State of arcades

...i heard somewhere that Capcom won't release an arcade version of SF4...meh i guess i am wrong then =/ (damn Gameworks for not having SF4 >_<)

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Many people don't have the money to pay for gas to drive 45 minutes every week.

I have a hard enough time getting money to go to classes.

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I can't even drive my car anywhere yet. Hell, I'd take a bus and go every week

Easier said than done.

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***Warning! Giagantor post incoming!***


Mini-site with pics/explanation

Yeah, we imported our cabs.

Agreed. On a similar note, e-Amuse probably helps to as it's incentive to keep your arcade's stats on the up and up, in addition to giving a game huge arcade-only replay value.

That is a factor for a lot of people at TGA. We had to move to the middle of nowhere after a flood. For me, it's an hour and forty minutes one way, and I still make sure to go once a week. But, I'm lucky enough that I can afford it (not by much mind you ), but a lot of our players are in college or just out of college, so their budgets can make it difficult. I'm sure it's a similar situation for other arcades based on your statement.

I'm actually writing a novel about the rise (and potential fall depending on how long I continue it) of a fictional arcade (google NaNoWriMo for my reasons). Before starting the book, I've harbored a near religious hatred of redemption/ticket games. Now having to write about my fictional arcade owner's hatred of the little kids running around, banging on buttons, and so on... it's only helped that.

Thing is, ticket games make money. It's relatively fun for the parents involved, it's fast and easy, and what kid doesn't want some candy afterwards? Sadly, it encourages what I call "day care syndrome" where the broke little kid shows up with no sign of Mom or Dad, and this encourages older kids to just hang out and do nothing, which is lethal for trying to get a decent image for yourself.

Funny thing that. When we (TGA) moved, we kind of inherited a bowling alley, as an ailing owner needed to quickly get rid of his place, and they were the only place that would take us. You'd be amazed at how quick land/building owners will back out once you mention "arcade". That on top of just trying to drum up business, to see arcades attached to mini-golf, laser tag, and so on is not just a smart move; it's a survival instinct at this point. At TGA, while we were short staffed for a bit, we closed bowling entirely, and we somewhat enjoyed telling irate locals who started kvetching "Well, we're your income" that "No, you're 10%. Now get out cuz you only complain and aren't worth it right now".

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Our's runs NA versions of the game. So, they are indeed shipping NA version HDDs over. So, not all of them are imported if you were wondering.

It's just tricky to make cost-effective and still affordable. Equipment and bills continue to inflate, and let's face it, nobody wants to pop in $1/credit to play a game, when you can buy most console-ports for less than $50. I'm considering starting one up around my home, but it's REALLY EXPENSIVE to do so!

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I loved the concept of DisneyQuest when I was out in Florida. Only charging for entry seems like a better idea, and it decreases the number of people wandering around, just intending to cause trouble (which is pretty common in the UK - it's very inadvisable to stay too long outside a bowling alley with an arcade). Of course, $40 to get in is bloody steep, but if it was cut in price, it could be on to a winner.

If you think DQ is crappy though, don't worry. I'm just viewing it through rose-tinted Brit glasses.

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If $30-40 were a MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION, then I would go for that.

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Gotta love them imports =D...but i doubt it will show up here in Tampa, GW won't do that...maybe...hopefully...-_-

...i went to DQ, it's around $35 to $45...i thought that was pretty sweet having to pay at the door and to not worry about paying for the arcades that were in the building (plus the other simulations they have) =)

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