Attraction mix, visibility and circulation. Illustrative arcade concept.
An arcade zone should contribute to the venue’s attraction mix and be practical to operate. OBED considers audience, visibility, circulation, payment and ongoing performance before a game list is finalized.
01
Select games for the audience
Arcade game selection begins with the people you want to attract. Consider age mix, visit occasions, social play and how each game complements the rest of the venue.
The mix should offer a reason to participate across the guest groups you intend to serve. Consider individual play, shared experiences and repeat appeal rather than filling a floor plan with unrelated machines. The right balance is specific to the venue, its commercial model and available operating resources.
02
Plan a zone that guests can understand
Arcade zone planning includes sightlines, movement, machine access and the relationship with other attractions. A clear layout helps guests discover the offer and staff supervise it.
The zone also needs a practical working layout. Readers, prize areas, service routes and staff sightlines should be considered with cabinet placement. Keep maintenance access and delivery constraints in the planning discussion, rather than discovering that a visually attractive arrangement cannot be operated comfortably.
A connected guest journey. Illustrative hardware and interface concept.03
Connect cashless play
Evaluate readers, machine compatibility and transaction reporting. Agree how games connect to the cashless system and how operational exceptions are handled.
Cashless entertainment management can connect play with a broader guest account and package strategy. That connection must be verified for the selected machines and readers. The project brief should define how charges, bonuses and exceptions are represented to both guests and management.
04
Design ticketing and redemption deliberately
Ticketing, redemption and prize systems need clear rules, an attractive offer and controlled processes. Prize selection, stock handling and the economics of rewards belong in the plan.
An appealing prize offer also creates inventory work. Agree who receives stock, controls access, replenishes displays and checks the relationship between ticket values and prize cost. Guest-facing rules should be clear enough for the team to explain consistently at the redemption point.
05
Review performance after opening
Reporting can support decisions about machine placement, pricing and the attraction mix. We define what to measure and how to review it, without assuming a fixed return per game.
Review the zone as a portfolio of experiences. Consider play activity, downtime, service effort and the role of each game in attracting guests. A low-performing machine may require a different position, clearer visibility or a different role before a replacement decision is made.
06
Start with the role of the arcade
Tell us whether you are opening a new zone, improving an existing one or connecting it to the wider venue. We help translate that goal into a practical selection and integration brief.
For an existing arcade, describe the current machine mix, payment method and main operational issue. For a new zone, start with the target audience and available space. Consulting helps align the arcade decision with bowling, F&B and the rest of the attraction mix.
A practical project outcome
What we can develop with you.
The exact deliverables and level of involvement are agreed for your engagement.
An audience-led selection and arcade-zone brief.
Cashless, redemption and inventory requirements.
A plan to review the zone after opening.
Before we begin
Practical questions. Clear answers.
How do you choose the arcade mix?+
We begin with the target audience, visit occasions, available space and the role of arcade within the venue. Selection considers guest appeal, social play, payment, service requirements and the wider attraction offer.
Can an arcade share the venue’s cashless system?+
That can be part of the project scope. The machines, readers and system interfaces must be checked, along with pricing, bonuses, package entitlements and reporting requirements.
Can you help plan redemption?+
Yes. We consider the guest offer together with ticket rules, prizes, inventory and staff procedures. The model should be attractive to guests and understandable to the people who manage it.
Do you guarantee revenue per machine?+
No. Performance depends on demand, visibility, selection, pricing and operation. We help define how performance will be reviewed using the actual venue data and context.
