Sim Racing Cafe w/ Deluxe Hardware
- Thread starter Tobor
- 79 comments
- 11,382 views
- 1,011
- UK
- the_greeze
£20 an hour? You can come round my house and use mine if you like! 
lol
lol
Mr Latte
Premium
- 5,072
- N Ireland
It all depends on the rig setup as to what you could likely charge. Your better having a price policy that doesn't tie up the hardware for too long per user, yet isn't a rip off neither. It could be something that would take quite a while to repay the investment made. Such would be more successful at highly populated events like shows/fairs or work well at a karting or bowling venue.
I can drive 2 miles and use the same type of simulator that Red Bull and other F1 teams use (Hexatech) having full motion and triple 30" Apple displays at a karting centre. They charge £5 a go on that. Mind you it costs approx 120k.
I can drive 2 miles and use the same type of simulator that Red Bull and other F1 teams use (Hexatech) having full motion and triple 30" Apple displays at a karting centre. They charge £5 a go on that. Mind you it costs approx 120k.
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£20 an hour? You can come round my house and use mine if you like!
Well that's if it's top notch equipment, triple 3d screens, frex wheel maybe etc.
Mr Latte
Premium
- 5,072
- N Ireland
Simbin has the "Race Rooms" franchise that may give you some ideas.
http://www.raceroom.de/de/racerooms.html
http://www.raceroom.de/de/racerooms.html
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- 963
- Toronto, Canada
- times_fade
It's just hard to speculate on the interest of guys wanting to come out to race and sip on some espresso.
I know I would, if the cafe was near me, so the only way to possibly make money from this would be to first of all be in a populated city, and having at least 5 of these setups for guys to race each other. That's like $20,000 worth in hardware, so for this to pay off, is a very slim chance (unless you have a cafe at a popular racetrack), but if you want to add this to a cafe that's already established to pull in more people it may be worth it as a whole.
I'm also unsure of the laws behind making money off letting people play a video game which is not meant to be duplicated or be otherwise exploited for profit. It would be like building a small theatre with 20 seats at a cafe and running the latest Blurays, which I know is illegal. With something so low-key as a GT5 cockpits, you might get away with it for a while, until Sony learns about your cafe through the web and then have a Sony Rep walking through your door asking if you have a licensing agreement.
Sony should really think about building an official GT arcade setup, with a couple of exclusive arcade tracks!
I know I would, if the cafe was near me, so the only way to possibly make money from this would be to first of all be in a populated city, and having at least 5 of these setups for guys to race each other. That's like $20,000 worth in hardware, so for this to pay off, is a very slim chance (unless you have a cafe at a popular racetrack), but if you want to add this to a cafe that's already established to pull in more people it may be worth it as a whole.
I'm also unsure of the laws behind making money off letting people play a video game which is not meant to be duplicated or be otherwise exploited for profit. It would be like building a small theatre with 20 seats at a cafe and running the latest Blurays, which I know is illegal. With something so low-key as a GT5 cockpits, you might get away with it for a while, until Sony learns about your cafe through the web and then have a Sony Rep walking through your door asking if you have a licensing agreement.
Sony should really think about building an official GT arcade setup, with a couple of exclusive arcade tracks!
- 602
- Dijon, France
- URBANCOCKPIT-1
This !
Be careful, you don't have the right to make money with licensed games. Ask Sony first.
Actually I have been talking talking with Sony about this and they like the idea. They even have the equipment ready to sell me to equip the cafe. What Sony isn't willing to do is back me financially.
I have to make my case to investors who are skeptical why anyone who can play GT5 at home would want to go out to a cafe to play on a rig equipped with 3D, triple-screens and Thrustmaster or Logitech GT wheels.
I have to make my case to investors who are skeptical why anyone who can play GT5 at home would want to go out to a cafe to play on a rig equipped with 3D, triple-screens and Thrustmaster or Logitech GT wheels.
- 1,328
The setup isn't a problem, the on going maintenance and usage rate is.
Every sim racing cafe I goes to have those F1 style pods with wheels of no forcefeedback, I kept wondering why don't they just use a decent FFB wheel like a Fanatec or logitech but that fact is those are not built to withstand such constant wear. It might not seem much to have one return for fixing once in a while but if you have 2 or 3 malfunctioningl simultaneously your place is pretty much shut down,
Every sim racing cafe I goes to have those F1 style pods with wheels of no forcefeedback, I kept wondering why don't they just use a decent FFB wheel like a Fanatec or logitech but that fact is those are not built to withstand such constant wear. It might not seem much to have one return for fixing once in a while but if you have 2 or 3 malfunctioningl simultaneously your place is pretty much shut down,
- 1,328
The main draw is a party atmosphere and speedy LAN connection, however for GT5 you must go through PSN which means this point is null (and you better be sure you have good enough network to support 8+ car online from the same line).
You can also run competitions and it will generate returning business, or hotlap competition etc.
There are also the hardcore crowd which use it as a training tool, however those people are usually more comfortable in their own rig, unless you are in a very populated city where people have small houses, and can't have a rig at home.
Alternatively, there is a casual crowd who are into real cars but not video games as much, who can afford the entry price, and have a get together when the season/weather doesn't allow them to track the real thing. Again it depends on your local demographic.
- 1,011
- UK
- the_greeze
I'm not sure you're going to get the 'footfall' (customers, basically) from a static location. Maybe a better option would be to have a mobile setup so you could attend races, motoring events etc. Loads more potential punters there.
Also, make sure you get something on paper from Sony regarding usage; someone there may well like the idea but I bet one of their legal team may not be so pleased. Sony are huge and you're only in talks with a very small part of them. Get it in writing mate!
Also, make sure you get something on paper from Sony regarding usage; someone there may well like the idea but I bet one of their legal team may not be so pleased. Sony are huge and you're only in talks with a very small part of them. Get it in writing mate!
- 963
- Toronto, Canada
- times_fade
So are you open to sharing some of the details of where you will be located and what hardware you're setting up? What will be the overall atmosphere and what type food/drinks will you be serving at the cafe?
Mr Latte
Premium
- 5,072
- N Ireland
What budget are you talking about? Is this a new business venture or adding to an already successful one?
As a business and if a cafe do not fall into the trap of assuming these cockpits will make a sustained turnover. A cafe should look to use these as additional revenue that can be generated but not the basis of building the business around.
Why also are you concentrating on GT5 and 3D over triplescreens? As yet I do not know of anyone that has had GT5 running in 3x3D or if it is even possible.
Or do you intend to run both via PC?
As a business and if a cafe do not fall into the trap of assuming these cockpits will make a sustained turnover. A cafe should look to use these as additional revenue that can be generated but not the basis of building the business around.
Why also are you concentrating on GT5 and 3D over triplescreens? As yet I do not know of anyone that has had GT5 running in 3x3D or if it is even possible.
Or do you intend to run both via PC?
- 963
- Toronto, Canada
- times_fade
We are in North America.
We have development support from Sony and they are very interested in 3D. In fact, the emphasis is more on 3D than on triplescreens though we expect to have 3D on those too. That is part of the reason we will be using passive glasses. Active shutter glasses are much more complex to work on multiple screens simultaneously. All our hardware is going to be PS3 based though not necessarily a model available to consumers.
We have development support from Sony and they are very interested in 3D. In fact, the emphasis is more on 3D than on triplescreens though we expect to have 3D on those too. That is part of the reason we will be using passive glasses. Active shutter glasses are much more complex to work on multiple screens simultaneously. All our hardware is going to be PS3 based though not necessarily a model available to consumers.
Mr Latte
Premium
- 5,072
- N Ireland
When you set the LAN mode in GT5 for multiscreens does it still allow detection/selection of 3DTV on each of the consoles in game settings?
Have you confirmed this, regardless of what glasses/3D display are used? The question is does the game allow that configuration? Of course with passive technology their is no syncing with the screens and no worry of people nicking your glasses.
I wouldn't get too excited about 3D being a HUGE feature to draw attention to your cockpits. While it is interesting many are not that impressed with it in GT5 particularly as it only outputs 1/2 the framerate. These forums have several threads about what seems peoples lack of real desire for it or appreciation of what it perhaps does visually.
What is the connection with Sony and why Sony?
Seems you are hung up on GT5 being the main focus?
Have you confirmed this, regardless of what glasses/3D display are used? The question is does the game allow that configuration? Of course with passive technology their is no syncing with the screens and no worry of people nicking your glasses.
I wouldn't get too excited about 3D being a HUGE feature to draw attention to your cockpits. While it is interesting many are not that impressed with it in GT5 particularly as it only outputs 1/2 the framerate. These forums have several threads about what seems peoples lack of real desire for it or appreciation of what it perhaps does visually.
What is the connection with Sony and why Sony?
Seems you are hung up on GT5 being the main focus?
- 82
- IceZ23
Settings on a wheel are very personalized and I know at least for me until I finally got everything dialed in, driving was a nightmare. I assume you will need to find some kind of base setting and hope that it works for the majority of your customers.
Also it seems like a pretty large investment for only one game. Have you thought about opening it up to other titles?
Also it seems like a pretty large investment for only one game. Have you thought about opening it up to other titles?
- 1,002
- Northern VA
Tobor,
When details firm up, you'll have to let us know where in NA you're located. I personally would love to come to a place like this, especially if the coffee and treats are very good. I'm your typical early adopter who's into cars and gadgets and I really like the idea, but I don't know how many of us are out there in any given region. I imagine you'd want to capture the more casual crowd, or the ones who don't game but appreciate motorsport.
To me the key draws are:
I'd pay a $10-$20 cover to go to a place like that if there were enough rigs available that I didn't have to wait too long. Spectating areas are key too.
Also, please tell me the place will be called Cafe Racer. Just seems so obvious. If you do that, buy a used Manx TT Superbike machine too!
Good luck! I hope you get the financing to see this through.
When details firm up, you'll have to let us know where in NA you're located. I personally would love to come to a place like this, especially if the coffee and treats are very good. I'm your typical early adopter who's into cars and gadgets and I really like the idea, but I don't know how many of us are out there in any given region. I imagine you'd want to capture the more casual crowd, or the ones who don't game but appreciate motorsport.
To me the key draws are:
- Sim rigs that are too expensive or too impractical for home use
- Competitive yet friendly LAN atmosphere
- Great coffee
I'd pay a $10-$20 cover to go to a place like that if there were enough rigs available that I didn't have to wait too long. Spectating areas are key too.
Also, please tell me the place will be called Cafe Racer. Just seems so obvious. If you do that, buy a used Manx TT Superbike machine too!
Good luck! I hope you get the financing to see this through.
Mr Latte
Premium
- 5,072
- N Ireland
Thanks for your comments. They have been very helpful.
I know at least one of you will be very pleased when we announce one of our planned locations
Dont want to be rude but any reason you havnt answered the questions? You could gain much more help...
If your on here for feedback then surely it would be advisable NOT to base a business affilated with just one game or single franchise which seems to be what your doing?
Regards GT5 3D & Multiscreens. Sony have never shown it in running in both. So I still would advise if thats what your planning to check it does indeed work. Without using some form of gimmick 2D-3D display. You will be aware it can run in 5x screen mode in 2D but tbh the additional 2 screens (5) while creating more sense of speed and wider panaromic for me were are a bit much when I tested that mode.
Good Luck on your adventure
- 1,449
- San Antonio Tex
- Vaxxtx
- Vaxxtx
All this for one game?
I was in advertising and did campagins for quite a few game cafe's. The ones that specialized in a "hot" game at the time (like Halo), did great, then fizzed out.
The fact that home consoles and even sim cockpits are easy attained, makes these types of places hard to keep open for long. Arcades are a good example of how the market is dry.
Add to that a so-so game like GT5, a niche market of sim players vs. arcade players, and cost of gear, it seems the odds are gainst you. People who want a sim are going to be frustrated with not being able to have "thier" tunes, "thier settings", and whatnot. People want to play Outrun are going to be turned off by the more sim like feel.
What market are you trying to capture?
If I want to play a sim with poeple, and have good coffee, well I pick up some joe, get into my home made sim pit, and turn on my bluetooth, and invite some friends into a lobby.
A gaming cafe that includes race sim type games is still risky, but has potential for much more life. Also, going PC based, with PC sims gives you much more flexablity, and much better sim game than a PS3 and GT5, and not to mention better networking.
Seems most posting on here are very supportive, so I figured I would chime in on the downside of your idea and give you some things to think about. Please dont take it as an attack.
I was in advertising and did campagins for quite a few game cafe's. The ones that specialized in a "hot" game at the time (like Halo), did great, then fizzed out.
The fact that home consoles and even sim cockpits are easy attained, makes these types of places hard to keep open for long. Arcades are a good example of how the market is dry.
Add to that a so-so game like GT5, a niche market of sim players vs. arcade players, and cost of gear, it seems the odds are gainst you. People who want a sim are going to be frustrated with not being able to have "thier" tunes, "thier settings", and whatnot. People want to play Outrun are going to be turned off by the more sim like feel.
What market are you trying to capture?
If I want to play a sim with poeple, and have good coffee, well I pick up some joe, get into my home made sim pit, and turn on my bluetooth, and invite some friends into a lobby.
A gaming cafe that includes race sim type games is still risky, but has potential for much more life. Also, going PC based, with PC sims gives you much more flexablity, and much better sim game than a PS3 and GT5, and not to mention better networking.
Seems most posting on here are very supportive, so I figured I would chime in on the downside of your idea and give you some things to think about. Please dont take it as an attack.
Mr Latte
Premium
- 5,072
- N Ireland
Im not even going to remark on your GT6 comment as that is just stupid or a typo on your part.
Are you having a laugh or being serious?
Please explain to us one of the simple FACTS on how with your ideas you would get around the issue of "GT5 Multiscreen" not working well via PSN because of lag. So if using multiple cockpits with the game having no proper LAN mode for multiplayer configurations how do you expect it to perform well?
Sorry but I get the feeling this is all a bit of a windup.
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