I've always been of the opinion that a LAN center can't make it just based on having "better" machines or technology or game selection than users do at home.
I'm not worried about having better machines or tech honestly I don't want to spend thousands of dollars on PC's and accessories for them to be abused as anything used by the general public usually is.
Game selection on the other hand I think is very important. If I don't have the games they want to play it doesn't matter what games I do have. What's funny is that most of the people that ask about the game selection haven't ever been here. Now when a new game does come out and the customer asks if I have it and I say yes their eyes light up and they are excited to try a new game instead of the older ones they've been playing for months or weeks. I pay attention to what the customers want. Now if one or two ask for a game that I don't see doing well then I explain why we have to be so selective about the titles we choose to buy. The titles I listed are top tier games for the most part. I'm not sure there is a center out there that won't get MW3, Skyrim, and Ultimate MvC3 the others I could take or leave.
Most of my customers might have a PS3 or a 360 or a PC, but I don't think many of them have all three. Now why would I not want to add as many new releases as possible or that I can afford to my library of games?
I sell the social aspect of this place, I sell that they can escape real life for a few hours, I sell that they can try the hottest new titles without dropping $65 on a game that "might" be worth it, I sell that our internet connection is one of the fastest anywhere in town, I sell it however I can get some one to buy it. I feel like this place is a safe place to have a good time and the parents of some customers appreciate that in fact most all of my customers appreciate that.
I feel that between the ages of 12 and 21 there are very few options as far as activities for that age group. If you're too old for Chucky Cheese and too young to go to a bar or pool hall then what are your options? Well in our town: the movie theater, bowling alley, or skating ring. (oh and of course Level Up) We offer a wider variety of things to do and we are cheaper than most of those places to boot.
If an individual buys 1 copy of each game I listed that's $520. Where as they can come try it here for $3 per hour (even less if they buy more time). Why not use that as a selling point too? Isn't that just one more reason for someone to come here and play? I'm not going to limit myself to people that just want to come here to play with their friends. I want everyone to come here and play no matter what their reasons are. Most of the customers that come here to play do so for reasons all their own. Whether it's that they don't have a specific game or system at home, enjoy the atmosphere, enjoy all playing together, or one of the other many reasons I've listed.
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