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allsop · 06-23-2006, 01:33 AM

Yeah, it seems as though FFC is just losing money, period. I'm just assuming that's why you guys are renting that space out to Deals Depot, anyway.

And DualEdge, I don't want you to feel like our frustration is being directed towards you in any way. I know it's not your fault, and I know that the employees can only do so much, and that management will be management.:disgust: It seems like FFC just can't afford to keep up with some of the luxuries it's been providing for it's loyal fans for years.

I'm also aware that the, (if any) profit that FFC sees from the Bemani section pales in comparison to the other parts of the arcade. Bemani, at least in America, doesn't usually make money, and that's why it's so hard for arcade owners to subject themselves to the financial beating they have to endure while running these machines.

My only suggestion as a loyal patron of FFC would be to think of something, ANYTHING else to cut besides the one token Wednesday special. (DOES THE CYBER CAFE COME TO MIND, ANYONE?)

I mean, if you think about it, there are 10 Bemani machines with 2 sides to each machine. So, at most, 20 people can be playing a Bemani game at any given time. (Assume all games are in semi-working condition) Now, let's say on a Wednesday, on average, there are 10 people playing Bemani, or one person on each machine. The average game of Bemani takes roughly 10 minutes, depending on the skill of the player, selected mode, and the choice of music. That means the Bemani section as a whole would be pulling around $15 an hour on Wednesdays. (Keep in mind I'm using a very low average, based on what I've seen over the past 2 to 3 years). (Also, keep in mind that some games may be shorter than others, and there WILL be plenty of failed games, which adds up to more money being spent)

So, $15 an hour, which can be applied to all hours after around 2pm, which is when people usually start coming in for Bemani, from what I've seen. So, that's around ten hours of decently solid business, at $15 an hour, which works out to $150 for the night, from the Bemani section, on average, on one-token Wednesdays. (I'll get to the other profits later)

Now, if you do the same math, but with three tokens, that number would obviously be three times more, at $450. But, the thing is, approximately half of the people that usually show up will most likely NOT BE THERE. So, we change the math a little, to reflect the eagerness of patrons to play Bemani, and the number of patrons willing to pay full price on Wednesdays. I'll just make it easy and cut the number of people playing per hour at full price to 5 people, or one for every two machines. I'll also shave off two hours of solid business, because odds are, people aren't going to want to go early and spend the day, if they know they're going to have to spend quite a bit more to do so.

Anyway, 5 people X 3 tokens = 15 tokens, X 6 increments of 10 minutes per hour = 90 tokens, X 8 hours, = 720 tokens, or $180

WOW. On average, if FFC gets rid of one-token Wednesdays, they would probably make around $30 more, right? WRONG. Keep in mind the the patrons of the Bemani section on Wednesday aren't only there for Bemani, and play other games as well. A lot of times those games are fighters, ticket games, and other novelty games that are played while waiting in the coin line. If the number of people were cut in half, then all of THOSE profits would ALSO be cut in half.

Now I know this analysis is comprised only of guestimates, but I think most would agree that those estimates are pretty accurate when it comes down to it. The bottom line is, the more people you bring into your establishment, the more money they are going to bring with them and spend. That is just a simple fact of business. By doing this, FFC is turning away otherwise-loyal customers with hopes of gaining a little money. When in reality, I wouldn't be surprised if this was a move that caused them to lose money.

ANYWAY. I'm sorry for that incredibly long rant, but I just had to analyze the situation from a business standpoint just to see if FFC would have a chance to come out on top. Odds are, they won't.

Cheers!
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06-23-2006, 01:33 AM	#11
allsop //bemanistyle::[User] allsop is offline Join Date: Jun 2006 allsop's Collection Posts: 38 Marketplace Rating: 0	Yeah, it seems as though FFC is just losing money, period. I'm just assuming that's why you guys are renting that space out to Deals Depot, anyway. And DualEdge, I don't want you to feel like our frustration is being directed towards you in any way. I know it's not your fault, and I know that the employees can only do so much, and that management will be management.:disgust: It seems like FFC just can't afford to keep up with some of the luxuries it's been providing for it's loyal fans for years. I'm also aware that the, (if any) profit that FFC sees from the Bemani section pales in comparison to the other parts of the arcade. Bemani, at least in America, doesn't usually make money, and that's why it's so hard for arcade owners to subject themselves to the financial beating they have to endure while running these machines. My only suggestion as a loyal patron of FFC would be to think of something, ANYTHING else to cut besides the one token Wednesday special. (DOES THE CYBER CAFE COME TO MIND, ANYONE?) I mean, if you think about it, there are 10 Bemani machines with 2 sides to each machine. So, at most, 20 people can be playing a Bemani game at any given time. (Assume all games are in semi-working condition) Now, let's say on a Wednesday, on average, there are 10 people playing Bemani, or one person on each machine. The average game of Bemani takes roughly 10 minutes, depending on the skill of the player, selected mode, and the choice of music. That means the Bemani section as a whole would be pulling around $15 an hour on Wednesdays. (Keep in mind I'm using a very low average, based on what I've seen over the past 2 to 3 years). (Also, keep in mind that some games may be shorter than others, and there WILL be plenty of failed games, which adds up to more money being spent) So, $15 an hour, which can be applied to all hours after around 2pm, which is when people usually start coming in for Bemani, from what I've seen. So, that's around ten hours of decently solid business, at $15 an hour, which works out to $150 for the night, from the Bemani section, on average, on one-token Wednesdays. (I'll get to the other profits later) Now, if you do the same math, but with three tokens, that number would obviously be three times more, at $450. But, the thing is, approximately half of the people that usually show up will most likely NOT BE THERE. So, we change the math a little, to reflect the eagerness of patrons to play Bemani, and the number of patrons willing to pay full price on Wednesdays. I'll just make it easy and cut the number of people playing per hour at full price to 5 people, or one for every two machines. I'll also shave off two hours of solid business, because odds are, people aren't going to want to go early and spend the day, if they know they're going to have to spend quite a bit more to do so. Anyway, 5 people X 3 tokens = 15 tokens, X 6 increments of 10 minutes per hour = 90 tokens, X 8 hours, = 720 tokens, or $180 WOW. On average, if FFC gets rid of one-token Wednesdays, they would probably make around $30 more, right? WRONG. Keep in mind the the patrons of the Bemani section on Wednesday aren't only there for Bemani, and play other games as well. A lot of times those games are fighters, ticket games, and other novelty games that are played while waiting in the coin line. If the number of people were cut in half, then all of THOSE profits would ALSO be cut in half. Now I know this analysis is comprised only of guestimates, but I think most would agree that those estimates are pretty accurate when it comes down to it. The bottom line is, the more people you bring into your establishment, the more money they are going to bring with them and spend. That is just a simple fact of business. By doing this, FFC is turning away otherwise-loyal customers with hopes of gaining a little money. When in reality, I wouldn't be surprised if this was a move that caused them to lose money. ANYWAY. I'm sorry for that incredibly long rant, but I just had to analyze the situation from a business standpoint just to see if FFC would have a chance to come out on top. Odds are, they won't. Cheers! [/i] ___________ __________________