Would a classic video game arcade be viable in Sheffield?

[L00b 441]

Would it be possible or practical as a mobile unit - e.g. on an old double decker bus or a lorry that was reworked to house a selection of games? Then you could tour with it around Sheffield and further afield, which could be useful to piggyback off other events and shows.

In continental Europe, this used to be standard in the heydays of arcade (80s) with travelling fairs, wherein you'd have 1 or 2 artics with the latest and greatest cabs and drop-down sides.

 

But that was brand new cabs with extremely fast turnover and payback periods (what with constant re-siting and rarity of 'behemoth' units like deluxe outruns & space harriers and whatnot, which such travelling operators were the only ones to have and afford) so the eye-watering maintenance overheads were peanuts (arcade cabs are like old fridges, they really don't like to be moved around).

 

Doing that today, with (what are now-) 30 to 40 years old electronics that break down just because you're looking at them funny...

 

As for the business case, I think I already commented about a similar thread in the business section? If vintage arcade cabs was to be the only USP/pull factor, you'd be onto a loser, I wouldn't give it 6 months. If they were only scheduled to be part of the USP/pull factor, however, then yes by all means. Just don't expect to make money from them, better off budgeting them into your business plan as a marketing cost.

 

I can't emphasise enough how unreliable they've become after a few decades and how much maintenance they take. Parts are getting rarer than hen's teeth for many of them, CRTs most of all. Of course, you can always teach yourself electronics, soldering and many more useful skills to bring such costs down...but then that's time you'd not be spending doing other stuff to promote/run the place.

 

BWOB, I'm an arcade collector, have been frequenting the forum mentioned in the comments of that Youtube'd Look North feature for years, and known Andy who runs it (reputationally only) for as long, including all the backstory to his cabs, the place, the club, etc. I wouldn't site my cabs anywhere for love or money in this day and age, I don't know many collectors who would either.

Edited November 2, 2015 by L00b

[AmourDesign 10]

You can play most arcade games on your phone now.

 

Not sure most people will pay £1 to play Pacman on a regular basis.

[Hal9001 11]

Check out the new premises

. We went Saturday afternoon and it was excellent. Andy the owner is so friendly and passionate about the subject. That helps so much. Still £10 to get in and all on freeplay. £2 for a can of coke and a hot dog isn't bad either.

[Vaati 11]

Check out the new premises

. We went Saturday afternoon and it was excellent. Andy the owner is so friendly and passionate about the subject. That helps so much. Still £10 to get in and all on freeplay. £2 for a can of coke and a hot dog isn't bad either.

 

What is the address for it? And is it easy to get to via train?

[*_ash_* 88]

Check out the new premises

. We went Saturday afternoon and it was excellent. Andy the owner is so friendly and passionate about the subject. That helps so much. Still £10 to get in and all on freeplay. £2 for a can of coke and a hot dog isn't bad either.

 

I remember that 'coffee table' version... I was on holiday as a kid, and there was one in the empty snooker room, 10p a game. I spent hours on it

[blowfealt 10]

You can play most arcade games on your phone now.

 

Not sure most people will pay £1 to play Pacman on a regular basis.

 

Yes, you can - it is for this reason that we will be providing a seating area for punters that wish to do so. There will be a small charge for this service.

[Hal9001 11]

What is the address for it? And is it easy to get to via train?

 

checkout the website here.

[psynuk 10]

Went at the weekend and have to say it's really good, there's a great selection of games & that you're very unlikely to have encountered them together before.

 

It's definitely the best money I've spent on in a long time and will go back before the years out. Value for money wise its tremendous, £15 for two people kept entertained for five hours.

 

Regarding the viability of a similar venture in Sheffield..

Maybe, If you picked a location carefully to capture the students, the children, the pre drinkers and keep the entry cost down to encourage repeat visits

I was speaking to the owner who said that a private party would need to cost about £350 to cover running costs for an afternoon.

[999tigger 10]

Check out the new premises

. We went Saturday afternoon and it was excellent. Andy the owner is so friendly and passionate about the subject. That helps so much. Still £10 to get in and all on freeplay. £2 for a can of coke and a hot dog isn't bad either.

 

Thats awesome and the pricings right as well.

[RootsBooster 24]

You can play most arcade games on your phone now.

 

Not sure most people will pay £1 to play Pacman on a regular basis.

 

There's plenty of games you can't get on your phone that I'd pay £10 for a day's worth of play. Star Wars for a start (the original sit-in one)

[jemson 10]

Sounds great to me!

[Skyblaze 10]

If Happ Hazard or Blowfealt do manage to open such a premises, or just for a day/night and want something to accompany the gaming night, then I would like to offer my services.

I'm a DJ who specialises in Video Game and ChipTune music, I've got a huge catalogue of game music as well as my own speakers and lighting and a fog machine.

 

Details can be found here:

http: // genesis . blazingskies . net

(remove spaces)