(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); I was wondering if you guys would be able to help out with an idea I have had for sometime. What, I would like to do is open a gaming cafe. (Similar to a PC gaming cafe but with game consoles) There seems to be some issues with copyright laws and if I invested money to open a business I want to make sure I am doing it right. I have some questions and if you are willing to take the time to answer them all or just a few it would greatly appreciated.

Imagine a place where you could get some of your friends together in the same place and play games against each other or other teams. A place where you can get away from the stresses of home and get away for a while. A place where you may spend $20.00 for a night of entertainment and feels like a home away from home.

I would like to offer food and beverages, what foods do you think would be easy to offer or what "snacks" would you like to have?

I am going to use Call of Duty as an example:

I would like to charge an hourly rate for people to come in and use the consoles. I would like have tournaments and give out prizes. It is even legal for me to do this or do I need permission from Activision? If I need permission how do I get it? I have sent several emails to Activision and have not heard any responses.

Does anyone know the proper steps to contact them? Or any other game publishers?

Do you guys think it would be easier to set up PS3's or XBOX 360's? Which do you think would bring in more customers?

Is there a way for someone to come in and use their account on my consoles? That way if someone was 10th prestige they could use their classes.

I would like to have theme nights such as ladies night where ladies would play free. What other themes do you think would be good?

I would also like to buy and sell used games similar to “GameStop” but with a more reasonable value for games traded in.

I know I have asked a lot of questions and if you can answer any of them or give your opinions if a place like this would even do well, I would much appreciate it.

I have been a so called “bottom dweller” on this site and have always appreciated reading other peoples posts and find most the answers useful or at least amusing.

Of course if I was ever to open such a place, I would offer discounts to members of NEXTGENUPDATE. I would like to take care of those who took the time to answer my questions. The "cafe" would be in the Orlando, Fl area.

P.S. If I posted this is the wrong area or violated any terms of posting. I apologize in advance..

Hourly rate sounds good, some snacks.. chips in bowls, cookies, anything to munch on an not notice really... for drinks... energy drinks, coffee, pop and water.
I would go with xbox 360 as it is easier to use online. And I would also sell microsoft points there. That way when the xbox users come in, and a map pack is up, they are tempted to buy it for their account...

Thats all my input, hope this helps

well if you let ppl bring their own games you wont be in any trouble with gamemakers... but i doubt you would have to worry about that... also you have to keep in mind there are always those trouble makers who would want to steal and vandalize... maybe security cameras?
have half the room ps3 half xbox...
how many consoles you plan on having? what size room? there are many things you still have to think about and make sure u have everything perfectly planned before starting out on a project so big.. you got something going here =D

20 consoles is what I was thinking. The thing I am mainly worried about is it even legal for me to charge money for using a XBOX 360, PS3 or any games associated with either. I would like to have 18, 36-42" HD TV's and 2 bigger TV's for feature matches.

I also work in Law Enforcement so I know all about theft and vandalism, lol.

This does sound like a good idea, but i think you've still got a massive ammount left to think about.

And if i'm honest your better off seeing a business advisor than asking a gaming website, as we will only be able to tell you so much.

Definately look into it more though.....

this is a great idea if its legal do it. if it was near me i would go there. it would be a great place to try new games play with friends and meet new friends. snacks not so sure it makes controllers greasy, but energy drinks and soda are always big with gamers. it would be expensive so be prepared for that and make sure the systems dont overheat(mainly aimed at any 360s you might have).

Well, a little update. I found a business for sale that is very close to what I want to open. It is located in one of the larger resorts near Disney, Sea World and Universal. I would have business from those who are staying at the resort but I am afraid people not staying at the resort would not want to come. Supposedly the cost of the business includes the cost of the licensing for the games. Anyone have thoughts on if they would come to a place already located in a resort. Would people on vacation miss their PS3's and XBOX 360's so much they would want to spend money to play while on vacation?

im moveing to orlando soon so i would love this lol and about the snacks i would buy cases for the system u wouldent want some kid spilling soda all over your system and you have to make sure the kids are old enough to play some of the game you could get in trouble for leting a 6 year old play call of duty

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ok i go to orlando almost evry mounth because my family is looking for houses when i saty at resorts im barley there im always out at the theme parks but when im stuck at the resort and have nothing to do i would defenetly be willing to pay to play ps3 but then most people who come to orlando are there for the atractions and theme parks this could work or fail its a big risk so good luck

well good idea someone around me made a place just like this it was more computer games but they had 3 xboxes and 3 ps3 as well they charged by the month or year and it was 20 dollars a month for unlimited games and they had soda and small bags of chips and stuff as far as getting a hold of activison and all that im not sure of but trust me its a good idea i didnt go my little brother did and the place was always filled with people


and think about if your on vaction at night when you get home to the hotel what is there to do nothing usually it would great to walk downstairs and have 360 or ps3 and get to sign into your account and play your favorite game if you can do it i would

Well, first off, I like the idea. It sounds like a winner especially with more and more kids gaming these days. One idea I thought to add, was to have data ports available so customers could bring there own consoles and pay less for the hourly / monthly / yearly rate. You might want to keep Wii's available as well, this would bring in more ladies for the rest of the nerds there. Really, what you're proposing is an arcade, in it's simplest form. Now, if you could set it up like that some how or way, that would make a killing. For example, charge $1 to play a game of team deathmatch. The player goes until his team loses or X amount of winning games have been played in a row. LAN battles and tournaments would be a great idea as well. Also, for your question regarding Ladies night and theme nights. Do Call of Duty 4 Mondays, Madden Football Tuesdays, COD WAW Thursday's etc. will specials on each game. For Example, buy any two games of COD and a snack to receive a free drink or however you want to set it up. The only problem with all of this is the legality of the issue. When you go see a movie at a movie theater it costs you $10 lets say. Well, how much do you think the movie theater had to pay in order to play that movie? I don't know exactly, but I bet it's a 5-6 figure amount. But on the other hand, if they are your consoles and your games that you purchased and the customers are using your internet to play online, it may be okay because you purchased the right to do all of that. So in a nutshell, it would be the same as having friends over to play your ps3, except many many friends (customers) with several consoles. I think you are on to something good here and I hope my rambling helped a little with your brainstorming. My 2 cents..