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

[the7k]

@rainnyx4
Yeah, this is the biggest reason I believe the once-great arcade of my town went out of business - new owner comes in, and just lacks any sort of passion. No tournaments, no parties, no nothing. They just sat at that redemption desk for hours, thinking someone would come in without them doing anything.

@Lokkenjawnz
Yeah, I think selling recent releases (especially releases that would appeal to the arcade goers) would be a good idea, in addition to popular retro games. And hey, the stuff that doesn't sell - redemption prizes!

Also, speaking of chairs, I would like the place to have (space allowing) an mini-lounge area with a TV playing ESPN or something, to give everyone a break when they need one.

@skyknight
I currently know of someone selling these machines relatively locally - Super Street Fighter II X, Killer Instinct, Tekken 3 and NBA Jam. I'd think these would be good "evergreen" titles. Also, definitely get multi-cabs for spacial convenience: Like a 4-slot Neo Geo with a Metal Slug, a Magical Drop, a Samurai Shodown and an off-beat game. (Speaking of multi-cabs, check this out: http://www.bmigaming.com/arcadelegends.htm Expensive for a standard looking cab, but who knows? Might be worth it. It has some interesting titles.)

As for everything else - it depends on the best that I can get for as cheap as I can get it, yet will also be near guaranteed to get some play (perhaps Facebook would be a decent way to gauge what locals would be interested in playing.).

Also as I said, I do have plans to do 'console arcades', and I think Super Smash Bros would be a very interesting game to get such a treatment...

@the King
Only the controls part of it. I'm very familiar with the internals of my X-Arcade, for example. Other than that, though, I just haven't had the opportunity to ticker with a cabinet.

However, I have a friend of mine who makes a small living off of attending arcade dealer auctions, buying arcades for a cheap as he possibly can (sometimes absurdly cheap), turning them into MAME cabs and then reselling them to others. We're good friends, and I feel pretty sure he wouldn't mind teaching me a thing or two. Hell, he might even want a slice of this pie.

@joehero
It's true, back in the day, all you had to do was sit back and watch kids come in and play. The problem is they kept doing that long after it wasn't working anymore.

While I plan to have more than a few classics that are easily emulated, I also plan to have those that offer arcade-exclusive experiences. DDR, Beatmania, Time Crisis, Initial D, Half-Life 2: Survivor (Yeah, now we're in make-believe land...), and other games with unique controls.

@aaron
Now that's an interesting redemption machine!

I was going to say "Much better than those free-standing circular redemption games with the spinning light" but I just remembered that my roommate was addicted to those things. Maybe they aren't all bad.

[J T]

Do you want this to be a place for kids? Would it still be fun for you if it is? Are kids the best demographic for generating money?

Most people that played in arcades when they were popular are now in their 20s or 30s. I mentioned having drinks before not because I would like to have alcohol in an arcade (I don't drink), but because it would clearly demarcate this as a place for adults. I think the people you may most want to target are these people that miss arcades from their youth, but don't want to hang out at a Chuck E. Cheese style environment.

[GamerMON]

Do you want this to be a place for kids? Would it still be fun for you if it is? Are kids the best demographic for generating money?

Most people that played in arcades when they were popular are now in their 20s or 30s. I mentioned having drinks before not because I would like to have alcohol in an arcade (I don't drink), but because it would clearly demarcate this as a place for adults. I think the people you may most want to target are these people that miss arcades from their youth, but don't want to hang out at a Chuck E. Cheese style environment.

Second on that.
Also, you should set up a 4 player Pacman VS for GCN game everyonce in a while. Mention that you can do birthdays/office parties for a flat rate. Liquor license is a must.

[YoshiEgg25]

Also, you should set up a 4 player Pacman VS for GCN game everyonce in a while.

Do it 2 TV/2 GCN style, put the TVs/Cubes in their own cabinets, and put them back to back.

[the King]

Do you want this to be a place for kids? Would it still be fun for you if it is? Are kids the best demographic for generating money?

Most people that played in arcades when they were popular are now in their 20s or 30s. I mentioned having drinks before not because I would like to have alcohol in an arcade (I don't drink), but because it would clearly demarcate this as a place for adults. I think the people you may most want to target are these people that miss arcades from their youth, but don't want to hang out at a Chuck E. Cheese style environment.

I'd actually say they are in the 30's or 40's, but I agree with you and your first post. You need something other than just the arcade to bring people in. A stand alone arcade won't work. And you can get beer at Chuck E. Cheese as well, but the games they have there nowadays suck.

[Anapan]

During the 1/2 a year I lived in Edmonton, I spent over $100 on Stacker at the local pub trying to win the big prize. The beer may have had something to do with that.

[elmagicochrisg]

[TheyCallMeTheSwede]

I would try to fulfill the masses, a little something for the kids, family, teens, and adults.

I have planned on running a Arcade place, but I thinking of having a separate floor for the 21+, it will serve alcohol, live performances (bands, comedians ect.) it will have mature games (Mortal Kombat) and it will have some imported ecchi games (Gal Panic), of course it is strictly forbidden for minors, they will be carded at the entrance.

If you like, you can take this idea.

[YoshiEgg25]

... but I thinking of having a separate floor for the 21+...it will have mature games (Mortal Kombat)...of course it is strictly forbidden for minors, they will be carded at the entrance.

So us 17-20 year olds wouldn't get to play MK or House of the Dead?

[TheyCallMeTheSwede]

... but I thinking of having a separate floor for the 21+...it will have mature games (Mortal Kombat)...of course it is strictly forbidden for minors, they will be carded at the entrance.

So us 17-20 year olds wouldn't get to play MK or House of the Dead?

I am just naming games out of my ass, but I was thinking of something that was controversial would only be seen in that area.