Super Arcade in danger of Closing

[Pertho]

SRK front page on a whole new level of dumb shit. They put the info for the charity tournament at Super Arcade and make no mention of the state of the place.

I’ve chilled out on shitting on it but…why is eventhubs the one that’s on the ball with this type of stuff?

[truendymion]

Sell alcohol. For god’s sake get a liquor license and the place will be overflowing with money!

[CaptainGinyu]

Sell alcohol. For god’s sake get a liquor license and the place will be overflowing with money!

Liquor Licenses are generally a pain in the ass to get in terms of time and money.

[ShinjiGohan]

and then you have to worry about cops doing stings to make sure your not selling to minors. With as liberal as cali is, I’m sure those fines would close up the doors arcade sooner opposed to later.

[ArtVandelay]

I can only repeat what I said in a similar thread to this one a couple of month ago:

How Arcades Could Help the FGC and move it forward

If you wanna move the scene forward you need to go f2p in order to make the games accessible and get a huge playerbase and make sure you got amazing online functionality so the scene can set up online tournaments in order to sustain a competitive scene and get sponsors aboard.

Most people on these boards are caught up in the past thinking the arcade scene was the best thing since sliced bread.
The truth though is that today almost everyone owns a console or a pc and nobody is gonna go to an arcade and throw away a quarter or 50 cents in order to play a game for 2-3 minutes, when you can play infinitely at home for a much smaller investment.

If you don’t do that, you’ll always gonna be a small niche scene with an ever declining playerbase.
Dota 2 and LoL have proven through their models that the only way to grow is free to play with well implemented and maintained online PvP.
They’re not the best games ever (especially LoL, lol) they’re only so big and got coverage reminiscent of sports events because they’re f2p and don’t make the consumer feel like he’s getting ripped off.

What happens with pay to play games is the following:
Game comes out, gets media exposure, gets lots of players.
Then bit by bit people stop playing either because they feel incompetent, the next game came out, they don’t like the game or because they can’t find enough people to play with anymore.
The new players get less and less since the game isn’t new anymore and naturally it doesn’t sell as well anymore.

What you’re left with now is the hardcore scene and depending on how good the game is and how much these remaining people love the game it’s gonna be bigger or smaller.
It’s clinically dead though since at best you get as much fresh blood as people leaving the game usually you get less new people though.
That is until the next game comes out everyone plays and the cycle continues.

What free to play does for you game though is the opposite effect:
If the game only sells cosmetic stuff and no ingame advantages, the competitive scene doesn’t feel alienated and abused by the developers and even casual gamers are attracted by this since it doesn’t feel like some pyramid scheme some hobo tries to sell you at the door.
The accessibility makes it that for every gamer that leaves the game, you got 2 or 3 people pick it up.
You’ll get new gamers and people that stick to the game until the market for that game is saturated and you’ll keep a stable playerbase given that the core game is actually high quality and fun.

What the fighting game scene or more like the publishers have to realize in order to move forward is that the arcade scene is dead or better said stagnating and you guys who played SF2 in the arcades back in the days are the remnants of the past and when you guys are dead or too old to play, that is the day when the last arcade closes its doors.

Go make decent fighting games with the internet in mind, please and do it properly.

There’s 2 things that make fighting games difficult to market as opposed to F2P RTS and FPS games though:

1. Controller: Everyone who owns a mouse and a keyboard, which are 100 percent of the pc gaming community can start right away, while for a fighting game you need an arcade joystick or at least a decent gamepad.
2. FPS and RTS players don’t split their community over 3 or 4 different platforms. People who play Dota 2, LoL or Team Fortress 2 are all playing on the pc and that’s it, while in the fighting game community we got people playing the same fucking game on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, each one with tiny player bases and no way to play cross platform.

[Darksakul]

and then you have to worry about cops doing stings to make sure your not selling to minors. With as liberal as cali is, I’m sure those fines would close up the doors arcade sooner opposed to later.

Its Worst in Baltimore. You cannot even get a new liquor license, you have to buy a older license from a existing bar, restaurant, hotel or liquor store and transfer the license to your name.
And Liquor store licenses can not be transferred to a bar, restaurant or Hotel only to another liquor store.

But then the games are indeed coming out on console a good while later, isn’t the favoring of arcade releases a sign that game developers are having to make an effort to protect arcades?

This time release thing is to maximize profits, because then you’ll also get money from the people who want to play the game here and now, but won’t keep pumping coins if they could have the game at home. Casual fans etc.

And I don’t really think they are doing this “to protect arcades”. Their products are not for the home market and can’t really compete with products for the home market. But because their crowd is overall smaller, and the projects need to be smaller, you won’t see budget being spent on fancy CGI movies etc.

I agree, why spend $40 in quarters every week when you can buy a $50 game once. The Gap closed up between Home consoles and Arcade hardware, now the Consoles surpassed anything an arcade could have.
The Dreamcast/PS2/ Original Xbox/ GameCube Generation was the last nail in the Arcade coffin.

I can only repeat what I said in a similar thread to this one a couple of month ago:

How Arcades Could Help the FGC and move it forward

If you wanna move the scene forward you need to go f2p in order to make the games accessible and get a huge playerbase and make sure you got amazing online functionality so the scene can set up online tournaments in order to sustain a competitive scene and get sponsors aboard.

Most people on these boards are caught up in the past thinking the arcade scene was the best thing since sliced bread.
The truth though is that today almost everyone owns a console or a pc and nobody is gonna go to an arcade and throw away a quarter or 50 cents in order to play a game for 2-3 minutes, when you can play infinitely at home for a much smaller investment.

If you don’t do that, you’ll always gonna be a small niche scene with an ever declining playerbase.
Dota 2 and LoL have proven through their models that the only way to grow is free to play with well implemented and maintained online PvP.
They’re not the best games ever (especially LoL, lol) they’re only so big and got coverage reminiscent of sports events because they’re f2p and don’t make the consumer feel like he’s getting ripped off.

What happens with pay to play games is the following:
Game comes out, gets media exposure, gets lots of players.
Then bit by bit people stop playing either because they feel incompetent, the next game came out, they don’t like the game or because they can’t find enough people to play with anymore.
The new players get less and less since the game isn’t new anymore and naturally it doesn’t sell as well anymore.

What you’re left with now is the hardcore scene and depending on how good the game is and how much these remaining people love the game it’s gonna be bigger or smaller.
It’s clinically dead though since at best you get as much fresh blood as people leaving the game usually you get less new people though.
That is until the next game comes out everyone plays and the cycle continues.

What free to play does for you game though is the opposite effect:
If the game only sells cosmetic stuff and no ingame advantages, the competitive scene doesn’t feel alienated and abused by the developers and even casual gamers are attracted by this since it doesn’t feel like some pyramid scheme some hobo tries to sell you at the door.
The accessibility makes it that for every gamer that leaves the game, you got 2 or 3 people pick it up.
You’ll get new gamers and people that stick to the game until the market for that game is saturated and you’ll keep a stable playerbase given that the core game is actually high quality and fun.

What the fighting game scene or more like the publishers have to realize in order to move forward is that the arcade scene is dead or better said stagnating and you guys who played SF2 in the arcades back in the days are the remnants of the past and when you guys are dead or too old to play, that is the day when the last arcade closes its doors.

Go make decent fighting games with the internet in mind, please and do it properly.

There’s 2 things that make fighting games difficult to market as opposed to F2P RTS and FPS games though:

1. Controller: Everyone who owns a mouse and a keyboard, which are 100 percent of the pc gaming community can start right away, while for a fighting game you need an arcade joystick or at least a decent gamepad.
2. FPS and RTS players don’t split their community over 3 or 4 different platforms. People who play Dota 2, LoL or Team Fortress 2 are all playing on the pc and that’s it, while in the fighting game community we got people playing the same fucking game on Xbox 360, PS3 and PC, each one with tiny player bases and no way to play cross platform.

It was apparent with Portal 2 that Microsoft will not play ball when it comes to cross platform support/ multi-player.
Steam and PSN was the real first Cross Platform initiative. Its why I opposed tournaments on the Xbox 360, the PS3 just lends it self better to the tournament structure. Easier to mod sticks, better d-pads, no silly account set up or internet requirements. There just less hassle. Yes there a frame slower on the PS3 and some minor Visual glitches but I rather take a extra frame if it means I can get set up faster and easier and a easier pad to hack.

[nsc]

I don’t think the correct answer to, “we should pressure devs into making good netcode for fighting games” is “fuck you support locals”

Locals aren’t a thing outside of fighting games, like lan-parties are a thing of the past (sure there are some but it’s not like to play CoD you gotta pop down to the weekly lan-fest). The modern era is about convienience and the troopers at super arcade drive 3 hours straight from work to play marvel. This is a huge strike against getting new people into fighting games.

If someone wanted to get into a fighting game, and you told them, “well I hope you’re willing to drive 2 hours through rush hour traffic to play once a week,” they would put the game down, and walk out of the store.

Locals are great, so is online, they’re not exclusive.

However, the correct response to this article isn’t, “we need to get more netcode,” the response to this article is, “support your locals.”

Now, arcades dying seems unavoidable, especially with how strong the socal scene is (especially compared to most areas) so devs better get their shit together, or fighting games will die. And Killer Instinct netcode isn’t acceptable. We need rock solid GGPO up in here.

[traxus]

It was apparent with Portal 2 that Microsoft will not play ball when it comes to cross platform support/ multi-player.
Steam and PSN was the real first Cross Platform initiative. Its why I opposed tournaments on the Xbox 360, the PS3 just lends it self better to the tournament structure. Easier to mod sticks, better d-pads, no silly account set up or internet requirements. There just less hassle. Yes there a frame slower on the PS3 and some minor Visual glitches but I rather take a extra frame if it means I can get set up faster and easier and a easier pad to hack.

I’m pretty sure this is just for capcom games, I know it’s not an issue with tekken tag 2 at least.

[jedpossum]

SRK front page on a whole new level of dumb shit. They put the info for the charity tournament at Super Arcade and make no mention of the state of the place.

I’ve chilled out on shitting on it but…why is eventhubs the one that’s on the ball with this type of stuff?

I’m calling out this bullshit as the tournament was announced before Watson made that blog post on the current situation of Super Arcade.

As for Event Hubs doing it before they don’t give a shit about quality of their posts let that shit fly out the front page. “What if fighting game girls were fat?” that right there is prime front page material for Event hubs. Want to talk about your “bikini” skin for SFxT well EH can make an article for you.

[the7k]

There’s a good chunk of arcades out there that deal almost exclusively with games from the 80s and 90s that are doing very well for themselves. Unfortunately, very few of these places are very transparent so I don’t know exactly what they do right that everyone else is doing wrong.

Closest “our gang” arcade to me that doesn’t survive by being on the beach is a place called Lost Ark, and while they haven’t been completely up front with me, I managed to find out that about 50% of their profit comes from merchandise sales (about half the floor space is used games, systems, game OSTs, figures and other collectables) - and this is an arcade that has events almost every day, many of which have nothing to do with the arcade machines themselves (Pokemon, MTG, Smash, etc.) And who knows how much less that profit is on the arcade machines due to license fees and maintenance.

It just seems like an arcade by itself won’t cut the mustard. Ya don’t have to throw a bar in like people seem to think (although, that is how arcade machines go their start - they didn’t call them ‘cocktail’ cabinets for nothing) but you do have to have something. The arcades bring people in but you gotta have something for them to blow money on once they get in.

I do wonder, though, has Super Arcade ever tried an entry fee system? A flat rate to get in, everything on freeplay and then stay as long as you want? 1984 does this, all their machines are from within 10 years before or after the year 1984, and the owners have said they ended up making a lot more money than they ever anticipated with the place.

As for Japan, I was there for all of November of this year and I honestly don’t think they have anything to worry about. Places were always packed, and I knew if I didn’t get on the machine I wanted by 6pm (when everyone got off work) I wasn’t ever going to get on it.

[Pertho]

I’m calling out this bullshit as the tournament was announced before Watson made that blog post on the current situation of Super Arcade.

As for Event Hubs doing it before they don’t give a shit about quality of their posts let that shit fly out the front page. “What if fighting game girls were fat?” that right there is prime front page material for Event hubs. Want to talk about your “bikini” skin for SFxT well EH can make an article for you.

SRK reporting the charity tournament:

Super Arcade to Host Charity Tournament for Family of Nelson “Remix” Reyes

by thelexhex (Lex Dunham)
Posted December 28, 2013 at 9:26 am

Eventhubs reporting the charity tournament:

Super Arcade on the verge of closing, Watson urges people to support - charity event to be held for Remix’s funeral costs
Posted by DreamKing23 — December 27, 2013 at 3:16 p.m. PST

Look at them dates, compared to Watson’s post then go eat a fucking dick.

[jedpossum]

I’m calling out this bullshit as the tournament was announced before Watson made that blog post on the current situation of Super Arcade.

As for Event Hubs doing it before they don’t give a shit about quality of their posts let that shit fly out the front page. “What if fighting game girls were fat?” that right there is prime front page material for Event hubs. Want to talk about your “bikini” skin for SFxT well EH can make an article for you.

SRK reporting the charity tournament:

Super Arcade to Host Charity Tournament for Family of Nelson “Remix” Reyes

by thelexhex (Lex Dunham)
Posted December 28, 2013 at 9:26 am

Eventhubs reporting the charity tournament:

Super Arcade on the verge of closing, Watson urges people to support - charity event to be held for Remix’s funeral costs
Posted by DreamKing23 — December 27, 2013 at 3:16 p.m. PST

Look at them dates, compared to Watson’s post then go eat a fucking dick.

There was plans over twitter talking about the tournament.

But in your world a buisness is more fucking important then a person is inhuman.

So go ahead and be like Ayn Rand and say your actions are not cause of this fucking cancer of scene.

[King9999]

Hold shit…can we not be kids in a thread for a change?

[Pertho]

There was plans over twitter talking about the tournament.

But in your world a buisness is more fucking important then a person is inhuman.

So go ahead and be like Ayn Rand and say your actions are not cause of this fucking cancer of scene.

For better or worse both things were lumped together in Watson’s posts. The front page had an article for Remix’s death and people said their peace in different threads. This was made to discuss the current situation with Super Arcade. At no point has there been any downplaying of Remix’s death but this isn’t place for it. Go take your dumb, uppity shit somewhere else.

[jedpossum]

There was plans over twitter talking about the tournament.

But in your world a buisness is more fucking important then a person is inhuman.

So go ahead and be like Ayn Rand and say your actions are not cause of this fucking cancer of scene.

For better or worse both things were lumped together in Watson’s posts. The front page had an article for Remix’s death and people said their peace in different threads. This was made to discuss the current situation with Super Arcade. At no point has there been any downplaying of Remix’s death but this isn’t place for it. Go take your dumb, uppity shit somewhere else.

Mom and pop stores go out of business all the time. This is no different there is no way to help their local economy especially since he told locals how to help already. When it’s up to the people over there, not us.

[_Insert_Name_Here]

SRK reporting the charity tournament:

From what I’ve heard, the SRK writer in question is new. Adelheid was just on Twitter today complaining how an article that she (the writer) wrote about one of her tech videos did nothing to explain the actual content.

[dav3yb]

And Killer Instinct netcode isn’t acceptable. We need rock solid GGPO up in here.

Please elaborate or provide sources for this argument.

[ShiroPhantome]

No, fuck this. Arcades shouldn’t be going out of business just because they don’t sell alcohol or have ticket games. Fighting games don’t have mass appeal but I can’t see why honest arcade games don’t have any appeal. Every Wal-mart I see has a game center with maybe a dingy Big Buck or Fast & Furious machine and the rest being redemption games. There are redemption games all over the damn place. It baffles me to think that all of these places are capable of holding a legitimate game of sorts (the redemption games are more based around luck than skill) but kids would rather spend their money on the illusion of gaining a stuffed animal. Arcades would fare better if western developers would spend the effort to create unique experiences not easily obtainable in a home gaming scenario. Either that or the state starts enforcing gambling laws on redemption games.

[watson]

sup guys, i had no idea this was even a thread on here and wasnt really trying publicize all this but oh wells. too late now huh? haha. here’s something i posted on EH in response to many comments on the article if you guys care :

"i normally dont come on these forums to feed the trolls or throw more fuel in the fire but i would like to state a few things for both the positive and negative people here.

firstly, i did not request my blog to be posted on any major sites and only started it with the intent to inform people of whats going on and to give people first hand info as to what its like being an arcade operator.

secondly, i have not asked for any handouts or donations so please dont get things twisted so fast. back in jan when i took over the place, unwillingly at that, i was basically robbed and left with an empty storefront which is why a donation drive/raffle was started.

thirdly, i have not complained to anyone about my struggles and if people would read my other posts in the blog they will see that i clearly state i put myself in this position and will take the lumps that come along with it.

and since it matters to some, i sell some snacks and drinks here but i also allow people to bring in food and drinks from outside. no alcohol is allowed here due to the fact we are facing a college and the city is so strict that even the 7-11 up the street cant sell alcohol due to the same guidelines. hopefully that answers most of the questions people have and i have one thing to leave you with.

i am a firm believer in not throwing in good money after bad. with that being said i have turned down many offers of donations at this time because i am working on a new business model i would like to implement in hopes of saving super arcade. there is no point dragging along a place that is not capable of surviving on its own for very long and it would be a huge waste to basically burn money people give me to just stay alive. in about 7-10 days i will have a plan all hammered out and if it works and gets funded, sweet, if it doesnt get funded, cant say i didnt try and just know i gave this my all. love it or hate it, i did it for the people and know my heart belongs to the FGC.

if you dont already have the link to the blog i suggest reading from the beginning and hopefully it wont be a complete waste of your time http://superdojo.blogspot.com/2013/12…

thanks,
watson"

[G_0_T]

Damn Mike, no matter what happens I will continue to support and show up as much as I can and I know I speak for the ones who come out and show support and say that the community is at your back man good luck. It would truly be a major blow in this community if Super fell.