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Originally Posted by MMM
I think you can argue about various reasons that arcades are practically dead in the US but the main reason has to be the rise of the console game.
You talk about the gaming community, but then want to appeal to girls, so I think you need to pick a realistic target and go with it. Gamers may not care if people stare at them in an arcade, but fringe targets, like girls, might.
I am not sure where you get your facts about Japanese arcades, and indeed there are many more arcade in Japan than the US, and kiddy arcades are shutting down, but so are traditional arcades.
Places like Sega World, arcades with arcade rides as well used to charge an entrance fee, but now they are free. Companies aren't investing the money into standup games and the necessary event or group type games that get people into arcades like they used to. No new games=fewer players.
Realistically, you should probably try and appeal to the adult gamers who grew up in arcades as kids. That's why places like Ground Kontrol in Portland work: Retro games, 80s style, beer, live hipster music. |
Yeah, console games are definitely a contributing factor, probably even the main cause, but I grew up in the arcade community and honestly they have always been poorly run in the US, it's just that back then we had no alternative to arcade quality games. Having arcade quality games on consoles these days didn't kill off the Japanese arcade market but killed off the market here because arcade operators didn't give a rats ass about maintenance and keeping up with the latest games.
The reason why I want to appeal to girls is because back in the early 90's there were virtually no girl gamers, but now there are plenty. There is a new market that didn't exist 20 years ago. I know how to get guys in the arcade, but I am clueless to how to (if it's possible) get girls in the arcade, thus why I am posting here. If open windows aren't the way, I need to know that
Plus if I can get a decent amount of girls in the arcade, I will get at least 4-5x more guys who will come regularly, thus making the arcade more successful. Arcade aren't really about practicality, it's about a community I am trying to provide. And no, online gaming does not provide that kind of community.
I mostly get my facts about Japanese arcades from internet articles, things I hear from friends who have been to Japan, and internet forums. Yes, not a great source of knowledge, but that's all I have to work with for now, and thus why I am posting here. Trying to get more facts and data. I am open to the corrections of my previous knowledge.