In this day and age where online gaming has become bigger than ever, is a video game LAN center really still profitable? If you are running one right now, you shouldn’t fret and feel bad about yourself. Online gaming is still just an option for gaming. LAN gaming will always be around because people value playing alongside others as well.
eBash Video Game Center
The big question is, how can you increase your profits when the gaming community is leaning more towards online gaming? Well, the good news is that you can still turn your gaming center into an amazing venture so long as you focus on a few specific ways through which you can take advantage of what the people need.
Increasing Revenue For A LAN Center
It used to be that LAN centers get a ton of regular customers. As we’ve said before, the industry has become more reliant on online gaming as the technology is better. If you focus on these best practices, however, you might reach a new level of revenue.
Hold Tournaments
Esports events and tournaments are one way to get more people in your esports gaming center
The professional gaming industry is also bigger than ever. The International 2021’s prize pool was a whopping $40 million already. People aren’t expecting you to hold such grand events though. You can start by creating your own local gaming league that a gamer can use as a launching pad for their pro career. Or, if not for aspiring pro gamers, it could be a way to attract competitive gamers.
The great thing about this is that your LAN gaming center already has either gaming PCs, consoles, or both. That means all you need to figure out are the tournament logistics, like setting the hours and putting an announcement on your website. Much of the initial set-up for tournaments should be free, given your ideal location as a LAN gaming center.
Many gaming outlets are using esports to their advantage. Some video game stores even use their premises as esports venues.
What’s good about this approach to your LAN center is that if it works, you can start building a network within the competitive gaming community. As more people play and join your network, the bigger your revenue will be.
Issue Press Releases for Your Esports Venue
Press releases are a great marketing tool to ensure your venue will get more exposure – image courtesy of Scrims Esports Gaming Center
As the esports industry continues to smash past expectations at unprecedented rates, and gamers around the world are engaging with it, so too do your opportunities for media coverage. Some media organizations primarily cover esports topics, and by issuing press releases, you can put your LAN gaming center at the forefront of gamers’ minds.
If other gaming centers in your local area are yet to offer this experience, it’s an especially perfect time to do it. You’re sure to be part of the latest media coverage, and multiple organizations will likely be interested to check what your venue has to offer.
In addition to this, even though you’ve likely already built a presence online, having third parties covering your venue will lead to a high amount of interest among competitive gaming teams. With time, your venue could even become the largest in the area.
Offer Parties at Your Esports Gaming Center
Overnight LAN parties are always a sure win for your esports venue
Along with tournaments, LAN parties are always going to be in. Whether you’re catering to teens looking to hang over a few games of CS:GO or kids at a birthday party that wants to play Fortnite with one another, the opportunity for LAN parties is always there. All you must do is be available to this audience.
You can take advantage of this call for LAN parties in many ways. For one, you should focus your marketing efforts on highlighting how fun playing with your friends nearby as compared to playing with them online.
You can take things up a notch by partnering with a catering company as well. You provide the PCs or consoles, they provide the food. Have them create a menu of video game-themed dishes for a special touch. This will make your LAN gaming center stand out and allow you to cater to the needs of players you may have been unable to reach before.
Click here to test the ggLeap client!
Market LAN Gaming
Nothing beats the experience of playing with friends in a LAN center
This should be a given by now but it would be wise to focus your marketing on letting gamers see the value in LAN gaming. Tell them that online gaming is fun but it cannot beat the fun there is in getting to hang with your friends while enjoying games. Be it console gaming or PC gaming, LAN gaming is always going to be one of the best experiences.
The technology for LAN gaming has stayed the same over the last couple of decades. However, with things like larger TVs, gaming experiences like split-screen multiplayer are also more enjoyable too. Any person that loves gaming would generally enjoy LAN gaming as well.
At the end of the day, what you do with your gaming center is completely up to you. However, if you want your business to be the next big thing in the gaming community, then you might want to consider shaking things up by listening in on what the community wants.
