Journal TibbonZero's Journal: LAN Gaming Centre 4
Ok, so here's my ideas about a LAN gaming centre. I have been thinking of these for a long time, and talked to alot of people.
If you use something from this idea, well please tell me, I would like to work with you on it, and if it's an Original Idea, please credit me some, drop a check, something, free gaming at least dammit!
For one, you have to have a goal. And you have to make it a goal that can't be easily replaced by technologies (Broadband, home LANs, etc.)
The goal is to have the best gaming experience possible. Nothing short of the best will draw customers. This isn't about replacing computers every three years, this is about the best, of everything, at all times. It makes it a hard startup, but that's it required.
So, you have to keep everything in mind of making this the most awesome place ever, even a little extravagant. Well, what do geeks like?
Gaming
Girls
Caffine
Movies
Music
Ok, well that isn't too hard. Well the girls perhaps is, but if it's a cool place, with movies, and music, they will come too.
You also have to look at what will make the money. Enterance fees, movies, gaming and food will all make you a ton of money.
So moreso, how do we go on to make this the best gaming experience???
Well, let's start with the gaming itself, and branch from there.
You need computers, and not just any computers, the best for gaming. Geforce 4 ti 4600 or whatever is the fastest at the time. Perhaps try to advertise products with large banners, or cut a deal with nVidia to get cards cheaper. You need to keep on top of things. I would say 32 main computers to play on is needed. That splits into groups of 8 (teams) pretty well, and is easily moveable to 48, or 64 (the goal should be over 128).
These 32 computers need to be the best. Well how do you keep them the best without spending $400 on a new video card each time? You dont!!! However, you sell that video card as soon as the next one comes out. You should be able to get these things in bulk at this size. Have them preordered. Sell off the other cards used the day that the new ones come in. Do the same for processors, boards, memory, etc. The only thing that these systems don't need is a huge hard drive. Well 40gb isn't considered huge by today's standards, but I think it's more than enough. 7200 rpm or above. SCSI is nice, but won't turn over quite as fast in reselling.
So you need to have a store, to sell new and used parts at. (Make sure to stress that the used parts are gently used). Overclocking really shouldn't be needed. No one is going to notice the difference in 200fps and 201fps.
So now you have your systems? Well what's special about them. A computer looks kinda silly really. The computers should be in a room away from the players. They shouldn't be able to kick them or whatever. You need good screens. LCDs are nice, but a little bit much. I would say go with 21 inch CRT displays. Perhaps even use a few tri display systems (Matrox Card). You need a nice sound system. Forget that, a killer sound system for each computer. You need a few keyboard and mouse options, because people like different things. USB all the way. When they 'get' a computer, they should choose their USB device, and go plug it in. Perhaps use a Smartcard system for keeping track of players (although hackable nontheless). preferences.
The computer should be configured for speed, and that's done by booting everything fresh from the network every morning, and at lunch hour (actually right before that).
Well, we haven't talked about the network yet. 100mb networking is fine for each group of 8 computers, but really, let's get with the times. Gigabit networking between the switches is needed. These computers shouldn't be directly attached to the net, and I recommend some way of keeping the people out of Windows or Linux access directly for these systems. We don't really need people messing with stuff.
There should be a lounge area to hang out in, with screens that tell stats, and images of current tournaments.
Not every thing in the place should be viewable from one spot. Encourage clans to get together and rent out the 8 person rooms for a good price. Allow only laptops to be brought in, and let people surf wirelessly, with membership. Allow only registered Mac addresses in.
Food and drink are a must. Good food at that, have a small kitchen that can actually serve food better than the theatre. Make money off it, but don't kill the people, try to make a little everywhere, instead of a ton in one place. Caffinee is needed. Stay open really late. Offer to stay open as late as people will prepay for.
Have a private theatre or two in there, use projectors in the main lounge for some feature or something cool. The private theatres should be able to house about 12 people in one, and about 24 people in the other. Get good LCD or Digital projectors. These themselves will draw attention. Rent them out for a good price. Nothing too cheap, but beat the local theatres if they can get enough people. Have nicer seats, better aranged, better lighting. Make people want to go there and stay.
Alcohol? Perhaps on some night, during the week? I like alcohol, but it will shy away kids and parents, and you can't serve hard liquor around kids like that. And you don't want drunks breaking stuff.
I think that arcade machines would be cool to have around the place. Have them turned on free play with membership. It's almost like you have a club here.
Connect this location over high (Leased lines T-3s?) speed lines, not DSL or Cable to other ones that you set up. Get East vs. West in the city going. If tachical games get popular, get a projector and a smart board in the gaming rooms, so you can have a 'commander' with an overhead view of the maps, drawing out where to go, and tracking sightings and troops.
So the main points again are:
Movies: Draws more than just guys, cool place.
Gaming: Best possible experience.
Store: Sell new and used, Beat CompUSA and most places for price, and draw more people
Food: Longer they stay more food they want, money...
Host huge tournaments, have DJs spinning good music, bands. Make an area large enough for about 200 people. Have open ceilings, nice lighting, multiple levels, etc... Think of it like a nice quake map :) Sell games, etc..
Make sure that your servers have alot of games, and all the newest mods on there. Have a training room. Use training for tactics, computer useage in general, etc. Have other services, like printing stuff, compiling time on servers, etc. Let people come there and program and chill. Have ./ meetups there!!!
The ideas are endless..
Now for a last bit of advice: The money will be hard to get. Good luck. Don't hire people who are there alot. Hire SysAdmin type people. You don't want people screwing around. You also don't want the reputation that those working there don't know what they are talking about
If you use something from this idea, well please tell me, I would like to work with you on it, and if it's an Original Idea, please credit me some, drop a check, something, free gaming at least dammit!
For one, you have to have a goal. And you have to make it a goal that can't be easily replaced by technologies (Broadband, home LANs, etc.)
The goal is to have the best gaming experience possible. Nothing short of the best will draw customers. This isn't about replacing computers every three years, this is about the best, of everything, at all times. It makes it a hard startup, but that's it required.
So, you have to keep everything in mind of making this the most awesome place ever, even a little extravagant. Well, what do geeks like?
Gaming
Girls
Caffine
Movies
Music
Ok, well that isn't too hard. Well the girls perhaps is, but if it's a cool place, with movies, and music, they will come too.
You also have to look at what will make the money. Enterance fees, movies, gaming and food will all make you a ton of money.
So moreso, how do we go on to make this the best gaming experience???
Well, let's start with the gaming itself, and branch from there.
You need computers, and not just any computers, the best for gaming. Geforce 4 ti 4600 or whatever is the fastest at the time. Perhaps try to advertise products with large banners, or cut a deal with nVidia to get cards cheaper. You need to keep on top of things. I would say 32 main computers to play on is needed. That splits into groups of 8 (teams) pretty well, and is easily moveable to 48, or 64 (the goal should be over 128).
These 32 computers need to be the best. Well how do you keep them the best without spending $400 on a new video card each time? You dont!!! However, you sell that video card as soon as the next one comes out. You should be able to get these things in bulk at this size. Have them preordered. Sell off the other cards used the day that the new ones come in. Do the same for processors, boards, memory, etc. The only thing that these systems don't need is a huge hard drive. Well 40gb isn't considered huge by today's standards, but I think it's more than enough. 7200 rpm or above. SCSI is nice, but won't turn over quite as fast in reselling.
So you need to have a store, to sell new and used parts at. (Make sure to stress that the used parts are gently used). Overclocking really shouldn't be needed. No one is going to notice the difference in 200fps and 201fps.
So now you have your systems? Well what's special about them. A computer looks kinda silly really. The computers should be in a room away from the players. They shouldn't be able to kick them or whatever. You need good screens. LCDs are nice, but a little bit much. I would say go with 21 inch CRT displays. Perhaps even use a few tri display systems (Matrox Card). You need a nice sound system. Forget that, a killer sound system for each computer. You need a few keyboard and mouse options, because people like different things. USB all the way. When they 'get' a computer, they should choose their USB device, and go plug it in. Perhaps use a Smartcard system for keeping track of players (although hackable nontheless). preferences.
The computer should be configured for speed, and that's done by booting everything fresh from the network every morning, and at lunch hour (actually right before that).
Well, we haven't talked about the network yet. 100mb networking is fine for each group of 8 computers, but really, let's get with the times. Gigabit networking between the switches is needed. These computers shouldn't be directly attached to the net, and I recommend some way of keeping the people out of Windows or Linux access directly for these systems. We don't really need people messing with stuff.
There should be a lounge area to hang out in, with screens that tell stats, and images of current tournaments.
Not every thing in the place should be viewable from one spot. Encourage clans to get together and rent out the 8 person rooms for a good price. Allow only laptops to be brought in, and let people surf wirelessly, with membership. Allow only registered Mac addresses in.
Food and drink are a must. Good food at that, have a small kitchen that can actually serve food better than the theatre. Make money off it, but don't kill the people, try to make a little everywhere, instead of a ton in one place. Caffinee is needed. Stay open really late. Offer to stay open as late as people will prepay for.
Have a private theatre or two in there, use projectors in the main lounge for some feature or something cool. The private theatres should be able to house about 12 people in one, and about 24 people in the other. Get good LCD or Digital projectors. These themselves will draw attention. Rent them out for a good price. Nothing too cheap, but beat the local theatres if they can get enough people. Have nicer seats, better aranged, better lighting. Make people want to go there and stay.
Alcohol? Perhaps on some night, during the week? I like alcohol, but it will shy away kids and parents, and you can't serve hard liquor around kids like that. And you don't want drunks breaking stuff.
I think that arcade machines would be cool to have around the place. Have them turned on free play with membership. It's almost like you have a club here.
Connect this location over high (Leased lines T-3s?) speed lines, not DSL or Cable to other ones that you set up. Get East vs. West in the city going. If tachical games get popular, get a projector and a smart board in the gaming rooms, so you can have a 'commander' with an overhead view of the maps, drawing out where to go, and tracking sightings and troops.
So the main points again are:
Movies: Draws more than just guys, cool place.
Gaming: Best possible experience.
Store: Sell new and used, Beat CompUSA and most places for price, and draw more people
Food: Longer they stay more food they want, money...
Host huge tournaments, have DJs spinning good music, bands. Make an area large enough for about 200 people. Have open ceilings, nice lighting, multiple levels, etc... Think of it like a nice quake map
Make sure that your servers have alot of games, and all the newest mods on there. Have a training room. Use training for tactics, computer useage in general, etc. Have other services, like printing stuff, compiling time on servers, etc. Let people come there and program and chill. Have
The ideas are endless..
Now for a last bit of advice: The money will be hard to get. Good luck. Don't hire people who are there alot. Hire SysAdmin type people. You don't want people screwing around. You also don't want the reputation that those working there don't know what they are talking about
Here's the solution (Score:1)
Yep (Score:2)
Hey, quite a few tech companies never did make a profit yet. I think Amazon just broken even a while ago for profits.
Perhaps if something like this had a few mil (just 3 or 4) to mess around with, then the whole thing could happen. Thanks for reading my journal.
Some hints. (Score:2)
I found a link giving ideas on how to make E-Z cash very quickly and almost completely legally, using the power of open source stuff!
Using computer-related stuff to make cash [humorix.org]
I particularly like the idea of selling Linux to technoretards - 'cause it might actually work. ;-)
Your idea.... (Score:1)
Today marks opening day for my LAN gaming center. I had the same dream as you, followed it, and today, I realized that dream. Finding the venture capital was a bitch, but it's up, running, and I've already put over 300 people through the doors.
Do you really want to do it? It's hard work. Food licensing, electrical inspections (just how many kWh are used by this many machines? You have to know, then get your electrical capacity recertified, at least in my state.), yadda yadda. You need to know basic networking - oops, intermediate networking - oops, forgot about that, have to take care of that - ok, pretty serious networking. With that many machines, packets are CONSTANTLY floating around, and it'll cripple your network if left unchecked. Time to get a router.. configure a router... reconfigure systems... and on and on and on.
Games? Uh oh. Can't just install to server and pull it from a SMB share. Illegal. Piracy! Gotta buy a shitload of copies... but wait... only have so many CDROMS, and we do NOT want the lUser to touch the PCs... ok.. time to buy a CDROM tower... shit, still too many games. Time to buy direct from the developers a special nocd, multiple install copy.
See where I am going? It's a T O N of work... but, looking around me right now, it is definitely worth it.
Keep this goal up man. I did, and now I run the largest permanant LAN party on the planet. For the time being, anyways.