If you owned a video game store....

[Crash]

What would you do to make it cool. cooler than babbages/gamespot and EB etc. how would you make people come to your store?
We've been concidering opening a store of sorts one day, throw ideas out there.

[Rubber Kitty]

Free porn


:D

[GameMaster]

I'd have video game music playing on the overhead speakers, systems and TVs availble for people to try a video game on before they purchased it, and other video game merchandise like accessories, posters, dolls, action figures, etc. And only hire people who were knowledgeable of general video gaming. I'd also sell used video games and allow people to sell their games to the store for either store credit or cash (most people prefer cash).

[Crash]

http://img37.exs.cx/img37/7739/GTcopy.jpg

[Typhoid]

I would sell all the games that EB does ( meaning genrés and systems/PC) and have things like game competitions every once and a while. Like Smash Bros tourneys, or something like that. I would have some old 8/16-bit songs playing overhead, but you cant do that all the time, or else it gets old. So i would probably play anything that isnt rap. People dont want to wal into a happy store environment only to hear "Smack ma b*tch up."

Have vending machines, or like, coolers where people can buy drinks and stuff.

Basically, i would make it a game store/ hang out area.

But no lame ass card games will take place in my store.

*Draws out schematics*

[Crash]

http://www.digitalbloc.com/200401/news_armor_sidefacelites.jpg

this would be in my store when you walk in

[ulala06]

But no lame ass card games will take place in my store.

*Draws out schematics*

*dieshappy*

ditto on the no cards. :D

also, make the store BIG... no more of this 5' x 5' box with a sign on it stuff like in malls! and i'd have a cool discount card deal like best buy and sam goody etc... but it would be better lol. AND FREE STICKERS!!!!!!!

[Dyne]

Yeah, no hybrid stores (if I could make a living just off of video games.) Maybe a little arcadage going (DDR, Guilty Gear, you know), and it would be SUPER organized so I wouldn't have anything I couldn't find. =o *shock!*

Free beer is good too.

But swear to god, some shops are so disorganized.

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

Yeah, no hybrid stores (if I could make a living just off of video games.) Maybe a little arcadage going (DDR, Guilty Gear, you know), and it would be SUPER organized so I wouldn't have anything I couldn't find. =o *shock!*

Free beer is good too.

But swear to god, some shops are so disorganized.
Street Fighter III: Third Strike as well

[Crash]

Get more creative... like make the building look like mushroom kingdom, or the inside of the pillar of autumn.... would you have couches and big screens, 7.1 surround sound? Get creative with this.

[GT News]

Get more creative... like make the building look like mushroom kingdom, or the inside of the pillar of autumn.... would you have couches and big screens, 7.1 surround sound? Get creative with this.

Where can I get more creative?Interesting comparison.I am not so sure if I would like to have couches and big screens 7point 1 surround sound.Where can I get creative with this?

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

Why CamFu Bot? is 7.1 surround not good enough for you?

[Swan]

I can only think of one thing actually. That thing is no games like Barbie or Olsen twins games. Or how about no games that really suck. So the people who work there have to play the game before you can put it in stock. If the game is good, put it in stock, if not, you don't. And the bigger the better. And a catchy name.

[Fox 6]

http://www.digitalbloc.com/200401/news_armor_sidefacelites.jpg

this would be in my store when you walk in
either that or make that the uniforms for the employees.

[Typhoid]

Where can I get creative with this?


In my pants. :sneaky:




And like I said, im working on schematics. I didnt take Drafting class for nothing.

[The Germanator]

Hmm...this is what I would do. I'd have three different, very distinguished sections that represented each major console player. Each clerk working at the respective section is a fanboy of that console. Think of the tension, it would be beautiful. They'd be trying to convince customers to buy this and that...and then the other clerk interrupts, and everyone gets angry...

I would make it a bit more spacious than usual game stores too. You can't make too many games and places available for kids to play though, or else they'll never leave, so keeping that to a mininum is a necessity. I really enjoy Crash's idea of creating a sort of video-gamish interior (the mushroom kingdom, hyrule, etc.) I can just imagine walking into a store with these big red polka-dotted mushrooms, goomba figurines and the like...It'd be really fun and it would put gamers in an good mood...a buying mood. :drevil:

[Typhoid]

Ok.

And schematics are done.

Now, they arnt good schematics, they took about 10 seconds of planning, and 5 minutes of drawing. I didnt really feel like making it good.

And judging by the size, to fit everything in, i would need a warehouse:p

And no, the stores arnt full size stores, they are mall size stores, little booths if you will.

And i would need to do an entrance charge to pay for my many and vast TV's.

So like i said, i would want it to be a place of communion..( in the non-religios way)...or community if you will. Where people just go to hang out. Because it would have everything. Food stores, bathrooms, competitions, games, TV's...yopu could just lounge around and do nothing. For a small fee of course.

Like a sports bar for girlfriendless-zit infested-nerds and geeks alike.


(Notice the jail.....thats the selling point for me.)

EDIT: I drew it in pencil, so it might be really really light.

EDIT EDIT: The dotted line arnt the racks for the games, its indicating that there is not a wall there, but thats where the cut-off for that section is.

[The Germanator]

EDIT: I drew it in pencil, so it might be really really light.

You have better handwriting than most boys I know (including myself). Congrats.

[Fox 6]

arent you going to do any concept art?

[Dyne]

Oh snap. That's awesome Typhoid.

[Fox 6]

I drew some concept art but its too big :(

[Crash]

http://img21.exs.cx/img21/1606/LAYOUT.jpg


Here it is:

center elevated stage for employees/dj/announcers (for tourneys)

each room color coded for console, plasma tv and surround sound for each system.

snack bar

i'll do one in 3d and see what you think...

[Typhoid]

Phhhffffff.

That has nothing on my warehouse-mega-super-game-o-plex.

[TheSlyMoogle]

Street Fighter III: Third Strike as well

;)

Yes that's a must. I rock so hardcore at 3rd Strike.

I can parry so many attacks. Lol.

[Crash]

until the rest renders, heres an idea I rendered:


http://img46.exs.cx/img46/1825/store.gif

[Canyarion]

....... Dude........ that's gonna cost you TONS! That'll never be profitable!

I like GameMasters idea, it's simple yet effective.
Old skool music + new game music + 'normal music' hits.

Tournaments are a really cool idea, but you need space for that. You could rent a bigger place for just those few days.

Have import games! You need the standard game-store collection, PLUS extra stuff. Used games are a really good idea, but please don't try to make TOO much profit on that.
A woman in my home town started a little shop (went bankrupt :D), but she only gave like €2 for your old games and sold them for €10. :rolleyes:

Merchandise would be awesome! :D Try to give out free stickers and stuff, I got a Majora's Mask sticker at that womans shop. :)

[DimHalo]

I was just thinking...

Someone mentioned not selling crappy games. But that's not really business smart because there are people that buy those games. Like a vid-idiot dad that has to get his daughter a gift and its the last moment. So he goes to his favorite video game store and he can pick up something for himself and his kid. (Although he should be teaching her better, LOL) ...

Anyway, have a "restricted" room for those games. Kind of like porn rooms in video stores. And that's where all the crappy games are.

[Canyarion]

Haha but if you'd be nice to the daughter, you'd NOT sell em, so the dad will actually buy a GOOD game. Thought about that? :p

And we're talking "Supermang 64" here, not "The Return of the King", cause it's not that bad.

[Dark Samurai]

;)

Yes that's a must. I rock so hardcore at 3rd Strike.

I can parry so many attacks. Lol.

Agreed, but lets us not forget SNK vs Capcom: SVC Chaos.

And Initial D: Third Stage.

[Crash]

why would it be so much? 3 big screens and 3 couches, snack bar = what you'd find at 7-11

[Typhoid]

I say my super-mega-warehouse-game-o-ples would cost the most, but would also bring in the most revenue, and have the most people.

*Thinks about making the store*


And you guys have TV's and couches in your Sevs?.......:( We dont....

And on another note, i tied Germy's chopper challenge score and have nothing to show for it. I say we saw the trophy in half.

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

All those ideas kick ass, I'm in class right now, but i'll draw up and scan my ideas when i get home. You need a LAN area as well though.

[ulala06]

ooo oo ooo! and i could learn to dj... and you could have a live dj 24/7 and you could pay me in video games!!!! puhlease? oh and don't forget the free stickers!!!!!!!!!!11one!!! *fangirlsigh* :D :D

[Neo]

Get more creative... like make the building look like mushroom kingdom, or the inside of the pillar of autumn.... would you have couches and big screens, 7.1 surround sound? Get creative with this.

Two things: Presentation and customer service. If you do those well you'll be successful. Employees who get to know you and don't hassle you with returns or what not would keep me coming back.

[CamFu]

A Gamestore huh? Well, I have an idea, kind of working through the kinks on it though. But oh what an idea do I have. Lets keep it a mystery for a little longer shall we.

....... Dude........ that's gonna cost you TONS! That'll never be profitable!

Business my dear friend... you have spend money to make money.

[Canyarion]

Yeah I know... But don't forget to advertise. Advertise like CRAZY. Give discounts in the first weeks. Coupons. Stuff like that. :D

And yeah, wireless LAN for all the DS owners. :p

[Dark Samurai]

Maybe you should give 5 free games to the first 10 customers, then hit them with free magazines for a year... and then blow up the store seeing as you wasted $524.99 on new customers...

[Cyrax9]

The problem with EB and GameStop is that they're just anotehr brick and mortar store, they're no different than the Sears, JC Penny's, and Suncoast Video outlets in my Local mall.

Thus I think the idea of a mere "Store" isn't what GameTavern needs or even wants it seems. It'd have to be unique in the same way that the Apple Store in San Francisco is unique -- it's not a shack in the middle of nowhere, just as McDonalds has Golden Arch's the GT Store would need a signature "design" to it.

My ideas:

- Wall Decor: Black, Blue, Green, Purple and Silver are in, these are the colors seen on consoles so Green, Blue & Purple "Neon" Lighting would be a nice additional touch, a Black floor with a Silver Tri-Force in it would be a major plus for Nintendo fans, maybe some other franchises could get into the floor.

- Don't just sell games, PLAY GAMES! An "Arcade" would be nice, I may not want to buy that new PSP sitting on yoour shelves, but if you have an MK II Arcade Machine I'd love to see Tournaments well run and gamers havinga good time.

- Think Bookstore/Coffee shop meets gaming: You have the store, but you also have a sort of Cyber-Cafe area, the "Cafe" itself does a fast food thing, Pepsi and Coca-Cola are obvious "Gamers beverages" as is Mountain Dew and some form or Orange Soda, Dorito's and other brand-name snack foods will add to the ambiance of a "Gamer's shop" and fast-food could be served as GT Members and employees adn consumers could socialize, maybe someone is new to gaming maybe somene wants to meet people and make a friend. This would establish the image of a "Friendly" store.

- LAN Gaming Area: In addition to the traditional "Arcade" you could have some Comptuer's set up for LAN Gaming on one side of the store, this would be an area used for head to head gaming competitions prizes could range form cash to free games or a custom PC. All LAN Gaming PC's would be custom-built for and by GT Staff Members so the store would have a GT Look the scheme could be "Wine Red" on these and maybe you could sell them too in small quantites. Most gaming stores sell consoles and PC hardware but not full PC's a GT PC would be amazing!

- Cyber-Cafe Computers: Again custom-built Systems in the "Ocean Blue" scheme of Gametavern.net and sale of said machines in addition to the "Wine Red" machines. Across from the LAN Area would be the Cyber-Cafe area with the PC's and the food, these would open to www.Gametavern.net as the homepage URL obviously and you could charge people to get online while away from home or while they're having their rig being fixed which brings me to the next section.

- FIX BUSTED PC's/Mac's/Consoles! :) If you had a "Repair Center" section, and the job was easy, people could walk in with their PC or Console and have repairs and upgrades done while they play games and enjoy the GT store, it'd be a nice extra.

- Gametavern: The Magazine & Catalog -- in addition to the store you could have your own Magazine & Catalog available with Strategy guides and EGM and other magazines on news stands.

- Awards: If someone wins a Tourney regularly consider medals and whatnot, another idea for Tournaments would be Gametavern "Uniforms" for players, obviously the employee uniforms would be different but these could tell you who's a regular and who's not.

- Different levels of Access to the store: Maybe offer some sort of "Special Access Card" deal, Bronze, Silver and Platinum levels, like Wharehouse stores. Bronze would be for general customers, the guy who buys games and has a shirt that has the mario + Mushroom = Super mario type. Silver would be for anyone who's a GT Forum member, added privleges would be some insider news but a limited ammount, maybe a few freebies. Finally Gold Level Members would be right under staff, if you're agold level member you'd have to be a GT member, you'd be advanced in Rank after two years of silver, maybe a tournament or two and would have access to some special areas in the store such as new equipment, maybe the ability to test new ideas for the store or decide what goes in or doesn't go into it -- market researchers who are free and give their time to their hobby, they'd get frequent shopper discounts and be the people associated with GameTavern, guys who you'd see and say "Hey CamFu!" or "How's it hanging Crash?" That type of person.

Also where is the store going to be located? I'd likeot know how much I'd have to pay to fly out for the opening day of the GAMETAVERN Gaming Store f this dream came true.

I like the ideas, but if I were to set it apart from the Radio Shack's of gaming stores I'd take on a new approach to how the store is run, obviously there would be music from game soundtracks and J-Pop playing through the store speakers (Think of SEE-SAW's "Anna ni issho datta no ni" pumping through your sound system.) and maybe some video monitors showing game demos, anime, and Sci-Fi shows to really get people hyped for what they're doing, target the gamer and all he or she enjoys, not jus the sale of games.

The whole Game "tavern" theme makes me think a bit of some sort of retro-look in areas of the store, for instance bar-top counters and saloon-style doors inside some areas. A "coat-of-arms" would be nice too, keep the theme intact basically.

Finally, I know this goes beyond the idea of a store, but isn't that what we're sort of thinking about or am I misunderstanding people? The reason EB and Gamestop don't stand out is because they're just store, if the GT Gaming store (My name for it) was morre than just a store, a store with a background and a Cyber-Cafe/LAN Party area like some Hobby shops, and a unique business model I'd really like iit. Remember though your employees will want their cash too, Healthcare benefits are obviosu pluses giving people a way to advance in positions would be nice and if the store became a nation-wide chain you'd want to offer all those "Corperate Benefits" that other businesses offer. An online shop would be nice too, if the store is on the West Coast I wouldn't be able to get there very often as I'm in NJ, but if it were online as well I'd be able to buy from GT more often. Likewise, if it became a chain I'd want to have one built in my town! We don't have any sort of Cyber-Cafe near here so a chain of Gametavern stores would do well in this area with the ideas I've proposed, it'd also save people a bit of a drive and make them more likely to go to a gametavern store than to an EB or Gamestop. I don't know your full plans but I hope some of this is useful and wish you all the best of luck, I lok forward to one day shoppingg at the GT store! :)

[Ace195]

Noo cyrax you hurt my head with your massive post logic.. simple plain and simple.... K now I must read it.

[Crash]

cyrax, now that's what i'm talking about... you'd make a good employee at one of these stores.

[Neo]

Maybe you should give 5 free games to the first 10 customers, then hit them with free magazines for a year... and then blow up the store seeing as you wasted $524.99 on new customers...

You forgot to add "then collect the insurance."

[GiMpY-wAnNaBe]

w00t, great ideas Cyrax, + special privelages to those with 1000+, 2000+, etc. posts.

[Happydude]

w00t, great ideas Cyrax, + special privelages to those with 1000+, 2000+, etc. posts.
that would make DsH the owner of the company :p

[Professor S]

This is funny, because I actually started making a Business Plan to try and get venture capital to get my own chain going because I was so disgusted with stores like Gamestop and EB and how they take the gaming conumer for granted. Well I quickly became busy watching ATHF, so it was thrown to the bottom of the pile on my desk.

So, its now pretty much a pipre dream, so I'll post the little a completed here:

WARNING: Some of the data used is over a year old, so don't jump on me if I'm off in places.

I. Introduction

The Video Game industry was once a niche market that targeted mainly towards children. This is no more. For the past three years Video Games and Consoles have out performed Hollywood as the world’s largest entertainment industry, finally topping the 20 Billion dollar cap with last years earnings reaching 23.8 Billion dollars. Yet it is still treated as a niche market, and not the powerhouse that it is in reality.

The film industry markets its product in vast multiplex movie theaters and large rental chains such as Hollywood Video and Blockbuster. Meanwhile video games are mainly sold through large retail chains such as Walmart and small boutique stores such as Electronics Boutique and Gamestop. The Video Gaming populace is demanding more than what they are being given by the industry, and like in Field of Dreams “build it, and they will come”.

The American consumer is ready for a change in the way that their favorite form of entertainment is marketed and sold. The American consumer is ready for a retail chain that treats their favorite past time with the respect it deserves and the glamour that has been traditionally reserved for Hollywood.

HardCore is a retail store targeted at both casual and dedicated “gamers”. Instead a cramped, undersized boutique store, HardCore stores would be a larger store offering the highest quality audio and video components to showcase each product to make it attractive to the consumer. It is the goal of HardCore to inundate the consumer with the sights and sounds of today’s top gaming titles the minute they enter the store.

1. Presentation – Modern Video Game retail stores promote their games through modest displays and video game kiosks that allow you to play a demo of a limited selection of titles on a small screen with small speakers. At HardCore, we will have the same stations, but there will be more of them played on much higher quality video and audio components. It is our belief that a consumer is more likely to buy even a mediocre game if they try it out on a 50 inch plasma screen HDTV in Dolby 5.1 Digital Surround Sound. The store would literally reverberate with the sounds of games being played inside.

2. Contests – Retail chains treat video games like any other product such as clothing or food: Come in, buy, get out. They ignore the fact that Video Games are not just a leisure product but are quickly becoming a competitive product as well. Tournaments have sprung up across the country with prizes reaching as high as $10,000 and professional organizations such as the Cyberathelete Professional League (CPL). These tournaments have even become spectator sports to the initiated. HardCore, being the first medium-large retail chain dealing exclusively in the video gaming, will capitalize on this by creating partnerships with software publishers to help promote both their product and our stores. Tournaments, with prizes provided by the publishers, will attract attention and spectators. Spectators must come to the store to watch and will then become customers.

3. Professional, KNOWLEDGEABLE Staff – Any video game aficionado will tell you that one of the more painful experiences in purchasing video games is dealing with sales staff that does not understand the industry or the product. It will be a prerequisite for each store to have an on staff expert for each major console and one for PC games and hardware. These would be normal sales staff, but armed with the knowledge required to help out customers with any questions they may have, and it will give them the credibility needed to earn the trust of the gaming public. HardCore is for gamers, by gamers.

4. PC Gaming Central – Console gaming is now king of the hill, but PC gaming still remains a very strong market, even though it does not receive the same amount of attention from the media. There are companies such as Alienware that thrive by solely producing high-powered gaming computers. While this is a niche market, it is one with a rabid cult following that deserves more than the passing recognition that it receives from gaming boutique stores. HardCore will be the PC gamer’s headquarters. From laser mice designed for First Person Shooters to the highest of the high end video cards from nVidia and ATI, HardCore will carry it all, even if in low quantity due to the PC industry’s rapid advancement rate. HardCore will also sell for gaming PC makers on a concession basis. It would not be economically feasible to wholesale purchase and the sell these PC’s due to the aforementioned fact that the PC industry’s technology evolves at such a rapid pace. A two year old PC may as well be 100 years old in some cases. By marketing the PC’s on concession, HardCore can gain profit from the industry by giving the PC makers a physical showroom for their creations and then marketing them. The customer would choose what PC they would like, with what features, and then purchase the PC through HardCore.

5. HardCore Online – Most retail chains and gaming boutique stores have websites to move product through online ordering, and HardCore would be no different. But like most other aspects of HardCore, it would be done both bigger and better than the competition. HardCore online will provide the following:

a. HardCore Store – A virtual supermarket of video games that will provide everything we offer in store plus much more.
b. HardCore Community – A forum or message board for video game fans to discuss games and consoles to their hearts content. The goal of HardCore Inc. is not just to market video games, but video game culture as well.
c. HardCore Reviews – Honest reviews of video game products. Video game consumers are no longer gullible or children. They are smart shoppers who will respond to honest appraisals of products. This will include in game footage and screen shots.
d. HardCore Previews – Like reviews, but are used to whet the appetite of the gamer before the release of highly anticipated games. This will include in game footage and screen shots.
e. HardCore Opinions – Editorials on the state of the video game industry as a whole and also on individual companies and titles.

HardCore Online will be designed to be self-sufficient through the use of advertising, but not designed to garner profit. The website will be used as a marketing tool to push HardCore locations and product through the HardCore Store. The financial aspect of the website will be designed to break even.

Well thats as far as I got. What do you think? Would it work?

[Crash]

strangler, we think alike in all kindsa areas, you are always very well written, and your ideas are well thought out. that is awesome.


but, hardcore, sounds like a porn shop :D

plus rep though!

[Ace195]

I agree, however "can I work for you?"... :D but anyways I was thinking of starting my own company but not the videogame shop something a little smaller, after I bid it out I'll tell you guys the idea. :)

[Happydude]

i currently have a business course in high school, and i'm using this whole thread for it :p

my teacher is going to tell me tomorrow what it would take for it to work, etc...

so crash, cyrax, whoever else wants in on this and is hoping for it for the future, ask me whatever questions you want and i'll ask my teacher...who has friends with their own businesses and who was an insurence broker and some other business related jobs before...he knows alot...

[Crash]

that's what i do at work too... business financial plans insurance and stuff.

[Happydude]

hey guys, i need help...i'm doing research on how much all this would cost, and since there is supposed to be an arcade, i need a website with prices or something that tells me how much arcade machines (like SF: 3rd strike) cost...and i need it ASAP, thx :)


i remember Kitana or someone had a whole arcade in their basement or something...maybe someone can refresh my memory

[Dyne]

A few thousand for each cabinet, for an average.