Important Thread about the fate of IIDX GOLD in America

[ColorOfSakura]

Originally Posted by vjgyo

As far as the upgrade kits go, they want at least 100? Are there even that many machines stateside? I would gladly buy one to help meet the quota, just as incentive to get a machine. Har har har.

No, they want to sell at least 100 machines. Not upgrade kits.

As for the suggestion of Tilt - the company wouldn't even invest in more than like 5 DDR SuperNOVA cabinets, there is no way in hell they're going to buy any IIDX machines. They're cheapskates on everything they buy. Heck, nearly all their DDR machines are bootlegs. I would know, I worked for them for a very long time (and it sucked).

I'm not saying don't try Tilt, but don't expect anything more than empty promises.

[snapps]

Try to get this place into it:

John's Incredible Pizza Co.

They have DDREX and Percussion Master so far that deals with Bemani.

Plus like rides and shit indoors in almost every store, so it would be an almost guarantee they would consider it since all stores are big, looks like they are stocked with money, and have incredible pizza

If successful, you have 8 more preorders :]

[Kσn]

I want to point out contacting gameworks via email DOES NOT work. Call a location, and ask a manager for a number to call to get machines in their arcade. I got asked the manager himself, and he says this is the ONLY way it would work, as I tried for them to get a SuperNOVA... In which they did, and were already shipping one.

So basicly you have to call the Gameworks/SEGA distributor.

[DragTheCigaretteKing]

I spread the word to zenius-I-vanisher ....recruit some more people to help

[Brazoliange]

yeah I hear you Dark

looking up shit on Putt Putt and John's Incredible Pizza and will edit it into the new thread shortly if it looks positive (don't see why it wouldn't) along with videos for the letters/e-mails

[snapps]

Originally Posted by Brazoliange

yeah I hear you Dark

looking up shit on Putt Putt and John's Incredible Pizza and will edit it into the new thread shortly if it looks positive (don't see why it wouldn't) along with videos for the letters/e-mails

I'm sending John's a letter this week.

[DizzyBum]

100 machines? Doesn't sound like much but it'll take a lot of effort.

I'll probably be visiting Foxwoods Casino in Ledyard, CT sometime soon after this semester ends, as I tend to do a lot over the summer. I'll run the idea of IIDX GOLD by the manager and see what he says. If they can afford DDR SuperNova & Extreme, Derby Owners Club, and House of the Dead 4, I'm sure they could swing for IIDX GOLD.

[Roku]

Originally Posted by ColorOfSakura

They're cheapskates on everything they buy. Heck, nearly all their DDR machines are bootlegs. I would know, I worked for them for a very long time (and it sucked).

I'm not saying don't try Tilt, but don't expect anything more than empty promises.

QFT. GOD. DAMN. D:

I think EVERYTHING ours has is bootleg. >_> Our Guilty Gear XX machine is a hybrid, with three different pieces from three different arcade fighters. It's fugly as shit.

In related news, the TILT manager here is suggesting I get a job at D&B to help convince them to get some IIDX. He's all for it- just not in TILT. >_>

But it's not exactly hopeless, eh? Keep on truckin', oh brave GOLD warriors. <3 Petition here is lookin' good. *thumbs up*

[kaoss]

Originally Posted by DizzyBum

100 machines? Doesn't sound like much but it'll take a lot of effort.

It doesn't seem like it, but think about it. 100 machines at 20,000 dollars a pop, that's 2 million dollars right there.

And on another note, I'll be calling my local D&B this afternoon if I find some time.

[Gen.]

I'll try to get my local arcade to buy a machine. Though that's kind of doubtful considering where I live :/ Then again, I kind of know the owners of the arcade.

[Brazoliange]

First response I've gotten from TILT so far:

Originally Posted by Kevin Jordan

I thank you for the e mail, however the game is not available at this time, and Betson does not know for sure what their plans are as to production of this game. I will see what I can do in the future.


Kev

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
Kevin Jordan
Phone 972.939.4200 x223

It's nice to get a response and to know he bothered looking into availability; however, we're going to have a hard time selling this if Betson is saying that they aren't sure if they're selling it :< Hopefully we can get some updated ordering information soon.

[DizzyBum]

If people are getting the runaround from Betson themselves, that's no good. Has anyone tried contacting Betson directly about this issue? It's a bit of a catch-22 if they're only going to be serious about orders after they fill a quota of orders.

[Brazoliange]

I got in touch with the Executive Vice President of Sales at Betson, Bob Boals, via phone. Here are the highlights of the conversation:

This wall of text is worth reading

-Betson is still unsure about bringing it over.
-They obviously did the test location and are now sending the machine to another test location (assumedly TGA).
-The issue is that (from what I understood) they need to order a minimum of 200 machines (or sets of parts for machines) from Konami to start production.
-If they do decide on bringing it over, he estimates a Fall sale date (he stated September-October).
-It's a possibility that Betson would bring machines over from Japan and then resell them, but because of the additional costs (mostly shipping) that would add even more cost to the sale price of the machine, so they are trying to avoid that.
-At the moment, arcades cannot call in and order it because they are unsure of whether or not to commit to the 200 machine order. Although I'm sure the interest can't hurt their opinion, they cannot take orders until they decide on whether or not to bring it over. I take this to mean that a deciding factor may be how well the machine does at the next test location (I'd assume TGA).
-Although they cannot take orders, have arcades interested in purchasing GOLD call (800) 524-2343 during business hours. They will want to ask for Bob Boals in the Sales department. I assume that arcades ready to take those 200 machines off of their hands will bolster confidence a bit.
-Another thing I take from this is that the machine at TGA doing well will help determine this to an extent. Just like the Chicago test, let's pump that machine full of tokens to give them a really clear message of our interest!
-He was very informed and friendly and gave me his e-mail address so he could forward any updates he has to me. Because he was so honest and open about it, and also because I'm sure he's a busy man, I don't want it to get spammed. If you need it PM me.

I am 100% sure that having Dave & Busters request machines to test with and other arcades call in to try to place large orders is not going to hurt our cause. Keep up the good work guys!

[WEABOO]

Originally Posted by Brazoliange

-Although they cannot take orders, have arcades interested in purchasing GOLD call (800) 524-2343 during business hours. They will want to ask for Bob Boals in the Sales department. I assume that arcades ready to take those 200 machines off of their hands will bolster confidence a bit.

You rock Brazo, I'll get right on it

[Brazoliange]

Sorry it took so long hehe. :<