IIDX GOLD: Dave & Busters campaign

[Brazoliange]

Hi,

You might know me from wherever, you might not. That really doesn't matter. Although there is clearly a decently large audience for IIDX here in the US, we won't be buying the machines. Arcade owners will. Since a majority of arcade owners are not very in-tune with player wants, and since additionally single arcade owners are not likely going to make a large blip on Konami's radar, I feel it would be best if a larger chain of arcades arranged to buy a quantity of machines from Konami.

Dave & Busters was the best thought I had, though if anyone else has suggestions I am open to them. There are D&B locations all over the country, and being an 'adult' arcade, I would presume the machines would be kept in good condition. Dave & Busters also does potentially have the money to put out to buy new cabinets, and having bought Pump and DDR Supernova cabinets for many of their locations, I would assume they might be able to be convinced.

My thought: We as a community need to show Dave & Busters that the IIDX showcased at ASI was more than 'just another expensive game'. I propose that we get the point across that they will profit from this and that there is a significant fanbase that will dedicate themselves to coming in and "make it make it money". If they get enough positive feedback, it is likely or at least possible that they would take this into consideration if not on a by-location consideration but even as a national decision. I am asking you, the community, to help out if you agree. As much as we can sit back and complain if GOLD isn't brought over or isn't widely distributed, if we put effort into making it a reality we can at least say we tried.

Ways to contact Dave & Busters:

1) Call or mail corporate headquarters
-If you're only going to go for one of these, this is the way to go.

Dave & Buster's World Headquarters
2481 Manana Drive
Dallas, TX 75220
214-357-9588

2) Call or mail your local Dave & Busters

For a list, head to Dave & Busters :: Local Information Page

3) Head in and ask for a manager at your local Dave & Busters

Head in and ask to speak to (a/the) manager at your local Dave & Busters location(s). You can see the lead manager at the locations page linked above.


Whichever route you go, give your (actual) name and location. Politely state that you are a big fan of IIDX GOLD which Konami/Betson (maker of Dance Dance Revolution) is selling. Bring to their attention an estimate of how much money or how many times a week you would head in to play it. Tell them how many friends you have that feel the same way. Say that the theme would fit their establishments nicely and that it would get a lot of casual play from an adult audience. Suggest that the series be added to D&B locations around the country. Throw in whatever you have additionally. Make sure to be polite and stress how big of a deal it would be to the community as a whole. I would suggest politely (once every few days) spamming all of these paths. The more calls and people they get asking them to get it, the more interest they directly see, and the more likely they are to get GOLD.

Thanks for the time, and please help out if you care

Rgds,
Brazoliange/Andrew Susman

[edit1] - April 4

Originally Posted by Brazoliange

Wow. Wow. Haha.

Just got a call back from the message I left on the D&B headquarters number (214-357-9588).

She said she was returning my message, that she forwarded everything I said to the amusement managers (i.e. the people that decide what games to buy), and they'd responded. She said they "saw the game at a convention in Vegas, ASI, and fell in love with it." She said they sincerely wanted to put machines in D&B locations, but they were having problems finding a distributor in the US and hadn't seen an easy way to import them. She said they were glad to see that there is a clientbase for it and that they will be on the lookout for it. I told her that Konami or Betson would probably be distributing it within the US sometime around August or September, and that they should contact them to see about purchasing machines. She said she'd forward that along to the amusements managers . She also said to keep checking in with my store's manager and with her to see about progress and send any other tips along to them to find it.

Cliffs:
D&B wants to buy GOLD ("fell in love with it")
D&B is glad to see that there is a clientbase
D&B is looking into purchasing machines

Keep calling in to show that there really is a fanbase and this is really looking likely

[edit2] - April 12

Originally Posted by Brazoliange

Okay guys, realizing you've all been calling in a lot, how about if we all go ahead and do it tomorrow to give a group message?

Call in to both your local D&B locations and the national hq number around 3 PM CST or whenever is most convenient for you during the day. For convenience, the headquarters number once again is 214-357-9588. Hopefully we can get some sort of a formal response soon.

[sylcmyk+]

the only thing with D&B is that those who aren't 25 cannot enter without an adult and they have restrictions as to how long they can stay for (I think until like 11 o clock before midnight).

[Arbel]

For some reason around NW Ohio (not sure elsewhere) East of Chicago pizzas all seem to have Supernova dedi-cabs. I talked to the guy who owns the place and he mentioned the arcade guy was interested in a IIDX machine, so I'm thinking there is a high probability there (assuming these exists elsewhere because they seem to deal with only Betson for arcade products)

Also do Gameworks exist elsewhere? I'm trying to think of other chains, but I'm not sure if they exist outside of where I live.

[Kσn]

also this belongs under the region forums, not under the IIDX forum.

[snapps]

Originally Posted by ΩOMEGAΩ

also this belongs under the region forums, not under the IIDX forum.

This belongs in IIDX.

[tora]

Originally Posted by ΩOMEGAΩ

also this belongs under the region forums, not under the IIDX forum.

You are not a moderator, so you do not get to decide where this goes.

It stays in the IIDX forums.

[Kσn]

huh, I was wrong (i re-read it and saw that it was not just for one location, but all Dave and busters locations), I dont know though. I tryed doing this with a few friends to get In The Groove 2 at a gameworks location, and the managers always trick you.

They always say they are going to upgrade a machine, but most of the time its a lie. My gameworks location never upgraded to In The Groove 2, after buying a In The Groove Upgrade. SOmetimes it works, I know, but seeing that Dave And Busters is the same, uoi might not get very far.

also I would wait until it is getting time to be able to order the machine, otherwise the arcade owner may not even give a damn, or take itinto consideration.

[Enderkask]

Originally Posted by Paranoivm

the only thing with D&B is that those who aren't 25 cannot enter without an adult and they have restrictions as to how long they can stay for (I think until like 11 o clock before midnight).

I seem to recall the age restrictions only apply to after 11pm, and it's just age 21 that can't enter. At least, the one near my house is. I'd occasionally go in then to play Pump then, since I was pretty unfamiliar with the game, and it'd be pretty deserted at that time.

[WEABOO]

Originally Posted by Enderkask

I seem to recall the age restrictions only apply to after 11pm, and it's just age 21 that can't enter. At least, the one near my house is. I'd occasionally go in then to play Pump then, since I was pretty unfamiliar with the game, and it'd be pretty deserted at that time.

Correct

Its after 11PM when age restrictions apply, and I believe recently it was lowered to 18.

I COULD be wrong though, since it could just be a local thing

[rmz]

Originally Posted by Paranoivm

the only thing with D&B is that those who aren't 25 cannot enter without an adult

Uh, so someone who's, say, 24 isn't an adult now?

News to me.

I'm willing to bet it's either 18 or 21.

[Brazoliange]

No, it is 18. Unless that's just for my location. And the 'after 11' thing is also valid. Also, 4 people younger than 18 can go with one adult. That's not bad either.

Omega> Regardless of any experience you had with operators about ITG, we need to try if we want it.

Arbel> Gameworks has 18 locations across 10 states. EoC pizza is in 5 states. Neither are a bad shot to try in addition. Like I said, the more we advertise to any and all arcade owners/operators that we want it, the more likely they will be to buy it.

[PGwojowski]

lol at saying Beatmania has a decently large audience.

lol at mailing the corporate headquarters

lol at thinking that the heads of D&B will care about letters from kids

lol at teenagers' dreams

It wouldn't be surprising now that Beatmania is on the US market that they would get the machines here and there, but us mailing to the HQ of D&Bs is just...This like every other "I am trying to get a Beatmania Machine Here..." thread that comes up about every week, and it is probably going to sink away within some days. I could be wrong though.

[Arbel]

Last edited by PGwojowski : Today at 08:02 PM. Reason: grammer

Sorry I couldn't help but laugh

[stinlin]

Normally I'd say this is stupid, but at least he's giving things somewhat of a fighting chance?

Kudos to you for giving it your all!

[maruchan_192000]

Originally Posted by Arbel

For some reason around NW Ohio (not sure elsewhere) East of Chicago pizzas all seem to have Supernova dedi-cabs. I talked to the guy who owns the place and he mentioned the arcade guy was interested in a IIDX machine, so I'm thinking there is a high probability there (assuming these exists elsewhere because they seem to deal with only Betson for arcade products)

Also do Gameworks exist elsewhere? I'm trying to think of other chains, but I'm not sure if they exist outside of where I live.

Yes there are other Gameworks locations out here. I live in Denton and there is one up in Grapevine which is about 25 minutes away. That would be nice if they could get one. Dave and Busters is in Dallas and thats an hour away....