Difference between revisions of "GameWorks"

From Sega Retro

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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}} -->
'''GameWorks''' is a chain of entertainment venues featuring arcade games, simulators, 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 March 1997 with [[GameWorks Seattle]], replacing the [[Sega City]] arcades as the United States' substitute for the [[Amusement Theme Park]] concept.
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'''GameWorks''' was 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]]. Several overseas branches and the smaller [[GameWorks Studio]] spin-off also appeared during the chain's active period, replacing the earlier [[Sega City]].
 
 
As of 2011, GameWorks is no longer owned or operated by Sega, with the majority of original venues now permanently closed.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211207003717/https://www.intergameonline.com/coin-op/news/sega-sells-gameworks}}
 
  
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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 have been closed permanently.{{ref|https://web.archive.org/web/20211225005832/https://arcadeheroes.com/2021/12/23/rip-gameworks/}}
 
==Operations==
 
==Operations==
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Operations}}
 
{{mainArticle|{{PAGENAME}}/Operations}}
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===Unopened===
 
===Unopened===
*Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (announced in 2001 but never materialised. 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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*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)
* 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)
*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)
  
 
==Videos==
 
==Videos==

Revision as of 20:09, 25 December 2021

GameWorks logo.svg

GameWorks was 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. 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;[1] as of December 2021, all 6 of those that remained under the GameWorks brand through several new parent companies have been closed permanently.[2]

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[3]


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)[4][5]
  • 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