Would you play your game here?

[GreatLemur]

For example, the gaming table would have to support surface computing (see http://www.microsoft.com/surface),

Oh, man, now that is a beautiful thought. I hadn't considered the gaming possibilities of one of those Surface rigs, before. Unfortunately, it'll probably be about a decade before the things come anywhere near my price range, but it's still nice to dream about what I could do with a big Surface table, a copy of Photoshop, and a few minatures. (Better yet, I can imagine miniatures with Surface-active electronics in their bases, for use with dedicated gaming software and OH MY GOD THE AWESOMENESS I WILL BE DREAMING ABOUT THIS ALL DAY.)

I think of it something like the "full package" experience. The challenge would be to lure shy gamers out of their own basements and to indulge their nerdy desires. Give it a community feel, make sure they never need to go anywhere else, and don't charge them just to hang out there. Instead, offer a million little services, charge them for that, and don't be affraid about kicking out people who just loiter.

Yeah, I think this is probably the way to go. Big, mainstream businesses use similar tactics when they give you the services you really need cheaper than the other guy--so cheap they're barely making a profit--to hook you in, but then charge more for the little additional goods or services that are just nice to have (I've heard these profitable extras referred to as "the bubblewrap", in reference to FedEx's practice of cheap shipping and expensive packing material).

One of the gaming store's main goals, after all, should be keeping people interested in gaming. Or, better yet, getting new people interested in gaming. And, of course, interested in coming to your store. Creating an inviting, comfortable environment and community are (arguably) almost as important as actually selling stuff. You've gotta make sure that there's somebody there to do the buying, after all.

 

[kenobi65]

Besides, if nobody in a game group is willing to host a game, there is something wrong with the game group.

IME, back when I was younger and few of us were homeowners, it was less a question of no one being willing to host, and more a question of no one having a good space in which to host.

We used to play in my apartment, which was fine, except that I didn't have a dining table, and so everyone sat in various chairs (or on the floor), and we didn't really use a mat or map. It worked, but, IMO, it wasn't ideal (or even close to ideal). If I were in that situation today, I'd definitely be interested in finding a third-party place to play...and if it was really nice, I'd be willing to pay for it.

 

[Harmon]

Nope

Main reason- my wife and daughter.

My wife is kinda a slouch when it comes to staying awake, so she needs a bed to crawl into when she starts falling asleep. Next our daughter, kinda a drag, but well worth the energy, she needs her own space, place, access to food, bottles, etc.

Now pretending either of those is about, that I am gaming with my crew at somewhere other then my gaming room. Not unless that was the only place. If there were no other gaming places then sure. THe main reason is privacy, some place like that I can't cuss, relax, lay my books about, go barefoot, etc.

I have been to one con and was not completely comfortable at any of the games, because I couldn't relax a 100%- though I would love to do another con if I had the money and time.

 

[Jeysie]

I would pay to simply rent a space, with any other amenities being an added bonus. But then, I'm in a situation where it would be a waste of money to own a car. And while it's usually not a problem to find necessary commercial spaces on a bus route, people are usually less convenient in their home placement. And I couldn't host a game in my place, because while my little two-room apartment is plenty big enough for me, it's not even really large enough for two people.

I can also think of some other friends who would love to game in person, but can't because they live where things are so spread out it'd be hard for everyone to travel all the way to meet at each other's places instead of somewhere more central. Of course, there you'd have a problem where there might not be enough potential customers to support such a venture.

Peace & Luv, Liz

 

[vongarr]

You are using a definition of 'bar' (not to mention 'gamer') that I am unfamiliar with.

Well, I don't drink alcohol, so I tend not to enter bar's much. There would be a serving section in the far corner of the establishment, with alcoholic drinks for consumption. Gamers, if they so chose, could partake in drinking these alcoholic drinks.

I can't imagine paying to play somewhere. If nobody in the gaming group is willing to host, there's a bigger problem.

I host games at my house. One of my players can also host. However, conditions at both locations are not optimal. For example, I have a small child, and do not allow drinking. The other player's place is smaller, but no children. But I'm forgetful. So if I forget something, there is a problem.

Said store would cater to those who are in a similar situation. Perhaps they're all young, and don't have a place of their own. Maybe they all have kids. What if the spouse of the only hosting friendly house doesn't let a game be played there. Ton's of reasons. Wasn't there a thread on here about being messy as well?

Honestly, this place would not be focused to RPG's. The main block of customers would be miniature gamers. For them, privacy is not as much an issue. They usually like people to come admire their armies. I'd have well built, variously themed terrain sets. Where I come from, the terrain is mis-matched, poorly built, and hardly cohesive. There is also the issue of space, chairs, and payment. The only place that had you play had good terrain, but no chairs. I also know many of the fellows I played with were older, had money, and didn't like playing with kids. They would also drink a beer with the game.

The main retail I would move would be CCG's and CMG's, as they require less space. Those players would have an area to play as well, for free, but the tables would be smaller.

So in short, the business would be built around five things.

1. Renting tables/terrain to mini gamers
2. Selling cards/mini's to the collectible gamers. (Maybe I'd make them pay to play too)
3. Food and drinks
4. Services, like PDF printing, miniature painting, and terrain making.
5. Renting tables to RPer's.

There would probably be a long bench for the CCG/CMG players, 10 or so mini/board game tables, and 3 or so RP tables. At a certain hour, it would be adults only.

I just need to find a good mini forum now. All of the good ones I use to post on are dead.

To address a few other things...
I wouldn't want to lend books unless folks put down a full price deposit for the book.
I would not rent PDF's. I could see some IP issues there, and it'd be bad for the publishers.
I would integrate electronics and climate control.
I would have a low, flat rate for the table. You're renting the table and chairs. There would be additional, smaller fee's for miniatures and the like.

I mean, honestly, how many people buy most of their gaming stuff at the game store anymore? Some people do, but most don't Amazon can move way more books at a far lower cost than a B&M store could. Further generations, who only know the Internet and probably found the game because of it, will probably buy product online. Soon those who feel like they have to "support" the game store will be fewer and fewer. PDF's are going to make this even worse, when they get mainstream.

So I would offer a place to play and foster a community. Every Gamer would be King.

 

[SolitonMan]

Oh, man, now that is a beautiful thought. I hadn't considered the gaming possibilities of one of those Surface rigs, before. Unfortunately, it'll probably be about a decade before the things come anywhere near my price range, but it's still nice to dream about what I could do with a big Surface table, a copy of Photoshop, and a few minatures. (Better yet, I can imagine miniatures with Surface-active electronics in their bases, for use with dedicated gaming software and OH MY GOD THE AWESOMENESS I WILL BE DREAMING ABOUT THIS ALL DAY.)

lol...sorry for the distraction!

Gaming possibilities were the first thing to enter my mind with this rig. Dedicated software, no further need for a real grid since each mini (or icon, depending) can be tracked for reach and movement - with terrain effects automagically accounted for - as well as vertical distances. I can just see, when your turn comes up, your mini is highlighted, and possible targets illuminated for ease of identification. Damn, now I'm making myself dream of the awesomeness!!

Yeah, it'll be a while until this is readily available in a commercial form. I'm wondering how much it would cost to build one...less than buying, but more than I could reasonably afford. If a gaming store could provide this, though, I'd have to seriously consider renting their space...

 

[kenobi65]

So I would offer a place to play and foster a community. Every Gamer would be King.

I think, as you're seeing, there may be some interest, but, my suspicion is that a lot of the people who would be interested in such a space wouldn't be able to pay as much as you'd want to charge.

It also seems like you're looking for a fair amount of income to come from food and beverage sales. Running any kind of operation in which you're preparing food gets you into a host of issues with health codes and such...and, if you blow an inspection, the health department will shut you down.

If you really want to go for this, I'd strongly suggest that you get some professional advice, and do a full business plan, figuring out what your cash flow is going to look like. I hate to be a party-pooper, but this starts to sound like a restaurant with (a) a lot of non-productive space, and (b) amazingly slow table turn.

 

[Drowbane]

Would you be willing to pay for a gaming location?

Many of us are doing that *now*. They're called houses and/or apartments. So, my initial response to your true question (about paying to play at a Game Store) would have to be an emphatic no.

However, after a few moments of reflection that changes to a maybe. If the store had plush, comfy chairs and snacks/drinks on hand to buy (for a very reasonable price), and an overall nice atmosphere (most gaming stores I've gamed at were NOISY, made it a pain in the ass to play).

And even then, thats only maybe.

...but then the game store building was damaged badly in a wind storm and had to be emergency moved and when it found a new location a few months later, it only had an open floor for gaming, and was much noisier (all concrete, warehouse style space)...

Oh dang, I just noticed you're in Portland. I'm not native to the area, so the Rose City thing went over my head. I was shocked when the building got fubared in that storm. Crazy. I'm glad to see the place back up and running.

 

[Odhanan]

Would you bring your game to a store where you pay to play?

Not really, no.

 

[DM-Rocco]

That is really a hard question to answer. Sure, you are are talking $5 for a table for the whole night including minis and comfy chairs, and it was located centrally with really good hours and seperate rooms, sure, why not.

However, if the location was not in a good spot and if it was an hourly charge, even a low hourly charge, the only advantage would be free mini's.

Plus it would cost you a small fortune to sell beer and drinks.

I could see where it might take off for youths without a steady place to play, but if you are older, I have the same theory on that as I do on going to a bar. Why go to a bar to drink when I can drink at home for half the cost and just invite friends over?