Difference between revisions of "GameWorks"

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'''GameWorks''' is a chain of entertainment venues featuring video games, simulators, redemption prizes, and a full service bar and restaurant. Smaller venues which lacked the bar and restaurant aspect of the chain, called GameWorks Studios, once existed, and were usually placed in shopping malls. There are currently 10 GameWorks venues in the United States and two in international locations. The first GameWorks was created by Steven Spielberg and opened in Downtown Seattle in March, 1997.
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[[File:GameWorks logo.svg|right|300px]]<!-- TODO: {{fileref|Fusion US 0105.pdf|page=16}} -->
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'''GameWorks''' is a chain of entertainment centres formerly owned by Sega. It was launched in 1997 by [[Sega GameWorks]], a joint venture company formed by [[Sega]], [[MCA]]/[[Universal]], and [[DreamWorks SKG]] the previous year. GameWorks venues, identified by their mix of arcade games with food/drink and retail outlets, began opening across the United States in March 1997 with [[GameWorks Seattle]].{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211224195437/https://www.gameworks.com/about/}} Several overseas branches and the smaller [[GameWorks Studio]] spin-off also appeared during the chain's active period, replacing the earlier [[Sega City]].
  
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The chain was created as a joint venture between [[Sega]], Universal Studios, and Dreamworks SKG. Dreamworks SKG withdrew their involvement in 2001, and the chain itself filed for bankruptcy in 2004. The chain was bought out by [[Sega Sammy Holdings]] in November 3, 2005 and is now operated by its subsidiary, SEGA Entertainment USA, Inc.
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Following DreamWorks and Universal's exit from the venture in the early 2000s, [[Sega Sammy Holdings]] wholly owned its chain from 2005 to 2011 through [[Sega Entertainment USA]]. The 2010 liquidation of the subsidiary led to its locations being closed or sold off;{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211207003717/https://www.intergameonline.com/coin-op/news/sega-sells-gameworks}} as of December 2021, all 6 of those that remained under the GameWorks brand through several new parent companies had been closed.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211225005832/https://arcadeheroes.com/2021/12/23/rip-gameworks/}} In 2022 several former GameWorks executives acquired its assets from ExWorks Capital, who owned GameWorks at the time of its closure, with plans to revive the chain starting with the re-opening of its original location in Seattle in August 2022.{{ref|https://www.geekwire.com/2022/gameworks-ready-to-power-back-on-in-seattle-as-onetime-execs-take-control-of-arcade-restaurant/}}
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==Operations==
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Operations}}
  
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GameWorks is home to many SEGA arcade games, from old classics like OutRun to the very newest, state-of-the-art simulators. The Las Vegas and Schaumburg venues have Virtual Bowling, and many venues have interactive driving simulators such as Indy 500. Games are played by loading a Play Card with credits, and then swiping the card through a reader on each game. Tickets can be won and exchanged for prizes at the redemption counter. Because the venue is run by Sega, the mascot of the company, Sonic The Hedgehog, can be seen on exclusive merchandise available at the redemption counter. Sonic themed paper plates and cups are available for use if a child's birthday party is booked at GameWorks, and Sonic mascot suits occasionally wander the venues to attract patrons.
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==History==
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/History}}
  
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==2010 Restructuring==
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==Quotes==
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{{quote|GameWorks is about fun, excitement, competition and bringing people together. It is also about escape, adventure, and connecting.
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<br>
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It gives each person a chance to prove he or she is a star.|''[[Steven Spielberg]]''|ref={{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211224195437/https://www.gameworks.com/about/}}{{fileref|GameWorks Spielbergquote sign.png}}}}
  
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Due to the poor economy, GameWorks began to struggle financially as patrons could no longer afford to spend money on things like entertainment. As part of a major restructuring move, SEGA Entertainment USA, Inc. suddenly closed down seven GameWorks venues on March 29, 2010, in an attempt to focus the chain's mission on profitability and future growth. Employees and patrons were greeted with a sign on the door explaining the sudden closure of the venue. Media spokesmen for SEGA Entertainment USA reported that as a result of the closure, GameWorks employees at the closed locations lost their jobs, although some recieved 30 days of wages. The ten remaining locations and World Sports Grille in Tucson will become the focus of renewed efforts going forward.
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{{quote|As kids we loved watching computer games explode onto the scene and loved going to arcades. But, when we grew up, the arcades did not. At GameWorks, we're building the entertainment concept that closes the gap and gives adults and kids (young or old) the ultimate place to play.|''Chairman and Co-Founder Skys Paul''|ref=<ref>M Pegler (2000). ''Entertainment Destinations''</ref>}}
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==Locations==
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==Venues==
 
===United States===
 
===United States===
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*Schaumburg, Illinois (with [[The House of the Dead 4 Special]], [[Street Fighter IV]] arcade machines and new Stern pinball games on test)
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{{multicol|
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*Newport, Kentucky (Cincinnati, Ohio area)  
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*[[GameWorks Seattle]] (1997, re-opened 2022)
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*Seattle, Washington
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*[[GameWorks Las Vegas]] (1997)
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*Las Vegas, Nevada (with a Special Edition motion simulator)
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*[[GameWorks Ontario]] (1997)
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*Ontario, California
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*[[GameWorks Grapevine]] (1997)
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*Tempe, Arizona
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*[[GameWorks Tempe]] (1997)
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*Sunrise, Florida (Anchor attraction at the Oasis at Sawgrass Mills Mall)
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*[[GameWorks Auburn Hills]] (1998)
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*Tampa, Florida (Ybor City district) (previously closed, reopened April 13, 2010)
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*[[GameWorks Orange County]] (1998)
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*Miami, Florida (previously closed, reopened April 13, 2010)
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*[[GameWorks Miami]] (1999)
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*[[GameWorks Sawgrass Mills]] (1999)
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*[[GameWorks Chicago]] (1999)
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*[[GameWorks Columbus]] (1999)
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*[[GameWorks Irvine]] (1999)
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*[[GameWorks Tampa]] (2000)
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*[[GameWorks Newport]] (2002)
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*[[GameWorks Minneapolis]] (2002)
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*[[GameWorks Long Beach]] (2003)
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|col=3}}
  
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===Overseas===
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*[[GameWorks Guam]] (1999)
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*[[GameWorks Rio de Janeiro]] (1999)
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*[[GameWorks Vienna]] (2001){{ref|https://archive.ph/Lhezy|https://www.kleinezeitung.at/wirtschaft/5381565/Kryptowaehrung_Putzi-will-groesste-Kryptobank-der-Welt}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20231016111354/https://www.news.at/a/putzi-dubai-geld-superarena-8987}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20210925133744/https://www.derstandard.at/story/466560/videospiel-sportbar-und-grill}}
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*[[GameWorks Kuwait]] (2003)
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*[[GameWorks Santo Domingo]] (2004)
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*[[GameWorks Mexico]] (2006)
  
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===Unopened===
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*Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (announced in 2001 but never materialized. The location would have been the first to incorporate a cinema){{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211207004220/https://www.highwaygames.com/arcade-news/sega-gameworks-to-anchor-oklahoma-canal-site-407/}}{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211212014839/https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/05/24/Scotts-World-UPI-Arts-Entertainment/8083990676800/}}
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*Milwaukee, Wisconsin (struck down in the Pabst City project vote)
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* Westbury, New York (though a sign outside the Source mall touted its arrival, it never materialized; [[wikipedia:Jillian's|Jillian's]] then [[wikipedia:Dave & Buster's|Dave & Buster's]] took the location)
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*Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (building built in Harrisburg Mall, but the project was abandoned in the wake of the financial crisis of 2007–2010)
  
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Now closed/defunct:
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==Videos==
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*Grapevine, Texas (closed June 27, 2010)
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{{gallery|
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*Auburn Hills, Michigan (closed March 29, 2010)
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{{gitem|MTVPremiereParty_1997_GameWorks.mp4|First 26 minutes of MTV launch party for the Seattle, Washington location (incomplete)}}
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*Minneapolis, Minnesota] (closed March 29, 2010)
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}}
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*Columbus, Ohio  (closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Kitchen Den Bar )
 
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*Indianapolis, Indiana (as GameWorks Studios)(closed March 29, 2010, reopened by Tilt)
 
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*Irvine, California (opened as Sega City, later became Fox Sports Grill, now vacant)
 
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*Long Beach, California (closed March 29, 2010, reopening as Kitchen Den Bar)
 
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*Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (GameWorks Studios)
 
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*Orange, California (now The Power House arcade)
 
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*City of Industry, California (now Tilt arcade)
 
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*Tucson, Arizona (GameWorks Studios) (has replaced by World Sports Grille, which is also operated by SEGA)
 
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*San Antonio, Texas (GameWorks Studio in The Quarry Market, closed April 2009)
 
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*Austin, Texas (GameWorks Studio in Lakeline Mall)
 
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*Littleton, Colorado (GameWorks Studio in Park Meadows Mall)
 
  
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===International===
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==External links==
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* Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (at Mega Centro Mall)
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*[http://www.gameworks.com/ Official website]
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* Mexico City, Mexico (Opened in 2006)
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*''[https://www.destructoid.com/sega-closing-50-of-gameworks-locations/ Sega closing 50% of GameWorks locations]'' article by Dale North at ''[https://www.destructoid.com/ Destructoid]''
  
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Now closed/defunct:
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==References==
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* Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Despite being a very successful location, constantly full, it was closed due to disagreements with the local representative. They wanted to remove the restaurant, and only keep the 2 bars. The Brazilian company created its own arcade brand, called HotZone.)
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<references />
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* Tumon, Guam (Closed in 2006)
 
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* Vienna, Austria (Opened in 2001, filed for bankruptcy around 2003)
 
  
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===Locations never built===
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{{SegaVenuesUSA}}
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*Milwaukee, Wisconsin (struck down in the Pabst City project vote)
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[[Category:Venues in the United States]]
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* Westbury, New York (though a sign outside the Source mall touted its arrival, it never materialized; instead, 'Jillians' took over the location which is now Dave & Busters)
 
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*Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (building built in Harrisburg Mall but the project was abandoned in the wake of the financial crisis of 2007–2010)
 
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==See also==
 
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*[[Sega JoyPolis]]
 
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*[[SegaWorld]]
 
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==External links==
 
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* [http://www.gameworks.com/ Official site]
 

Latest revision as of 21:22, 16 October 2023

GameWorks logo.svg

GameWorks is a chain of entertainment centres formerly owned by Sega. It was launched in 1997 by Sega GameWorks, a joint venture company formed by Sega, MCA/Universal, and DreamWorks SKG the previous year. GameWorks venues, identified by their mix of arcade games with food/drink and retail outlets, began opening across the United States in March 1997 with GameWorks Seattle.[1] Several overseas branches and the smaller GameWorks Studio spin-off also appeared during the chain's active period, replacing the earlier Sega City.

Following DreamWorks and Universal's exit from the venture in the early 2000s, Sega Sammy Holdings wholly owned its chain from 2005 to 2011 through Sega Entertainment USA. The 2010 liquidation of the subsidiary led to its locations being closed or sold off;[2] as of December 2021, all 6 of those that remained under the GameWorks brand through several new parent companies had been closed.[3] In 2022 several former GameWorks executives acquired its assets from ExWorks Capital, who owned GameWorks at the time of its closure, with plans to revive the chain starting with the re-opening of its original location in Seattle in August 2022.[4]

Operations

Main article: GameWorks/Operations.

History

Main article: GameWorks/History.

Quotes

“ GameWorks is about fun, excitement, competition and bringing people together. It is also about escape, adventure, and connecting.


It gives each person a chance to prove he or she is a star.

„

— Steven Spielberg[1][5]



“ As kids we loved watching computer games explode onto the scene and loved going to arcades. But, when we grew up, the arcades did not. At GameWorks, we're building the entertainment concept that closes the gap and gives adults and kids (young or old) the ultimate place to play. „

— Chairman and Co-Founder Skys Paul[6]


Venues

United States

Overseas

Unopened

  • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (announced in 2001 but never materialized. The location would have been the first to incorporate a cinema)[10][11]
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin (struck down in the Pabst City project vote)
  • Westbury, New York (though a sign outside the Source mall touted its arrival, it never materialized; Jillian's then Dave & Buster's took the location)
  • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (building built in Harrisburg Mall, but the project was abandoned in the wake of the financial crisis of 2007–2010)

Videos

Video Placeholder.svg
First 26 minutes of MTV launch party for the Seattle, Washington location (incomplete)

External links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://www.gameworks.com/about/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-12-24 19:54)
  2. ↑ https://www.intergameonline.com/coin-op/news/sega-sells-gameworks (Wayback Machine: 2021-12-07 00:37)
  3. ↑ https://arcadeheroes.com/2021/12/23/rip-gameworks/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-12-25 00:58)
  4. ↑ https://www.geekwire.com/2022/gameworks-ready-to-power-back-on-in-seattle-as-onetime-execs-take-control-of-arcade-restaurant/
  5. ↑ File:GameWorks Spielbergquote sign.png
  6. ↑ M Pegler (2000). Entertainment Destinations
  7. ↑ https://www.kleinezeitung.at/wirtschaft/5381565/Kryptowaehrung_Putzi-will-groesste-Kryptobank-der-Welt (archive.today)
  8. ↑ https://www.news.at/a/putzi-dubai-geld-superarena-8987 (Wayback Machine: 2023-10-16 11:13)
  9. ↑ https://www.derstandard.at/story/466560/videospiel-sportbar-und-grill (Wayback Machine: 2021-09-25 13:37)
  10. ↑ https://www.highwaygames.com/arcade-news/sega-gameworks-to-anchor-oklahoma-canal-site-407/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-12-07 00:42)
  11. ↑ https://www.upi.com/Archives/2001/05/24/Scotts-World-UPI-Arts-Entertainment/8083990676800/ (Wayback Machine: 2021-12-12 01:48)


Sega-related venues in the United States
GameWorks
Seattle (1997) | Las Vegas (1997) | Ontario (1997) | Grapevine (1997) | Tempe (1997) | Auburn Hills (1998) | Orange County (1998) | Miami (1999) | Sawgrass Mills (1999) | Chicago (1999) | Columbus (1999) | Irvine (1999) | Lone Tree (199x) | Tampa (2000) | Newport (2002) | Minneapolis (2002) | Long Beach (2003) | Las Vegas at Town Square (201x)
GameWorks Studio
Austin (199x) | City of Industry (199x) | Daytona (199x) | Henderson (199x) | Indianapolis (199x) | Kansas City (199x) | Littleton (199x) | Orlando (199x) | Philadelphia (199x) | San Antonio (199x) | Tucson (199x)
Sega City
Indianapolis (1995) | Cedar Park (1995) | Irvine (1995) | Lone Tree (1996) | Albuquerque (1997) | Baltimore (199x) | San Jose (199x)
Kingdom of Oz
Westminster Mall (19xx) | West Covina Fashion Plaza (19xx) | Puente Hills Mall (19xx) | Old Towne (19xx) | Tanforan Shopping Center (19xx)
Sega Center
Anaheim Plaza (19xx) | Carson Mall (19xx) | Fashion Valley Shopping Center (19xx) | Fox Hills Mall (19xx) | Los Cerritos Center (19xx) | Montclair Plaza (19xx) | Puente Hills Mall (19xx) | Sherman Oaks Galleria (19xx) | Tanforan Shopping Center (19xx)
Sega's Time-Out
Fox Hills Mall (19xx) | Golden Ring Mall (19xx) | Great Northern Mall (19xx) | Time-Out on the Court (19xx)
Sega Station
Boulder Station (1997) | Kansas City (1997) | Sunset Station (1997)
World Sports Grille
Tucson (2008) | Seattle (200x) | Detroit (20xx)
P.J. Pizzazz
Eastland Center (1980) | Garden Grove (1982) | Puente Hills Mall (1982)
Others
Game City (1992) | Grand Slam Canyon (1993) | Midway (1993) | Sega VirtuaLand (1993) | Innoventions (1994) | Sega Speedway (1995) | Stage 35 (xxxx) | Sega Sports at Centerfield (2000)
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