Difference between revisions of "GameWorks"

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[[File:GameWorks logo.svg|right|300px]]<!-- TODO: {{fileref|Fusion US 0105.pdf|page=16}} -->
 
[[File:GameWorks logo.svg|right|300px]]<!-- TODO: {{fileref|Fusion US 0105.pdf|page=16}} -->
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'''GameWorks''' is a chain of entertainment venues featuring arcade games, simulators, redemption prizes, and full-service bars and restaurants. It was created in 1996 as a joint venture between [[Sega]], Universal Studios, and DreamWorks SKG. GameWorks venues began opening across the United States in 1997, replacing the [[Sega City]] arcades as the United States' version of Sega's [[Joypolis]] and [[Sega World]] projects.
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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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As of 2011, GameWorks is no longer owned or operated by Sega, with the majority of original venues having been closed.
 
  
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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/}}
 
==Operations==
 
==Operations==
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GameWorks was (and still is) home to many Sega arcade games, from old classics like ''[[OutRun]]'' to the very newest state-of-the-art simulators. Sega pinball machines, [[UFO Catcher]]s, imported Japanese games, and uncommon Sega arcade titles such as ''[[Monkey Ball]]'' could be found at some venues. The Schaumburg, Illinois venue had ''Virtual Bowling'', and many locations had interactive driving simulators such as ''[[Indy 500]]''. Games were played by loading a Play Card with credits, and then swiping the card through a reader on each game. Tokens could be purchased for redemption games, which dispensed tickets that could be exchanged for prizes. Some GameWorks venues were used by Sega's arcade development teams as test locations for games such as [[The Lost World: Jurassic Park]] and [[Daytona USA 2: Battle on the Edge]] (the latter which features a large GameWorks logo as scenery in one of the racetracks).
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Operations}}
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Like Sega's other indoor amusement venues, [[Sonic the Hedgehog]] was the mascot of GameWorks until their 2011 sale, and was featured on the chain's merchandise, redemption prizes, children's menus, party decorations, and as a costumed character.
 
  
 
==History==
 
==History==
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The first GameWorks was created by Steven Spielberg and opened in Downtown Seattle in March,{{intref|Press release: 1997-03-15: BECK AND COOLIO TO PERFORM AT MTV'S GameWorks PREMIERE PARTY SPECIAL LIVE FROM THE GRAND OPENING OF GameWorks SATURDAY, MARCH 15 IN SEATTLE, WA}} 1997 to much fanfare{{intref|Press release: 1996-12-04: FIRST GameWorks PLAYS IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE, MARCH 1997}}
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{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/History}}
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. A typical facility cost about $10 million or more to build, and plans initially called for up to 150 locations. After earnings of the first stores proved disappointing, the scope of the chain was scaled back significantly. Nonetheless, Sega estimated that at its height, the 18 U.S. locations that existed drew in over 15 million guests per year.
 
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Smaller venues which lacked the bar and restaurant aspect of the chain were titled '''GameWorks Studios''' and were usually placed in shopping malls.
 
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Due to the costs involved in the venture, DreamWorks SKG withdrew their involvement in 2001, and the chain itself filed for bankruptcy in 2004. NBC Universal's stake in GameWorks  was sold to [[Sega Sammy Holdings]] on November 3, 2005, making it wholly-owned by SEGA and was operated by its subsidiary, [[Sega Entertainment USA]] until May 2011.
 
  
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GameWorks began to struggle financially in the late 2000s as a result of an economic downturn in the United States. As part of a major restructuring move, Sega Entertainment USA 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. Sega Entertainment USA reported that as a result of the closure, GameWorks employees at the closed locations lost their jobs, although some received 30 days of wages. The ten remaining locations and the [[World Sports Grille]] in Tucson were to become the focus of renewed efforts going forward.
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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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In May 2011, Sega sold GameWorks, which now consisted of only seven locations, to an investor group headed by theme park and arcade chain veteran Steve Dooner. Now known as Gameworks Entertainment LLC, the company has moved its headquarters from the Chicago suburbs to Las Vegas. Dooner, GameWorks' new chief executive, said he originally tried to buy Gameworks in 2001 and discussed the possibilities of making the acquisition a second time in 2004 before the chain was declared bankrupt. His third and successful round of negotiations with Sega began in January 2010.
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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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Dooner planned to revitalize GameWorks by making broad changes to technology, menus and marketing, increasing the company's emphasis on social media, and eventually opening new locations. Though the franchise is no longer affiliated with Sega, some theming and redemption prizes are still based off of Sega game franchises. Today, only 6 of the GameWorks locations SEGA opened are still in business.
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==Venues==
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==Locations==
 
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(Note: this does not include locations post Sega's 2011 sale)
 
 
===United States===
 
===United States===
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<gallery widths="320" heights="240">
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{{multicol|
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GameWorks US Schaumburg.jpg|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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*[[GameWorks Seattle]] (1997, re-opened 2022)
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GameWorks US Newport.jpg|Newport, Kentucky (Cincinnati, Ohio area) (opened October 2001)
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*[[GameWorks Las Vegas]] (1997)
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GameWorks US Seattle.jpg|Seattle, Washington (opened March 1997)
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*[[GameWorks Ontario]] (1997)
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GameWorks US Ontario.jpg|Ontario, California (opened 1997)
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*[[GameWorks Grapevine]] (1997)
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GameWorks US Tempe.jpg|Tempe, Arizona (opened November 1997, closed 2016, reopened as Tilt)
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*[[GameWorks Tempe]] (1997)
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GameWorks US Grapevine.jpg|Grapevine, Texas (opened October 30, 1997, closed June 27, 2010)
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*[[GameWorks Auburn Hills]] (1998)
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GameWorks US AuburnHills.jpg|Auburn Hills, Michigan (opened November 12, 1998, closed March 29, 2010)
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*[[GameWorks Orange County]] (1998)
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GameWorks US Minneapolis.jpg|Minneapolis, Minnesota (closed March 29, 2010)
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*[[GameWorks Miami]] (1999)
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GameWorks US Columbus.jpg|Columbus, Ohio  (opened November 1, 2001, closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Kitchen Den Bar)
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*[[GameWorks Sawgrass Mills]] (1999)
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GameWorksStudio US Indianapolis.jpg|Indianapolis, Indiana (GameWorks Studio; opened September 8, 1995 as Sega City, closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Tilt)
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*[[GameWorks Chicago]] (1999)
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Notavailable.svg|Irvine, California (opened November 1995 as Sega City, reopened as Fox Sports Grill)
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*[[GameWorks Columbus]] (1999)
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GameWorks US LongBeach.jpg|Long Beach, California (opened November 2003, closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Kitchen Den Bar)
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*[[GameWorks Irvine]] (1999)
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Notavailable.svg|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (GameWorks Studio)
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*[[GameWorks Tampa]] (2000)
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Notavailable.svg|Orange, California (opened November 14, 1998, reopened as The Power House arcade)
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*[[GameWorks Newport]] (2002)
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Notavailable.svg|City of Industry, California (reopened as Tilt arcade)
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*[[GameWorks Minneapolis]] (2002)
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Notavailable.svg|Tucson, Arizona (GameWorks Studio) (reopened as [[World Sports Grille]] in 2008, also operated by Sega)
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*[[GameWorks Long Beach]] (2003)
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Notavailable.svg|The Quarry Market, San Antonio, Texas (GameWorks Studio, opened 1998, closed April 2009)
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|col=3}}
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Notavailable.svg|Lakeline Mall, Austin, Texas (GameWorks Studio, opened October 18, 1995 as Sega City)
 
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Notavailable.svg|Park Meadows Mall, Littleton, Colorado (GameWorks Studio, opened August 1996)
 
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GameWorks US LasVegas.jpg|Las Vegas, Nevada (closed March 2012, moved to a new location)
 
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GameWorks US Tampa.jpg|Tampa, Florida (opened 2001, closed March 29, 2010, reopened as GameTime)
 
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GameWorks US Sunrise.jpg|Sunrise, Florida (opened 1999, reopened as GameRoom)
 
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</gallery>
 
  
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===International===
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===Overseas===
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<gallery widths="320" heights="240">
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*[[GameWorks Guam]] (1999)
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Notavailable.svg|Mega Centro Mall, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
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*[[GameWorks Rio de Janeiro]] (1999)
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Notavailable.svg|Mexico City, Mexico (opened in 2006)
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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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Notavailable.svg|New York City Center Entertainment Complex{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010409184239/http://www.gameworks.com:80/scoop/gw_locations.html}}, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Opened November 1999{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010409184239/http://www.gameworks.com:80/scoop/gw_locations.html}}. 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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*[[GameWorks Kuwait]] (2003)
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Notavailable.svg|Pleasure Island Entertainment Center{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010409184239/http://www.gameworks.com:80/scoop/gw_locations.html}}, Tumon Bay, Guam (opened March 1999{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010409184239/http://www.gameworks.com:80/scoop/gw_locations.html}}, closed in 2006)
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*[[GameWorks Santo Domingo]] (2004)
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Notavailable.svg|Vienna, Austria (opened in 2001, filed for bankruptcy around 2003)
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*[[GameWorks Mexico]] (2006)
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Notavailable.svg|Kuwait (2003?){{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20010409184239/http://www.gameworks.com:80/scoop/gw_locations.html}}
 
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</gallery>
 
  
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===Locations never built===
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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/}}
 
*Milwaukee, Wisconsin (struck down in the Pabst City project vote)
 
*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; instead, 'Jillians' took over the location which is now Dave & Busters)
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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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*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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==Videos==
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{{gallery|
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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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}}
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
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* [http://www.gameworks.com/ Official site]
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*[http://www.gameworks.com/ Official website]
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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]''
  
 
==References==
 
==References==
 
<references />
 
<references />
  
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{{SegaVenuesUSA}}
 
[[Category:Venues in the United States]]
 
[[Category:Venues in the United States]]

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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