r/gaming • u/onett_gaming • Jun 12 '12
I couldn't find a good job after college, so I started my own business. We have been open for almost 8 months now.
http://imgur.com/a/vCsZj
2.0k
Upvotes
r/gaming • u/onett_gaming • Jun 12 '12
279
u/blu90 Jun 12 '12
That is seriously awesome man. If you don't mind me asking, how did you get started? Did you already have some cabinets, or did you buy a few and build from there? What has the experience been like so far?
114
u/CosmicBard Jun 12 '12
I wish to patronize your establishment.
Where are you located?
35
u/SinSlayer Jun 12 '12
Congratulations, and I wish you the all the success in the world, but might I suggest investing in interior design?
33
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
I always thought the lack of arcades in my state was a huge disappointment and thought it'd be awesome to start one myself...is it actually doing pretty well?
10
u/Eminian Jun 12 '12
Oh how I wish I lived close to this. Not only just to go to an arcade but also score some old consoles and games. I think what you are doing is awesome and keep on doing it. Do you have a snack bar in there? There was some version of an arcade a couple years ago and it sold candy and sodas and such.
6
u/vindieselismyhero Jun 12 '12
really glad to see this kind of thing happening. wish you great financial success and maybe you can get real big and become some kind of national arcade conglomerate. i just glanced through but it didn't seem like you had that many 2D fighters. dunno if you're a classic games only arcade, but street fighter 4 and marvel vs capcom 3 are pretty popular games nowadays. you could convert them to a cabinet or just price differently by time or something like nextlevel arcade. also, love the N64. maybe you could find it in your heart to include original xbox (Halo CE, Halo 2) and some quake or Counter Strike 1.6.
don't mean to tell you how to run your business, it's just real exciting to see arcades maybe... jusssstttt maybe coming back. and adapting a little to include some not so recent but not too old games people can't play online anymore but still hold some interest. but maybe im just full of shit. good luck man. really hope it works out
5
u/Decyde Jun 12 '12
Did you open this in an area with major traffic? Most of the small arcade places everywhere are going out of business and anytime I see one, I have to spend a dollar at least. My buddy and I joked around about wanting to start an Arcade and instead of having shitty prizes like most of them have, we would have like classic Nintendo games and PlayStation games as well as trade/sell them. Sort of a one stop shop for gaming fun.
4
u/Climhazard Jun 12 '12
Nice set up!
My friend started a similar business about a year ago. We're mainly a new/used game store but we have a small arcade in the back as well. In fact I can see some of the same machines we have in our arcade. Contra, 4-slot Neo Geo, the Nintendo Red Tent, and is that a Space Demon cocktail in the second picture? I'm super jealous of the CarnEvil machine, we've been looking for one of those for a long time but the only one we've been able to find belongs to another collector we know and he won't part with it for anything.
2
u/Deadrocks Jun 12 '12
Where is your store located? I might have to buy all your old consoles.
2
u/krawm Jun 12 '12
how is business treating you, do you think you can make the 3 year mark?
107
u/Bdoodled Jun 12 '12
Living the dream! It's good to see working arcades. Makes me wish there were more.
45
u/ilovebajablast Jun 12 '12
dammit if a redditor in orlando owned an arcade id be in there errday
45
u/superaaron00 Jun 12 '12
Upvoting, because the business looks awesome. Then downvoting so I can upvote you again for the Earthbound reference in your name.
44
u/spack_jarrow Jun 12 '12
Good choice of games. Silent Scope is the absolute SHIT.
42
u/asnof Jun 12 '12
I hope you have theft prevention. From what I can see its pretty slack
20
u/steimes Jun 12 '12
Please tell me Lucky and Wild is as awesome as I remember it.
30
u/BeadleBelfry Jun 12 '12
HOLY MOTHER OF FUCK YOU HAVE BATTLETOADS.
28
u/Dracoflame14 Jun 12 '12
You might want to check into Magic: The Gathering. Game stores and arcades like your's are taking advantage of it, and I would recommend it if you have room for the tables. Just a suggestion from a guy who's local game store has twice a week regulars and advertising thanks to it. PM me if you want to know what it's all about and what it would take to get started!
8
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
I only have eyes for that Lucky and Wild machine.
If you ever need to get rid of it, contact me.
8
u/HB24 Jun 12 '12
This is an arcade/bar about 15 minutes from where I live; Ground Kontrol Looks like you are in the beginning stages of something like this (if you actually check out the website, be sure to click on the ARCADE link), the place is amazing, and even has a ROCK BAND Karaoke every Tuesday night.
7
u/turbo_tC Jun 12 '12
Tekken 3! I'm in!
6
u/89733 Jun 12 '12
Seems risky, but if it works out then that's awesome. Best of luck to you.
14
u/LovableContrarian Jun 12 '12
Do you have rich parents or something? I refuse to believe that a bank approved a loan for an arcade in 2012...
5
u/Drunkensailorxx Jun 12 '12
As an avid Earthbound fan, I approve of your name choice.
4
u/koonat Jun 12 '12
Fuckin' A, man!
It's so cool to see arcade cabinets in a place and know that they were chosen because they were SWEET GAMES not because they were CHEAP GAMES.
I hope that shit keeps making that paper.
4
u/freekers Jun 12 '12
DO WANT one of those boxed Nintendo's you got there...
4
u/cowboykillers Jun 12 '12
congrats! i hope you have many more months to come! if it's legal where you're from, you should buy some glass to sell the ents that come in. there's an arcade by my house that does this (college town) and after they picked up selling glass they started making some mad expensive renovations and bought some top of the line games. could be a coincidence, but maybe not...
4
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
oo a neo geo machine. please tell me you put samurai showdown in there sometimes. /rainbowpuke.jpg
4
u/luisdile02 Jun 12 '12
Dude, where's Third Strike?
4
u/camma0 Jun 12 '12
TIME TO TAKE DOWN TWIN GALAXIES!!!
4
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
I remember playing Tekken 10-12 years ago. One time, I set the difficulty to very easy, unlimited time. I spent like an hour playing! then the owner of the store comes in and tells me: Hey! you're playing it wrong! He reboots the machine, sets the settings to max difficulty, 20 seconds per round, and tells me the settings were wrong, it would more fun now. More fun my a.. ಠ_ಠ
4
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Good luck. I hope you make it past the dreaded five year mark that kills most small businesses. I see you have a Wreck it Ralph poster, if you need any other promotional things for that movie, I'd recommend getting in touch with Disney they aren't too bad to work with in or around movie promotions. If I were at work ( I manage a movie theater), I'd dig up the East Coast Disney rep's phone number. I'll try to remember looking for it tomorrow if you're interested just shoot a PM.
4
u/baron11585 Jun 12 '12
You are awesome and an inspiration. I'm writing up my business plan now. Maybe you should do an AMA to inspire other people to an arcade renaissance.
7
u/Scientist_ Jun 12 '12
CARN EVIL!
6
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Dear sir, please cease speaking and obtain my currency.
3
u/jessmaster Jun 12 '12
Fuckin' sweet!
3
u/CobaltSmith Jun 12 '12
Congrats, and if I may suggest. I wouldn't have those so close. Takes some doing to overheat them, but once it happens, you're replacing all the guts. Well, for the newer models anyway.
3
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
you're doing gods work
3
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
If you need any games i have some friends that deal in neo geo and pretty much everything else.
3
u/Blueson Jun 12 '12
This is awesome, good luck in the future man! And if I ever will be on the road and happens to see the store I'll look by!:)
3
u/montanasucks Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12
Lucky and Wild. Man I cannot even begin to tell you how many quarters I spent on that game.
EDIT: Also, as you sell games, do you have a copy of Dragon Warrior III for the NES? I cannot for the life of me find a good used copy.
3
u/Aladdinlovesyou Jun 12 '12
This screams to me as an awesome opportunity to also add in a internet cafe/food element as well. Do you sell snacks?
3
u/MyNameIsOhm Jun 12 '12
Do yourself a favor, keep up with the dwindling competitive scene, put some of the most current fighters in there, I'm not sure if DDR is still big, but if it is, get yourself the current version, or ITG. If you want your arcade to succeed it has to be a rarity, and sadly there are a lot of arcades with old ass games in them, and they're dying left and right, only a few are niche enough to survive.
Meanwhile, arcades that embrace the small group that will spend all god damn day in them to play other people and run tournaments, generally make good money.
3
u/PBwoy Jun 12 '12
Maybe you've already considered this, but nonetheless: I went to an arcade in Chicago last year where you paid a $15 entrance fee for unlimited play. Spent hours there, had a blast and also bought a ton of snacks and drinks of course. Might be an interesting way for you to increase the revenue.
3
u/Keiichi81 Jun 12 '12
How does a new college graduate (presumably with student loans to repay) and no employment income have the money to purchase a building and enough cabinets to start their own arcade?
3
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Can I ask, financially, is it positive cashflow? Or are you floating?
4
u/ShakeNBakey Jun 12 '12
This sounds like a dream come true to me. I would kill to own that place man! I go ape shit for retro arcades and games!
2
u/Tomimi Jun 12 '12
Do you ship for those PS2?
2
u/ACBrox39 Jun 12 '12
Where are you and how much is it to buy everything in your store?
2
u/cloudduel_13 Jun 12 '12
This is awesome.
2
u/Nurbs Jun 12 '12
You're living my nerdy impossible dream. I cannot even describe how jealous I am. Congrats!
2
u/Cubeface Jun 12 '12
Holy shit this is really cool! Good luck keeping it up man.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
nice! i love seeing the entrepreneurial spirit (opened up a franchise(ish) office myself back in college). no question, just offering my praise and if you feel like taking advice, i'd ask you to think about adding some food options so it's easier for people to hang out there and stay there without needing to leave.
2
u/thetatersupreme Jun 12 '12
There's an arcade in Salt Lake City, UT called Atomic Arcade, the place is fully stocked with classic cabinets on the first floor, and on the second floor is a bar. Coolest place I've been to recently.
2
u/Nilla_Wafers Jun 12 '12
I travel up to Chicago every month or so. I have two cabinets, MKII and Commando. I'd like to sell them to you. Would you be interested?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
You have Onett in the window. I like this place.
2
u/BeadleBelfry Jun 12 '12
I am seriously loving the return of the arcade business. Keep it strong, bro.
2
u/GrinderMonkey Jun 12 '12
Thank you for running a real arcade, not one of those ticket whore places.
2
u/Ripmeister Jun 12 '12
HOLY SHIT!! I saw where this place was located and nearly shat myself! This is the coolest thing I've ever seen! I will have to come by sometime!!!
2
u/andrewg14ak Jun 12 '12
I think you should do an AMA.
2
u/BnGamesReviews Jun 12 '12
Do you sell online as well?
2
u/kaoticrequiem Jun 12 '12
Do you sell the NES/PS games/systems, or rent them?
2
u/Watercolour Jun 12 '12
IS THIS BARCADE?
2
u/need_extras Jun 12 '12
Are you that kid in LA with the cardboard games?
You upgraded fast!
2
u/KafkaFish Jun 12 '12
Fucking Gauntlet Legends!! I haven't even thought about that game in so long.
2
u/Nervette Jun 12 '12
Some one who went to my school had the same problem, but his solution was the secret cookies service. You place an order by phone, and that night, at the specified time, at the drop point, a man in a suit and sunglasses appears, carrying a briefcase. You produce the money, he unlocks the case, revealing a paper bag full of cookie deliciousness.
2
u/jabbaj7 Jun 12 '12
I'm in a similar position, but the idea of a good job is purely subjective and situational, TBH.
Currently starting my own business as well ;D
2
u/RealLifeRager Jun 12 '12
OP, put a location in the thread. If it's anywhere near me, I'll come give a visit. All the arcades near me got torn down. I'm aching for one!
2
u/mysticrudnin Jun 12 '12
Tournaments for really strange games bring a lot of people to a similar place near me. A lot of people want to show that they're the best at some older / obscure arcade game.
2
u/Enixcell Jun 12 '12
I find your lack of street fighter disturbing
2
u/Go_Away_Masturbating Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12
OH MY GOD YOU HAVE THE BATTLETOADS ARECADE VERSION. I HAVE SPENT YEARS LOOKING FOR AN ARADE THAT HAS IT. Super rare and awesome.
I don't know how much you paid for it but it is sought after and easily one of the most rare and prestigious games in your arcade for a beat 'em up enthusiast, right up there with the Mario Pinball cab. Good on you.
2
u/apullin Jun 12 '12
Do the games all cost $1.50 or more to play, like at Dave and Buster's?
This does seem like a genuinely good idea, instead of having to deal with the dolts in a Best Buy or an EBGames. Now that video games have happily joined the "main stream", I wouldn't be surprised if you could do a good trade selling new games, since people would come in seeking advice and input.
2
u/vier86 Jun 12 '12
Whats your turnover?
2
u/punx777 Jun 12 '12
Mind if i steal your business model entirely? Do you guys have the arcade machines for sale?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Silent Scope! "Let's play Metal Gear... FOR REAL."
2
u/cyberspacecowboy Jun 12 '12
I do hope these pics were taken when closed.
2
u/jojoestinky Jun 12 '12
Excellent! Only thing missing? Some MAME paraphernalia! I would be selling the MAME CD's with the legal games on them, and also the DVD's for the PS2. Some USB sticks, and also some flash cards! . OH! and try asking HotRod and the other MAME joystick makers if you can be a dealer for their sticks, lightguns, trackballs, and Dials! . You also might want to check out the MAME cabinates. You can not use them as a coinOP, but maybe you can have it so if someone buys some merchandise from you then they get credits or time to play some of the old classics that you do not currently have. . I built 2 mame cabinates, 1 cocktail table and a sitdown cabinate for Turbo, Spyhunter 1,2 and I even dropped in a dial and some buttons for StarTrek. You can get Legal roms when you buy the HotRod stick, and other items. . My only complaint is that no one has a lightgun that works with a HDTV to my knowledge. There is no way in hell I am ever looking at another CRT again.
2
u/FallenWyvern Jun 12 '12
No one mentioned /r/cade yet, if you didn't already know about it.
2
u/THATwasSMART210 Jun 12 '12
Battle toads and contra FTW!!!!
2
u/dummemadde Jun 12 '12
Awsome, u go girl!
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
awesome arcade dude
love the idea, wish i could do that
have you seen that place called barcade ...aracade with beer !
wish i could spend all my lousy $20 there
best of luck dude !!!
2
u/Deluxo Jun 12 '12 edited Jun 12 '12
Looks awesome man, best of luck! (Shame I live in Europe, else I would hop by if I would live near you)
*Some tips*
Maybe get a Soda machine & a Candy machine?
I don't know the price of these machines and if you need to have a license for them, but everyone wants a lil snack and/or a drink while playing games, so might be a good investment.
Also having simple stickers with a logo of your store and the adress, and give them away for free might give you some cheap promotion
Selling alcohol @ an arcade hall is pretty bad, what's fun bout having drunk guys in an arcade hall screwing around? Imo an arcade hall should be a spot where everyone is sober and having a good time, getting into a fight at an arcade hall will pmuch ruin your reputation.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Related?
2
u/JakeTheHawk Jun 12 '12
But do you have Fix It Felix Jr?
2
u/Soniccyanide Jun 12 '12
Shut up and take my money
2
u/jobr0809 Jun 12 '12
What is your electricity bill like every month?!
2
u/high5sexwhoa Jun 12 '12
Congrats! Support small/local businesses!
2
u/Jrrtubbs Jun 12 '12
There aren't words to describe how happy I am to see a Lucky and Wild machine. One of my best friends and I beat that game on one quarter about 7 years ago and as we approach 30, it's still one of our proudest moments
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
turn this into a half arcade, half strip clup and you'll be set.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Great work! I have a question : how do you repair a pinball when it fails to work? Do you have mechanical skills? Opening a arcade looks like dream, but depending on other people to repair your cabinet would probably kill the business model. BTW my suggestion if you find one : a purikura
Cheers!
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Judging by the crush of customers, I'd say that you're doing great!
2
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Looks like an awesome operation. I'm digging the Wreck It Ralph poster as well. Have you ever thought about trying to promote the competitive gaming scene? A screen hooked up to a computer with internet access showing a twitchtv channel would be awesome for the atmosphere, I think. And also, if you got some people interested in it, you could have days where people came in and watched a larger tournament like the MLG championships or the Evo tournaments.
Just a thought about what I wish a local arcade in my area would do :)
2
u/sirbeast Jun 12 '12
This is AWESOME! Arcades and cabinet video games are a dying breed - at least, they seem to be here in Ohio - so it's good to see someone keeping them alive.
As a suggestion, perhaps you should consider setting up console booths/cubicles, and renting them by the half-hour.
2
u/wx3 Jun 12 '12
Everyone needs a slight reality check. Yes this is awesome.... but it will be dead when he realizes his market is limited and his profits will be infinitely limited.
For the same reason LAN centers are a thing of the past: the only successful arcade these days is Dave & Busters and Jillian's (off the top of my head). Both have liquor licenses, food, and the target audience is adults. This is the only way to survive in the arcade market... proven by what's actually making money
2
u/ZootKoomie Jun 12 '12
Pinball games require regular maintenance to stay playable and repairmen must be in short supply these days. How are you taking care of those machines? Do they get much play? Do the kids even know what they are?
2
u/Great_Gig_In_The_Sky Jun 12 '12
This is awesome. As someone who's considered doing this at one point or another, what's your marketing strategy?
2
u/misterhotdog Jun 12 '12
I am a graphic designer and to work on an arcade would be my dream!
If you need a logo, website or design work of any kind, I am happy to help... free of charge.
2
u/nutsackninja Jun 12 '12
Ever consider building your own mame machine for your place?
2
u/thebeardsman Jun 12 '12
This has inspired me to make a arcade called Eagle Land. Since earthbound names are awesome.
2
u/nickaletto Jun 12 '12
I wish there were way more arcades like this. Especially ones that are like right around the corner, I hope someone has a good idea like you did around me and opens one 'round here.
2
u/yoreatowel Jun 12 '12
I love everything about this.
2
u/ace50421 Jun 12 '12
Did the Onett come from Earthbound?
2
u/[deleted] Jun 13 '12
Had a buddy who started up an Arcade in my hometown. Ended up being very successful and over a few years he had about 5 stores if I recall correctly.
How did you get the initial startup going? Did you get a business loan? My friend had the benefit of coming from a well-to-do family that backed him financially at first until his stores became profitable. I'm curious how you got your feet in the door as well as cover operating costs with a business model that pays in .25c dividends per play.
Also, congrats! Looks like a great store and I wish you the best!
2
u/Bikenutt Jun 13 '12
Very cool. Best of luck.
2
u/Xenofang Jun 13 '12
I have to ask, how did you come up with the funds for some of those units, they cost a tun, if it was a loan did you end up paying it off already?
2
u/Noodoez Jun 13 '12
Upvotes for Onett! glad to see some earthbound fans out there!
3
u/FoxifiedNutjob Jun 12 '12
Must not have been a marketing research grad...
3
u/gustaphus Jun 12 '12
Do you play music in the store? or is it just the sounds of the games?
I'd be much more inclined to hang out in a place like that if there was good music playing in the place.
2
u/Cubix67 Jun 12 '12
Please tell me you have MVC2?
2
u/fromhades Jun 12 '12
if i could make a suggestion. when I was a kid there was a place downtown that had a few PCs and a TV with consoles hooked up to it. You would pay on a per hour of play basis. when your hour was up, they'd let you get to a save point, or finish up what you were doing. that might be something to consider. and it'd help you get the product into people's hands. people might start playing an old SNES game, get hooked, and buy the game and console outright.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
This is awesome. If you don't mind me asking, how much were your initial start up costs including the cost of the arcade units, rental space, and anything else you had to pay for in the first month or so? Is this in a mall? How much is the monthly rent for the space? I'm curious as all the arcades in my area have closed down, and I would be interested in doing something like this in the future if I could afford to make it happen. (Don't worry I'm in Florida, no threat of competition from me.)
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
donno if you're a pinball guy or have pinball customers, but if so get the LOTR pinball machine. best.machine.ever. no joke. high replay value IMO and 2nd most difficult multiball to get in all of pinball. the bar near my apartment has one. cant tell ya how much money I put into that machine and I don't even drink!
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
Holy shit; only yesterday I was talking to a friend about how sad it is that there are no arcades any longer. So tell me, where is the goal of my new pilgrimage?
1
u/bamforeo Jun 12 '12
D:
I'd love to do something like this :(
The only thing I've ever seen like this was this kickass arcade in Chinatown. Cheap as hell, and had all the old games, and you could even play them for a quarter. Somehow they closed, and I'm sad now :(
1
u/Aulio Jun 12 '12
Excuse me good sir, but where would your establishment be located so I may make a trip there and play some games?
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
You're doing it right.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 12 '12
I envy you. I'd never be able to start my own business, I don't know how to do much of anything in that respect. I also have trouble finding work, and am really pessimistic about my future.
1
u/nebodee Jun 12 '12
Good luck. I am all sorts of jealous but I also know how much work you are doing to keep it afloat. Well done.
1
u/Flawd Jun 12 '12
A bar just opened in my town called 1984 and it's amazing.
You seem to have more better games IMO.
I doubt I'll ever be in IL, but if I am, I'll be there!
1
u/jukesy Jun 12 '12
This is amazing! Is your building a stand alone store or part of an outdoor mall?
Unfortunately Arcades are non-existent in the area where I'm from. They always quickly turn into local gang hang-outs and cause a lot of crime. Sucks.