So, I'm thinking about opening an arcade...

[benderx]

I would open up my own arcade if I won the lotto, seriously.

[the7k]

I would open up my own arcade if I won the lotto, seriously.

Yeah, definitely, but I'm hoping I don't need to actually win the lotto to run an arcade.

Turns out, the place that said it was 'available' at the outdoor mall is currently being 'hand picked' for someone. However, there is another available area (3,150 sq ft - not a big area, I know) that is actually closer to the pizza place - just in a not-as-prominent area.

There's two other areas that are available as well that might do (3,063 sq ft and 2,500 sq ft), I'll have to check them out. They're even right next to each other, if I was feeling ambitious. All the other 'availables' are ~1,000 sq ft, and I doubt I should even waste my time.

[D.D.D.]

I love the idea and sentiment but I can't help at being extremely reserved about it... Especially in the states. You better have some magical ploy to get people in there or the perfect location because people just don't wanna drop coins in to play anymore when you can at home.

[YoshiEgg25]

You could try out the admission thing on a few days or something just to see how it goes, though you'd have to stamp hands or use club bracelets and have someone man the door.

The Galloping Ghost Arcade just has you show your reciept, and the path goes straight through to the front desk.

[the7k]

I love the idea and sentiment but I can't help at being extremely reserved about it... Especially in the states. You better have some magical ploy to get people in there or the perfect location because people just don't wanna drop coins in to play anymore when you can at home.

One plan I have is to offer token discounts to anyone with a local university ID. In fact, I plan to give a free dollar's worth of tokens to anyone with a local university ID on opening day.

I think if I can hook 'em early, I'll have a much easier road ahead.

[GSZX1337]

I think if I can hook 'em early, I'll have a much easier road ahead.

So you're using the tobacco industry model?

[the7k]

I think if I can hook 'em early, I'll have a much easier road ahead.

So you're using the tobacco industry model?

Works, don't it?

At least, I hope it does...

"Christ, If only we had their numbers..."

[rainnyx4]

I think also having your own retro store running out of the place is a good idea. It would at least create a sort of culture and scene for your place.

Also, frequent tournaments are a must.

[Lokkenjawnz]

1. I'd say the outdoor mall would be best, arcades are a niche, and most people in that niche are going to want to play late.

2. There's a local arcade (well 30 minutes away anyways) called Nickel City, and they do a hybrid model. As the name implies, the games are based on nickels instead of quarters, and while in reality it doesn't actually come out as hugely cheap as it sounds, it does come out pretty cheap. They simply charge a 2 dollar cover fee to get in, and they've been there for at least 10-15 years or so, though I have no idea how well the business actually does. Another thing they have is a line of older arcade games on one wall that are free, which complements the door fee nicely.

3. There's a couple Golflands locally (30 minutes away, damn you San Jose!) that I believe use Xbox 360's in big custom showcase style cabs with Madcatz TE controllers bolted into the table in front of the screens. They get plenty of play time, though I can't recall exactly how the pay model works for them. Something to look into anyways.

4. Absolutely have vending machines, it's basically required. I have no idea about licenses involved therein, but that's just necessary.

5. Make sure you seriously look into local arcade laws, and see if you can find other local arcades and ask them about it, or at least find any history of arcades that aren't there any more. I know that Arcade Infinity down in LA just closed down due to some bizarre crap with the city that I don't fully understand, so that's definitely a real threat to a potential business.

6. Redemption games are going to be completely useless until you are financially more stable with the arcade in total. The only way these machines work is with prizes, which seems like it'd be a hell of an initial investment. They can be great for business though if you get them running well, as they basically just take people's money with lies.


My biggest thought on this, is that unfortunately in this day and age, a straight up arcade is simply not going to do very well. My recommendation is to find something else that will work nicely with the arcade model, food is the obvious choice, but that's difficult to do on your own. Basically, you need something that will be a bit more stable of an income to take care of any slowness in profit from the arcade proper. I think that a game store of some kind would be an ideal dual set up, as game stores are both popular, and (relatively) stable. Make sure that you cover modern games as well though, because those will be what keeps you afloat. The idea that I've always had would be to start selling games at the local flea market, which allows for a low-risk start to a business, then eventually turn that profit towards creating the end arcade/gameshop.

Wow this became a long goddamn post. I guess you're just talking about doing what I've only dreamt of doing, I'm a bit jealous, even if you're only in the earliest planning stages thus far! If nothing else, I wish you luck in this endeavor, sounds like a lot of work, but a lot of fun!

[ninja-edit] Totally forgot to mention, having plenty of chairs/couches/stools/seating in general is an amazing idea. There's nothing that sucks more than having no where to sit as you wait endlessly for your turn on a particularly popular game.

[skyknight]

What games you will have on Day 1?

I think figuring out the interests of your customers will be critical for the long-term. Will your arcade be more gears towards retro (Pac-man, Defender, Asteroids...) or more classical (Street Fighter, KoF...) or even special interests (Ikuraga???)

Then there's location, when there should be plenty of foot traffic, I think a location near a university/college could work nice.

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