Probably not a lot given the bill of materials and development (although most of the boards seem based on existing boards). These kinds of larger-than-life "event/ride" sort of games were a trend for a while. Sega made quite a few, probably because they owned and operated a chain of large amusement centers in Japan at the time.
The idea was that these would attract more players due to the strong 'curb-appeal' of the size/concept and unique game play, while encouraging groups of friends to play together. Of course, each play was usually double or more the cost of a regular game. At the time, large arcade centers were competing with smaller hole-in-the-wall neighborhood arcades which could pop-up in any empty retail storefront as well as convenience stores who could easily add a handful of arcade cabinets in a back corner. While major amusement centers obviously offered a wider selection of games in one place, having a few of these unique big games differentiated them.
However, these games also had several downsides. Of course, they were extremely expensive for arcade owners to purchase compared to a normal cabinet but they also took up more floor space and often required more maintenance. Ultimately, arcade owners measure value on revenue per square foot vs the total operating cost, including purchase price amortized over the time period a game continues to draw earnings. Since these games remained somewhat unusual, the calculus was clearly a close thing - probably not much different than a carnival calculating the relative value of adding a "big" Ferris wheel or roller coaster. The cost is high and, perhaps, only partly offset by direct earnings but increasing overall traffic through curb-appeal and differentiation are also important factors.
A lot, I imagine, even as a loss leader. It was something like two bucks a play, far more than I could then afford (that would be about $5 now with inflation!) the one time I saw it in person. And consider too, the kind of flagship place that can devote the space and power a setup like this needs, is exactly the one to benefit most from something like this that, as I can attest, drew kids' attention like no magnet ever invented - and even we who had not enough quarters for that game, mostly still had enough for others.
Namco being maybe one of two or at most three leading arcade marques, I think it would work about the same for them in marketing terms.
Comments
It looks extremely expensive piece of hardware. I have to wonder how much profit this made for Namco or the arcades.
Probably not a lot given the bill of materials and development (although most of the boards seem based on existing boards). These kinds of larger-than-life "event/ride" sort of games were a trend for a while. Sega made quite a few, probably because they owned and operated a chain of large amusement centers in Japan at the time.
The idea was that these would attract more players due to the strong 'curb-appeal' of the size/concept and unique game play, while encouraging groups of friends to play together. Of course, each play was usually double or more the cost of a regular game. At the time, large arcade centers were competing with smaller hole-in-the-wall neighborhood arcades which could pop-up in any empty retail storefront as well as convenience stores who could easily add a handful of arcade cabinets in a back corner. While major amusement centers obviously offered a wider selection of games in one place, having a few of these unique big games differentiated them.
However, these games also had several downsides. Of course, they were extremely expensive for arcade owners to purchase compared to a normal cabinet but they also took up more floor space and often required more maintenance. Ultimately, arcade owners measure value on revenue per square foot vs the total operating cost, including purchase price amortized over the time period a game continues to draw earnings. Since these games remained somewhat unusual, the calculus was clearly a close thing - probably not much different than a carnival calculating the relative value of adding a "big" Ferris wheel or roller coaster. The cost is high and, perhaps, only partly offset by direct earnings but increasing overall traffic through curb-appeal and differentiation are also important factors.
A lot, I imagine, even as a loss leader. It was something like two bucks a play, far more than I could then afford (that would be about $5 now with inflation!) the one time I saw it in person. And consider too, the kind of flagship place that can devote the space and power a setup like this needs, is exactly the one to benefit most from something like this that, as I can attest, drew kids' attention like no magnet ever invented - and even we who had not enough quarters for that game, mostly still had enough for others.
Namco being maybe one of two or at most three leading arcade marques, I think it would work about the same for them in marketing terms.