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Fast Forward to FunNovember 12, 2018
Patrick Michael, Sega Amusements International
Kyle Berger, Betson Enterprises
Steve Paris, Elaut USA, Inc.
Jim Bennington, Lucky Strike Entertainment
Moderator – Nick DiMatteo, Dave & Buster’s
SoftwareWhat goes into making a successful game?
CAFFEINE + SWEAT & TEARS
TIME REMAINING BEFORE IAAPA
SoftwareWhat goes into making a successful game?
CAFFEINE + SWEAT & TEARS
TIME REMAINING BEFORE IAAPA
Software
CONCEPT
4 Basic Questions
• Who is it for?
• What is new/unique?
• What 3 keywords describe it?
• How do you play it?
Three Key Words
• Casual
• Fast paced
• Metal
SoftwareWhat goes into making a successful game?
®2017 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. ®2017 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ®2017 Sega. All Rights Reserved.
Software
FEASIBILITY “Basic R & D”
• Test Rigs?
• Prototyping?
• Software?
• Play Testing?
SoftwareWhat goes into making a successful game?
Software
DESIGN
• Game Design Document (GDD)
• Storyboards
• Game flow
• Operating
• Design Review (Hardware)
• Controls
• Development Kits
• Cabinet features
SoftwareWhat goes into making a successful game?
®2017 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. ®2017 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ®2017 Sega. All Rights Reserved.
SoftwareWhat goes into making a successful game?
DEVELOPMENT
• Prototype (Vertical Slice)
• Internal Test
• Alpha
• R & D Test
• Beta (Feature Complete)
• Site Test
• Release Candidate
• QA Site Test
• Gold Master (Package)
• Manufacturing
Develop
Test
Develop
Test
Develop
Test
Package
Release
SoftwareTargeting games to demographics
Key Questions
• Who will play your game?
• Where will they play your
game?
• Is your game inclusive?
• How can it be more….
SoftwareTargeting games to demographics
Create positive reinforcement for casual players
• Progression
• Instant Gratification
• Experiential Gameplay
DAYTONA® is a registered trademark of the International Speedway, Inc. and licensed to International Speedway Corporation.
SoftwareTargeting games to demographics
Don’t Forget Your Core Players
• Depth for those who look
• Achievements
• Special Techniques
• Unlockable content
®2017 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. ®2017 Paramount Pictures Corporation. All Rights Reserved. ®2017 Sega. All Rights Reserved.
SoftwareTargeting games to demographics
Learn from Your Mistakes
• Document everything
• Post mortem every game
• Constantly refine standards
SoftwareTargeting games to demographics
Empower the Operator
• More options
• Recommend Settings
• Customise for:
• The Territory
• The Location
• The Event
What is the right type of game room for my business?
• Vision• Additional attractions• Market• Demographics• Game room space, location within facility• What revenues are projected for the facility?
Right Size the Game Room
• Determine appropriate number of games and player stations by:• Looking at game revenue potential• Evaluating space availability
• Determine whether you want:• Redemption or non-redemption• Attended or unattended
• Look at employee bandwidth and costs:• Technical needs (cleaning and repairing games, replacing merchandise,
servicing games)• Customer needs (redemption counter attendant, game room staff)
3rd Party Solution or Do It Yourself?Choosing a 3rd Party Solution
• When to choose a 3rd Party Solution• You don’t have the technical skills• You don’t have the funds or financial ability• You don’t have the time to dedicate to operating the room
• What will a 3rd party provide?• Typically work in smaller game rooms• Sometimes provide card system, sometimes work on tokens/quarters• Provide on-site service• Provide game rotation• Can help with merchandise/prizes, and sometimes with game room staffing
3rd Party Solution or Do It Yourself?Choosing to Do It Yourself
• Optimize game room selection and mix of categories
• Determine technician and staffing needs
• Determine what kind of payment system you need
• Determine right number of games and appropriate budget
How to Pay for the Games?
• Cash in advance
• Extended payment terms (open account)
• Traditional financing
• Leasing
Sources of Financing
• Local lenders• You may already have relationship with them• They know your business• They may not understand our world as well
• Industry lenders• Understand our business very well• Value experience and “skin in the game”
• Direct lenders• Lenders for their own products• Manufacturers or distributors (limited number offer financing)• Can get comfortable more easily than bigger banks
What makes a game most appealing?
• Simplicity
• Bells and Whistles
• Competition
• Winner, Winner, Chicken
Dinner
What makes a game most appealing?
• Stop a Light
• Drop a Ball
• Shoot a Coin
• Throw a Ball
• Spin a Wheel
• Swing a Mallet
Simplicity is key!
Bells & Whistles– Light shows that grab their attention
– Colors and Graphics
– Game Sounds
• Attract mode
• Game play
• Properly placed sounds
Winner, Winner, Chicken Dinner
The more frequently people are winning the more
they stay engaged and play.
How does hardware impact the game
experience?
• Position of controls
• Size matters!
• Display properties
• Put the player in the
game
We are together a part of something larger
than a collection of individuals
– Communicate the vision
– Do it with them, don’t just tell them to do it
– Give them a voice
Leading Your Team to be Impactful
EQUIPMENT: EVALUATING & IMPLEMENTATION
“How do you know what to put in the room?”
-Does it FIT? Literally!-Will it go thru the door?-Does the game compliment the space?-Does the games placement make sense?-Does the game meet Municipality requirements?-Does the game resonate with out guests?-What are the market influencers?-What infrastructure concerns impact placement?
GAME CARDS:SELLING FUN
• MAXIMIZE GAME CARD SALES OPPERTUNITIES IN EVERY REVEUNE CENTER
• DO NOT SACRIFICE THE VALUE
• OF PLAY TO SELL A BURGER!
• BUILD IN NATURAL UP-SELLS
• GAMES ARE NOT LOSS LEADERS
• BUILD YOUR BRAND ON INTEGRITY
• PLAY TO THE CROWD YOU WANT,
NOT THE CROWD YOU HAVE
CROSS PROMOTEARCADE SALES IN
EACH REVENUE CENTER
CREATE FLOW & TRANSITION POINTS THAT
LEAD TO THE ARCADE
BUILT INTO THE D.N.A.
RETURN
• P/L IMPACTS
• LABOR POOL SKILL SET
• UNIQUNESS OF THE GAME
ON / OPERATION
• LABOR IMPACT
• MAXIMUM THROUGHPUT
• SEASONALITY
INVESTMENT
• PLANNING
• CONSTRUCTION
• EXECUTION
PEOPLE• “HIRE SMART OR MANAGE
TOUGH”• GUEST ENGAGEMENT/RECOVERY• STRATIGIC VENDOR RELATIONS
OPERATIONS• EASY TO EXECUTE• LABOR IMPACTS• HOURLY STAFF BUY-IN
PROFIT• “IF YOU CAN’T MEASURE IT, YOU
CAN’T MANAGE IT”• “ORDER IT WELL, RECEIVE IT
WELL & USE IT WITH INTENT”• MANUFACTURE SUPPORT
P.O.P. R.O.I.