Hey all

So, this site looks pretty awesome, and a few friends of mine are trying to open a game center in our hometown.  I'm all for joining up with the site, but my more business savvy associates are apprehensive about dishing out $150 for a site that we cannot view the full features of.  When we join, how does the game license aspect work, and is it better than trying to get game licenses from individual publishers, if that is even an option that people have tried?  Also, is it primarily forum based, or is there like a check list or faq portion that would help us stay on track?  If not, are the people on those forums generally responsive and helpful, especially in the starting steps?  Any help would be greatly appreciated in persuading my partners to sign up.  Thanks.

 

-Steve 

Welcom Steve.  I've been an active igames member for over 4 years, and I still feel like one of the new guys sometimes.

The forums are extremely active every day.  There is a huge mix of talents and skills, and most people are very open and willing to share and help out with technical setups etc.  We field questions regarding setups, start-up, etc very regularly.  Of course, it's also an ever-evolving community with members joining (and leaving ) regularly. 

I can very honestly tell you that I probably would not have survived without the help from other igames members, and I like to think I've given back to the community as well.

The licensing is probably one of the easiest things you will do regarding getting open.  Once joined, you can access the igames licensing page ... you sign up for the ones you want, igames mails you the paperwork, you fill out a couple of blanks and signatures, mail it back. DONE.  I haven't thought about licensing for a good long time now. 

There is a faq section within the forums, and I think they are currently working on improving that element.

Game Showcases are also an amazing benefit  that will more than pay for your igames membership every year.

Welcome again, see ya on the inside.
btw ... where is your hometown?

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Greg Williams
owner, Lansharx Computer Center
Waco, TX 76710
www.lansharx.com
254-759-8884
32 PC's, 20 xbox 360, fiber internet

Thanks for the hearty welcome!  It actually helped a ton, especially seeing your near 1500 posts.  :)

Are there any other features other than the easy to use licenses and forums that the site itself provides.  My co-partners may need a little more convincing, but thanks Iccemann, your help is greatly appreciated.

 Our hometown is in Rhode Island,  where nothing ever happens, and why we think our business will blossom.  Thanks again.
 

You can start off by telling them that there is probably no way to get the licenses offered by iGames without actually joining iGames.  Publishers use iGames for this purpose so that they do not have to self-manage a licensing program.  Additionally, you can get a discount on Valve licensing by being a member.

The forums are not a resource to be looked at lightly for 2 reasons:

1)  Any question you may have about how to start or run a gaming center has been asked or answered hundreds of times on the private forums.  Heck, there are topics that you haven't even thought of yet that exist.  Key information is arranged in handy FAQ section broken down by category, and if all else fails there is the standard search, or just plain asking for answers.  As a new center start-up you would have to be nuts to not take advantage of that.  EVEN IF you decide not to open a center after reading the info, that is still money well spent because you were able to make an informed decision.

2)  These forums equal community.  Run into a weird problem?  Ask on the forums. Can't get a game to run?  Ask on the forums.  Need some advice?  Ask on the forums.  The people that post here are professionals dedicated to making this industry grow and are people who have been there.   Key members actively patrol the forums looking to help and offer advice.  There is an array of expertise in our group that frankly is phenomenal.  What price would you put on solid advice from people in the know?

Thinking you might want to run tournaments?  iGames runs nationally sponsored tournaments and game nights.

Looking for discounted software during a game's release?  How about a nationally advertised premier release program?

There are a number of other advantages, but these ones are key.  You will definitely get your $150 worth. 

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LanLizards: Mishawaka, IN
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I'm going to add one thing Steve.  When you do join and get into the private forums, please spend some significant time reading recent forum posts, copy-paste info into a note file, searching for things you're curious about etc.  I'd say a whole Saturday or more for this.

Although the community is very straightforward with answering questions and helping folks get started, it can get a bit cumbersome answering the same questions HUNDREDS of times.  Just keep this in mind, especially during your startup phase ... if you can think it, it has probably been discussed in dozens of different threads.  Do a little legwork and searching and you'll probably find some responses to your questions before even asking them.

And as LanLizards mentioned, digging through the forums will also help you find stuff you may not have even thought to ask in the first place.

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Greg Williams
owner, Lansharx Computer Center
Waco, TX 76710
www.lansharx.com
254-759-8884
32 PC's, 20 xbox 360, fiber internet

I have to agree with everything Ice and Dragon have said.

Welcome

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www.crazypenguinsgaming.com

Iccemann:

I'm going to add one thing Steve.  When you do join and get into the private forums, please spend some significant time reading recent forum posts, copy-paste info into a note file, searching for things you're curious about etc.  I'd say a whole Saturday or more for this.

Although the community is very straightforward with answering questions and helping folks get started, it can get a bit cumbersome answering the same questions HUNDREDS of times.  Just keep this in mind, especially during your startup phase ... if you can think it, it has probably been discussed in dozens of different threads.  Do a little legwork and searching and you'll probably find some responses to your questions before even asking them.

And as LanLizards mentioned, digging through the forums will also help you find stuff you may not have even thought to ask in the first place.

They should add this to the standard batch of email and/or paperwork that gets sent to every new center that joins.  I don't mind questions, and I usually don't mind answering the same one twice if needed. But not 10+ times in the same month (or even year).

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