Thoughs about releasing games into the wild

pc10builder

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Thoughts about releasing games into the wild

Hi Guys,
I work at the University of Minnesota and while visiting our student union I noticed a lack of quality classic arcade games. (They had a 10-in-1 multicade, but I don't think that counts.)

This summer I took on three project machines, but only have room in my game room for one. So instead of trying to sell them, I thought maybe I'd loan the other two out to the University. I sent an email to the Union and got a call back from their manager who sounded interested. He said he'd have to check the contract with their current vendor, but said that if I insured them and maintained them, they would house them. He also said we'd split the returns, but I'm not sure what is a fair percentage.

My question: What are some thoughts about returning games to the wild?

First a couple facts:
1. The two games are a Playchoice/VS Unisystem single monitor machine and a Punch-Out/Super Punch-Out machine. (I have a wide variety of games and marquees for the PC10 and VS system and I have both PO and SPO I'd be willing to swap in.)
2. The union does not server alcohol and does not allow smoking.
3. I am not as skilled a restorer as some on the board, so my version of restoring is patching, painting, new trim and art. (I don't nickel plate my power supplies... *ahem* chris... although if I knew how, that might be different.) So I really don't have a lot invested in the machines and nothing that couldn't be re-repaired if damaged.

What sorts of issues should I expect with public machines?
Damaged controls? Jammed coin mechs? Vandalism?

What sort of insurance is reasonable?
Money isn't much good if the parts/art can't be found.

I was also thinking of setting up an online voting system for the kids to vote on which game to load next. Maybe swap them out monthly?

I maybe naive, but I thought the college kids might get a kick out of seeing the old machines (and I could visit them on my lunch break).

Other thoughts?

Thanks
Pete

http://playchoice.riemen.net
 
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Don't even bother 'restoring' them. Just paint over them and keep the marquee in there if yo put them out.

Imagine someone dumping a whole pepsi on it, engraving their initials on it, kicking it, knicking it over, pulling and smashing on the joysticks, etc.

Most of the 'in the wild' stuff should be very basic, jamma type stuff or a game you can swap out after a while. Make sure you can repair it easy and have spare parts for it. You'll need them.

As far as classics - unless it's a beater that works, I wouldn't put it in the wild. If you happened to have two of something, I might consider it - but you'd probably make more money selling it (unless it's a Mrs. Pac or something).
 
I would put a game on site that I bought for $50, and hadn't spent a dime or worked a minute on. Anything else and it would be more stress than it's worth.

As for split percentage, he could be paying $30 or more per game for electricity depending on how long they were on. Of course, he probably isn't even considering that.
You have the liability of wear/tear on the games to worry about. Take your investment and divide it up into monthly cost for a year. Odds are it will be about the same or less. You'd have to clear $100 a month per machine in quarters to even buy lunch for the 2 of you.

Bottom line, it boils down the fact they are your machines. Are you comfortable with leaving them out of your control? Are you comfortable with the fact someone might take a sharpie or knife to it?
If you can answer yes to those, you will eventually pay the game off and make a few spare bucks.
 
No. No contract yet. Just exploring the options.

The facility covers the electricity cost - The student union is esentailly a five-story office building. They don't sub-divide the electricity useage.

Good tip about marking the cabinet. I'd hate for the other vendor to walk off with it.

Pete
 
Oh, and make sure to permanently stamp the games with an identifying mark. CYA in case they are stolen or claimed by someone else.
Be sure to clearly state in the contract that the machines are yours and cannot be moved, removed or serviced by anyone other than yourself.

FYI insurance isn't cheap. Most companies that will insure vending / amusement machines have a minimum premium which tends to start at about $750 a year. They also have a minimum earned premium of 25% so you would be looking at paying $187.50 before you get your first quarter from any of your machines.

These rates are what's typical for Harris County TX. The plus side is that you can probably have a bunch of machines and locations insured for about $1,200 a year. It's getting past that minimum premium that would prove an issue for someone operating only 2 machines.
 
I use to deal with our distributor when I worked at a video store and they brought in games - we did an even 50/50 split from what was in the coin box. Kept everything simple.
 
I walked into a local pizza shop the other day, and there were games there...

...they were thrashed. Freaking thrashed.

I had always thought about going into establishments and asking the owners if they wanted to bring a game or two in, and split the $$$ the games made, but after seeing that, no way.

Hopefully this will be different considering these people will be adults using the machines, but I would still be a little wary.
 
I walked into a local pizza shop the other day, and there were games there...

...they were thrashed. Freaking thrashed.

I had always thought about going into establishments and asking the owners if they wanted to bring a game or two in, and split the $$$ the games made, but after seeing that, no way.

Hopefully this will be different considering these people will be adults using the machines, but I would still be a little wary.

Looks can be deceiving. Sometimes ops use the small time pizza places as free storage for crappy broken games. The local place I frequent had a Revolution X for a long time. One day, a T2 appeared in its place. It did not work, and still had bird shit on the control panel! I told the owner they were getting used. The game was gone the next time the op showed up.
 
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