Before everyone tells me to join igames..... I (or my customer) will when it gets to the point of needing more detailed info. I'm just trying to learn as much as possible about this so I can go back to my customer with a better understanding of what needs to be done to move forward.

I'm a long time computer / network consult, and a new customer of mine has asked me to build a game center for him. I've got plenty of experience in designing, building, and implementing networks, servers, and workstations, it's loading, running, and managing the games and the game environment that I'm lacking. I've been researching and reading posts and blogs for a couple days so I think my questions will at least sound like I know a little about the subject, so here goes...

1) The proposed center will have 30 PC based stations and 30 console stations (Xbox was specifically mentioned). I assume gig connections will be needed, do they all need to be home run or can there be "workgroups". Do consoles or PCs use more bandwidth?

2) Do the games get loaded on all the workstations (30 copies of WOW), or is it one copy running off of a mapped drive? How are the console games played, do you need to hand the player a disc or is it loaded on the console already?

3) Servers?? 1 management server, 1 game server, 1 "other" server, or can you use just 1 beefed up server? Do you even need a game server if you have 30 stations with their own copy installed?

4) Licensing - what is required for the games? I've read several different ideas/comments on this topic.

5) Game PCs - I'm not looking for a specific brand but what is a solid platform and what speed and video is acceptable in a game center environment?

6) What speed internet connection would be needed for 60 gamer connections?

7) What are the titles that would be a "must have"?

7) Are there any other major topics that I missed?

This game center is not going to be a stand alone profit center, it's part of a larger entertainment complex. The goal for the game room is to keep the kids busy (and spending money) while the parents are doing their thing.

 Again, once the project moves forward an igames membership will be purchased.

Thanks in advance for all comments and help.

That is a lot of information for nothing, no money...no commitment.  So, despite you not wanting to hear it, if you pay the small fee for a membership you will get a ton of information.

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LanLizards: Mishawaka, IN
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Or, more to the point, tell the guy who asked you to do all this research that he needs to front some $$.

Are you just the guy who is going to build it and do occasional tech support, or are you a partner in this endevour? 

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The reason why iGames exists is to put all of us together in one organization to help each other.

If we help everyone without regard to who support the organization then the organization itself will eventually fail.  If you or your client can't drop $150 to join iGames then forget about getting into the game center business.

Also you can just have your client contact us directly and we can sell them a game center franchise.  franchising@ebash.com is all you need and we will drop everything in place with a PROVEN profitable model for game centers.

I about died laughing at the initial post.  I don't mean to be rude in any way, but you just stated that you will join iGames when you need more detailed information, then you proceeded to ask a series of detailed questions.  It sounds like you are looking for answers that many people are happy to answer within the private forums.  As mentioned, we stop to help and support each other with our experience, information and ideas. 

Heh, or you can hit Bo up, I am sure he would be happy to sell you a franchise for far more money.  =P

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www.crazypenguinsgaming.com

I'll try to respond to all replies in one shot.

LanLizards - I'm sure I would get a ton of information if I joined, but I don't want the membership. I am not going to be involved after it's up and running, other than network related tech support once I'm done they will take over.

Alomax - The guy that came to me is a business owner not a game center owner. It doesn't matter to him if it's running Word or WOW, it's a computer so he's asking his "computer guy". That's why I'm doing the research and not him. No I'm not a partner.

BoZack - Do you have any other franchises besides the 2 locations in Indiana? Anything close to California we could maybe visit to see your PROVEN model in action?

Caesar - To me those are high level questions, mainly having to do with bandwidth and game client/server interaction. I can easily plan for worst case of home runs for all devices, multiple servers, high end PC's, a copy of the game for each box, and a T3.

Thanks for the comments and the non-help, I Googled it and pretty much got the answers I was looking for anyway. Plus I just saved my customer $150 for a membership he didn't need.

 

talon6x:

Thanks for the comments and the non-help, I Googled it and pretty much got the answers I was looking for anyway. Plus I just saved my customer $150 for a membership he didn't need.

Guess if thats how you two feel, you've completed your task and are done here.
The biggest mistake I personally see in this plan is lack of a tech for the center.  Even if the owner is a business guy, he is going to need someone to run his store. and someone making min wage is not going to be that person.  They are just the counter monkeys.  Who's going to be installing the games?  Who's going to configure the games to WORK?  Who's going to restore the database that crashed during the night so customers can play in the morning? 

Your right, you probably are not that person, but either way someone will be using the membership.  Unless your doing this as a favor to the guy, get the membership and enroll it into the total. Don't forget the monthly recurring fee.  It may take  quite a few months to get off the ground.  Im going on month 15 right now.  Investors are not striking well in michigan right now.
 

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It still amazes me that people think they can approach business owners and just start rattling off technical questions and then get upset when they don't get any answers.  What in the world is my incentive for helping you?  Should I do it because I am a nice guy?  Should I do it because you are something special?  You plan on giving absolutely nothing back and want to walk away with free "tech" support.

I can also guarantee that if this is in fact a big company trying to make a big center, based on your description of the technical background of the individual in question, that there is absolutely no way this person is going to be able to start a center without some experienced help.  So there, I have given you more help than you deserve.

 

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LanLizards: Mishawaka, IN
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RootJack: Pirate Energy Drink

talon6x:

Thanks for the comments and the non-help, I Googled it and pretty much got the answers I was looking for anyway. Plus I just saved my customer $150 for a membership he didn't need.

Hehehehehe.... I might actually start using that in my franchise talks.

I "Googled" a bunch of phrases that I thought might help me start a Game Center or a LAN center.  It makes for some outstanding toilet reading!  I posted some in the private side.

 

i think i found the info he was refering to its pretty good stuff

how to start a game center

OMG I've been teleported back to high school, to think I thought Ricky was so hot : P

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I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
-Winston Churchill

Answers to all your questions can be found in the private forums.  Your customer may be interested in the other services provided by the iGames membership so if they are not aware of iGames please tell them about it as we started our center four years ago and didn't know about iGames so we spent more money than necessary and made a few mistakes along the way then about 6 months into the business we found iGames and have be grateful every since.  The customer can get a low cost honorary membership and it can be canceled at anytime.

I am also an IT Consultant and feel it would be in your best interest to discuss with your client the need for a IT manager for the gaming canter area of their entertainment center.  You don't want to have to run the games from cds so every new game will need to be installed and configured to run without cd or dvd and through the management software if they purchase one.  Not to mention the need for constant updates, fixes, virus and adware removal, repairs and updates.

To find a center that you could look at there is a Find a Center Near you on the iGames.org page

I don't know California well but there is Howie's Game Shack that is suppose to be impressive.  I haven't personally been to any centers in California so I can't say personally.

I wish your client good luck with his project.

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Co-Op Advertising and Marketing Committee
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I contend that for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
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I can not believe I just got rick rolled on these forums. lol, thats almost funnier then the IT guy making fun of successful GC owners.

Then again from his ponit of view, he probably wants his buisness owner to fail to come crawling back to him for more help and more $.

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Damn you ares, you got us good.

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it was just too tempting had to do it