What do you want?

[old.memski]

Hi guys, a friend of mine is looking to open a net-cafe in central London. He's going to run a standard surfing/email service, as well as a dedicated gaming Lan (leased lines, etc). Basically, being a gamer himself he wants to provide a top notch service that like-minded people will want to visit, i.e top spec PC's, affordable entrance fee's, high bandwidth connections, nice atmosphere, nearby bar etc.

The games played will vary from Q2 to CS, all the popular fps; and eventually we're looking to host tournements for the top clans to fight out for prizes, etc.

Any feedback on what you would like to see (within reason ) in such a place will be greatly appreciated,
Cheers

 

[Testin da Cable]

airconditioning

 

[stu]

As long as it's not in a dungeon like TPF it should be ok.

I remember a few years back going to a pub in/near Barbican. It was a massive place, in an old wine cellar, and in one area was a Pizza Hut concession. You went up, placed your order, and they gave you a pager. You went off to get a drink, play pool, whatever, and they buzzed you when your pizza was ready. Simple yet brilliant idea, imo. The place was a favourite for City students at lunch time.

imo you need to do something like that. People are bored with "net cafes", they want the whole experience, somewhere where they can go and socialise. Rent a large floorspace somewhere, have puters on a lan, a bar, a recognised food concession, maybe some PS2s - then you'll get people coming in to spend all day there, rather than to "surf the net". Of course, it's a much bigger, more expensive venture than 20 pcs in a cramped room, but there we go

 

[Summo]

Chuck in a capaccino machine and some sofas to encourage the daytime visitor.

Keep the gaming LAN well away from the bar eating/drinking area. I've been in a couple where I'm playing right next to some peeps eating lunch etc. Got so paranoid/embarassed I had to leave.

 

[Will]

Couple of pool tables, and a pinball machine please

 

[SAS]

lap dancers ! ... ok maybe not

 

[nath]

Don't just put the standard q2/cs etc games on the PC's. Put some other games on. Stuff like Midtown madness etc. These sorts of games are shit online, but brilliant fun on a lan, moreso (imo) than the fps' because they're just more of a laugh.

 

[Embattle]

Originally posted by SAS
lap dancers ! ... ok maybe not

Poor SAS, only hard thing in his life is storing data

 

[Will]

Shall we try to get him a date?

 

[Embattle]

Wij or TDC?

Ok lets stop we is going off track man

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Good, comfortable headphones. I've never seen a place with good quality, comfortable headphones. You have to make do with some £4.99 from Argos tat that hurt your head.

Oh, everglides and optical mice. You might want to keep the same number of MS mice and Boomers, and give the customer a choice. Just a suggestion.

 

[Summo]

Originally posted by Nath
Don't just put the standard q2/cs etc games on the PC's. Put some other games on. Stuff like Midtown madness etc. These sorts of games are shit online, but brilliant fun on a lan, moreso (imo) than the fps' because they're just more of a laugh.

Good idea! MM is much more accessible to the non-gamer. Branch out into Black & White, Operation Flahpoint an' stuff.

 

[nath]

I wasnt thinking accessibility per se, but I just think playing q2 and cs at lan's is fucking dull. The things like MM and the like are more fun to play at places like that. CS/Q2 can be some competative and serious it gets boring.

Oh and DEFINETLY get Serious Sam, that on co op mode is brilliant.

 

[DAN200]

Your idea sounds just like my local LAN cafe the "Surf Shack", its got UT and CS aswell as Tiberium Sun and that ST Voyager game. They have a fast LAN and an ADSL internet connection. They also host UT and TS tournaments and competitions.

And yes, they have shit headphones.

 

[Ono]

I think that any good gamer orientated Net Cafe needs to keep hourly charges down.


TPF has pretty high hourly rates which puts me off going much.

 

[old.memski]

Many thanks for the replies, all comments are duly noted (I'll see what I can do about the lap dancers, SAS )

As gamers ourselves we're looking to make a cafe that we would like to go to, the hourly rate is a big factor we're looking at, and it will be affordable undercutting all that we've seen so far, and staying that way. Initially the cafe will be more mainstream, surfing comfy seats, coffee, etc - but the eventual plan is to create a gaming environment in another area of the building, membership will be available for those that use this area frequently. A/C, high-end pcs, most popular MP games, broadband leased lines will all be available, oh and comfy headphones

 

[~Lazarus~]

Catheters and nappies so you dont really need to get up out of your seat.

 

[old.ignus]

is it 24/7 if so you should provide pro plus for those "must kill must kill" moments of all night ownage. I have that problem with operation flashpoint.