old school arcade - flynns arcade in tron

ks2h · 19th July 2012, 12:33 PM

Hey guys,

Just doing a quick survey and I'm not sure how to make a poll on here if it's even possible but if you could answer the following:

How often would you go to an old arcade in a year?

On average how much would you spend per trip?

Average cost per play on machines?

Most frequently played genre of game?

What would you like to see more off in an arcade?

Looking to start my own and just getting some basic questions out of the way, if you could stick to the template above that would be sweet any extra comments other than question answers feel free to pm me.

Cheers,
Jeremy

Krumm · 19th July 2012, 12:41 PM

May want to ask the folks over at Aussie Arcade also, I believe some have looked into the feasibility / costs in the past.

elvis · 19th July 2012, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Krumm

I believe some have looked into the feasibility / costs in the past.

Many have, and all came to the same conclusion: running an arcade is not a profitable venture in this country. Even more true for retro-focussed ones.

The culture of going out to play video games doesn't exist in this country any more (nor most western countries). In certain parts of Asia it still works well, but definitely not here.

ShaneHm2 · 19th July 2012, 1:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elvis

Many have, and all came to the same conclusion: running an arcade is not a profitable venture in this country. Even more true for retro-focussed ones.

The culture of going out to play video games doesn't exist in this country any more (nor most western countries). In certain parts of Asia it still works well, but definitely not here.

I will +1 this however on Aussie-Arcade they do have quite a few Pinball meetups where a few members bring their pins together and have a few beers

It's quite upsetting though that these days you can't go out and play the old school games on arcade.

power · 19th July 2012, 3:56 PM

You don't find arcade machines around, they are just normally attached to other things like cinemas or bowling alleys.

TaXy DriVar · 19th July 2012, 9:10 PM

You'd be better off running a good coffee shop, and having a few MAME type arcades around, that way people have another reason to go there. Arcades by themselves just arn't enough. There is one near my work, and it's an awesome feeling walking in. While you wait for the coffee, have a crack at Space Invaders or whatever is on....

flugle · 19th July 2012, 9:54 PM

Yeah as others have said you need some other hook.

Here in Newcastle there's a place called Pizza and Pinball, which, as you might have guessed, lets you grab a pizza while having a game or two.

Baker · 21st July 2012, 1:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elvis

Many have, and all came to the same conclusion: running an arcade is not a profitable venture in this country. Even more true for retro-focussed ones.

The culture of going out to play video games doesn't exist in this country any more (nor most western countries). In certain parts of Asia it still works well, but definitely not here.

This. Unfortunately even the bigg'ens like Timezone (LAI, who actually made them as well) are not having vid's any more.

elvis · 21st July 2012, 1:37 PM

Even places that are still profitable today are filled with crap token-spewing machines. They seem to be the only things that get kids to spend their money these days.

I've always had a lotto-win dream of opening a 20c retro arcade, knowing that it would run at a loss.

AthlonMan · 21st July 2012, 3:21 PM

Don't have an arcade with 2hours I where I live - unless I'm mistaken (Sunshine Coast, QLD). I'd spend a few dollars if I ever found a half decent arcade though

Edit; FWIW, I've heard that Arcades are starting to have a small kind of revival in the States.

Baker · 21st July 2012, 3:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AthlonMan

Don't have an arcade with 2hours I where I live - unless I'm mistaken (Sunshine Coast, QLD). I'd spend a few dollars if I ever found a half decent arcade though

Edit; FWIW, I've heard that Arcades are starting to have a small kind of revival in the States.

They've got a market for this type of thing though.. there just isn't one here unfortunately. Machines are also HEAPS cheaper there (a $150 perfect condition original PacMan machine isn't out of the ordinary there), as are rents at the moment!

a777 · 21st July 2012, 3:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AthlonMan

Don't have an arcade with 2hours I where I live - unless I'm mistaken (Sunshine Coast, QLD). I'd spend a few dollars if I ever found a half decent arcade though

http://www.timezone.com.au/stores/qu...albert-street/
http://www.timezone.com.au/stores/queensland/chermside/

Maybe?

There's also a few good machines at Brisbane Domestic Terminal including the highest selling pinball of all time

elvis · 21st July 2012, 3:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AthlonMan

Edit; FWIW, I've heard that Arcades are starting to have a small kind of revival in the States.

You'll find they're small boutique arcades. Typically they only run a few hours a night, and the operators are just enthusiasts with a day job.

Often the have a nightclub sort of feel - dimply lit, serve booze, etc.

Piroteknik · 3rd August 2012, 2:07 AM

theres an aussie pizza house on west terrace here that has a few games.

what i cant understand is when you go to the movies, its no longer normal to see a daytona usa setup, but rather daytona 2. everyone i know would prefer the original.

elvis · 3rd August 2012, 7:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piroteknik

what i cant understand is when you go to the movies, its no longer normal to see a daytona usa setup, but rather daytona 2. everyone i know would prefer the original.

Units break, and are expensive to replace. Often sequels are cheaper because they're still plentiful in number and readily available.

Daytona 1 units are getting pretty expensive as they're getting snapped up by private collectors too.

19th July 2012, 12:33 PM	#1
ks2h Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Posts: 2	old school arcade - flynns arcade in tron Hey guys, Just doing a quick survey and I'm not sure how to make a poll on here if it's even possible but if you could answer the following: How often would you go to an old arcade in a year? On average how much would you spend per trip? Average cost per play on machines? Most frequently played genre of game? What would you like to see more off in an arcade? Looking to start my own and just getting some basic questions out of the way, if you could stick to the template above that would be sweet any extra comments other than question answers feel free to pm me. Cheers, Jeremy

19th July 2012, 12:41 PM	#2
Krumm Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Hobart Posts: 244	May want to ask the folks over at Aussie Arcade also, I believe some have looked into the feasibility / costs in the past. __________________ Always on the hunt for classic games, WTB Retro PC / Console Games, and Consoles

19th July 2012, 3:56 PM	#5
power Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: brisbane Posts: 27,073	You don't find arcade machines around, they are just normally attached to other things like cinemas or bowling alleys. __________________ this is who we are.

19th July 2012, 9:10 PM	#6
TaXy DriVar Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Dural Posts: 399	You'd be better off running a good coffee shop, and having a few MAME type arcades around, that way people have another reason to go there. Arcades by themselves just arn't enough. There is one near my work, and it's an awesome feeling walking in. While you wait for the coffee, have a crack at Space Invaders or whatever is on.... __________________ Atari 2600 -> Sega Megadrive II -> Nintendo 64 -> Sega Dreamcast -> Xbox -> Xbox 360 -> Xbox 360 Slim 386sx25 -> Pentium 100 -> P166MMX Laptop -> P3 600MHz -> P4 2GHz -> P4 3GHz -> C2D E8400 -> Core i3 2100 -> Core i5 3570k Gameboy Colour -> Gameboy Advance SP -> Nintendo DS -> Sony PSP

21st July 2012, 1:37 PM	#9
elvis Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 19,856	Even places that are still profitable today are filled with crap token-spewing machines. They seem to be the only things that get kids to spend their money these days. I've always had a lotto-win dream of opening a 20c retro arcade, knowing that it would run at a loss. __________________ Child's Play Charity

19th July 2012, 9:54 PM	#7
flugle Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Newcastle, NSW Posts: 795	Yeah as others have said you need some other hook. Here in Newcastle there's a place called Pizza and Pinball, which, as you might have guessed, lets you grab a pizza while having a game or two.

21st July 2012, 3:21 PM	#10
AthlonMan Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: QLD. Posts: 9,439	Don't have an arcade with 2hours I where I live - unless I'm mistaken (Sunshine Coast, QLD). I'd spend a few dollars if I ever found a half decent arcade though Edit; FWIW, I've heard that Arcades are starting to have a small kind of revival in the States. __________________ Pentium III 600Mhz \| 128mb RAM \| 18gb HDD \| TNT2 32mb \| 19" Sony Trinitron Last edited by AthlonMan; 21st July 2012 at 3:26 PM.

3rd August 2012, 2:07 AM	#14
Piroteknik Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Bat Country Posts: 366	theres an aussie pizza house on west terrace here that has a few games. what i cant understand is when you go to the movies, its no longer normal to see a daytona usa setup, but rather daytona 2. everyone i know would prefer the original. __________________ DJ SpeedRaver Its the one, the only, THE off tap! You want some more? This - is - my - boomstick!