Your "perfect" game stop [Updated Again].

[Phoenix]

Let's say you could run the "perfect" gaming store.

What 2 days of the week would you let the owner have off?

He's the boss, any two days he wants to take off!

What hours of the day would you frequent the store?

1pm weekends

What games would you like the owner to sell and/or provide space to play?

heroclix, attacktix, although I suppose all the card games should be included too although I've never played them

What games would you rather not have taking up space?

A gigantic shelf of overpriced role-playing hardback books

Would you go there to play online games?

no way, not into LAN parties

If so, what would you consider a reasonable hourly fee/yearly membership?

N/A

If the store sold sealed product for 20% more than Wal-Mart, but offered 10% student discounts; buy 5, get 1 free deals, and had other offers (like discounts for grade point average for students) that further reduced prices by 10% on occasion, would you buy your sealed product at the game store or at Wal-Mart?

Yes

If the store sold product for the same price as Wal-Mart, would you be willing to pay for table space to play casual games?

Yes

If so, what would you consider a reasonable fee?

2.50/person

Would you participate in tournaments for various games?

yes

If so, which games?

attacktix

Which tournament times best suit your schedule: Friday night, Saturday, Sunday afternoon?

any of those

If you are a tournament player, do you prefer "constructed" tournaments, where everyone has prepared game elements they own and bring, or sealed/draft tournaments, where everyone gets new product and has to build their game elements from what they get at the tournament site?

I honestly like them both.

[redemptionrocks]

Let's say you could run the "perfect" gaming store.

What 2 days of the week would you be least likly to go?
Sundays and...er..wensdays
What hours of the day would you frequent the store?
when ever I felt like.

What games would you like the owner to sell and/or provide space to play?
Rpgs, Ccgs, and LAN games e.g. Counter Strike.

What games would you rather not have taking up space?
Model kit type games. e.g. warhammer

Would you go there to play online games?
Yes.
If so, what would you consider a reasonable hourly fee/yearly membership?
5 an hour/ 3 with yearly member ship 3
If the store sold sealed product for 20% more than Wal-Mart, but offered 10% student discounts; buy 5, get 1 free deals, and had other offers (like discounts for grade point average for students) that further reduced prices by 10% on occasion, would you buy your sealed product at the game store or at Wal-Mart?
Yes
If the store sold product for the same price as Wal-Mart, would you be willing to pay for table space to play casual games?
Yes
If so, what would you consider a reasonable fee?
5-15 bux for 2-3 hours
Would you participate in tournaments for various games?
yes
If so, which games?
MTG, Attacktix, Redemption ccg
Which tournament times best suit your schedule: Friday night, Saturday, Sunday afternoon?
Friday night, Sat afternoon
If you are a tournament player, do you prefer "constructed" tournaments, where everyone has prepared game elements they own and bring, or sealed/draft tournaments, where everyone gets new product and has to build their game elements from what they get at the tournament site?
Both as it is in all redemption ccg tourniments. Reasons why. Sealed deck/Booster draft Adds more luck, fun, deck building skill, and Fairness *a kid with not alot of money 4 a good deck can win it*. While open you see alot of diferent stratagies and learn alot more.

[anton]

lordgravesmythe said:

Let's say you could run the "perfect" gaming store.

What 2 days of the week would you let the owner have off?

Make the "weekend" Monday and Tuesday.

Erm...How about this: What two days are you least likely to visit a game store?

What hours of the day would you frequent the store?

Lunch (11-1), after dinner 7-10pm ish.

What games would you like the owner to sell and/or provide space to play?

All games. I'm not a prude.

What games would you rather not have taking up space?

If I had to choose, it would be the schlock you can pick up at a Target or Walmart. You can't compete on price anyway.

Would you go there to play online games?

Nope - too easy to stay at home with the cablemodem. I can also game until the sun rises at home....

If so, what would you consider a reasonable hourly fee/yearly membership?

If the store sold sealed product for 20% more than Wal-Mart, but offered 10% student discounts; buy 5, get 1 free deals, and had other offers (like discounts for grade point average for students) that further reduced prices by 10% on occasion, would you buy your sealed product at the game store or at Wal-Mart?

I always try to support the local game store first, but sometimes they are 30-50% more expensive. Then my wallet makes the decision for me.

If the store sold product for the same price as Wal-Mart, would you be willing to pay for table space to play casual games?

Yes, but I think some of that should go back into store credit. I think it would create a more robust gaming environment with plenty of repeat gamers.

If so, what would you consider a reasonable fee?

I'd say a $10/mo membership would be do-able. Either that or $2.50 and event is fair. You could also use that money as store credit for the game you were playing - or give the winner of the game a $5 credit or something like that.

Would you participate in tournaments for various games?

Depends on which games.

If so, which games?

Hard to say what I'd be up for, but of course Attacktix and some of the German boardgames.

Which tournament times best suit your schedule: Friday night, Saturday, Sunday afternoon?

Saturdays.

If you are a tournament player, do you prefer "constructed" tournaments, where everyone has prepared game elements they own and bring, or sealed/draft tournaments, where everyone gets new product and has to build their game elements from what they get at the tournament site?

[/i]

Sealed. It's only fair, relies on skill and not finances. (see Magic the Gathering)

[redemptionrocks]

lol sad thing, 1st time i played magic *ok 2nd* I played sealed....I built a functional deck....i used it for a long time till i got more cards....

[anton]

I think you're missing a good chunk of the miniatures market - Star Wars mini's, Axis and Allies, Heroscape, etc. Especially SW and A&A with blind boosters similar to the Attacktix line.

And don't forget the Pirates of the Spanish Main, Crimson Coast, etc.

Set your shop up next to a Starbuck's and some fast food joints and you're golden.

[redemptionrocks]

A personal fav ccg that has never had enuff publicity is redemption ccg check it out at www.cactusgamedesign.com i know its religious but if u look at the gaming...the staratagies r endless...

[redemptionrocks]

Hm..Maybe maybe not it is your shop and your call..i myself play 3 diff games 2 ccgs and atttacktix...

[anton]

25000 is a pretty small base for a full-time game store - unless you included video game sales as well. The smaller the population, the greater the variety that would be needed to capture needed revenue streams to keep your shop alive.

You need to find out what people in your area are playing. Also, find out why the other guy had to close up shop. It just might not be sustainable.

Gamers are an odd bunch though in that I know of more than a few people that will travel 1/2hr to 1hr or so for a gaming session.

[redemptionrocks]

Not like id ever EVER do that *makes his mom drive him and hour 4 turnies*

[redemptionrocks]

guy sounds like an idiot if you ask me. I understand other gamers being employies and paying them in items but they need to be set aside first and tell them that is thier pay anything removed will come from your pay and if continued ou will be fired. But anyways, good luck. Selling drinks and candy bars are a good idea tho.

[bobafett]

tournaments on weekend nights is liable to get you nothing but nerds, oui.
sorry, forgot where i was for a second.