Suggestions for starting a Gaming Zone..

[BobbyJee]

Well hello PG'ers.. I have been a member of this community for more than 5years.. I joined this community in 2009 and have been a proud silent member of this forum.. I was there at the meetup which was held at Wired-Up Gaming Zone in Karachi Oct 2009, and another meetup at Junaid Bhai's place in Gulistan-e-Johar in 2011 but still no Socialite achievement for me..


Anyways to the topic, After doing the SEO work with my brother for the last 2 years and being fed up of this work, i have been thinking of starting a gaming zone.. I live in Gulshan Area Block 13, so yeah I am thinking of starting it in or near my area.. Because as far as I know there is only one gaming zone currently running in Block 6 famously known as Fariya Gaming Zone.. I have been there numerous times.. If any one is aware of empty space in the surrounding areas of Block 5, Block 13-D, 13-D/1, please let me know.


So i would like to know from you members the estimated amount required for buying PC's which would be able to run the current as well as the upcoming games which include Watch Dogs, and my most anticipated new Batman game.. What worries me is the craze of going to gaming zone has died down considerably in the last few years.. Because ghar ghar internet was not a common thing 5-6 years ago.. Even I after getting the Xbox360 in 2009 never visited any Gaming zone.. If i am not wrong Playdium at Disco Bakery has been shut down and the one at Block 13-D/1 near Practical Centre also closed its operations.. Fariya is still running, am i right? Please correct me if i am wrong. I don't know the reasons behind their closing, maybe they were running on losses but ghar ghar internet may well be one of the reasons..


I am very short on budget, So i would like to know what would be correct no. of Pc's to start? I am thinking of 6 Pc's.. 8Pc's won't be possible depending on the budget.. I am not in favour of used graphic cards but my budget won't let me buy new one.. So a branded PC and a used graphic card is what i am thinking of getting.. Because a ghatiya se ghatiya gaming zone with a low end PC can run a C.S 1.6, DOTA2 etc.. I can get 20 of these PC's.. But to stay in the business and prosper i will have to buy some heavy PC's (I prefer quality over quantity)

Gulshan is not D.H.A. and people are not willing to spend Rs.100/hr for gaming.. So what would be a reasonable rate.. What internet should be installed? PTCL, Connect.net and Fariya, they all are available here.. What would be a suitable internet for 6-8PC's?

I would like the members especially living in Block 13, 13-B, 13-C, 13-D/1, Block 2, Block 4, Block 5, and people living near Bait-ul-Mukarram masjid to speak up and share your views on this..
I also would like to hear from Junaid Bhai aka [MENTION=2126]Jshak[/MENTION] and [MENTION=2140]Sire Ahsan[/MENTION] (he lives near my house) to speak up as well..

I also would like to hear from the team of Project X9, their expert opinions would be really appreciated..

Thanks.

 

[cobby]

i think its a bad idea to start gaming zone that to in limited budget

note : this is my opinion only

 

[nafu]

not a good enterpreneurship.

people now have low interest in gaming now. earning also low

 

[Majawar]

Your 4th para states quite right why most of the gaming zones are being closed. Low budget PC is not what attract people nowadays. It is the latest hardware equipped PC which can run games like BO2, Titanfall, Ghost, NFS etc. I don't know about KHI crowd but here in Lahore people like to play more of Fifa on consoles and 42" LEDs rather than lan gaming on PC and mostly PC LAN gaming is being replaced by online gaming here. Most of gaming zones now provide online PC gaming via Steam and other than this consoles also have online gaming feature. So you see the things I'm talking about needs a healthy investment at start.

But again I'l say it totally depends on which type of crowd you are dealing with. You can't run a place until you provide something they don't have at home lol. Otherwise I guess even a gamer living on short income owns PC to run games like CS etc. Why would he want to spend money for playing game which he can run at home.

Now when you talk about team like ProjectX9 they invested quite good amount at start. They had big LED, PS3, dozens of 360 and PC gaming scene as well. So you see they provided a place for gamers to play which they can't enjoy at home.

 

[BobbyJee]

Your 4th para states quite right why most of the gaming zones are being closed. Low budget PC is not what attract people nowadays. It is the latest hardware equipped PC which can run games like BO2, Titanfall, Ghost, NFS etc. I don't know about KHI crowd but here in Lahore people like to play more of Fifa on consoles and 42" LEDs rather than lan gaming on PC and mostly PC LAN gaming is being replaced by online gaming here. Most of gaming zones now provide online PC gaming via Steam and other than this consoles also have online gaming feature. So you see the things I'm talking about needs a healthy investment at start.

Well this is what I have also been thinking.. Even I do multiplayer gaming on my PS3.. Been out of the PC scene for almost 5-6 years I don't know much about gaming via Steam.. But yes multiplayer gaming is what I have in mind to provide to the gamers.. I didn't state it in my opening post.. But this is what i intend to provide..

But again I'l say it totally depends on which type of crowd you are dealing with. You can't run a place until you provide something they don't have at home lol. Otherwise I guess even a gamer living on short income owns PC to run games like CS etc. Why would he want to spend money for playing game which he can run at home.

I clearly agree with you on this point.. This is why i thought of getting a more than decent pc which can run Battlefield 4, COD Ghost, FIFA 14 etc etc.. which have a huge replay value..

Now when you talk about team like ProjectX9 they invested quite good amount at start. They had big LED, PS3, dozens of 360 and PC gaming scene as well. So you see they provided a place for gamers to play which they can't enjoy at home.

Hmmm.. Budget is the main culprit here

 

[sTraNg3r]

Apart from what's already been said, I'd advice you to do some proper research about the PCs, locality, budget, the services you are going to provide, what makes you unique?, the people who you are/should focus on, when are you going to break even, and the risk-factor. Think it through.

Look, I understand you are targeting a niche market, but too many times I've seen people start businesses without ever realizing the importance of strategy. They all end up in dust one way or another.

 

[Jester]

Not to discourage you or anything but the gaming zone market here is limited to mainstream titles like Dota and CS 1.6. I commend you for trying to aim above that but It may not end up so well for you.

Here's an article I read a few months back that should give you a different perspective: A failed attempt to understand PC gaming scene in Pakistan | IAMEXTREME Blog

 

[BobbyJee]

Thanks for ur comments guys... Well i also thought of going with a Console gaming zone... Like 6-8 Jtagged Xbox 360's.. One PS3 and a Xbox360 with online multiplayer functionality connected to a decent sized LED TV.. Console would also cost me less then PC's and they will also be less of an hassle... So I am also open to this idea..

Apart from what's already been said, I'd advice you to do some proper research about the PCs, locality, budget, the services you are going to provide

Well this is why I made this thread in the first place.. I have done some research.. and I think a single PC would cost me around Rs.35-40k which would be able to run the current and upcoming games..
But i need some serious suggestions from guys.. Then i will decide what to do and what not to do..

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Not to discourage you or anything but the gaming zone market here is limited to mainstream titles like Dota and CS 1.6. I commend you for trying to aim above that but It may not end up so well for you.

Here's an article I read a few months back that should give you a different perspective: A failed attempt to understand PC gaming scene in Pakistan | IAMEXTREME Blog

Why would i mind Bro I am completely open to suggestions and opinions.. Thanks for this share..

 

[limpix007]

[MENTION=10701]BobbyJee[/MENTION] i live in that area ... yar gaiming zone food club pey jo snooker house hey uder bi chota sa area dedicated hua tha for gaming zone .... nipa pey snooker pe gaming zone hey .... yar ab gaming zone nahe chaltey itna ... its seriously a bad investment .... apney iqra book shop daikhi hey uder bi aik gaming zone bana tha who bi band ho gaya ... yar ab iski market nahe rahe bro


console gaming zone khol lo + sheesha point .... with good ventelation .... that would be something out of the box and new for gamers in our area

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rather then gaming zone you can open sheesha point as smookena bund ho gaya hey ....

 

[cobby]

i will also suggest to go for seesha bar ,and u also have SEO exp why don't u start business of T-shirt , jeans , locket etc customization , people are earning quite decent these dayz with the customization business .

Gaming zone in KHI are closing down as fast as arcade business went out ,as KHI k ik to halaat itne kharab hai plus real deal gaming zone requires lots of investment.

 

[Muaaz]

Start with the latest consoles. Give people what they don't already have. Put in a PS4 or two and get FIFA on them. To support this, get mid-range PCs which can be upgraded to high-end later on.

That's the rough sketch I could come up with in a few minutes.

 

[BobbyJee]

console gaming zone khol lo + sheesha point .... with good ventelation .... that would be something out of the box and new for gamers in our area

i will also suggest to go for seesha bar ,

Well sheesha business is a big NO.. Thanks for suggestions anyways

and u also have SEO exp why don't u start business of T-shirt , jeans , locket etc customization , people are earning quite decent these dayz with the customization business .

I didn't get it.. Care to explain a little more please..??

Gaming zone in KHI are closing down as fast as arcade business went out ,as KHI k ik to halaat itne kharab hai plus real deal gaming zone requires lots of investment.

By lots of investment u mean how much?

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Start with the latest consoles. Give people what they don't already have. Put in a PS4 or two and get FIFA on them. To support this, get mid-range PCs which can be upgraded to high-end later on.

That's the rough sketch I could come up with in a few minutes.

Good idea.. Would love to hear more from you..

 

[limpix007]

around 5- 6 lakh .... if you want pc that can play bf4 ....

 

[r3aper]

The gaming zones business is dead, it needs a revival if you are planning long term. If you go ahead with the usual plan - put a few PCs and a big screen TV and thats about it - thats not gonna work now. You'll prolly won't break-even on your investment.

If you are really interested in it, you must think of a place where gamers would like to hangout and chill. Start up contests/tournaments, hand out prizes. You have to innovate to make this idea of yours work. Going by the usual approach will just disappoint you in the long term. Forget the investment, first you have to come up with an innovative plan to revive this dead scene.

 

[Seasmy]

I would say that save some more moneyz and get a 1-2 consoles with a 32 or 42 inch T.V to play games in full thrill . Also Having low-end gaming pc's wont attract much customers . What you can do is have a bunch of rooms for CS 1.6 or DOTA and you can buy like 6 or 8 pcs for the main hall which are high-end gaming pc's .

EDIT : Also spend some money on the architecture of the building of your gaming zone . It will help in attract customers . Try adding New and funky lighting , some gaming Posters and stuff