16. Smartphone as a controller-games in bars
Being the 100th person to use a controller isn't great in a videogame bar.
Problem
In boardgame or videogame bars/pubs one of the main issues is that the material you use for the games (the boardgame pieces or video game controllers) wear quickly or even get lost.
People usually drink during these games -which they may spill on the game materials. Also - with an on-going pandemic it’s hard to sanitize the materials properly between groups of visitors.
Solution
Smartphone-as-a-controller games that are run on a single shared TV screen tailored to this kind of set-up.
One of the visitors scans a QR visible on a screen and selects a game to play, others join the game by also scanning a QR code. As people use their smartphones instead of shared game materials/controllers, there are no issues with hand-me-down broken materials. The visitors’ smartphones connect to the TVs over wi-fi/mobile internet - powerbanks can of course be provided.
The type of games would be casual party games, such as pictionary, drinking games, or short mini games (think Mario Party).
Business Model
The venue owner plays a flat amount per unit of time a game a played ($1 per hour?), it is up to the venue owner to charge their visitors or not. The investment from the venue owner’s side is very small (a smart TV or a TV with an Android stick plugged in).
Inspiration
Jackbox Games creates these kinds of games, but they are mostly targeted to couch play situations.