Campaigning DDR X2 AC into your local arcades!

The issue I see is that some people assume ITG2 is automatically a big money maker. The past 4 ITG 2 machines I've played on had one or more of the following: failing screen, broken USBs, removed USBs, R1 hack that crashed, a lot, and no one hardly touched the machine. One arcade near here was told "Get an ITG2 with R23 and we'll come to it!" The arcade owner was severely disappointed that it got considerably less business than the Extreme machine it had replaced. I'm not bashing ITG 2, if your ITG 2 is popular, then keep it, however, not every ITG 2 machine out there is making a ton of cash or doesn't need to be replaced.

DDR's biggest rival in terms of "either this or that" is the fact that it takes up the space of 4 fruit machines, and costs as much as 12 fruit machines.

The thing is, even if an ITG2 machine isn't a big money maker, arcades aren't just going to replace it with a $10k investment especially if it's a recent acquisition. I learned quite a bit more about the arcade business than I wanted when I asked a local arcade to consider getting DJMAX Technika 2. I quote,
"At $10,000 a copy, it's very unlikely that my distributor will purchase this machine. It would need to draw 300 plays per week for a year and a half just to pay for itself. It's a rare video game that has that kind of staying power...
I was basing my numbers on $1 per play. I split the revenue with the company that owns the games at my arcade. So out of their 50% they have to pay for the game, pay for maintenance, and their overhead, and eventually some profit."

I also asked Dave & Busters to get Technika 2, but they said "no, we just got 3 new games".

The funny thing is that SuperNOVA at $18k in 2006 was so appealing.

Just talked to my arcade and gave them a flyer about the new DDR X2 AC. They didn't seem interested though.
They need to replace or fix their machine though because both mats are broken!

I also talked to my local Cinemark, but they said their arcade was run by another company called Elo Music??? Anyone heard of it?

And makes as much revenue as one fruit machine :{

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You may have handed it to the wrong person. A lot of people who make the decisions on what games to include don't really participate in the day to day operation of the arcade.


You play at Laser Flash in Carmel :P I was there 3 weeks ago and the whole staff was shocked at what I was doing there. I may be wrong, but it seems the ITG 2 doesn't do THAT much business especially if they thought I was the best player they had ever seen. The appeal of "this machine can have custom songs" doesn't hold if the staff had never seen someone do custom songs before. Just shows that feature isn't appealing there.

The difference between DDR X2 and Technika is A: DDR X2 has name recognition, DDR X2 will get more people interested (it's not as fun watching someone tap a screen), DJ Technika is a type of game that hasn't proven itself popular. It's not very convincing considering one sole person campaigns for the game.

The thing though is that Laser Flash is not a place that can make full decisions about the arcade they have. An arcade that gets 100% of the profit of a new machine would be more willing to make a large investment into their machines. Most smaller arcades probably would get a new DDR machine when it's used, where as larger arcade changes and fun centers would be more willing to grab a new machine, especially if they're known to hold tournaments. I think the choice of existing machine vs brand new machine all depends on who the market is. A lot of times a busy arcade will get the latest machine and move older machines to a less busy arcade so that it can generate more business with only the cost of shipping the machines across town.

It also depends on the competition. Our local mall's arcade might be smart to replace the SuperNOVA 2 machine that's starting to go bad, losing interest, and has been around for 3 years an older machine with new pads is getting more business. By getting DDR X2, business will increase there, other games will get played, people will notice players on the DDR machines and come into the arcade. I think it's pretty safe to say that the hardest part about running any business is getting people into the building and a good DDR player that attracts crowds will likely bring more people into the arcade of our mall

So I began working on a new idea to directly fund the money required to get a DDR X2 in my arcade today. I am going to set up a "piggy bank" like box with a sign attached to collect small change to start as a "new game fund", first targeting DDR X2. If we can save the money for that, then we can move onto other projects that would allow us to update our entire arcade! Wish me luck.

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I wanted to let you all know that I've been leading the campaign to get DDR X2 at Incredible Daves, Louisville Ky location. So far its been successful with the owner stating he was pricing it and seeing what he could do.

I have let the players I can contact know to show their support for the new machine and it seems to be paying off. If you all want to help they can be contacted from their facebook page to show support. We can make this happen.

This is awesome, I was at Incredible Daves about a 2 years ago and that place was awesome. I'm really impressed at the level of support DDR fans giving for this mix. I don't think I've ever seen so many people pushing for a mix.

I'm glad to see the support from everyone, DDR X2 is really a great mix and it deserves widespread distribution (if only to replace all the X's, hahaha)!

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Here is a great offer Betson is doing to try to get more machines out. This might help the arcade decide to get DDR X2. Here is the link of the image: http://www.betson.com/images/cms/financing/b24cd46223d4ceebb4660fb14f1fcade_DDRX2_Lease_Jan11_Final_120dpi.jpg

The flyer says that an arcade can start a lease as low as $66 and have 90-day no payments. It Expires 3-31-11 so really try and show it to who can make a difference at your arcade.

Also Daiz and anyone else who would like to do so, could you post on Incredible Daves Wall on Facebook, I spoke to Dave a few days ago and he said he was trying to wait until March to make a decision. Said he was going to an arcade show. Although the lead tech manager understands the importance of a new machine and its trying to make it faster.

Also if they see more support it will happen a lot sooner. I will ask your local arcade to get DDR X2 in return. We really do have a good shot. DDR does very well at Incredible Daves, I know I've spent 2500 or so on the SN2 machine. Lets work together here and try to make it happen.

Link is 403 forbidden

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Yeah Betson doesn't allow direct linking.

I've hosted it on my Dropbox:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2351933/b24cd46223d4ceebb4660fb14f1fcade_DDRX2_Lease_Jan11_Final_120dpi.jpg

I see a New Jersey location on there. That probably means we could get an X2 sooner than later!

Sorry I didn't know that didn't allow that. thanks for doing that Al. I just want to get the word out. I hope it helps.

I'll make a post for Incredible Dave's, could you show support for Zuma Fun Center (Knoxville)?

Sure Daiz, I'd gladly do that, it has been done Daiz

I sent the SeekonkGrandPrix Arcade in Massachusetts a letter about getting an X2 (they just downgraded there Supernova to an Extreme). They just responded saying they were all for the idea and would look into it. X2 in Massachusetts would be nice.

TiLT Studio in Indianapolis may get X2, if they get enough crowds: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001220550612#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=141607995896496&id=100001220550612

I really hope DDR players start coming here more often; means we'll get X2 much faster.