GameWorks
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GameWorks is a chain of location-based entertainment venues featuring a wide array of arcade and video games, in addition to full-service bars and restaurants. There are currently seven GameWorks venues throughout the U.S, with the re-opening of the chains' flagship store in Las Vegas, NV. The Las Vegas store is the first store in the chain with a dedicated eSports Arena, a devoted space for multi-player online computer gaming. eSports has now become an integral part of all new and developing locations in the chain.
The chain began as a joint venture between Sega, Universal Studios, and DreamWorks SKG. The chain itself filed for bankruptcy in 2004 and 2010. On November 3, 2005, Sega Sammy Holdings, which was formed by the merger of Sega and Sammy, bought all of the controlling interests of GameWorks from DreamWorks and Universal. Sega took full ownership in 2004. In 2011, GameWorks was sold to an investment group. In October 2011, GameWorks acquired the assets of several Jillian's Billiards Clubs in California, Washington, and Virginia.
Locations
United States
Midwest Locations:
- Schaumburg, Illinois (with Street Fighter IV arcade machines and new Stern pinball Games on test)
- Newport, Kentucky (near Cincinnati, Ohio [1])
Northwest Locations:
Southwest Locations:
East Coast Locations:
- Chesapeake, Virginia (formerly a Jillian's)
Now closed/defunct:
- Austin, Texas (GameWorks Studio in Lakeline Mall)
- Auburn Hills, Michigan (Detroit area) (closed March 29, 2010)
- City of Industry, California (now Tilt arcade)
- Columbus, Ohio [2] (closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Kitchen Den Bar [3])
- Grapevine, Texas (closed June 27, 2010)
- Indianapolis, Indiana (as GameWorks Studios) (closed March 29, 2010, reopened by Tilt)
- Irvine, California (opened as Sega City, later became Fox Sports Grill, now vacant)
- Littleton, Colorado (GameWorks Studio in Park Meadows Mall)
- Long Beach, California (closed March 29, 2010, reopening as Kitchen Den Bar [4])
- Minneapolis, Minnesota (closed March 29, 2010)
- Orange, California (now The Power House arcade)
- Paradise, Nevada (at Showcase Mall on the Las Vegas Strip; closed March 11, 2012[5])
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (GameWorks Studios)
- Salt Lake City, Utah (closed 2015)
- San Antonio, Texas (GameWorks Studio in The Quarry Market, closed April 2009)
- South Miami, Florida (at Sunset Place, now GameTime)
- Sunrise, Florida (located in Sawgrass Mills, now GameRoom)
- Tampa, Florida (GameWorks was located in the Ybor City party district. Closed March 29, 2010 and reopened a month later as GameTime, under different ownership)[6]
- Tempe, Arizona (closed January 29, 2016)
- Tucson, Arizona (GameWorks Studios) (was replaced by World Sports Grille, which is operated by the same company - website: [1] - now closed)
International
On the Caribbean area:
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (at Mega Centro Mall) (ex McDonald's)
On the North America:
- Mexico City, Mexico (Opened in 2006)
Now closed/defunct:
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Opened in 1999. Despite being a very successful location, constantly full, it was closed in 2003 due to disagreements with the local representative. They wanted to remove the restaurant, and only keep the 2 bars. The Brazilian company created its own arcade brand, called HotZone.)
- Tumon, Guam (Closed in 2006)
- Vienna, Austria (Opened in 2001, filed for bankruptcy around 2003)
- Kuwait City, Kuwait (Opened in 2003, later called Gamewizz, closed in 2013)
Locations never built
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin (redevelopment of the Pabst Brewing Company site as the Pabst City entertainment district was rejected by the Milwaukee city council)
- Westbury, Long Island, NYC (though a sign outside the Source mall touted its arrival, it never materialized; instead, 'Jillians' took over the location which is now Dave & Busters)
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (building built in Harrisburg Mall but the project was abandoned in the wake of the Financial crisis of 2007–2010)
See also
References
- ^ http://www.ratecincy.com/index.php?p=listing.view&b=164
- ^ http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/33/371002/restaurant/Easton/Gameworks-Columbus
- ^ http://www.kdbeaston.com/
- ^ http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_15411450
- ^ Conor Shine (February 23, 2012). "After 15 years, GameWorks closing on Strip, looking for new location to serve locals". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2015-07-18.
- ^ Tampa GameWorks to reopen, article from TBO about GameWorks/GameTime.