Building a Gaming Center.

[Untamo]

PLEASE READ! Updated as of July 24th!

Center is ready to get rolling in 2 weeks. Woo00Hoo00!
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Okay, I've gotten most info I need, now just some specific questions:

1. What would keep you comming back to a gaming center?
2. What type of computers would make you go "Awesome"
3. Would you feel comfortable in "Pods"? Basically enclosed cockpits, with a 29" monitor, 4 speakers, etc..
4. What other attractions would you like to see involved? DVD Movies? Laser lights? Paintball? Nerf wars?
5. Would floor "referee's" dreesed up as gaming characters actually be cool? Or more blah? [Assuming it's done right, guys in FULL REAL swat gear, scientists, security guards, etc...]
6. Food and beverage choices are....?
7. Time of day/night you would most likely go and play?

Email, ICQ is all good, but I'd prefer you share your thoughts here rather than in private, unless it's needed.

Thanks in advance!
-Andrew

 

[Batti]

A local guy out here does a similar thing via LAN parties. He hosts the parties, and people buy his hardware/software products as a result of seeing them / playing them in action. In talking with the guy, most of his product sales are a direct result of the parties.
http://www.vinster.com

As far as computer configuration goes, you're absolutely going to need to have a drive imaging solution where you can reclone a machine in minutes. Drive Image Pro has a network version where you can cast the image over the LAN, but a CD is easy too. We use a scripted boot floppy and burned CD's at work - insert both, reboot, new machine!

Let us know the location when you get going - my company HQ is out there.

 

[Adul]

Sounds like place I want to visit.

What sort of ame will be offered?
I like to see tribes (tribes 2 when it is out) Q3 and UT of course, SC and Dark reign 2 has well. Even diablo2 would be a good idea.

 

[Brooks]

Are you sure it will be a successful business? Its a good idea, but I've seen many things come and go like this

 

[Whitedog]

With the Internet and all the high bandwidths, those types of setups are becoming useless.
It's a great concept, but I think it won't bring you much profit, if any, unless you have a product to sell other than computer time.

 

[Electric Amish]

I would talk to some of the game developers and see if you could get some sponsorship. Maybe you won't have to buy licenses for all the copies of the games you need.

Although it might seem anal, I'd keep an eye out for software coming in with the customers. I might even go as far as removing CD-Rom and floppy drives from the computers. If you get customers installing software, you'll just end up with hosed machines.

What OS platform are you running?? 98? 2K?

2K might be nice for the security. When the customers come in, they pay their money, you give them a password and logon name. Each night you delete the days accounts (or something like that...that may be overkill for repeat customers..).

Sounds like fun. I've pondered the same thing several of time, but I don't have the capital...

amish

 

[Chooie]

Hey Batti, I didn't know you were from my area Are you going to the huge party this saturday?


Untamo, I'd suggest going with PIII600 and 128MB, no CDrom, managed nics, and winME. Basically, run software that lets you control all computers from your computer behind the desk. That way you can charge per hour *accurately* (the software will just lock the computer after a given time). You also won't have a problem with people screwing with your settings or loading unknown software. I personally would not have internet access from all of the machines (if you're going to, why? You have enough computers there, if they wanna play online games, let 'em do it from home. Or, set aside a couple comps for that, and charge extra for the "online" time). Oh, and HEADPHONES are a must, no speakers when you have 24 ppl going You might want to charge a deposit for the headphones, they tend to get trashed easily.

 

[randomlinh]

damn, i would love to build those comps for ya. I'd do it for local ppl, but mose of them are computer illiterate and I then become the local support guy.. it can get annoying.

You'd definately need to find something to "sell" along side playin games all day though. I wouldn't know what. But like you said, it's a passion, and if you got the dough to back it up, more power to ya.

 

[piku]

Is this a bring your own computer thing, or are you providing the computers? If you are providing them, you should make it an option to let them bring theirs. Still charge them, but you will get more customers that way. And at least if you wont let them bring computers, at least let them bring mice and keyboard. Some people have a strong personal preference. Just make a rule that they must work without installing drivers if you don't want to bother with that.

Also, definatly make a website. I KNOW there are tons of big websites out there are would, and do, give free plugs to lan party websites, so for something like yours i'm sure they would mention you. In fact, there are alot of dedicated lan gaming websites out there that could give you free advertising too. Thats expecially important with yours, because thats a sorta vacation spot, and maybe people visiting that region would like to stop in and play games for a few hours, since they probably didn't bring their desktops

Oooh, just thought of this, make sure you have soda and possibly snack machines in the building (snacks could get messy tho). And sell the most caffinated sodas you can. Big money right there. Also, maybe you could offer to acctually sell the games that you have on the computers there. Sorta like "If you liked playing it here, why not buy a copy and play at home!" kinda thing.

And how do you have the money to do this?

(edit: added more stuff)

 

[yakko]

I see only one flaw with the idea.You need to setup where I am at because that is to far to drive.Maybe I'll take my vacation there?

I really don't think you will need much else besides the games because to be able to play a nice network game without relying on mutiple different isp and connection speeds it will be nice and fast.

 

[Synthetik]

I live in Northern Virginia and some friends of mine were going to do the exact same but acquiring that startup capital was a problem for them.

However, I just discovered a place nearby that is doing the same thing we wanted to do. Check out this site http://www.gamedomainllc.com/. They provide a lot of information about their business on the website (i.e. equipment, pricing, photos..etc..).

And this site has a list of other "Gaming Center's" http://www.icelan.com/diabloii/default2.htm.

It's hard to give you advice because I don't even know where to begin. So i'll just throw some stuff out.

Definitly have a website, definitly have high speed internet access (you'll want a Half-Life: CS and TFC server as well as maybe Quake or UT; they make for good advertising. I often goto Game Domain's Half-Life:CS server and people are always askin why there are 4-5 people with 10 ms pings. It makes for great advertisement), definitly talk to Logitech, nVidia, 3DFX, Creative Labs etc....if you can get some support from them that could be a big bonus, allow people to bring their own mouse/keyboard/headphones but bringing entire computers could be a little more troublesome.

I'll add more later, can't think right now.

-Synth

 

[Stosh]

There was a place like this about 5 or 6 years ago I went to. I believe it was right after Descent2 came out. Maybe it wasn't quite that long ago. Basically, they sold software and games. You paid so much an hour, then you could use the pc's to check it out. Most of the software and games were preloaded.

Your idea seems a bit more involved. The problem I see is this. Most people already have computers. Are they really going to pay you to play a computer game? For me, the lure would be high speed internet access for gaming. Then again, being able to check out new games(Not just demos) might lure me in the door.

 

[SaxOphoneKid]

A friend of mine and talked about doing something like this awhile back. We didn't have the capital or the sponcership to get going. I wish now we would have. Anyways-----
Here's how we planed to set it up.

Servers: one database data server to handle all of the transactions. Domain controler/file server that had user profiles for the clients. All of the games were to be installed on the a server w/ a CD Tower.(if possible I would contact game makers on this theres got to be a way.

Systems(Clients): Create a custom web app that allows the end users to choose the games. This should be placed is the startup of the system. You could even replace the 98shell w/ this app. (maby)
Have have the systems placed so that the user only have access to the game controls and mouse/keyboard.

I also agree that you need to be able to clone the systems as need be to save on the reload time should it be required to do so.

With a place a large as yours you might want to set up an lounge area w/ snack bar.

 

[Dexion]

Should assimulate those 24 computers(when you do get them) and take full advantage of them during idle Join Team ANANDTECH, kick some MACs ass while they aren't fraggin at all.

 

[dirtboy]

There was a place like that where I used to live. They sold software and had a gaming room in the back. Now it's an expanded seating area for the Chinese restaurant next door.

 

[Untamo]

Batti - Ya, Portland and surrounding area has some really huge lan parties. I myself have 8 Computers in my house plus 2 servers of 1 being a Dual Pro w/256MB and 80GB's mp3 ;] and a Quad XEON 450/2MB board w/512MB/UW.. its decked. That'll be the main server.

On the software backup, yes drive imaging will be done. Either through a version of ghost or another, and the image files will be on the server, and will have a backup copy on cd with network boot floppies.

Adul - The main draw's are usually FPS, so Q3, UT, HL & Counterstrike [The police and military people in the area LOVE this one] Think of 24 cops sitting there, playing Counterstrike, then we have interdepartmental battles. Those are fun. [We have police in the family :] Classic Quake as well. Nothing moves quite like it.

For RTS - Command & Conquer: Red Alert / StarCraft / Diablo II etc...
Racing - NFS III: Hot Pursuit [look above to find out why]

Brooks - Whats nice is I've punched the numbers. I've punched them as if we're doing 10% potential and over estimated expenses. Whats nice, we've run smaller version and have been largely successfull. Also, as I stated, this can lose money for a year, maximum LOSS, approx $5000/m when all is said and done, and I'll still do fine. I have enough to cover it. So this isnt just going to come and go.

Whitedog - Has highspeed bandwith encouraged more people to go to LAN's or discouraged? I think more people go to them now than ever before. And yes, Product will be sold. I'd be a fool not to.

Electric Amish - Already in the works on the site license. Most developers will be happy to donate a license, however the folks at ID are most stingy with thier Quake Product line.

Software WILL not be coming in. Machines will be locked underneat stations in cabnitry, and the machines themselves will not have cd-rom's. WE'll have a coupla machines for copying to floppy, but we'd charge $5 a disc or so to burn anything.

OS will most likely be Windows ME. Security is not a big issue, 90% of all gaming centers I've looked into, dont have this problem due to the simple fact of they take down a computer, then there is one less body to frag. But still, they'll be logging into a NT domain, and only be able to hit IE, and the games. No relogging, rebooting or anything of the sort.

Yes, capital is hard to get. I bought a bank repo'd house and fixed it up and resold it to get the capital.

Chooie - For starters the processor wont be quite that big. With the first upgrade I'll do that, but for starters, it's not really needed ATM. Your idea on the software and remaining hardware is right on. The billing aspect is whats difficult. I havnt played with the software enough to know if I can be able to remotly shut a computer down on a certain time limit, if I can, that'd be best. Otherwise another method would have to be done.

Headphones, ya, I'd allow people to bring thiers, and headphones are cheap when you buy them in 100's.

Paulson - Hell I could help you out right now. I got 10 computers @ home on DSL. 6 PII 400's/64 etc... 2 PII600's OC'd to over 900...1 Dual Pro Server/256MB & Quad XEON server/512MB. The only catch is, that's a lot of juice.

lnguyen - Thanks, but I'll have 'em built in 2 days or so myself. There is always something that someone is willing to buy... should the price be right

piku - We will have 8-12 stations open for the bring your own computer rig. We will be providing 24-32 rigs ourselves. IF they bring their own rig, they can do as they please with the T1, [take into account already agreeing to our Use of Conduct agreement] They would be responsible for haveing latest patches, correct network config... etc...

Yes advertising is key, the more people like you and talk about you, the more popular you become. Although you still have to have a good "product."

There is a local coffee/pastry/smoothie shop in town that is family owned, hell I helped 'em set it up. Like a Starbucks, only 10 times better, honestly. They'd have a little shop in there, and provide all the coffee someone could want. Other than that, we'd have the classic Jolt, Red Bull, Coca Cola, Moutain Dew, Jones Sodas, and anything else of mention. Alas, you will be allowed to drink @ the computer, yet you are responsible for the keyboard & mouse should you "spill"

I got the money for this because I wouldnt accept anything less than having the money. Blood, sweat and tears.

Yakko - I'll be getting a HUGE T1 Line discount as I know some people over at UUNet. Setup is in suburbia Portland, OR.

Synthetik - As always good advice. There are websites dedicated to advertising these www.igames.org is a great place to start.

Stosh - High speed Internet gaming, and games before they're released will be a common place as I've already spoken with major game developers. And when the cost is around $4-$6/hr that's cheaper than the arcade and movies now-a-days, and it's more fun!

SaxOphoneKid - Great ideas, most are in the works already. And yes the place is huge, and I'm not going to tell you how much I got it for. I lucked out lets say.

Dexion - Oh I plan to, belive me.

dirtboy - The story moved me, it made me laugh, it made me cry, it made hungary. Thanks for the vote of confidence...

 

[rahvin]

In reading the Q2 (don't own q3) license agreement I noticed that installing the retail game in installations like you are talking about (renting time) is strictly prohibited, you must negotiate with the game publisher to install the games in such a situation (give them a cut of the profits). I imagine most games these days carry this restriction. In fact, I would wager that these type of license restrictions extend beyond games into most software. Better investigate the license issues. (BTW, if you violate the license agreement you are liable for full fines for software piracy, $10,000 an incident).

---

Get keyboard covers if your gonna allow beverages near the computers, make sure and elevate the monitors away from anywhere where they could set a beverage.

Get a good security system. (And I Mean Good)

How are you going to deal with downloading porn? Filtering? Watching?

Are you going to allow scanning, printing etc?

Are you going to seperate the loud team gamers from the websurfers with static walls that reduce sound?

Do you have the required building permits to do modifications? Does you lease allow tennent improvements? Can you take those improvements out of the rent? How long will you be required to commit to lease? Is the Landlord gonna bump the rent in a year if you only commit to a year?

If you want email me about a cyber-cafe I saw in flagstaff arizona... good operation.

 

[Russ]

<< First off, to every skeptic out there, shove off...

This is a passion, and I aim to do it right the first time. >>



You will succeed.

Russ, NCNE

 

[KDOG]

Untamo: Dude, that place is gonna kick ass. I'm green with jealousy. There is NOTHING in the South Jersey area for that kinda thing.

You're gonna just HAFTA get some pics up!!!

Yeah, and don't listen to naysayers - ROCK ON!!!

 

[mcheech]

KDGD: why don't you start one? i know up here in southern/central jersery all the kids play video games. You could make a killing on it by starting something like this. Or a magic cards/comics books trading place where you sell the cards as well.

 

[JMaster]

maybe you should keep the disk drives in there, cuz a lot of people will want to use their own configs for games such as quake, counterstrike, etc...
btw, what is the purpose of that rc5 thing? what exactly does it do?

 

[GoldenBear]

How about a membership card, or you can keep track of each player's records in games or hold tourneys every so often...

 

[Sephiroth_IX]

One thing you will need to be wary about is keeping people's eyes on their own monitor. If you have people playing Starcraft, and they can turn around and see their opponents, many people are going to get pissed, and fast.

 

[Croton]

while i do not have any pertinent information to share, i just wanted to say that your idea sounds awesome, and when it gets set up, me and my friends will take a road trip up to your place and check it out.

 

[Monel Funkawitz]

Run all Macs