Internet/Gaming Cafe Ideas

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jamesvini

132 posts

Master Geek

#38637 3-Aug-2009 08:52

I have always thought about starting my own Net/gaming cafe and was wondering what would you guys have in it?

The ones here in christchurch are pretty dingey and most have no toilet.
The computers are old and they havent updated the games since call of duty 4.

I think i would have separate areas for net users like tourists that is lighted and bright.
Then another area for the WOW guys to make raids.
and another for FPS players to storm the front.

Also maybe a few xboxes and playstations.

i could go on for eons.

what do you think?
what would you like to see?

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120 posts

Master Geek

#241696 3-Aug-2009 10:04

I say it's a great idea, also, would be great to have some couches, a coffee machine, etc. Have you thought about what you'd use for your telecommunications needs? Telstra cable, CID, Snap?

jamesvini

132 posts

Master Geek

#241698 3-Aug-2009 10:10

if money was no option i would say fiber would be sweet. but for a start telstra cable has good ping.
couches and coffee great idea.
maybe so food stuffs? Pizza Oven?

Decimate

120 posts

Master Geek

#241720 3-Aug-2009 11:07

Yeah short of fibre, Telstras the next best option. Pizza over is good idea too, relativly cheap, oh and a drinks machine! Hey, if you'd consider a business partner, I'd be keen =D

jamesvini

132 posts

Master Geek

#241736 3-Aug-2009 11:57

Cool. i think i would wait till the economy wasnt so "Whoa!"

but where in nz do you think the best place for a cafe would be?

friedCrumpet

271 posts

Ultimate Geek

#241783 3-Aug-2009 13:24

jamesvini: Cool. i think i would wait till the economy wasnt so "Whoa!"

Nah now is a good time to get things off the ground, low interest rates for loans - empty shops might mean you can score a good location and maybe even a good deal on rental...

Differentiate yourself from the cheap and nasty internet cafes by actually offering the cafe part - really good food, good coffee (for those that care), offer a good range of energy drinks. Good service... Possibly you will want to have a big shop so you can segregrate the PC's away from the cafe part (but still have it set up in such a way that they can receive food/drink service). Have couches and some PS3s/360s (you'll need to charge or enforce timelimits on these somehow, maybe no purchase no gaming). There will be some people who just want to come in for the food and the 'gamer' atmosphere (like me! :P).

Can't stress how much good service makes the difference. Snobby staff who don't do as much as smile at you when they bring your food/clear up are just off putting.

As for where I'd vote Wellington city so I could visit :)

jamesvini

132 posts

Master Geek

#241796 3-Aug-2009 14:11

Good thought about the Locations they are for sale everywhere.
most of the place i go are so dirty and have no food just red bull and sticky keyboards.

Didn't they have a massive gaming cafe up the top end of cortney place?

macuser

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#241799 3-Aug-2009 14:19

Put it close to a uni and have on offer Wacom Tablets, cheap printing high resolution colour printing/scanning and large monitors with Adobe Creative suit.

A lot of people need that kind of stuff but can't afford to buy the software, also, have it really well lit and well maintained.

Don't try place yourself in the market of pale chubby kids, open it up to students and professionals.

I got a rash from a netcafe once, was a bad deal...

Sharesies

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jamesvini

132 posts

Master Geek

#241803 3-Aug-2009 14:33

macuser:

I got a rash from a netcafe once, was a bad deal...

That certainly was different from what you ordered.
thanks for the info.
But i don't think you can afford to get rid of the dark white chubby kids.
i think a section where they could game together would be good.
and then i would just have to sterilize those comps the most.

Ragnor

8223 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#241825 3-Aug-2009 15:29

I think the business case is pretty weak.

Fairly high fixed startup costs (computers, desks, chairs), fairly high monthly running costs (power, net, staff) and fairly low earning potential (a few dollars per customer per hour).

jamesvini

132 posts

Master Geek

#241827 3-Aug-2009 15:35

yeah thats the trouble with places like this, What you need is a hook.
some thing that would bring people in.

friedCrumpet

271 posts

Ultimate Geek

#241838 3-Aug-2009 15:53

That's why I suggested focusing on the cafe part more than providing computers - no one else really does that. I'd love a place where I could go with a friend for a coffee break or to have lunch and be able to play a few rounds of street fighter, or halo or whatever.

Let's face it gaming is pretty mainstream these days, I don't see why a classy cafe with a nice atmosphere wouldn't bring in the punters.

magu

Professional yak shaver
1599 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

BitSignal

Lifetime subscriber

#241848 3-Aug-2009 16:09

Add strippers and blackjack. Never fails!

Seriously, though: close to uni IS a safe bet.

[EDIT: Spell-checked!]

"Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads." - Doc Emmet Brown

jamesvini

132 posts

Master Geek

#241857 3-Aug-2009 16:21

fighting pit as well.

what about the atmosphere?
camo netting?
sand bags?

Prime

49 posts

Geek

#243206 5-Aug-2009 19:45

For a start up gimmick, run competitions and get sponsors from gaming companys, microsoft, nvidia etc, then you can make annual gaming comps, best of the best etc....

jamesvini

132 posts

Master Geek

#243420 6-Aug-2009 12:09

thats a really good idea i think to do that you would have to open some place cetral likw welly not gore.

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