What a great idea. A Canadian movie theater is renting out their movie theaters for video game parties in order for video gamers to join en masse to play such games as Halo, Call of Duty, and others who can enjoy hard core gaming on the silver screen.
The Canadian company, Cineplex, is offering two-hour, up to 12-person rentals for CAN$179 (US$169), which includes use of a supplied Xbox 360 and games from an on-site library (although gamers can bring their own gaming to play). The $170 rental fee for up to 12 gamers for two hours may seem a bit steep, but if you factor in the use of a fifty foot screen, dolby and even THx quality sound, and twelve of your closest friends chipping in the cost, the resulting per person fee is quite minimal.
Working in partnership with Microsoft, Cineplex began experimenting with off hour gaming in movie theaters about three years ago. Now, with LCD Projectors capable of 1080p high definition resolution, the quality of the video presentation has really gone over the top. And with over 20 hours of down time a week for movie theaters, mostly in the mornings, the notion of offering movie related ancillary revenue streams can make for an attractive alternative. What’s the future? The possibility of movie theaters becoming full time gaming centers 24/7 with late night or all night gaming events and extra long sessions. One can easily see gaming centers taking the place of failed movie locations as entertainment obsessed culture looks for new and interesting ways to pass the time.
Hat Tip – Joystiq