Cineplex set to expand their in-theatre arcades

[REVOLUTION]

TORONTO — Movie exhibitor Cineplex Inc. said Wednesday it will soon launch a test program in Toronto that allows moviegoers to pay a premium price for the best seats in the house.

That is, the two rows in the centre of a theatre that are considered the sweet spot for cinephiles.

Chief executive Ellis Jacob also said the company wants to grow its arcade business.

Jacob told shareholders at the company’s annual meeting that gaming “presents a real opportunity” as it looks to grow beyond just movie theatres.

Jacob says Cineplex plans to continue testing the concept with several arcades, called Xscape, located inside its theatres.

The gaming centres feature popular racing games and billiards, and let winners exchange their points for prizes. By the end of the year Cineplex aims to have 16 locations across the country.

Jacob says if the concept proves successful, Cineplex will consider expanding outside movie theatres with either standalone arcades or a sports bar concept.

Recent reports have suggested that Cineplex has partnered with private equity firm Onex Corp. to make an offer for U.S. restaurant and arcade chain Dave and Buster’s.

Source:

http://business.financialpost.com/2014/ ... =b09e-bf4b

 

[DRANO]

Stand-alone arcades!!! Now that would be something!

 

[WARLOCK]

Indeed.

 

[tim.sanderson]

TORONTO — Jacob says Cineplex plans to continue testing the concept with several arcades, called Xscape, located inside its theatres.

Full of nothing but redemption games, no doubt.

 

[WARLOCK]

And there you have it...

 

[frolic]

Has to be more unmanned redemption like they have at wacky wings.

 

[SquidVicious]

TORONTO — Jacob says Cineplex plans to continue testing the concept with several arcades, called Xscape, located inside its theatres.

Full of nothing but redemption games, no doubt.

yup they already have such a setup at the Burloak complex just north of me ... One pin total .. lots of redemption stuff

 

[Luckydogg420]

Redemption games would be cool if the tickets could be used for GOOD prizes. Like nachos, popcorn, movie tix, did I mention nachos.

 

[Chris Bardon]

Now THAT is an interesting idea... especially if they install the redemption kits on the pins. I wonder how complex it'd be to have redemption games feed directly into their cineplex loyalty points system? That way you eliminate tickets, and let people win points that they already have a redemption system in place for.

 

[REVOLUTION]

redeeming for movie tickets is a great idea, it would almost cost them nothing to do it.

 

[brad808]

Now THAT is an interesting idea... especially if they install the redemption kits on the pins. I wonder how complex it'd be to have redemption games feed directly into their cineplex loyalty points system? That way you eliminate tickets, and let people win points that they already have a redemption system in place for.

I wouldn't imagine it would be too difficult. The whacky wings in Brantford just loads your "tickets" onto your pay card. I know nothing about the system though so I'm basically just speaking out of my ass but someone should be able to do it :-D

Sent from my Nexus 4

 

[frolic]

That'll be funny if they go that way because then it pretty much is gambling with cash value prizes. I mean, all redemption is, you take away the tickets and the games aren't fun any more, but if they do away with the cheap chinese plastic and let people redeem for movie passes and stuff, they might as well have slots in there .

 

[Chris Bardon]

True, but at least with redemption games there's skill involved. Slots are no different from coin flipping.