The real reason why small and medium -sized game centers disappear -the meaning of closing the "Matt Mouse Kashimada / Shinkawasaki store"

The Metropolitan Police Department announced "Changes in customs business permit (sales office, etc.)" in "Current status of customs environments and crackdowns of customs -related crimes in 2017"The number is 4381 as of 2017 ( * Includes prize aircraft represented by "UFO catcher" and stores that have only card game consoles and ride machines for infants.)

In 1986, there were about 26,000 stores nationwide, but the number gradually descended from 2006.The background of the closing of game centers in various parts of the country in 2010 is based on the high cost of the new titles released on their own housing and the upgrading paid version, as well as online connections.The monthly communication costs generated by the facts and the introduction of a charging for each play to collect a certain amount for each play is listed.As a result, if you deduct various expenses from the sales of 100 yen, the profits of the store will drop to about 50 to 70 yen, but to attract customers, "2 credit/100 yen", "1 credit/50 yen".There are many stores that reduce prices, and it looks like they are gradually exhausting their physical strength.

Some media reports the strong performance of major chain stores and manufacturers directly managed as "signs of recovery in the amusement industry", but the fact that small and medium -sized businesses and individual game centers have been in severe situations for a long time.While games have become more familiar with home game consoles, PCs, and smartphones, game centers are being selected by the diversification and changing era of entertainment.

"The job that should have been fun was always painful."

This is what Masanobu Honda, who works as the manager of the game center "Matt Mouse Kashimada / Shinkawasaki store" (Kanagawa Prefecture).

Mr. Honda, who was rental for kitchen equipment, started rental business in an arcade game in 2003 in response to an invitation from a friend.He buys one of the number of business partners, "Matt Mouse," and started operating the Mat Mouse Part II in 2004 as the owner.He produced scorers for shooting games and music games, and the community of fighting games was also active, but he moved to the current location in October 2014 by an acquaintance's landlord.However, on July 22, 2018, the store was closed on Twitter at the store.

Why did the matte mouse Kashimada / Shinkawasaki store be closed?In the 15 -year business, we interviewed Mr. Honda, who had been watching the market change on site, and asked about the events and feelings behind the closing.

――It was originally a completely different industry, and when you started running an arcade game machine rental or a game center, I think it was quite difficult.

As a generation, I played in arcades and NES, but it wasn't so much gutsly, so I didn't dream of doing this kind of work, or honestly I was honest (laughs).It was the opposite if I thought that it would be installed and set.Basically, I remember that I was surprised at first because I had to do it, such as assembling the housing, installation and setting of POP.

――What is the change in your feelings and feelings by looking back on the business period so far?

Every day, I was crazy and desperate, but it was fun and interesting.However, there is still no feeling of something when closing the store.Anyway, I'm busy preparing for closing and moving (laughs).However, some other operators say, "I'm really closed" or "I'm lonely", so I'm grateful.

――I think your age group and games have changed in the past ten years.

The number of people who play only specific genres, such as "music games only" or "fighting games only".I thought I should play a lot of games, but I think there are various entertainment now, so I think I will run out of time.Of course, there is also a problem with money, so I wonder if the number of people has increased, "Let's do this game alone."It's not the idea of going to the game center to play games in various genres.Speaking of players, there is an image that strangers used to get along well in the past.If you are young, you can easily get along easily, but if you are a little old, it will not be difficult to talk, and it seems that regulars are inviting each other and playing in different games.

――In the number of cases where players know each other on twitter.Many people play games on smartphones now, but did the basic free game app seem to be a threat?

At first, it was a problem that the frequency of customers who came to the store had decreased, but nowadays it may have been more painful that the development staff and funds flowed to the app side.That's why the staff who created a game called a masterpiece would have been secretly shifted, and even if you make an arcade game from scratch, it seems difficult to secure budgets and personnel now, so in that sense pain.It's a hand.

――Please tell us what was the main factor when deciding to close.

There was also a tenant's contract renewal, and I knew that I was getting worse, so I thought I had to quit somewhere.I often entered the store because my sales were bad, but what I couldn't do elsewhere may have been strangled.Since I started the rental business, I have shared information such as stories and acquaintances that I have been dating, such as stories about sales and shop events, which led to motivation.I was.I thought that I could not close the mat mouse because I did not want to bother those who are taking care of me by rental, but one of the business partners, "Camel Higashi Totsuka" closed in March this year.I felt like my shoulder load was down.

Two years ago, I had had a meeting with small and medium -sized enterprises and tax accountants to improve the company, but pointed out that "continuing to operate the mat mouse is pulling the company's feet."It was continued.However, I started running because I started it, but when I got home, I often leaked my work to my wife, and sometimes I was told, "If I don't like it, I should quit?"I realized that it was painful.But I don't want to leave because I hate this industry.High mechanical bills and charges have been overcoming so far, and quitting the mats of matte mouse is a form that separates a very large thing in yourself.

――Are there any changes in the rental business?

I often removed machines with bad sales and replaced them with another machine, and it was motivated, but now Internet connection is essential, so I have to make a contract for each manufacturer.I don't know, and there are few machines that can be replaced in the first place.At best, I use the old board and use it.The expectation of the version upgrade was completely faded, and it was like "I bought it because I came."Even if "Beat Mania" was upgraded in the past, everyone was playing side by side in the morning.However, now it is an automatic update by the Internet, and there are many replacements of decorative parts to do in the store, so I feel that the temperature is different from when I was thinking, "Please play a lot because I purchased it."。

―― Some new games are premised on the introduction of the center and the terminal and the purchase of multiple units, so it costs nearly 10 million yen in total, but it is a considerable burden for the store.Isn't it?

In the introduction, I feel relieved when I paid the prepared money.When the version is upgraded, "I have to prepare again!"I don't think this is the only one, but I forget if I collected the machine fee.I think that the manufacturer has also calculated the collection cycle of the machine fee and issued a new work, but there is still the suffering of "I have to introduce it again ...".It doesn't make sense if the sales of the entire store do not increase ...

――1 The manufacturer offers the purchase amount and purchase plan for each play (5 yen to 50 yen) for each play (5 yen to 50 yen), but how about this?

I think it's good to be able to buy cheaply depending on the plan.There were times when we couldn't buy it without it.However, it is tough that if the game is useless for two years, it will not be possible to replace it.Speaking of pay -as -you -go, it would be nice to be cheaper.Well, I don't think the player cares.

――There are some competing game centers near Kawasaki Station, but the price reduction struggle between stores may be bothering you.

I think it's better for customers to play cheaply, and I'm telling me in my heart that "cheaper is also a corporate effort", but it's honest.On Thursday and Friday, Sega's "ALL".I'm running "Net P-RAS MULTI" for 100 yen and 2 clubs, but I'm doing it because I can't start without an opponent.However, there are cases where only that day comes on that day, so it is difficult ...

――I think the current game center is a situation where you are sieving whether or not it remains.I guess it will be becoming more and more severe in the future.

I don't think it will continue to operate.I was doing it (laughs), but a small business consultant and a tax accountant told me, "Everyone will endure to the last minute.Nevertheless, even if the company is settled or bankrupt, it will cost more than 2 million yen just to estimate it, and if it becomes a game center, the disposal and disposal of the housing will be a kid.Some people may not quit even if they want to quit.People who have money simply say, "I should quit," but that's not the case.There may be some shops that have few customers and think that it is unavoidable to do it, but since the management of the game center is like there is no borderline, you have to keep doing it.However, what does not help is the payment of electricity and game billing.If the electricity is stopped, nothing can be done.If you pay for billing, the game console will not be able to operate.It would be tough if that happened.

―― Please tell us your thoughts and prospects in Mr. Honda that you should be like this.

It would be nice to be able to open a store more easily, and there are many people who want to open a business!I don't know if it will succeed or not.Right now, there is a contract for the game center and a network contract, and the budget is reasonable, so it is not easy.It's a place to provide play instead of gambling, so I hope you can open a store more casually.Right now Japan is all major chains and manufacturer's directly managed stores, so I want more homemade shops.The game center is a customer service / service industry, so I think it is better for young people to do it than to do.I can't afford to arrange a lot of costly popular games, and I hope that the number of passionate people will increase and the industry will be activated by various ideas.

This year, new works and sequel titles such as "Fate/Grand Order Arcade", "Ongeki", "Mobile Suit Gundam Extreme Versus 2" are coming, and expectations from players and operators are high.Now that the release of new works is decreasing, even if it is expensive, a new tailwind is required.

In addition, in order to enliven the game center, there are not a few players who are thinking about what they can do to activate the community, but even if you continue to play and spread the fun and spread it.It should play a role in excitement.Matt Mouse Kashimada / Shinkawasaki store will be closed on July 22, but Mr. Honda finally said, "I still like this industry, so I would like to be involved in a different form in the future.I think. "I want to look warm at that trend.