If QuarterWorld couldn’t have players come to it, Bowden decided the next best option was to bring the games to the players. He decided to offer a rental service for QuarterWorld’s pinball and arcade machines, allowing him to rehire a portion of his staff to help with deliveries and setup. Bowden says that renting an arcade machine helps to “remind you of kind of a happier time.” Renting an arcade machine is like being able to play one “in a bar, or a pizza place, or a restaurant.” That’s a valuable feeling given the current stay-at-home order.
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Bowden also recognized the responsibility that came along with offering such a rental service. His business would be introducing a foreign device into people’s homes, along with delivery personnel. Safety is a priority for Bowden and his team, he says, noting that they’re “taking all the precautions to make sure that [customers are] safe.” The safety of his employees are also a major priority. Employees where gloves and masks, and arcade machines and equipment are all sanitized.
The effort, unfortunately, was only a temporary one. On March 23 Oregon ordered non-essential businesses to close and that would mean Quarterworld’s delivery service would have to pause as well. The team apparently managed to deliver near 90 games (of 750 available) before the order took effect.
The boost in revenue for QuarterWorld will be used to keep the business afloat during Oregon’s stay-at-home order. And the extra week or two of wages will certainly be welcome for QuarterWorld’s remaining employees.
QuarterWorld is just one arcade that’s likely under duress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hopefully, gamers across the nation are able to check in with their local arcades to see if there’s some way they can support them during the crisis.
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Source: CBS News
