Quote Originally Posted by Leo_A View Post
Personally, I'd be inclined to spend more in total if plays were more reasonable, 25 or 50 cents, than I would at a dollar.

I don't know about anyone else, but blowing $5 in a arcade and getting at least 10 games if it's 50 cents is a lot more attractive than a dollar a game and 5 games for that money. I probably wouldn't even go in (Unless it had some nice classics) if games were $1 and I certainly wouldn't make a return visit after discovering that.

Just something to keep in mind when thinking about prices since a lot of people go into an arcade thinking about spending a certain amount of money to have some fun, not the number of times they're going to play. So if they planned to hang around and spend $5, many would end up spending the same amount at 50 cents as they would at one dollar. And at 50 cents (Or even 25 cents), you're encouraging return visits since it's more economical and you're helping keep your customers there longer, which helps spur on the competition that's been mentioned already as an important factor to arcades.

Getting their money quick at $1 a play just drives them out the door that much quicker and makes it less likely that competitive spirit that makes people keep putting quarters in to beat the other guy will ever develop. Two people have to be at the arcade at the same time for a competition and decreasing the length of their stay makes it that less likely the visits of any two customers will ever overlap.

The only time it even remotely feels like I'm getting my money's worth at $1 is with a sitdown arcade racer.

I'm not sure how 25 cents and 50 cents is supposed to be reasonable now with inflation. People are so spoiled by that 25/50 thing from the 80s. I mean, what do you think when you go and get food, go to the movies, get gas? Why does the "arcade" have to be 25 cents and 50 cents still. It's highly illogical.

We do charge 25 cents for everything except drivers which are 50 cents, but SSF4 Arcade is 75 cents. Still cheaper than basic Japan 100 Yen ($1.18 or so a play) and the game was $15,000.

Not sure how games should be that cheap still when you have a very small window to make your money back on it...

Competition they are going to play anyway. If we're the only place in 6 states with it, they are going to pay whatever it is to play the game. 75 cents is HIGHLY reasonable all things considered.

This return play thing you are talking about..we're the only "real" arcade in the state, ...I mean, entertainment wise it's cheaper than anything available. $3 here and $3 there from a return customer but that doesn't pay the bills always and with maintenance on machines it makes absolutely no sense.

I just know this. With a new game $100 a day is a lot better than $50 a day.