Open Letter to GameWorks... thought I'd share

I am so disappointed with GameWorks that I have an open letter ready to email to their corporate office. Here is the text of it:


Dear Sirs,

I am a regular patron of GameWorks at Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH. Lately some things have not been
to my satisfaction.

For one, your versions of Dance Dance Revolution are sadly outdated. While other places have 5th, 6th, and 7th mix... you have 3rd Mix and Dance Dance Revolution USA.
Don't you think you should update them to boost interest? Guitar Freaks also could be upgraded to 2nd Mix or higher. Japan has several newer versions of Guitar Freaks, right on up to 7th Mix.

Your Easton location is slow on adding new games. Late in April, I saw Jurassic Park 3. That was the only new game I saw for awhile. On Tuesday June 11, I noticed that Monkey Ball had been added to the lineup. It's good to see a new game, but that's an awful long time between new games. Police 911 2 has also been released by Konami, yet we're still stuck with the original version.

Also, I have noticed a relative lack of variety in the games. Most of your machines are either gun games, racing games, or deluxe machines. I know of some pretty interesting games from Japan such as DoDonPachi Dai-ou-jou, Ikaruga, G-Stream, and Strikers 1945 III. I really wish I could find them at my GameWorks location- these games would give me more of a reason to visit. Honestly, you should give these games a chance... people I've conversed with on message boards would like to see these. Chances are these games will rake in a bit more revenue than you'd expect, since they are a break from the usual GameWorks fare.

If you wish to add some classic games, you can get an Ultracade cabinet. This lets you store loads of classic games in a little bit of floor space. Ultracade.com offers you some info on this.

I'm going to be honest with you... the prices on the games are too high. I and several of my friends were upset that the Happy Hour double gameplay promotion was discontinued. We loved this, especially since it was a real break from the frankly steep
prices ranging from 4 to 6 quarters per game.

I enjoy meeting my friends at Gameworks for drinks and games. Please consider my suggestions for improvements so that Gameworks is always the place for us to go.

All those points you mentioned sum up why arcades are dying. With the closed-minded mentality of many arcade operators, I'd just as soon see them disappear.

Only half-decent arcades left in the city of Dallas, that I know of at least, are a Tilt at Valley View Mall which has some great games. Unfortunately, I don't live in that part of the city anymore. The other is the Tilt at the West End Market Place ALL the way in Downtown where they have the entire BASEMENT dedicated to arcade games.

Pretty much everything else has gone down the crapper. Though, there is a Nickelrama fairly close to me I really should stop by one of these days, heard some good things about it... :)

OK, I hope you didn't send it yet, because I'm gonna help you touch it up a bit.

First of all, there is probably a reason for their not spending money on games as of yet. I'm sure they calculated how much interest would decrease and found they would get more profit in the long run.

Second, start with the fact that you are a long time patron who is considering taking your and your friend's business elsewhere. If you make it seem like you are going to continue attending but will be "unhappy" they won't care. Also, speak not only for yourself, but for several others. Always say "we" and expain that you are a large group of attendees.

Third, they know about all the updates that are out there. THere is no need to explain what Japan has, or what they COULD do. They know. Tell them they should, and assume they know what you mean unless it isn't OBVIOUS.

Next, Gun Games, Racing Games, and deluxe machines is what GameWorks IS! Its a place for people to get drunk and laugh as they all fall over playing DDR and Top Skater. THey aren't going to rethink their business model, only the "hardcore" demographic plays shooters and Fighters, and none of them play at Gameworks. Still suggest it, as I would be interested to see thier response. Leave the part out about "You'd be surprised how much money they will take in" because they will take in squat, you know it, and they know it.

ALso, Don't ever mention "others on a message board". You sound lame. Say "sever other friends of mine who are also unsatisfied".

They know about Ultracade. They know what it is. They know where to get it. Just ask for it, don't try to "educate" them about it. If you have to say something, just say its a great value for its cost.

The part about the cost being too high is valid, but I doubt they will take notice. Do try to get "happy hour" or whatever reinstated, as that is feasable.

Your conclusion is great. Just say something along the lines of "We drop a lot of coin here, and we can take our business elsewhere" but of course in better words.

Now here is the best advice I will ever give you. PUT IT ON PAPER AND MAIL IT TO THEM. If you send them an email, it will be lost amid a pile of other emails. Real letters carry so much more weight. The company will know that if you took the time to put it on paper and send it in, then they know you are serious. I can elaborate on this, but unless you want to get a cookie cutter response email, send a Snail Mail letter. TRUST ME.

Knowledge Thrown down from the mountain, Mount Master

PS: Post Fu LIVES! (STBttF)

Master- I haven't sent it yet. Thanks for the suggestions. I made some adjustments to this letter, as well as condensing certain parts. The Snail Mail does sound like a better idea here.

Here's what the letter looks like at this moment:
_____________________________________________________________

Dear Sirs,

I am a regular patron of GameWorks at Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH. Many of my friends have enjoyed going to
GameWorks for awhile as well. However, we all have been quite disappointed lately to the point where we are contemplating
taking our business elsewhere.

Your Easton location is slow on adding new games. Late in April, I saw Jurassic Park 3. On Tuesday June 11, I noticed that Monkey Ball had been added to the lineup. A new game is good to see, but the lineup should be updated more often. Your Dance Dance Revolution, Police 911, and Guitar Freaks games are sadly outdated versions.

Also, your game selection lacks variety. Most of your machines are either gun games, racing games, or deluxe machines.
I really wish I could find games like DoDonPachi Dai-ou-jou, Ikaruga, G-Stream, and Strikers 1945 III at my GameWorks location-
while these games would likely be niche material, some of my friends have also expressed an interest in them.

One machine I'd like to see at GameWorks is the Ultracade. In my opinion, this one is an excellent value for its cost and floor space requirement.

I'm going to be honest with you... the prices on the games are too high. I and several of my friends were upset that the Happy Hour double gameplay promotion was discontinued. We loved this, especially since it was a real break from the frankly steep prices ranging from 4 to 6 quarters per game.

I enjoy meeting my friends at Gameworks for drinks and games. Please consider my suggestions for improvements so that Gameworks is always the place for us to go.

... Master made some great suggestions, and i think the second draft is much better...

Is this GameWorks a popular place to begin with, I mean if they throw all this money into all these updates will they make money?

Arcades in my area are dying out, not nearly as many people go as in the glory days of arcades, people play more games at home these days and the price of new arcade hardware is far more expensive for arcade owners so unless they make any sort of money all those kinds of upgrades are not financially smart and could end up more of a loss then they can afford to bear. New units cost on average $2,000 to $5,000 each and with the bigger cabinets some could run up to $10,000, old games are more cost effective for owners and unless they seem to be making a killing that is the way most owners go.

The new version of the letter is GREAT. Straight to the point.

Good show.

Quote:

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Originally posted by gameoverDude
I am so disappointed with GameWorks that I have an open letter ready to email to their corporate office. Here is the text of it:


Dear Sirs,

I am a regular patron of GameWorks at Easton Town Center in Columbus, OH. Lately some things have not been
to my satisfaction.

For one, your versions of Dance Dance Revolution are sadly outdated. While other places have 5th, 6th, and 7th mix... you have 3rd Mix and Dance Dance Revolution USA.
Don't you think you should update them to boost interest? Guitar Freaks also could be upgraded to 2nd Mix or higher. Japan has several newer versions of Guitar Freaks, right on up to 7th Mix.

Your Easton location is slow on adding new games. Late in April, I saw Jurassic Park 3. That was the only new game I saw for awhile. On Tuesday June 11, I noticed that Monkey Ball had been added to the lineup. It's good to see a new game, but that's an awful long time between new games. Police 911 2 has also been released by Konami, yet we're still stuck with the original version.

Also, I have noticed a relative lack of variety in the games. Most of your machines are either gun games, racing games, or deluxe machines. I know of some pretty interesting games from Japan such as DoDonPachi Dai-ou-jou, Ikaruga, G-Stream, and Strikers 1945 III. I really wish I could find them at my GameWorks location- these games would give me more of a reason to visit. Honestly, you should give these games a chance... people I've conversed with on message boards would like to see these. Chances are these games will rake in a bit more revenue than you'd expect, since they are a break from the usual GameWorks fare.

If you wish to add some classic games, you can get an Ultracade cabinet. This lets you store loads of classic games in a little bit of floor space. Ultracade.com offers you some info on this.

I'm going to be honest with you... the prices on the games are too high. I and several of my friends were upset that the Happy Hour double gameplay promotion was discontinued. We loved this, especially since it was a real break from the frankly steep
prices ranging from 4 to 6 quarters per game.

I enjoy meeting my friends at Gameworks for drinks and games. Please consider my suggestions for improvements so that Gameworks is always the place for us to go.

---

Nerdiest letter ever.

GameWorks is actually pretty popular here- in fact, it gets overcrowded on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I guess they're getting smug with their DDR machines, since those do get played a lot- even if they are 3rd Mix and DDR USA.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Werewolf
Is this GameWorks a popular place to begin with, I mean if they throw all this money into all these updates will they make money?

Arcades in my area are dying out, not nearly as many people go as in the glory days of arcades, people play more games at home these days and the price of new arcade hardware is far more expensive for arcade owners so unless they make any sort of money all those kinds of upgrades are not financially smart and could end up more of a loss then they can afford to bear. New units cost on average $2,000 to $5,000 each and with the bigger cabinets some could run up to $10,000, old games are more cost effective for owners and unless they seem to be making a killing that is the way most owners go.

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Quote:

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Originally posted by gameoverDude
GameWorks is actually pretty popular here- in fact, it gets overcrowded on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. I guess they're getting smug with their DDR machines, since those do get played a lot- even if they are 3rd Mix and DDR USA.

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Well if that's the case they might be able to swing some new machines, it never hurts to ask I suppose :)

You need to need put some more emotion into it.

Make it seem like your outraged at their inability to give their costumers what they want.

A little anger goes a long way.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Regus
You need to need put some more emotion into it.

Make it seem like your outraged at their inability to give their costumers what they want.

A little anger goes a long way.

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I agree. A long way...into the trash can.

You catch more flys with honey than with vinigar, my friend. :)

I did say a "little".

Of course an all out flame isn't going to get him anywhere, so he needs to be subtle and use some discretion.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Regus
I did say a "little".

Of course an all out flame isn't going to get him anywhere, so he needs to be subtle and use some discretion.

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Agreed. :)

Dude, I had no idea anyone else here lived near Columbus! I'm on the south side of town. I've gotta agree though, Gameworks has been prety fucking lame lately. Unfortunatly I didn't get into DDR untill they already moved it out, and now they got rid of it at the arcade in Eastland Mall! Oh well, they did get in Skins Game to replace it (strange choice) and I'm in love with it all over again.

Have you noticed that Dave & Busters is just as bad about getting new games? What is it with Columbus?

Yeah the Gameworks scene has died down in the past couple of years. But to their credit they are making money and are doing so by sticking with what works.

Its those deluxe machines, people spend their money on. Its those machines that can't really be played in their full splendor in the living-room. Would I like to see more niche games in Gameworks? Yes, I would. Could they afford to get a few? Yes. Do they need to completely redo their format. No.

There hasn't been a whole lot released for arcades in awhile. Sega and Namco are the life blood of America's arcade industry. Konami and Capcom add a little to the mix but not to the level at which Sega and Namco put forth. Sega and Namco have been actually putting forth more straight to home releases than arcade. Explaining the reason, Gameworks has not gotten many new games.

I am actually going to apply at the Gameworks in Chicago...err Schamburg this week. I need to get out of the TRU mentality which by the way sucks severe ass.

Later all,

Quote:

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Originally posted by Mr_B

I am actually going to apply at the Gameworks in Chicago...err Schamburg this week. I need to get out of the TRU mentality which by the way sucks severe ass.

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And so does working in an arcade.
Four years behind an apron has taught me that.

WAIT!

I'm somewhere near Columbus. All I ask is this:

Please, please mention Virtual On: Force in letter, somewhere. It's VERY pretty. It's four-player. I have a feeling it'll attract players.

That, and when (if) I go to Columbus in January, I want to play it. :)

OK. I'll get a mention in there for VO:F as well.

Quote:

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Originally posted by Tain
WAIT!

I'm somewhere near Columbus. All I ask is this:

Please, please mention Virtual On: Force in letter, somewhere. It's VERY pretty. It's four-player. I have a feeling it'll attract players.

That, and when (if) I go to Columbus in January, I want to play it. :)

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Quote:

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Originally posted by gameoverDude
GameWorks is actually pretty popular here- in fact, it gets overcrowded on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.

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Where? Seattle? I go there every once in a while.