How to start a Game Center Business and make Money

This article introduces the money making opportunity in operating a game center business which I know is very profitable. I remember when I was still in high school; I used to drop off at one game center after school and weekends to play games for recreation. Even today many teenagers and game enthusiasts still go to game centers to play games and wind out.

 

You are likely to find on most streets of the Lagos metropolis and other major cities in Nigeria, game centers where majority of teenagers and young adults pay to play video games against one another as a form of entertainment. There is no doubt that these game centers attract a good number of video game enthusiasts day in day out. This creates a good game center business opportunity by running a video to make cool money.

One of the most popular forms of video game most played is football. Football is driven by passionate love for certain clubs and players, so you will definitely find viewing centers and game centers around. A football viewing center can also double as a game center.

Starting a game center is one good investment you can go into and make regular income even when you are still running other businesses because you don’t have to run it yourself nor do you have to worry about the salary of the game center attendant or manager because most of them are not on salary arrangements. What you need to do is come to an agreement with the operator to deliver a certain amount of money to you daily depending on the influx of customers. There is usually an upsurge of customers on Saturdays and Sundays due to many teenagers and adults relaxing for the weekend which means you can make even more on these days. For example, you can get N1, 000 daily on weekdays and N2, 500 on weekends (about N10, 000 per week). Whatever is made above this on daily or weekly basis goes to the operator/attendant. An arrangement like this motivates the attendant to ensure he drives more sales for more profits. Also work out the formula for footing the bill of fuel purchase for generator, purchase of new games, repairs and other miscellaneous expenses. You can earn between N30, 000 – N40, 000 extra monthly income. But note that this result is just based on one center. You can easily multiply it by floating several game centers across the city and state. You can also expand it to other states.

How to Start Your Game Center properly:

• Rent a Shop: Find a space in front of your house or go out and rent a lock-up shop around your area or in a viable location. By estimation, these shops may go for N100, 000 for two years (N3, 000 x 12 months) and N150, 000 for two years (N5, 000 x 12 months) which also includes agent’s fees and agreements. You can get a cheaper rent depending on the location you want to set your game center up.

• Use your current shop: If you already have a shop then you can equally use it for your game center or better still create a space at your shop for this. With 2 or 3 TV sets and game consoles, you are going to run 2 businesses from the shop. You may need an assistant that can handle this business for you.

• Buy Video game consoles: Playstation 2 and 3 are the most preferred and popular game consoles of choice and due to easy manipulation and mastering. You can also acquire game consoles like Xbox and Xbox 360. You can go for fairly used consoles to save cost. Visit Oshodi area where fairly used electronics and appliances are sold. You need to get at least 2 for a start. This is important because on weekends you may high patronage and waiting queues will be bad for business, if you only have one game console. You also need to get a good game console expert in repairs to help you convert your game consoles to be playable. Fairly used Playstation 2 goes for N9, 000 – N12, 000 while a new one goes for N38, 000 at the Palms Lekki.

• Buy Game Pads: You can get new or used game pads. Buy as many game pads as possible as the ones in the market are known to be short lived. Preferably, buy the game pads with the analog Joystick which the pad of choice among game players. Fairly used game pads goes for N1, 000 or N1, 200 per pad.

• Get Fairly Used TV sets: You can get a 32 inch fairly used TV set for about N12, 000 – N15, 000 at Lawanson or Ladipo areas of Lagos. Acquire two TVs for your game center.
• Buy a 15kva Generator: A 15kva generator will be able to handle the intensity of usage with at least two game consoles and two 32 inch TV sets, fan, bulbs and other appliances.
• Stabilizer and UPS: You need both to ensure power fluctuations does not destroy your electrical appliances. A good stabilizer goes for N50, 000 while you can get a UPS for about N20, 000.
• Carpentry Work: You will need two or three slab-like tables and chairs. You may also need extra seats for those waiting to play.

This is the breakdown of estimates: Shop rent for N150, 000 or less, 2 sets of game consoles for N12, 000 each (N24, 000) or less, 2 32 inch TV sets for N12, 000 each (N24, 000) or less, Game pads for N1, 200 each, 15kva generator for N70, 000, Stabilizer for N5, 000 and UPS for N20, 000 or less. Total start up estimate is about N300, 000 – N150, 000.

Game center operating tips:

• Operate a pay as you play pattern run by a dedicated operator.
• Put your cost to game play at about N25 or N30 per game.
• Develop a relationship with an expert game console repair man in times when your game consoles develop fault.

You should be able to recoup your investments within 6 months to a year and begin to operate at profits. At the space of this time, your game center would have gained a steady traffic of regular video game players. Your second year profit will even be bigger because you have paid for two years rent and would not have to deduct that from your profits. Ensure that your attendant is of honest reputation.