GameWorks
GameWorks is a chain of location-based entertainment venues featuring video games, simulators, prizes, and a full-service bar and restaurant. There are currently five GameWorks venues throughout the U.S. The first GameWorks opened in Downtown Seattle in March 1997.
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:
- Seattle, Washington
Southwest Locations:
Southeast Locations:
Now closed/defunct:
- Las Vegas, Nevada (with a Special Edition motion simulator) (closed March 2012, but re-opening at a new location April 2014)
- Grapevine, Texas (closed June 27, 2010)
- Auburn Hills, Michigan (Detroit area) (closed March 29, 2010)
- Minneapolis, Minnesota (closed March 29, 2010)
- Columbus, Ohio [2] (closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Kitchen Den Bar [3])
- 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)
- Long Beach, California (closed March 29, 2010, reopening as Kitchen Den Bar [4])
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (GameWorks Studios)
- Orange, California (now The Power House arcade)
- City of Industry, California (now Tilt arcade)
- Tucson, Arizona (GameWorks Studios) (has replaced by World Sports Grille, which is operated by the same company - website: )
- San Antonio, Texas (GameWorks Studio in The Quarry Market, closed April 2009)
- Austin, Texas (GameWorks Studio in Lakeline Mall)
- Littleton, Colorado (GameWorks Studio in Park Meadows Mall)
- 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)[5]
- Sunrise, Florida (located in Sawgrass Mills, now GameRoom)
- South Miami, Florida (at Sunset Place, now GameTime)
International
On the Caribbean area:
- Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (at Mega Centro Mall)
On the Middle East:
- Kuwait City, Kuwait (opened in 2003, later called Gamewizz, Closed in 2013)
On the North America:
- Mexico City, Mexico (Opened in 2006)
Now closed/defunct:
- Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Despite being a very successful location, constantly full, it was closed 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)
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
- Dave & Buster's
- Chuck E. Cheese