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Topic: Renting Theaters for Gaming

Sean Kapp
Film Handler

Posts: 30
From: Columbiana OH USA
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 01-25-2009 05:01 PM

Monte,

Who did you contact at Microsoft for OK on Xbox? We attempted to do this a few months ago and didn't get very far with them.

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Ken Lackner
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1907
From: Atlanta, GA, USA
Registered: Sep 2001

posted 01-25-2009 07:45 PM

Monte,

What sound processor are you using? The CP65 can be configured for 2:4 decoding on non-sync. For just about any other processor, another option could be to use the second optical input and short the projector 2 pins on the processor so it would use this input. Then use stereo or SR as your sound format. Of course, you would need to calibrate the optical level for the second input.

Why do you need permission from Microsoft? Yes, I know they make the Xbox, but if you own it, isn't it yours to do with as you please? I would have thought the issue would be getting permission from the software vendors, if you are going to charge people for such events.

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Bill Enos
Film God

Posts: 2081
From: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 01-25-2009 08:09 PM

We could do it, never had an inquiry though. Would cost$300- $600. for 3-6 hours outside of regular operating times depending on variables or $1200. in the early show time slot on a week night, somewhat less to displace a late show.

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Sean Kapp
Film Handler

Posts: 30
From: Columbiana OH USA
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 01-25-2009 09:55 PM

There is a section in Microsoft's EULA about written permission for using Xbox. I don't have the exact text here at home, I'll dig through my files tomorrow for the exact text.

One of those fine print loop holes they like to toss into their agreements.

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Andrew Bangs
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 148
From: Kerrville, Texas, United States
Registered: Sep 2008

posted 01-26-2009 04:10 PM

Also I wonder what legal ramifications their could be from making money off public displays of the video games. Would, say Microsoft want a piece of the action or does buying the game give you the rights to play it for as many people as you want? I suppose I could ask my local arcade guy what the legal aspects are. If I find out anything I will let you all know.

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Mark Gulbrandsen
Resident Trollmaster

Posts: 16657
From: Music City
Registered: Jun 99

posted 01-26-2009 06:12 PM

I can line yous guys up with an 84 X 60 foot screen in Southern Utah... That size image would be very challenging for most... Although I think you'd all end up with the ultimate sore neck.

Mark

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Robert E. Allen
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1078
From: Checotah, Oklahoma
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 01-26-2009 08:39 PM

Andrew:

If you rent the auditorium out for private use (birthday party, game club, etc.) it is not a public performance and is no different than setting the games up in you living room for a bunch of friends so there's no licensing problem.

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Andrew Bangs
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 148
From: Kerrville, Texas, United States
Registered: Sep 2008

posted 01-26-2009 09:53 PM

So what if you made it your business to have big screen games like an arcade. Plus concession stand? I wonder how that would affect things? I am thinking this could be an interesting nitch that could be filled if you could find an old theatre house that has gone out of business. Set it up especially for parties or just have open game nights and work out some kind of time limit play system.

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Robert E. Allen
Phenomenal Film Handler

Posts: 1078
From: Checotah, Oklahoma
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 01-27-2009 01:49 AM

quote: Andrew Bangs
So what if you made it your business to have big screen games like an arcade. Plus concession stand? I wonder how that would affect things? I am thinking this could be an interesting nitch that could be filled if you could find an old theatre house that has gone out of business. Set it up especially for parties or just have open game nights and work out some kind of time limit play system.

If you opened it to the public and charged admission you'd probably have to pay a licensing fee.

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Sean Kapp
Film Handler

Posts: 30
From: Columbiana OH USA
Registered: Jun 2008

posted 01-27-2009 11:49 AM

I dug up the text that we considered to be "the wall" we hit when we were kicking around the idea of doing an occasional xbox night type event.

Taken from Microsoft’s Warranty information for the 360…

quote:

License: Software in and with the Xbox 360 Console is licensed to you, not sold. In addition the Xbox 360 Console and its separate hard drive incorporates various Microsoft and other 3rd party intellectual property rights which you are authorized to use only as set forth herein. You are licensed to use the Xbox 360 Product and its software together and you may not copy, transmit, circumvent the copy protection system or reverse engineer them, except as expressly permitted by applicable law notwithstanding this limitation. Commercial use, rental, pay for play or other public performance is strictly prohibited except where expressly authorized by written agreement from Microsoft.

Thoughts on the above?

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Bill Enos
Film God

Posts: 2081
From: Richmond, Virginia, USA
Registered: Apr 2000

posted 01-27-2009 12:05 PM

If you're renting the theatre it's commercial use. Pretty much the same as for a movie, if it's for a group in other than a home setting the licensing fees are due even if there is no charge.

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Tristan Lane
Master Film Handler

Posts: 444
From: Nampa, Idaho
Registered: Feb 2002

posted 01-27-2009 01:38 PM

I would read into the statement as follows: If an exhibitor chooses to rent an auditorium, as well as provide an XBOX hardware or software to the renting group, then the exhibitor's use of the XBOX would fall under commercial use.

If the customer supplied all hardware and games, and were simply renting an auditorium for their private party event, then the use of the xbox is non-commercial (at least in the exhibitor's interest). When an auditorium is rented to a private party, it becomes a private event.

Since there are so many different interested parties involved with video gaming, (console provider, game publisher, distributor, developer, etc...) Charging admission for play would be a nightmare. It's better to leave it up to the customer to provide all 3rd party content and hardware related to the event.

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Andrew Bangs
Expert Film Handler

Posts: 148
From: Kerrville, Texas, United States
Registered: Sep 2008

posted 01-28-2009 11:38 AM

That is what I figured and right where I thought this would go. In not so many words you would have to get permission from Microsoft (aka Pay a Fee) Plus perhaps a few others and then. It might be possible but then again not in a Small town like this. Well if nothing else it was fun to kick around for a little bit.

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Monte L Fullmer
Film God

Posts: 8367
From: Nampa, Idaho, USA
Registered: Nov 2004

posted 02-02-2009 02:18 AM

quote: Ken Lackner
What sound processor are you using?

(Sorry, caught this one late ..) We have old CP55's - I just used the N/S input on the backplane of the processor. Then,I installed an "A/B" switch to select between N/S music and the AUX input.

CP500's are tons better with that second N/S input for format "61" .. but not familar with anything above that - sorry, I work with dinosaur equipment.

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Chris Iacofano
Film Handler

Posts: 15
From: Athens, OH, USA
Registered: Jan 2009

posted 02-13-2009 02:59 PM

Just to clear things up - we would need to go to the publisher of the game, not the console manufacturer. Different divisions entirely at Microsoft. There used to be a pay-to-play console arcade here in town run by the college (bunch of flatscreen TVs with all of the systems hooked in). They ran things %100 by the books when it was open, so I'll try and find out what the rights cost and how they obtained them.

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