http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=7061
Only now if Namco could get on the same ball. Anyhow good show by SEGA.
This also makes me wonder if this also was part of the strategy..
http://www.segaarcade.com/pr/doc-minnesota.asp
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SEGA attempting to revive NA arcades???
- Thread starter Andrew2
- Start date
http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=7061
Only now if Namco could get on the same ball. Anyhow good show by SEGA.
This also makes me wonder if this also was part of the strategy..
http://www.segaarcade.com/pr/doc-minnesota.asp
don't even try without Sharp or other maker 3D LCD screen. Also don't try to spread at all place at same time, expand from a populated region, in USA you need 2, east and west cost. Bring back the quarter only for all game, 50c for cabinet. Allow many game in only one cabinet, not 3 or 4, i mean over 50. Organise tournament, allow debit card and quarter and most importantly don't write a list all packed into the same paragraph.
MightyHedgehog
Member
If it makes the Gameworks here in Tempe not suck, by having newer titles (the newest is a standard cabinet Tekken 5 and that Namco drift game sequel), then I'm all for it.
imastalker co.
Banned
it's gonna take another Pac-Man to bring back arcades from near extinction here in the states.
actually, i have a really really great idea for something that could totally bring arcades back, but i won't be revealing it until i patent it.
actually, i have a really really great idea for something that could totally bring arcades back, but i won't be revealing it until i patent it.
ChennehCis
Member
MightyHedgehog said:
:lol The Mills mall one? I haven't been there in soooo long. They kinda overcharge from what I remember
bobbyconover
Member
phantomile co. said:
Is it as good of an idea as Elektroplankton? Cause that could've swept the nation with the right push from Nintendo, yaknow!
Forgotten Ancient
Banned
I think one of the bigger problems with arcades in NA is that (correct me if I'm wrong), it's a largely Japanese endeavor.
Aside from Midway/Bally/Willaiams, most of my favorite games came from Japanese companies.
Capcom
Namco
Nintendo
Sega
Konami
Some NA companies need to step up and release something other than golf/big buck hunting games.
Bring back pinball machines.
Offer slightly less generic prizes for tickets earned from skill games.
Bring the price back down to a quarter/token for most games - with .50 going to big releases.
Another problem I think the NA arcade market faces is that it's gaming population is far less dense than that of Japan. Many gamers are too busy now playing stuff online or on systems that offer technology superior to the arcades. Driving to an arcade to play against nobody just isn't very fun.
Aside from Midway/Bally/Willaiams, most of my favorite games came from Japanese companies.
Capcom
Namco
Nintendo
Sega
Konami
Some NA companies need to step up and release something other than golf/big buck hunting games.
Bring back pinball machines.
Offer slightly less generic prizes for tickets earned from skill games.
Bring the price back down to a quarter/token for most games - with .50 going to big releases.
Another problem I think the NA arcade market faces is that it's gaming population is far less dense than that of Japan. Many gamers are too busy now playing stuff online or on systems that offer technology superior to the arcades. Driving to an arcade to play against nobody just isn't very fun.
SatelliteOfLove
Member
If they have magic fairy dust that will make people play co-op games instead of just wilting from skilled competition, then it will work.
CarlosX360
Banned
Their merger with Sammy, I'm not suprised if they successfully make a comeback.
With their new machine for VF5, and other top names....I'm not suprised.
Heck, this makes Sammy entering the arcade scene in the future look too good.
This may entice other former arcade developers follow suit.
With their new machine for VF5, and other top names....I'm not suprised.
Heck, this makes Sammy entering the arcade scene in the future look too good.
This may entice other former arcade developers follow suit.
HyperZone<3
Member
Variety, variety, variety.
I'd bet that 95% of the arcade games that have gotten wide release in America over the last five years have been
-Racing games (wheel)
-Light Gun Shooters (gun)
-Fighting Game (joystick)
-Music Game (dancepad, fake instrument)
-Gimmick Thing (fishing pole, skateboard, etc.)
As much as I like those types of games, American arcades desperately need diversity. Get the 2D shooters over here, puzzle games, heck, even the card battlers. Just so long as there is a compelling variety so that every third game in the arcade is not just like another one there, that will make for a pretty good arcade experiance.
Also, Robotron 2084 standard in every arcade in the world.
Make it happen Sega.
I'd bet that 95% of the arcade games that have gotten wide release in America over the last five years have been
-Racing games (wheel)
-Light Gun Shooters (gun)
-Fighting Game (joystick)
-Music Game (dancepad, fake instrument)
-Gimmick Thing (fishing pole, skateboard, etc.)
As much as I like those types of games, American arcades desperately need diversity. Get the 2D shooters over here, puzzle games, heck, even the card battlers. Just so long as there is a compelling variety so that every third game in the arcade is not just like another one there, that will make for a pretty good arcade experiance.
Also, Robotron 2084 standard in every arcade in the world.
Make it happen Sega.
CarlosX360
Banned
I hope Konami returns, their beat 'em ups better not be 3D, but rather 2D.
*Cough* TMNT Turtles in Time
*cough* Xmen
*Cough* Captain America and Avengers
*Cough* The Simpsons
What other games?
*Cough* TMNT Turtles in Time
*cough* Xmen
*Cough* Captain America and Avengers
*Cough* The Simpsons
What other games?
shoplifter
Member
If this means the Gameworks in Columbus will actually get a VF5 machine, I'm all for it.
They still have the same shitty VF3 machine they've had since they opened with an absolutely terrible screen. We didn't even get a VF4
They still have the same shitty VF3 machine they've had since they opened with an absolutely terrible screen. We didn't even get a VF4
jamesinclair
Banned
Step 1: Get F-zero in your arcades. You developed the damn game Sega, so buy it.
Step 2: Get Mario Kart. You helped the develope the damn hardware Sega, so buy it.
Step 3: Port Star Fox to arcades. It was made for it. I dont care if its a Namco/Nintendo game.
Step 4: Cookies.
Step 2: Get Mario Kart. You helped the develope the damn hardware Sega, so buy it.
Step 3: Port Star Fox to arcades. It was made for it. I dont care if its a Namco/Nintendo game.
Step 4: Cookies.
soundwave05
Member
I wouldn't mind a sports bar/high-end arcade combo set up.
I think that could do decent business.
But the arcade games really have to be something you can't have at home. Whether that means 3D displays or games that are almost like an amusement park ride ... they've gotta do more with the games.
I think that could do decent business.
But the arcade games really have to be something you can't have at home. Whether that means 3D displays or games that are almost like an amusement park ride ... they've gotta do more with the games.
CarlosX360
Banned
Eh. My memory's a tad bit vague, but now that you mention it, I remember the logo on the cabinet's display.Fatghost28 said:
Internet Cafes are the arcades of the future, for good or for ill. Sega should release a commercial emulator for Model 1/2/3 games and also port selected Lindbergh games to high end PC's and use them to draw people to premium style net cafes and make money on 8 dollar coffee!
well, just release those commercial emulators! I'd pay top dollar for arcade perfect Daytona and Daytona 2 with net play on PC!
Forgotten Ancient said:
Ever heard of Global VR? If not, they're a coin-op manufacture, and them along with EA is doing just that. In fact, EA have been releasing the Madden, Tiger Woods, and NFS games in the arcades. Don't be suprised to see BurnOut fallow suit also.
BTW, this is what I mean..
An arcade that appeals to older gamers would be kinda cool with a large selection of classic/modern titles. Throw in food, big screens and comfortable seating and you have a recipe for a place I would never leave. It would be cool if arcades had lan-party like setups where everyone could gather round and compete in big tournaments or just hang out.
Some sort of MMO experience where everyone plays the same game PvP for prizes and schwag would be cool too, maybe even allow you to save your data on a DRM protected card or something and let people come back and continue whenever they want.
It would be nice to see arcades become sort of a end all-be-all hangout for gamers, where one could buy games and random goodies like artbooks, figurines, play games other than fighting franchises before they hit consoles etc.. Probably too narrow a focus (as traditional gamers who remember what arcades used to be like who'd be willing to make the trek out to one of these gaming palaces might be far and few between), but it would be cool.
The main selling point of arcades is the community, so there needs to be a bigger focus on community beyond just embarrasing oneself in public whilst playing DDR.
Some sort of MMO experience where everyone plays the same game PvP for prizes and schwag would be cool too, maybe even allow you to save your data on a DRM protected card or something and let people come back and continue whenever they want.
It would be nice to see arcades become sort of a end all-be-all hangout for gamers, where one could buy games and random goodies like artbooks, figurines, play games other than fighting franchises before they hit consoles etc.. Probably too narrow a focus (as traditional gamers who remember what arcades used to be like who'd be willing to make the trek out to one of these gaming palaces might be far and few between), but it would be cool.
The main selling point of arcades is the community, so there needs to be a bigger focus on community beyond just embarrasing oneself in public whilst playing DDR.
Andrew2 said:
This is great news if they revive the Gameworks down in Ontario Mills. Perhaps they'll get OutRun 2 SP when Sega buys them out completely. Or....even better....F-ZERO AX MONSTER RIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jamesinclair
Banned
M3wThr33 said:
Not Gameworks Miami (Sunset) or Sawgrass.
Sunset does have Super Monkey Ball, with banana controller. Impossible to control.
And a mechanical bull.
My fav gameworks game has always been the vertical balloon ride. Balloon Fight 1999!
TheJesusFactor
Member
I think what killed Arcade in N.A. is mainly due to price. Come'on who wants to spend $2 or more for a game that will only last you a few minutes. This is when the arcade started failing in the US, when prices of games went up in price. 50 cents was a good price, when VF3 hit arcades and started asking for $1 to play, I slowly realized that I wasn't going to the arcade as much anymore. I looked at games and watch people played, but I couldn't find it worth spending over $1 to play. As long as Arcade games continue to be high priced, it will not work. I rather spend $50 for a 20-40 hour game at home.
All the fancy equipment was simply a gimmick, not worth the extra cost it drives up per play. I think in order to bring back Arcades in this Country, they need to follow the Japanese models where they have JAMMA standards which keeps arcade gaming prices down. If you head to the Japanese arcades, you realize the prices are more reasonable (to the country standard anyway) and they don't use those high cost custom cabinets for each game. All the games, share the same cabinets and they only need to change the Cartridge to introduce a new game. How cheap can you get from that, some take CD-ROMs. Of course, I'm mainly referring to the mom and pop type arcades.
I thought about opening up an Arcade a while back, but with only Jamma standard cabinets. The only thing that was stopping me was the high cost of imports for the cabinets and the Game ROMs. Plus once the games starts to get less popular, arcade owners sell the Roms at a cheaper price, but since I'm in the US and nobody uses the Jamma standard, I would have a hard time selling them to offset the price of a newer game. The whole system in the US is not good. Bring down the price and everyone will at least drop their kids off at the arcade.
All the fancy equipment was simply a gimmick, not worth the extra cost it drives up per play. I think in order to bring back Arcades in this Country, they need to follow the Japanese models where they have JAMMA standards which keeps arcade gaming prices down. If you head to the Japanese arcades, you realize the prices are more reasonable (to the country standard anyway) and they don't use those high cost custom cabinets for each game. All the games, share the same cabinets and they only need to change the Cartridge to introduce a new game. How cheap can you get from that, some take CD-ROMs. Of course, I'm mainly referring to the mom and pop type arcades.
I thought about opening up an Arcade a while back, but with only Jamma standard cabinets. The only thing that was stopping me was the high cost of imports for the cabinets and the Game ROMs. Plus once the games starts to get less popular, arcade owners sell the Roms at a cheaper price, but since I'm in the US and nobody uses the Jamma standard, I would have a hard time selling them to offset the price of a newer game. The whole system in the US is not good. Bring down the price and everyone will at least drop their kids off at the arcade.
Gimmick cabinets are good. They give you an experience you can't have at home. Not many are going to want to go to a place that has rows of generic cabinets with games they can play at home anyway.
If anything I think the emphasis on kits instead of dedicated cabinets hurts arcades. It's fine for something like the CPS2 Capcom fighters that use the same button set ups and art but many converstions turn out bad because most operators don't care enough to do a good job. They end up looking crappy and don't have good controls. Like at the arcade I go to we have the awesome dedicated Tekken 5 cabinets with the card readers and PSX ports. Then we have a Soul Calibur II kit installed in a shitty broken down old MK II cabinet. The T molding constantly comes of, the side art stickers are torn off on one side and everyone has to argue over who gets the left side because the right side's stick sucks.
If anything I think the emphasis on kits instead of dedicated cabinets hurts arcades. It's fine for something like the CPS2 Capcom fighters that use the same button set ups and art but many converstions turn out bad because most operators don't care enough to do a good job. They end up looking crappy and don't have good controls. Like at the arcade I go to we have the awesome dedicated Tekken 5 cabinets with the card readers and PSX ports. Then we have a Soul Calibur II kit installed in a shitty broken down old MK II cabinet. The T molding constantly comes of, the side art stickers are torn off on one side and everyone has to argue over who gets the left side because the right side's stick sucks.
TheJesusFactor
Member
Anyanka said:
I have to respectfully disagree. The main reason is that the cheap standardize system in Japan is thriving while the expensive custom cabinets in the US is not. Although, the new Tekken 5 Cabinets are nice. At my local arcade, people are still playing mainly the 50 cent games. Especially the Vs. fighting games that can last you less than a minute. From a business point of view, the cost of custom arcade cabinets are higher than the price of a new Luxury Car. Can you see yourself being a Business owner spending 50 Grand for the latest Daytona USA cabinet. If you spend this much, you got to keep it for a while. Encouraging a slow turn over of new games. These high cost forces the operator to charge more, yet the consumers don't want to pay these prices. I'm not saying that arcade shouldn't have them at all, as DDR have been very popular, but even with that you can update it with minimal hassle. So if the US had a similar JAMMA board standardizing the arcade industry, I'm sure they can help make the arcades popular again.
As for the old run down cabinets, the Jamma Standard Cabinets are much more durable, and attractive looking. Instead of cheap compressed wood with laminant, they use PVC or ABS plastic. They also come with a Bigger screen than the US cabinets and the screen can be flipped to display horizontal or vertical aspect ratios. If new hardware comes out with better graphics, they can still use the same cabinets, you just need to change the board and ROM, instead of the ROM only. This is cheaper than changing the entire cabinet.
FortNinety
Member
brocke said:
They tried making arcades up-scale in Manhattan. At Barcode, they wouldn't let me and my friend inside because we didn't have nice enough pants. And looking inside, we saw a shitload of awesome games, all being untouched; all the patrons were at the bar oogling the bar tender who was on the counter pouring tequila down her dress trying to act all Coyote Ugly. She almost feel backwards off the bar if I recall correctly.
Anyway, it wasn't long before that place was out of business. So my point is, it wouldn't work.
North American arcades have plenty of problems, but one of the biggest is that arcades need to provide an experience you can't get at home. Competition helps - being able to go to the mall and find good fighting game players to beat up on, say - and being ahead of the home console curve is nice, but the basic experience isn't all that different from what you get sitting around your living room.
The solution? Bring back pinball.
Okay, okay, that's not the solution, even if it should be. However, you've gotta be able to offer folks something they can only get at the arcade. Say...oh, collectible trading card arcade games like Sega's Sangokushi Taisen.
The idea is pretty freakin' nifty. You've got network linked arcade games that have a video screen and a board-game style playfield.
To play the game you buy a starter pack that contains several collectible playing cards representing military units (archers and such) and leaders (hero types with special powers).
You place these cards on the mat and the game detects them through...hell, I dunno. Magic? At any rate, you place the cards on the board, at which point they appear on the screen. Then you move the cards around the board, which directs the units on screen.
I'm not entirely sure how it's set up, but I know that there is at least a networked ranking system, and I believe you can play network games against other players wherever they may be. Or, you can just whale on the guy next to you.
And, naturally, the cards you play with are collectible; you get a random card out of the machine each time you play. 500 yen gets you the basic pack, 300 yen a play gets you the game and a new card. Early this summer I was in a collectible card game shop in Akihabara where the rare Sangokushi Taisen cards were fetching upwards of 12,000 yen.
So, not only do you have an experience that can only be had in the arcade, but you have an online competition angle if there's no one there that's playing at that moment and you have the lure of collectible cards. Can you say addictive as all hell? Yes, yes you can.
My guess is that if Sega is serious about ressurecting GameWorks they'll implement network gaming in all their arcades and will introduce elaborate games like Sangokushi Taisen, The Quest of D, or World Club Championship Football to provide a compelling reason to get out of the house.
That said, they should totally put in a ton of pinball games also. Yeah.
FnordChan
The solution? Bring back pinball.
Okay, okay, that's not the solution, even if it should be. However, you've gotta be able to offer folks something they can only get at the arcade. Say...oh, collectible trading card arcade games like Sega's Sangokushi Taisen.
The idea is pretty freakin' nifty. You've got network linked arcade games that have a video screen and a board-game style playfield.
To play the game you buy a starter pack that contains several collectible playing cards representing military units (archers and such) and leaders (hero types with special powers).
You place these cards on the mat and the game detects them through...hell, I dunno. Magic? At any rate, you place the cards on the board, at which point they appear on the screen. Then you move the cards around the board, which directs the units on screen.
I'm not entirely sure how it's set up, but I know that there is at least a networked ranking system, and I believe you can play network games against other players wherever they may be. Or, you can just whale on the guy next to you.
And, naturally, the cards you play with are collectible; you get a random card out of the machine each time you play. 500 yen gets you the basic pack, 300 yen a play gets you the game and a new card. Early this summer I was in a collectible card game shop in Akihabara where the rare Sangokushi Taisen cards were fetching upwards of 12,000 yen.
So, not only do you have an experience that can only be had in the arcade, but you have an online competition angle if there's no one there that's playing at that moment and you have the lure of collectible cards. Can you say addictive as all hell? Yes, yes you can.
My guess is that if Sega is serious about ressurecting GameWorks they'll implement network gaming in all their arcades and will introduce elaborate games like Sangokushi Taisen, The Quest of D, or World Club Championship Football to provide a compelling reason to get out of the house.
That said, they should totally put in a ton of pinball games also. Yeah.
FnordChan
