Quote from: ColonelHardissonI think game shops serve a valuable purpose. They encourage socialization, which God knows a lot of gamers need to experience and learn from. Humans are a social animal, and it's healthy for them to get together and hobnob with new people on occasion.

See, here's the thing, Colonel: I'm a game geek and I spent last Saturday night at dive bar, drunk off my ass and performing the Fresh Prince of Bel Aire theme to a crowd of cheering strangers (karaoke night, baby). Booze, debauchery and good times, with several people wondering how pictures of their naughty bits ended-up on a fellow reveler's digital camera the next morning.

This is socializing, my friend.

Game stores are for browsing and buying games. Period. We already have losers who only climb out of the basement to "socialize" at the game store, and we've seen where that leads (this thread).

Quote from: YamoSee, here's the thing, Colonel: I'm a game geek and I spent last Saturday night at dive bar, drunk off my ass and performing the Fresh Prince of Bel Aire theme to a crowd of cheering strangers (karaoke night, baby). Booze, debauchery and good times, with several people wondering how pictures of their naughty bits ended-up on a fellow reveler's digital camera the next morning.

This is socializing, my friend.

One type of socializing, sure. Not the only one. Especially not for anyone past the age of 23 or so.

Quote from: YamoGame stores are for browsing and buying games. Period. We already have losers who only climb out of the basement to "socialize" at the game store, and we've seen where that leads (this thread).

Take this in a friendly tone, but - bullshit. I could easily point out that dive bars are where losers go to get shit-faced and pretend they'll actually get laid tonight, but end up crying and pissing on their ex-girlfriend's lawn after they leave.

Quote from: YamoActually, if you work full-time for Wizards, you probably live in the area and my even know of the store I'm describing.

Is it the one over in Burien? I thought that one closed down in December. Or are there other cesspits in the area?

(The Burien store touched off my dearly held and frequently cited belief that Burien is an official government mutant containment zone.)

I'm sort of in LGS withdrawal. I had an awesome store in Boston (Pandemonium Books & Games) and I miss having a place to go and browse through SF books and gaming stuff.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonTake this in a friendly tone, but - bullshit. I could easily point out that dive bars are where losers go to get shit-faced and pretend they'll actually get laid tonight, but end up crying and pissing on their ex-girlfriend's lawn after they leave.

But at least they're fulfilling the place's function, unlike a gamer in an airbrushed wolf t-shirt who has hanging-out at the hobby shop counter and chatting the poor clerk's ear off about his 60th-level half-ogre anti-paladin for a "social life."

Quote from: mearlsIs it the one over in Burien? I thought that one closed down in December. Or are there other cesspits in the area?
 

Naw, that's Wonderworld. No idea if it's still there. I mean Gary's on Greenwood.

Quote from: YamoBut at least they're fulfilling the place's function, unlike a gamer in an airbrushed wolf t-shirt who has hanging-out at the hobby shop counter and chatting the poor clerk's ear off for a "social life.".

While I've seen plenty of examples of the worst kind of gamer stereotype hanging out at game shops, I've also seen plenty of decent, smart, hygienic folk at such shops also. Maybe my experience is unique. I doubt it. It's easy to trot out the tired old gamer cliche and wring yet another threadbare joke from it. Hell, I've done it myself. But I've seen game shops that were the focal point of good-sized groups of people for whom the place was a nexus for them all to meet up or at least touch base. For that matter, I've seen such groups meet up at shops and proceed to head out to some nightspot or a movie. Those are the types of places that are a pleasure to frequent. The shops that don't foster such a feeling of comeraderie are the ones I don't give a shit about beyond going in to browse through new books.

Quote from: YamoNaw, that's Wonderworld. No idea if it's still there. I mean Gary's on Greenwood.

Ah, haven't been to that one yet. I've been to Uncle's Games over in Bellevue and it seems nice enough. It's in a mall with food court that has Thai, Russian, Greek, Korean, BBQ, Mexican, and Indian food rather than the typical fast food, so it's always worth the trip.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonWhile I've seen plenty of examples of the worst kind of gamer stereotype hanging out at game shops, I've also seen plenty of decent, smart, hygienic folk at such shops also. Maybe my experience is unique. I doubt it. It's easy to trot out the tired old gamer cliche and wring yet another threadbare joke from it. Hell, I've done it myself. But I've seen game shops that were the focal point of good-sized groups of people for whom the place was a nexus for them all to meet up or at least touch base. For that matter, I've seen such groups meet up at shops and proceed to head out to some nightspot or a movie. Those are the types of places that are a pleasure to frequent. The shops that don't foster such a feeling of comeraderie are the ones I don't give a shit about beyond going in to browse through new books.

I don't know, it still seems to be to somewhat common sense that a well-adjusted person is more likely to see a store as a store and not as a hangout unto itself. A store is simply a place to go to shop for most people. I would feel very weirded-out by a dude who spent hours killing time at the grocery store, just striking-up conversations with other shoppers and discussing the merits and flaws of various food items.

Quote from: mearlsAh, haven't been to that one yet. I've been to Uncle's Games over in Bellevue and it seems nice enough. It's in a mall with food court that has Thai, Russian, Greek, Korean, BBQ, Mexican, and Indian food rather than the typical fast food, so it's always worth the trip.

That sounds like a great food court. I've been craving me some Thai and Indian food lately...

Quote from: YamoI don't know, it still seems to be to somewhat common sense that a well-adjusted person is more likely to see a store as a store and not as a hangout unto itself. A store is simply a place to go to shop for most people. I would feel very weirded-out by a dude who spent hours killing time at the grocery store, just striking-up conversations with other shoppers and discussing the merits and flaws of various food items.

Depends on the place. If it's simply a shop with just book racks, of course it's not a normal hangout. I'm talking about the places with actual areas set aside for gaming, which also have vending machines and the like, and in which the staff and/or owners actually play in the games run at the shop. You know how people say they would only game with people they'd be friends with? That applies. These people gamed together on a regular basis and were a group of friends rather than just a game group.

See, I get the feeling you've never been to a truly great game shop if you don't see what I'm talking about. EDIT: In addition, I've seen bookstores that are the same way. Book clubs meeting at local bookstores are a good example; they often morph into simply being groups of friends finding an excuse to hang out, especially at places like B&N that have drinks and food.

Quote from: mearlsAh, haven't been to that one yet. I've been to Uncle's Games over in Bellevue and it seems nice enough. It's in a mall with food court that has Thai, Russian, Greek, Korean, BBQ, Mexican, and Indian food rather than the typical fast food, so it's always worth the trip.

Sounds worth the drive. Mmm. Gyro.

Quote from: YamoI don't know, it still seems to be to somewhat common sense that a well-adjusted person is more likely to see a store as a store and not as a hangout unto itself. A store is simply a place to go to shop for most people. I would feel very weirded-out by a dude who spent hours killing time at the grocery store, just striking-up conversations with other shoppers and discussing the merits and flaws of various food items.

Meh... a business need not be limited to one function. Whatever draws the customers, really.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonSee, I get the feeling you've never been to a truly great game shop if you don't see what I'm talking about.

Well, I admit that I have seen more than a few that seemed like a bunch of folding tables set up for the obnoxious with some small "actual areas set aside for shoppers."

Quote from: YamoWell, I admit that I have seen more than a few that seemed like a bunch of folding tables set up for the obnoxious with some small "actual areas set aside for shoppers."

Yeah, those suck. The best game shops I've been to have been the ones where the staff and/or owner has struck up a conversation with me as i check out. I'm kinda standoffish until I get to know someone, and, to be honest, I treat game shops like any other store unless someone who works there tries to converse with me. "You play HackMaster? I'd love to get a group playing that here. We have sign-up sheets for time available at the tables" or some such. That's a sign of a great game shop.

There is an LGS just up the road from me that I think may have figured out a great way to serve their clients.  They have 80% of their store devoted to tables.  They charge a nominal fee to use a table (I think it's $5 for a few hours and $10 for the day).  They sell various products, mostly cards, clix and dice.  They have two "bankers boxes" with RPGs in them.  This is not their primary business.

They have a clean bathroom, three vending machines and a bike-rack to lock up your bikes.

Every night that place is packed out!  Yeah, it's mostly local neighbor kids playing cards.  But I did a quick calculation...

25 tables @ $10 = $250 a day in gross profit (presuming an all-day rental or two 3 hour sessions).

I was there for an hour and saw twelve kids get a soda (20oz / $1.25) and a bag of chips or a candybar ($.75).  That's another $10+ in an hour.  (Figure they make $.75 on the soda and $.25 on the candybar)

If he sells nothing else, then he makes $300 a day in gross profit.  If he sells some cards, some figures, some dice, then he'll make more.  (Considering I saw him sell two packs of some kind of cards and a booster of Star Wars figures in that hour, I know he's doing other business, too.)

It's an LGS that couldn't give a flying flip about RPGs or the three-tier system.

He's making a cool living selling table space and providing a safe, social environment to kids with 100% disposable incomes.