very rarely cold enough. As to the other liabilities, I agree... never understimate the power of human stupidity. A trend that is becoming more and more popular however, is that many of these arcades are using wavers that many customers dont even realize they have agreed to... example....XS Orlando uses a standardized liability waver, that basically works out that if you use their cards (the arcade uses a card-swipe sytem instead of quarters) you agree to their terms and conditions... this is one of the reasons the card is not tranferable.

Well in California, static electricity is a concern since it has desert like weather and the temperature does tend to be cold enough.
I know that Dave and Busters uses a similar waiver as they also use non-transferable cards. But let's remember that your average arcade operator cannot afford such lawyers as Dave and Busters or another big arcade chain can.

Actually, That's four things....But to answer your questions, I do Collect the Money, I do Repair the Machines when they break, I do carry enough parts to fix most problems, I am the only one that does this for the locations I am responsable for. I am also the one that tranfers the games between the locations.

Well sir you earned my respect. And to be clear, in my original post I was not trying to put everybody down with their ideas of opening an arcade. But I was trying to show them the other side of the coin. Things are not always as rosy as they seem to be. And my points were valid ones as they are pointed out by arcade operators and distributors that have been in the business for over 20 years.

Charles

[C.N. Fuzzy]

And to be clear, in my original post I was not trying to put everybody down with their ideas of opening an arcade. But I was trying to show them the other side of the coin. Things are not always as rosy as they seem to be. And my points were valid ones as they are pointed out by arcade operators and distributors that have been in the business for over 20 years.

Your points are valid, I guess I am just incurably optimistic, after all Murphy was an optimist too. =)

Actually your posts did give me a chance to do some serious thinking, as opening an arcade within the next 3 years is an actual goal of mine, here in Greater Orlando.

-Daniel

[Moon Jump]

I hate getting into posts during a flame war, but who the hell cares.

What's sad about arcades is that you NEED redemption games. As much as all the hardcore gamers hate them, they make the most money. My friend runs 6 of the FYE arcades in the northeast. And at every arcade, redemption games make the most money.

But there a few arcades that have NO redemption games and they do fine, because they have a good ammount of people that have been going to the arcade for years.

Chinatown Fair in NYC has all arcade games and no redemption games. The whole place is pretty much Neo-Geo fighters, Capcom Fighters, a handfull of old 80's games, 3 Music games, 2 pinball machines and a couple of puzzle games.

But people missing the arcades of the 80's should go to Jersey and visit 8 on the Break. They have a great crowd of people that come every day to play all the fighting games they have. They also have there own snack bar with REALLY good food, and there also a Pool Hall. But there's one thing that sets 8 apart from other acades. There games are allways in perfect working order. They have 8 pinball machines and there ALLWAYS perfect because the guy fixes them all the time.

So if you go to make an arcade, check to see how the neighborhood is. If it's full of kids redemption games are the way to go. But if you notice a more older crowd of people put some older games in and games that do the best.

Shooters like The Lost World allways make a ton of money, big cabs make alot of money, it doesn't even matter what game is in there, my arcade has an nice sit down cab with SportsJam in it and it makes a killing because it's an easy game for everybody, and the cab is great.

So just make sure if you open an arcade, get people that can fix stuff and care about the place. Hold tounraments, special offers and just do stuff to have the people keep coming in.

[Arcademan]

Originally posted by YuckMud
I hate getting into posts during a flame war, but who the hell cares.

What's sad about arcades is that you NEED redemption games. As much as all the hardcore gamers hate them, they make the most money. My friend runs 6 of the FYE arcades in the northeast. And at every arcade, redemption games make the most money.

But there a few arcades that have NO redemption games and they do fine, because they have a good ammount of people that have been going to the arcade for years.

Chinatown Fair in NYC has all arcade games and no redemption games. The whole place is pretty much Neo-Geo fighters, Capcom Fighters, a handfull of old 80's games, 3 Music games, 2 pinball machines and a couple of puzzle games.

But people missing the arcades of the 80's should go to Jersey and visit 8 on the Break. They have a great crowd of people that come every day to play all the fighting games they have. They also have there own snack bar with REALLY good food, and there also a Pool Hall. But there's one thing that sets 8 apart from other acades. There games are allways in perfect working order. They have 8 pinball machines and there ALLWAYS perfect because the guy fixes them all the time.

So if you go to make an arcade, check to see how the neighborhood is. If it's full of kids redemption games are the way to go. But if you notice a more older crowd of people put some older games in and games that do the best.

Shooters like The Lost World allways make a ton of money, big cabs make alot of money, it doesn't even matter what game is in there, my arcade has an nice sit down cab with SportsJam in it and it makes a killing because it's an easy game for everybody, and the cab is great.

So just make sure if you open an arcade, get people that can fix stuff and care about the place. Hold tounraments, special offers and just do stuff to have the people keep coming in.

Very well said. Main reason redemption games and big cabinet games do so well are simple...they can't be duplicated on the home consoles (though that would be funny to see a PS2 spit out tickets if you win the game LOL!!!).

In the game room I run, the 1988 Sega classic G-Loc makes great money despite being a mediocre game because it's a moving sit-in game. Marvel vs Capcom and Crisis Zone biggies since they're on giant big screens. The older people play the gun games and Pac-Man since they're easy to understand.

I'd love to go to an arcade with tournaments and contests. Way back in the early 80's I won a statewide tounament on Sinistar and walked away with a pinball machine...the highlight of my life...along with getting the world record on 1943: The Battle of Midway

[Charles Franklin Fernandez]

Originally posted by YuckMud
I hate getting into posts during a flame war, but who the hell cares.

I am sorry that you saw my posts as part of a flame war. As I posted before, I was trying to show the other side of the coin. Things are not always as rosy as they seem to be. And my points were valid ones as they are pointed out by arcade operators and distributors that have been in the business for over 20 years.

And thank you to bring up the redemption games because I completely forgot about them. As another member mentioned they cannot be duplicated on the home consoles, and kids can always get good prizes.

Charles

[BonusKun]

I am sorry that you saw my posts as part of a flame war. As I posted before, I was trying to show the other side of the coin. Things are not always as rosy as they seem to be. And my points were valid ones as they are pointed out by arcade operators and distributors that have been in the business for over 20 years.

And thank you to bring up the redemption games because I completely forgot about them. As another member mentioned they cannot be duplicated on the home consoles, and kids can always get good prizes.

Charles

Came in late to this but I agree 100% with what you've posted. I've worked for an arcade for fucking 10 hellish years. You give up so much to keep a place like that maintained and running. I think my biggest bitch was people who tried to come in and smoke next to the machines. When reselling arcade units, nothing cuts the value more then faggots who put cigarette burns all over your panels.

[SNKorSWM]

That's why Japanese arcade operators keep ashtrays near their machines.

[Arcademan]

Originally posted by Charles Franklin Fernandez


And thank you to bring up the redemption games because I completely forgot about them. As another member mentioned they cannot be duplicated on the home consoles, and kids can always get good prizes.

Charles

I be that other member

It's gotten to the point where a game room can't survive without redemption games and make a profit. Per example, in the game room I run, redemption games i.e. skeeballs, Cyclones and cranes do about 65 to 70% of all game room business. Of the video games themselves, the dual sit-down games and big screen games represent 25% of the videos but haul in close to 60% of all revenue. These games of course can't be easily duplicated on home consoles. That's the draw to game rooms these days

[Sythe]

I never really gave much thought to having redemption Games in my arcade, but in all the locations I have thought about opening in, younger kids would be a major part of my market, so that would be a good way to go. Now, I would need to hear more good ideas like that so I could sell this idea to a bank to get the funding I need to start this whole operation.

[Cookie Monster]

I would rent a room in a mall, or a fair, or next to a night club, a place where alot of youngsters hang around.

Then a I would rent the machines not buy them. But before renting games I would go check out in some arcade rooms which games are successful.
The last time I went to an arcade the most successful game was "King of Fighters 2002", there was like 10 guys waiting their turn to play. So I would rent 2 "KoF2002" cabinets (or what ever successful game), the second most successful was "Street Fighter III 3rd Strike", there was like 4 guys waiting their turn, I would rent 1 cabinet, etc.

Personnally I would go for cheap to rent but successful games.

[Hidden Character]

I'd lock myself in and set everything on Free Play. Gotta have some food and two clean, working toliets; one for myself and the other for my guest. It'd look like a shut down store in a mall, but in reality, I'd have a secret entrance in the back where people would give a password to enter. There'd also be a soundproof glass shield at the "entrance" of the store with a black curtain covered by a gate looking towards the rest of the mall. One more thing.....ventilation.

[Arcademan]

Originally posted by Hidden Character
I'd lock myself in and set everything on Free Play. Gotta have some food and two clean, working toliets; one for myself and the other for my guest. It'd look like a shut down store in a mall, but in reality, I'd have a secret entrance in the back where people would give a password to enter. There'd also be a soundproof glass shield at the "entrance" of the store with a black curtain covered by a gate looking towards the rest of the mall. One more thing.....ventilation.

I remember a game room I ran about 15 years ago or so...I, along with a few friends would stay in the game room all night long. We got very good at games like Gauntlet and found out secrets on many a game. Not a coffee drinker, I found a good friend in JOLT Cola