Starting up a LAN shop?

[0lympic]

Hi i am thinking of starting up a LAN shop / cyber cafe in the west as gaming is my passion and was wondering if there were anyone with experience that i could consult for things such as what software do i use to control the pcs and games?


I know that opening a cyber cafe has huge cost but i just hope that i could make a small living out of doing something i like rather then doing auditing which is my current job.

Any form of help or contributions would be greatly appreciated! thank you!

 

[kazejin]

Gaming and running a LAN shop is 2 very different things though.
Do consider very carefully.

 

[shashimi]

need alot of capital to start and keep it running le. u wont survive just on providing computer usage to ppl.

 

[kingkongikiss]

why not, all business are profitable its how your idea run...

eg for lan gaming, u could org a tournament in singapore... idea never run out if your creative.

question is can you afford to loss all.

 

[lcpteck]

Haven't been in a LAN shop for a long time.

I used to work in CompPlus in Suntec and Capitol building, and CyberArena 1 in Capitol Building, and CyberArena 2 in Cuppage Terrace.

Those were the old days, lots of memories.

 

[cscs3]

why not, all business are profitable its how your idea run...

eg for lan gaming, u could org a tournament in singapore... idea never run out if your creative.

question is can you afford to loss all.

Conflicting statement from your first line of message to last line !

 

[DriftKing]

Hi i am thinking of starting up a LAN shop / cyber cafe in the west as gaming is my passion and was wondering if there were anyone with experience that i could consult for things such as what software do i use to control the pcs and games?


I know that opening a cyber cafe has huge cost but i just hope that i could make a small living out of doing something i like rather then doing auditing which is my current job.

Any form of help or contributions would be greatly appreciated! thank you!

Only my 2cents here, been to lan shops in Melbourne, run by either China/Koreans they have their own software game loaders and system to keep track of your time. They even issue a IC card that contain 'cash' to plug into the CPU Casing when you want to play and it will deduct the credit as you play.

Im guessing your first point is looking at pre-existing software to control in the market (Most likely china?). Setting up a decent CPU factoring all the cost, electricity bills, other opex like spoil hardwares, rent, well do like what we do in audit, do substantial analysis first!

 

[0lympic]

Only my 2cents here, been to lan shops in Melbourne, run by either China/Koreans they have their own software game loaders and system to keep track of your time. They even issue a IC card that contain 'cash' to plug into the CPU Casing when you want to play and it will deduct the credit as you play.

Im guessing your first point is looking at pre-existing software to control in the market (Most likely china?). Setting up a decent CPU factoring all the cost, electricity bills, other opex like spoil hardwares, rent, well do like what we do in audit, do substantial analysis first!

thats interesting! thanks for sharing !! i am currently looking for any sites/people who does those software! do you know any??

 

[true form]

in the same line... good to see ppl pursuing their passion. though it seems you are still very amateur to running a biz and lanshop, perhaps can start with visiting some successful LAN shops, even those at geylang etc, what people usually do there, peak hours, any other service can provide. see their setup and computers system etc.

 

[0lympic]

in the same line... good to see ppl pursuing their passion. though it seems you are still very amateur to running a biz and lanshop, perhaps can start with visiting some successful LAN shops, even those at geylang etc, what people usually do there, peak hours, any other service can provide. see their setup and computers system etc.

you are into cyber cafe too? could you share your experiences with me through pm? it will be greatly appreciated

 

[lcpteck]

I could give some advise too, but my info is like 90's, early 2000 era... Bit outdated haha

 

[stsilverbullet73]

hi Olympic,

I used to help a one of the largest LAN shop owner in SG with his ops. I am going to rumble the first few pts in my mind, hopefully it can be of some value to you

1. café software with good security control and analytics, billing all packed into one... try smartlaunch. Google it. A couple of LAN shops in SG are using this now. I am actually impressed by the SM interface.

2. hardware and software. don't spend too much on these. When I say don't spend too much on these I don't mean get crappy specs and upset your customers. Look out for bargains. For e.g. you will save a lot if you buy top hardware from the IT garage section rather than walk into Sim Lim and purchasing brand new equipment.

3. I suggest you do your costing first. How big is your shop? Don't forget to include entertainment license, software/gaming licenses, corporate internet line etc. Reno? Rental? Probably even CCTV due to theft cases when you buy branded mouse/keyboard (e.g. Razer). I can tell you that these days LAN shops are really struggling because everyone is gaming from home. They have good internet connection and even audio chat built into the game itself, so much so that the days of meeting together to pak game in a shop for 4 hrs straight is almost over. Don't forget LAN shop is a low value business, i.e. if you decide to charge $2/hr, it means you can only earn $2 for the next hour on that asset, no more, no less. Compare that against, say, the $50k outlay you are going to put out to set up the shop from ground up. How many years will you take to break even?

4. Your revenue will have to come from other sources such as F&B and organizing competitions. It will definitely go a long way to giving the business exposure and increasing your bottom line.


It will be a really long journey, you may take years to recoup your initial investment (if you pick the right location... (this is really important, survey the site traffic, what age group of people hang out at the rental spot you are looking at?)).

Having said that, it is a different kind of satisfaction to start a business and seeing your own customers enjoy themselves. You will be able to feel accomplished and say you did try your hands in running a business that you really have a passion for in your one lifetime. cheers and good luck!

 

[NCXcorporation]

TS, please check ur inbox!

 

[PRUbombz]

hi Olympic,

I used to help a one of the largest LAN shop owner in SG with his ops. I am going to rumble the first few pts in my mind, hopefully it can be of some value to you

1. café software with good security control and analytics, billing all packed into one... try smartlaunch. Google it. A couple of LAN shops in SG are using this now. I am actually impressed by the SM interface.

2. hardware and software. don't spend too much on these. When I say don't spend too much on these I don't mean get crappy specs and upset your customers. Look out for bargains. For e.g. you will save a lot if you buy top hardware from the IT garage section rather than walk into Sim Lim and purchasing brand new equipment.

3. I suggest you do your costing first. How big is your shop? Don't forget to include entertainment license, software/gaming licenses, corporate internet line etc. Reno? Rental? Probably even CCTV due to theft cases when you buy branded mouse/keyboard (e.g. Razer). I can tell you that these days LAN shops are really struggling because everyone is gaming from home. They have good internet connection and even audio chat built into the game itself, so much so that the days of meeting together to pak game in a shop for 4 hrs straight is almost over. Don't forget LAN shop is a low value business, i.e. if you decide to charge $2/hr, it means you can only earn $2 for the next hour on that asset, no more, no less. Compare that against, say, the $50k outlay you are going to put out to set up the shop from ground up. How many years will you take to break even?

4. Your revenue will have to come from other sources such as F&B and organizing competitions. It will definitely go a long way to giving the business exposure and increasing your bottom line.


It will be a really long journey, you may take years to recoup your initial investment (if you pick the right location... (this is really important, survey the site traffic, what age group of people hang out at the rental spot you are looking at?)).

Having said that, it is a different kind of satisfaction to start a business and seeing your own customers enjoy themselves. You will be able to feel accomplished and say you did try your hands in running a business that you really have a passion for in your one lifetime. cheers and good luck!

Very true. IMO, LAN shop high cost, low profit margin. And to make things even more difficult, its a dying trend. Its so affordable and available nowadays for kids to play online games at home with good speed. Open a bubble tea business much better chances of making money. Low cost, high profit. Sorry for being a wet blanket.

 

[archcherub]

Very true. IMO, LAN shop high cost, low profit margin. And to make things even more difficult, its a dying trend. Its so affordable and available nowadays for kids to play online games at home with good speed. Open a bubble tea business much better chances of making money. Low cost, high profit. Sorry for being a wet blanket.

haha i agree with both.
LAN is low margin liao... but then it is attractive because it is so much easy to manage compared to a bubble tea shop.

I suggest make ur LAN shop something a bit more unique. like something different.
Great screen or great sound or maybe something different that i cannot think of... (if not i also would venture into liao)

 

[NCXcorporation]

But as a gamer myself, it would be a pleasure to be able to game, and have a cafe within the lanshop!
It's a very expensive idea though

 

[Gentleblade]

Lan shopping use to be the "lifestyle" of gamers. Now its mo longer true. I missed the days man. Any1 of y willing to put everything into this do pm me. Either risk it or go back to zero.

I can confirm if we do smth similar like the present 1, then prepare to close shop.

If possible, lanshop scene should be revive. By logic, the next person who bring lan gaming to next height will reap great $ from the chance man. Just need another entrpreneur to breakthru.

 

[yeobt]

just happened to see this on my search for a same reason.
so is the TS started his new venture?

 

[bakuten]

Ur main job. Is to capture ppl with family issues.

Those who camp in lanshops cuz their homes are just too fugged up for them to want to return to.

Ive seen quite a few of this type of ppl.

They pay whole day just to sleep in the lanshop.