Ya know, I have seen 2 McDonald's go out of business so I would figure it is too hard to make it. There have been at least 5 game centers within 3 blocks of me during the time this place has been in existence (before I bought it last year), and all have failed. You know why? They opened too close to another game center and spent too much money. Does that mean it's a bad business? So does that mean 80% of all gc's don't make it? Well...yeah it probably is true. 80% of dry cleaners don't make it either. As a matter of fact, something like 85 to 90% of small businesses close during the first five years, so my advice is to work for someone else so they can tell you what to do, how to do it, and after they close, find another job.. Jeez, I worked for Halliburton till they layed off over 50% of their employees about 5 years ago.The campus I worked at went from 3000 employees to 1100 before I lost my job. I guess no business is safe. I think I'll just give up.

Wait, I've never seen a nail shop close up. Eureka! 

 

Back on topic...the market determines your needs. The thing is, having just 2-3 computers can open up an additional market in internet users. Just add a few games like WoW and other MMORPGERVYS games that don't cost you anything to have. If they are constantly full, add computers.

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Peter Shores
Combatex
Houston, TX

 GOOD LUCK.

Gault,

I think you underestimate the value you hold in experience. Let the new guys, well me too, know what you think went wrong. Hearing what doesn't work is more helpful than what does. My post was just ribbing, you are right its a crappy business if you want to make great money. I just love it. I get to play with computers and work with young people. They don't notice how immature I am.

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Peter Shores
Combatex
Houston, TX

Well I thought for a while on this subject before I would post another reply. And after long thought, I like Gault's replies. It should scare away all those who shouldn't be in this business. I want to be here not for money, but because I have a passion for it. It wouldn't bother me if I didn't make profit, but if it stayed alive, I would love to continue. Gault saw a chance to get out and not be broke. He took it, and he had some fun times I'm sure. He's right though, a lot of people have no idea how the business world works. And the people that do, well they have no idea how electrics work. People need to have the whole sense and if they don’t why hire someone else? People will ruin their life before even opening. They have no clue, so they should get a clue, stay or get out. 

We don’t know how Gault ran his business, was the location good, or even more questions… But if he survived and made it out, he did something right. He stands tall to at least say he made it where some others didn’t! 

Back to topic… 

Now technology is becoming worse and worse quality, and it is not being well-regulated. Going computers leads to easier customization, maintaining, repair, but consoles can be taken apart as well. I suggest if any new comers plan to open soon, they better know all the material. Corporations are offering less customer support and more extended warranty plans. Even if you have a lot of money for that area, you won’t last. You’ll need knowledge and experience to guide you (both business and technology). Asking what is needed more… consoles or pcs, well you better step back and think. I don’t ask questions like that because the answer should be obvious for experienced business people… If you still have similar questions and can’t come up with the right answer yourself, I suggest joining igames, you will get to ask as many questions as you want.

 

ZaCkO

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Who is your attitude?

If you want an expensive hobby this may be just the thing. Caesar is doomed he just isnt smart enough to know it. I hope he didnt sign a long lease. I will check back in a few months to see I was right. He will be the guy trying to sell his awesome center to some unsuspecting guy. I have seen it before. You will 2.  Just ask him how much it cost to open his place. Then divide his hourly rates into the equation and see how many decades he will have to survive to pay himself back. With the hours he works there I wager he makes less than minimum wage but he his a great business man! LOL.

Wow, man you are barking up the wrong tree. Ceasar's place is massive and freakin sweet. You can say all that stuff about me I only have 16 stations, I know he's got at least 50.

I don't know about you, but I've been working for someone else my whole life, its really nice to be your own boss, to make the decisions, having the pressure on you and I like that. I like building the relationships that I have with my customers, all in all, I love my "job".

Its not easy, but the satisfaction of building something from nothing is awesome. And no its not just the money, I built a gaming community in my town, I have made a place where people can escape their day to day lives for a few hours and hang out with people like themselves and play some videogames. And they love it.

I'm very sorry it didn't work out for you. I understand you want to warn others. But don't get personal with people here, telling people they are doomed is going kinda far, especially if you don't know what your talking about. Because Ceasar is a beast and I don't see him ever being "doomed" you'll be waiting a few months for long time.

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www.chillzonegamingcafe.com

Look back to see who got personal first. And he is doomed just watch and see.

Xbox 360s are far less reliable than PCs.  On the PC end i've found that over the past 10 years they are more and more reliable at a better price.

Ultimately i pay myself 1.5x to 2x minimum wage per hour opened, but i usually only put in 20-25 hours a week at this point, so i'm not complaining (except about hapless minions).

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Martin "MrFurious" Kruse
Xtreme Gaming Cybercafe
www.goxgaming.com

IGames Community Member Since 2003

 Hey i am not 100% negative/ Check out GAMEBREAKERS in washington. They are an example of the 2% that Have made it and will make it. They have something for everyone in a good local. If you cant be like them I would not try this.

MrFurious:

Xbox 360s are far less reliable than PCs.  On the PC end i've found that over the past 10 years they are more and more reliable at a better price.

Ultimately i pay myself 1.5x to 2x minimum wage per hour opened, but i usually only put in 20-25 hours a week at this point, so i'm not complaining (except about hapless minions).

They are because microsoft won't fix the flaw, they still produce 360s with the same heat sink and x-clamp flaw. But you can permanently fix them yourself for less than 10 dollars a xbox. Of course you have to know how too. That's the reason I said, you better know all the material. All xbox 360's fail, today, or someday, it will happen. Elites, and even Halo versions are dying. Microsoft doesn't care. They offer extended warranty to take your money.

Xboxs are computers too, if you know what I mean :P

ZaCkO

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Who is your attitude?

gault:

If you want an expensive hobby this may be just the thing. Caesar is doomed he just isnt smart enough to know it. I hope he didnt sign a long lease. I will check back in a few months to see I was right. He will be the guy trying to sell his awesome center to some unsuspecting guy. I have seen it before. You will 2.  Just ask him how much it cost to open his place. Then divide his hourly rates into the equation and see how many decades he will have to survive to pay himself back. With the hours he works there I wager he makes less than minimum wage but he his a great business man! LOL.

Hmm you should keep that to yourself, blabbing it off is not a good idea. Especially since you really don't know the person. Putting down people to not open a business ok, but targeting a person and saying they won't exceed at all, not ok! Maybe your attitude is the reason your out of the business... lol.

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Who is your attitude?

If you were to use my package of an EXTREMELY high end PC with 19" widescreen LCDs, glowing blue eclipse keyboards + mousepads + 8 button mouse + fingerprint scanner, it would only cost you ~$775/station including shipping.

PCs are essential for several reasons... 

1) MMORPGs -- Customers will play for COUNTLESS HOURS, and you are guaranteed at least 2 hours+ if not an all day pass from every MMORPG player. You can also guarantee them returning to fulfill their addiction every day. Not only that, any other game (Halo 3, CoD 4, etc) if you were to give them a 5 minute warning you'd just finish up your game and you'd be satisfied. If you suddenly get a 5 minute warning with the customer in the middle of a group he just spent an hour getting, and doesn't want to ditch his guild, or in a middle of a raid... you are again guaranteed he will get more time 95% of the time!

2) Internet -- Go figure :-P This is also how you get parents to get gametime, discounted for internet instead of just sitting there bored.

3) Counter-Strike: Source (Among other Steam games) -- That's our most popular non-MMO in the store!

Go Go Go!! 

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http://www.gamersedgecafe.com
http://www.myspace.com/gamersedgecafe (Store)
http://www.myspace.com/xeroblade (Personal)

ZaCkO:

They are because microsoft won't fix the flaw, they still produce 360s with the same heat sink and x-clamp flaw. But you can permanently fix them yourself for less than 10 dollars a xbox. Of course you have to know how too. That's the reason I said, you better know all the material. All xbox 360's fail, today, or someday, it will happen. Elites, and even Halo versions are dying. Microsoft doesn't care. They offer extended warranty to take your money.

Xboxs are computers too, if you know what I mean :P

ZaCkO

Is there a write up on the $10 fix?? I would Like to see it

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My Key To Success:
Being to stubborn to know that I have failed, and continuing untill I succeed!

Sure you have a broken xbox 360 too, check your inbox. This fix only works for 3 red ring of death and some 1 red ring of death E74 errors, however if you install the fix before the xbox 360 ever breaks, it will be fixed permanently before damage happens.

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Who is your attitude?

ZaCkO:

Also above somewhere, 1200+ for console rig? Hmm are you buying the parts wholesale? Because the computer rig at 1200 is right, but the console... you can get at least 400 dollars (unless you are including the rocker game chair) cheaper even including all the parts you wrote down (newegg). Plus are we forgetting to take into account buying seperate games for each console vs. buying simple licenses for computers. But as some mentioned above, yes it depends on the area. What do the people want? Best to find that out.

One *could* get the computer system for $400 cheaper too, but just like an $800 console system, it would be a POS.

XBox 360 Elite: $400
Cable extensions so you can have the system behind the counter: $50+
Gamepod: $400
LCD: $800+
LCD mounting hardware or stand: $50+

So ummm... actually, a decent console system costs $500 MORE than the PC system.  ;P