I’ve posted these same exact reasons why opening an arcade is a problem in another thread a year or so back.
I work for a local City, and know the entitlement process quite well as I am a Planner. The problem is not exclusive to arcades, it’s internet cafes/gaming lounges in general. I’d say more so of an issue since gaming cafes were gaining popularity a few years back and people (meaning the City and general public) were able to see how late these places stood open and the younger crowds drawn to these places late at night.
Unfortunately these two types of uses are lumped together because they both operate in the same manner. Most cities do permit the operation of an arcade, however, the process and time may deter most people from going down the path of legally opening one up.
There are a host of other things that have resulted in the difficulty of opening up an arcade and are not a result of the type of business. City regulations are not the only reason however, Los Angeles is sprawled out and there is no centralized location for the community to meet. If you look at it, we do have arcades, just none that specifically cater to the community. Here is a list of arcades I can think of at the moment:
James Games - Upland (I know, San Bernardino but close enough to LA)
Super Arcade - Walnut
Golfland - El Monte
Tilt - West Covina/Puente Hills
Speedzone - Industry
Arcade World - Montebello
Golf N’ Stuff - Norwalk/Downey area
Regency - Lakewood
D&B - Arcadia
I’m sure theres more on the west side, these are major arcades near the east LA County area.
Universities are run by the State as Scottind already mentioned and do pretty much as they want. Since opening an arcade is hard to do, it would be easier to try and convince some of the owners above that the community would support the arcade provided the games and quality were there.
is everyone a dumbass or something? how is a “state of the arcade industry” rant thread warranted in a MATCHMAKING section? Matchmaking does not = ranting about an industry and state/city laws. It honestly does not even fit in FGC since this topic has NOTHING to do about fighting games. I’m so sorry some of you have to actually trek to another part of the site to get to this thread. my apologies for taking an extra second out of your guys’ busy political/business savvy entrepenuer schedules. /end sarcasm. get the fuck over it, seriously.
be happy im allowing it here instead of sending it back to the GD cesspool. Now carry on with the discussion and stop pouting
scott: since you’re friends with the owner can you ask him about how long it takes for him to break even off the sf4 cabs? i was wondering if losing money on new games was another reason of arcades “dying out”
It’s not easy to predict when an arcade game will make its money back. At FFA it will probably take 4 months before we’ll break even via net profit if we have the same kind of play we’ve been having (which I doubt will be the case), but we also have to take into account the lack of play on other games because of this one, us going into the negative from other games coming out (Blazblue and Tatsunoko vs Capcom).
So for us to break even via gross profit is a lot harder to determine.
I was at Family over the weekend and already people are going back to playing whatever game they played before and no longer just sitting there watching SF4. There are plenty of people playing and waiting to play SF4, but Saturday night we didn’t even really need the list (although we still used it). I think the problem of SF4 taking away players from other games is pretty much gone at this point.
haha, i didn’t mean to get anyone angry. just supporting a friend’s observation that should be noted! i just thought it was lame that you threw it in GD which is trash imo. this is a bit off topic so i won’t touch on this again. DONE and DONE.
I’m sure you’re right, but other variables always exist. The first week we had a loss of other games being played, but it’s probably even now. All these 3s players were screaming “3S is DEAD!” It was pretty funny because of overreaction, but for those of you concerned, 3s is far from dead (tourney 9/27).
Also, sorry about saying what I said before:
I usually don’t fall for rumors, but I did this time. I take this back.
Also, about those sticks:
Whenever I ask you guys what’s wrong with the sticks you guys just answer “they suck.” If I ask for details (like diagonals, directions, crosswiring, etc.) you guys pussy-foot around an answer and never give me anything straight. I check every stick and button once a week, and if you guys won’t give me a hint as to why you don’t like them, I can’t solve your problems with them. Also, the buttons and switches can break down really fast. I checked one machine and had it setup perfect on Fri, Sat 2 things broke down on it. I’m usually very quick to fix things IF YOU LET ME KNOW!
thats probably one of the other reasons; its not just a single thing. I know that AI probably spent less on procuring those SF4 units than FFA did. As for the cost that went into the 42" Cabs, that’s a better investment toward the arcade since it can be used for future HD games, like Blazblue and KOF12 (and yes, AI is getting KOF12 on release).
If you count the SF4 units without the cabs, it may take 3-4 months to break even. Who knows, SF4 is kind of in its own league in terms of pricing structure…
And, I don’t necessarily agree with the OP’s main reason for arcade death. I think it’s just the natural gaming cycle we’re going through, plus that little thing called economics.
It’s just like any other business. Take into account how much overhead, utiliities and wages cost per month and how much the arcade is pulling in. If a new game cost X amount of dollars, then money is not being made as a profit until that game has made X amount of dollars or the arcade has made a profit equaling the cost of the new game.
You can’t drink or smoke at any arcades. Maybe in the restrooms or behind the establishment, but that’s frowned upon. That’s why EVO was such a nice event.
They are also expensive. Even with a good job, spending a dollar to play SF 4 is bullshit. That’s why EVO is such a nice event.
I’m inclined to think you either don’t have a good job, or don’t play in arcades. I know plenty of people who aren’t living large and have no problem with $1 for SF4.
Price ain’t a problem, sometimes when I devote a day to an arcade I can spend up to $50. People are bitching about prices but it’s actually still cheaper than a lot of other things, unless you are straight up broke and can’t do anything unless it’s free.
Arcades plain and simple aren’t good enough in this day and age, but there are pool halls with food places and a couple of cabs here and there, or at least there were. Now it’s all just bootleg kof (NeoGeo), a random shooter, and a random driving game.
On a side note, Cali still got arcades. If you think Cali is dying/dead, NY only has a single arcade (CF).
Also this thread is important but the thread name is retarded. It should be at least renamed as Politics and Arcades. Seeing a thread with a name like reason x for area y + arcades are dying/dead makes me go “not this shit again.”
I don’t think the US will change and become like Japan where you have so many arcades everywhere but I do think changes can be made to start adding a cab here and there throughout the US. If someone has a place they chill at like a pizza place they always go to, pool hall, lounge, etc, ask the owner about getting a cab or two and instead of bitching to them about the arcades always being like shit actually help/teach them how to manage/maintain arcades.
Well, in Japan arcades are often located in the most convenient spots possible for business: Near train stations, universities, etc. Given the cases I’ve heard here, that doesn’t seem likely to happen in the US.
Also I 100% agree that expecting arcades to stick with .25/50 a game is an ignorant stance.
thx i always wondered because of the large amount of quarters how they would be able to tell if there doing good or not but i guess if you always have a good crowd you’ll know if your ok. honestly i would like to own an arcade myself someday. maybe somewhere in torrance or west la.
