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.
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.
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.
Contents
2010 Restructuring
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 received 30 days of wages. The ten remaining locations and World Sports Grille in Tucson will become the focus of renewed efforts going forward.
Locations
United States
- Schaumburg, Illinois (with The House of the Dead 4 Special, Street Fighter IV arcade machines and new Stern pinball games on test)
- Newport, Kentucky (Cincinnati, Ohio area)
- Seattle, Washington
- Las Vegas, Nevada (with a Special Edition motion simulator)
- Ontario, California
- Tempe, Arizona
- Sunrise, Florida (Anchor attraction at the Oasis at Sawgrass Mills Mall)
- Tampa, Florida (Ybor City district) (previously closed, reopened April 13, 2010)
- Miami, Florida (previously closed, reopened April 13, 2010)
Now closed/defunct:
- Grapevine, Texas (closed June 27, 2010)
- Auburn Hills, Michigan (closed March 29, 2010)
- Minneapolis, Minnesota (closed March 29, 2010)
- Columbus, Ohio (closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Kitchen Den Bar)
- Indianapolis, Indiana (as GameWorks Studios)(closed March 29, 2010, reopened by Tilt)
- Irvine, California (opened as Sega City, later became Fox Sports Grill, now vacant)
- Long Beach, California (closed March 29, 2010, reopening as Kitchen Den Bar)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (GameWorks Studios)
- Orange, California (now The Power House arcade)
- City of Industry, California (now Tilt arcade)
- Tucson, Arizona (GameWorks Studios) (has replaced by World Sports Grille, which is also operated by SEGA)
- San Antonio, Texas (GameWorks Studio in The Quarry Market, closed April 2009)
- Austin, Texas (GameWorks Studio in Lakeline Mall)
- Littleton, Colorado (GameWorks Studio in Park Meadows Mall)
International
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (at Mega Centro Mall)
- Mexico City, Mexico (Opened in 2006)
Now closed/defunct:
- 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.)
- Tumon, Guam (Closed in 2006)
- Vienna, Austria (Opened in 2001, filed for bankruptcy around 2003)
Locations never built
- 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)
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (building built in Harrisburg Mall but the project was abandoned in the wake of the financial crisis of 2007–2010)