Municipal Pop-Up Arcade Pilot Program

Game Devision offers cities, parks departments, and public-event organizers a one-date,staffed pop-up arcade featuring independently made games designed for social, in-personplay. The Game Devision Indie Game Arcade brings unusual games and physical interfacesinto public community settings such as parks, markets, festivals, and civic events.

The word arcade is used here in the broad sense of a public place for games. This is nota row of coin-operated cabinets, and games do not require individual payments. Instead,visitors enter a curated, supervised space where they can discover games that are difficultto experience at home or through a conventional storefront. Learn more aboutGame Devision pop-up arcades.

Pilot at a Glance

• One 10-by-10-foot staffed exhibit.
• Four curated independent games.
• Equipment, signage, and controllers supplied by Game Devision.
• One trial date coordinated with an existing public event.
• A short post-event operational report.

Proposed Pilot Format

The initial municipal pop-up arcade pilot is deliberately small:

• One 10-by-10-foot canopy.
• Four independently made games.
• Staffed throughout public operation.
• Operating hours aligned with the host event.
• Tables, computers, displays, controllers, signage, and other equipment supplied by Game Devision.
• Electrical power supplied through an approved venue connection or an approved generator plan.
• One trial date, followed by a brief operational report.

The final site plan, staffing level, electrical plan, and operating model would be confirmed with the host agency before the event.

Public Benefit

The municipal pop-up arcade pilot is intended to support community events by:

• Giving children and adults an activity they can experience together.
• Encouraging communication, cooperation, and in-person interaction.
• Increasing the variety of activities available to families.
• Creating a physical showcase for independent developers and experimental games.
• Increasing the time visitors can comfortably spend at an existing event.
• Offering a low-commitment way for a public agency to test a new cultural and recreational program.

The games are selected because their physical controls, cooperative roles, or shared play are most meaningful when people are gathered in the same place.

Example Pilot Lineup

Squire

A two-player cooperative role-playing game. One player navigates the game using a conventional controller while the second manages a physical inventory interface. Players must communicate and coordinate their different responsibilities.

• Players: Two
• Typical session: Approximately 10 minutes
• Audience: Ages 8 and older
• Content: Mild cartoon violence
• Sound: Modest game-feedback audio

Soundelta

A single-player rhythm game designed around the custom deltaCTRL interface.

• Players: One
• Typical session: Approximately 5 minutes
• Audience: All ages
• Sound: Music provided through controlled speakers or headphones
• Visual notice: Contains flashing imagery typical of rhythm games

Sashimi Slayer

A single-player rhythm game using a supervised plastic sword-and-scabbard controller. The prop is not swung. The player partially draws the sword from its scabbard to register each timed slicing action.

• Players: One
• Typical session: Approximately 10 minutes
• Audience: Ages 8 and older
• Sound: Modest game-feedback audio

Cooperative Snake Game

A multiplayer version of the traditional snake game. Control is divided among the group: each player receives one directional button, and the team must communicate to keep the snake alive.

• Players: Multiple
• Typical session: A few minutes
• Audience: All ages
• Primary experience: Communication and group coordination

The final lineup may change with the approval of the host agency. Game Devision will provide a description and content review for each proposed title before an event.

Family-Appropriate Content

For a family-oriented municipal pilot, Game Devision proposes the following baseline:

• No gambling or prize-by-chance mechanics.
• No graphic violence or sexual content.
• No unmoderated online communication.
• No collection of personal information from children as part of ordinary play.
• Clear age guidance and content notices.
• Photosensitivity notices where appropriate.
• Controlled audio levels or headphones where appropriate.
• Host-agency review of the proposed game list before the event.

Safety and Site Operations

Game Devision will prepare an event-specific operating plan in coordination with the host agency. Depending on venue requirements, it may address:

• A weighted and secured canopy.
• Stable tables and secured equipment.
• Covered or secured electrical cables.
• Outdoor-rated power distribution.
• Generator placement, exhaust separation, fuel handling, noise, and fire-safety requirements, if a generator is used.
• Clear player, spectator, entry, and exit areas.
• Continuous supervision of unfamiliar physical controllers.
• Equipment reset and sanitation procedures.
• Weather, cancellation, incident, and emergency procedures.
• Setup and teardown outside public operating hours.

The lead operator will determine the number of attendants required after confirming the site, expected attendance, payment model, and final game lineup.

Accessibility

Game Devision will work with the host agency to create an accessible physical layout and document the accessibility characteristics of each game. Review may include:

• An accessible route to and through the exhibit.
• Reachable controls and appropriate table heights.
• Seated-play options.
• Readable instructions and content notices.
• Adjustable audio or headphones.
• Alternatives or notices when a particular game cannot accommodate a player need.

Accessibility capabilities will be represented accurately rather than assumed across every game.

Pilot Funding Options

Two operating models can be considered.

Sponsored Community Activation

The host agency or an approved sponsor pays a fixed pilot fee, and participation is free to the public. No token or merchandise exchange is included unless separately approved.

Admission-Supported Pilot

Game Devision charges a single admission price for access to the complete arcade. Games do not charge per play. This model would proceed only if compatible with the host agency’s vendor, concession, equity, tax, and public-space requirements.

The parties may also consider an approved sponsor, cost-sharing arrangement, or minimum revenue guarantee. Pricing would be proposed after confirming the event scope, required staffing, insurance, power, permits, and reporting responsibilities.

Insurance and Compliance

Before an approved event, Game Devision will document the applicable requirements with the host agency and, when relevant, the event’s primary operator. These may include:

• Commercial general liability insurance.
• Additional-insured and primary/noncontributory endorsements.
• Workers’ compensation when required.
• Automobile coverage when required.
• Business registration, tax, vendor, concession, or facility-use documentation.
• A site and electrical plan.
• Content, accessibility, and safety review.

Final coverage, limits, endorsements, permits, and contract language will follow the requirements supplied by the responsible public agency and event operator.

Pilot Evaluation

Following the pilot, Game Devision can provide a short report containing:

• Estimated visitors and player sessions.
• Use of each game.
• Observed wait times and capacity constraints.
• Setup, staffing, equipment, and electrical findings.
• Anonymous visitor feedback.
• Any incidents or accessibility concerns.
• Recommended changes for a future event.

The purpose of the report is to help both parties decide whether the program should stop, change, or continue. Ordinary evaluation does not require collecting personal information from children.

Planning Responsibilities

The final pilot proposal should identify which party is responsible for:

• Approval of the event location and footprint.
• Vendor or contractor onboarding.
• Coordination with an existing market or concession operator.
• Insurance and indemnification requirements.
• Electricity or generator approval.
• Equipment, transportation, setup, and teardown.
• Staffing and participant support.
• Promotion and public communications.
• Admission or sponsorship, if applicable.
• Taxes, permits, records, and post-event reporting.

Discuss a Municipal Pilot

Cities, parks departments, and public-event organizers cancontact Game Devision to discuss a one-date pilot andthe host agency’s operational requirements. After the agency identifies the appropriatecontracting path, Game Devision can submit a fixed-scope proposal containing the final gamelist, operating model, price, staffing plan, site plan, safety measures, insurancedocumentation, and evaluation plan.