Fandom Cafe

[Tybalt]

Just letting you guys know that the various fandoms in the city have allied and are trying to set up a Cafe where all the fandoms can hold their activities. AEGIS is part of this alliance and the cafe will have a library of games and space where they can be played. It would be good if we could support this endeavor, that way we can assure ourselves gaming space.

What do you guys think?

[Kim]

Gaming space has always been an issue with the local miniature wargaming community.  Evidently because of the large table space needed to play a game (what more if it's a Grand Tournament).

RHGC (Rolling Hills Gaming Club) already has several demo armies ready for those willing to wade into the miniature wargaming waters.

[Meow Pao]

Space nowadays is expensive, esp. in high traffic areas such as malls. To have that much space for playing, it should also be profitable. Hope someone can come up with a scheme that can be profitable enough to support the space for everyone to play in.

[Brel]

I have actually thought about this before but don't have enough capital myself to realize the project.  So I think the idea of various groups cooperating to set up a Cafe like this is a great idea!  I give my full support on this.  

Here are a few suggestions that come up in my mind:  

SPACE/LOCATION
The venue should be spacious enough to hold different types of games/events at a time.  It may not be necessarily inside a mall but a nearby location to a mall would be good.  Although having the venue inside a mall like Greenhills, Power Plant, or somewhere in Libis is ideal (I seem to lack activities to do in Libis everytime I go there).[/list]

ATMOSPHERE
The place should have a friendly or conducive atmosphere that I can even invite my family to go there.  A smoking and non-smoking area would be good.[/list]

FOOD & DRINKS
The place should also be known for its good food/drinks so you can even go there just to eat, drink, or chat without even playing a game.  Just like why people go to Starbucks etc.[/list]

GAMES
There should be a large collection of games and has even several copies of each available for visitors to play.  Also, bringing a game to the venue is allowed and encouraged.  This will foster a more friendly atmosphere and may as well introduce new games and promote the hobby further.  Renting a game from the collection or bringing your own game is free but playing any given game is not.  The time you spend while playing a game is charged but you get disounts on the food and drinks though the longer you stay and play.

Before and after renting a game, the components and condition of it is checked.  Any damages or missing pieces will be charged to the borrower.  I am not sure how to do this but there may be a small deposit up front before playing a borrowed game.  The borrower can get his deposit back in full amount after he returns the game in the same condition he borrowed it.
[/list]

GAME DEMOS/ENTERTAINMENT
Asking for a waiter/dedicated person to demo a game for your party has a small fee.  But there are times wherein a scheduled demo of a game is held for all to watch and learn for free (think of this as a band playing at a bar).  Of course with this only food and drinks can be charged.
[/list]

MORE
Aside from just playing games, there may also be a room that can be rented to watch DVDs, play Playstation games, etc.  Of course there is already a large collection of DVDs and Video Games that can be rented for free to watch/play there.  But visitors may also bring their own DVDs or Video Games if desired.  You get disounts on the food and drinks too the longer you stay in the room.[/list]

These are just some ideas.  If you need more help etc, pls. feel free to contact me.  

[Meow Pao]

Doesn't Landes / Hobbes have the same model, except for the electronic video games? How do they make money? They have locations in the more upscale malls, and the rent there is scary.

***

Talking about space, this is sort of wasted during the daytime and on weekdays. A lot of people can only play or mingle during the evenings, or on weekends.

I think you can take the Ageis attendances for the past 2 months as a guide on how much space and time people use for gaming.

[Tybalt]

True, if you decide to make the venue exclusive to gamers. The model we are playing around with is to allow the spaces to be rented out to various groups for rehearsals, prayer meetings, conferences, training sessions and so on when the rooms are not booked for gaming. Of course, paid members are given priority.

[Brel]

[quote1148897523=Tybalt]
True, if you decide to make the venue exclusive to gamers. The model we are playing around with is to allow the spaces to be rented out to various groups for rehearsals, prayer meetings, conferences, training sessions and so on when the rooms are not booked for gaming. Of course, paid members are given priority.
[/quote1148897523]


Excellent idea!  But I do hope there are special options for gaming as it might just become an ordinary "for rent" function room.

[Rolf]

I don't suppose you'd be able to set it up closer to Alabang?

[Tybalt]

[quote1149064790=brel]
[quote1148897523=Tybalt]
True, if you decide to make the venue exclusive to gamers. The model we are playing around with is to allow the spaces to be rented out to various groups for rehearsals, prayer meetings, conferences, training sessions and so on when the rooms are not booked for gaming. Of course, paid members are given priority.
[/quote1148897523]


Excellent idea!  But I do hope there are special options for gaming as it might just become an ordinary "for rent" function room.
[/quote1149064790]

Indeed. But we must remember that one thing that ordinary rooms for rent do not do is give the likes of us priority or discounts for the space we need to pursue our hobbies. Can you imagine being finally able to play that monster game you've wanting play except that there was not room to lay down the map and no safe place to lay out the pieces?

[Brel]

You're right Tybalt.  Having an ideal space for gaming is very good.  I think I have missed out that you did mention there will be a library of games available.  So this is what I mean, an extra service or something that will make the venue more unique.  

Can I ask what is the plan for the library of games?  Will these be for rent etc.?  I actually mentioned Fandom Cafe idea to a friend recently and she told me it would also be good if there will be available Video Tutorials on some of the games.  I think it is a good suggestion only if a service will rely on games available for rent as this will quicken the learning process of newbies to a particular game.

Also the idea of having soundproof rooms which u mentioned last time is another excellent idea!  I am very excited to see how Fandom Cafe will turn out.  

[CrispyBeefRibs]

so where is the planned location for the cafe? how tangible is the idea already? i mean has the idea gone past the drawing board already?

i all in for this idea tho

[Tybalt]

Well, you could either send a representative to the New Worlds Alliance or have AEGIS represent the interests of TableTopWars.com at the NWA meetings. Let me know what you think.

[faust]

BOARD GAME RENTAL SHOP! BOARD GAME RENTAL SHOP!

C'mon, Korea and Singapore have it...

[Brel]

[quote1150992532=faust]
BOARD GAME RENTAL SHOP! BOARD GAME RENTAL SHOP!

C'mon, Korea and Singapore have it...
[/quote1150992532]

YEAH! haha So we can try em first before buying the actual game.   !amazed

[Tybalt]

That's exactly what Fandom Cafe will do!