Why your game combination is more important than you think
Different games will stimulate different player motivations
Players behave in different ways. Some players seek skill challenges, some enjoy the fun brought by luck, and others seek instant dopamine stimulation.
A balanced mix ensures:
More players will be attracted to your space
Longer visit durations
Higher average player spending
When one type of game dominates, such as too many redemption games or video games, spending will decline because only one type of audience feels engaged.
Excellent operators optimize processes, not just types
The order, placement, and proportion of the most profitable arcade machines have a significant impact on player behavior.
A well-balanced combination can improve:
Playing across game genres
Team play and competitions
Repeat customers are the biggest driver of lifetime revenue
The core game genre needed by every arcade
Claw machines and prize machines – your instant income growth point
Claw machines quickly attract players because of their simple rules and obvious rewards.
They are effective because:
The game cycle is short.
Players are willing to "try again."
The prize display itself is a built-in marketing tactic.
A few high-quality claw machines can significantly stimulate impulse purchases.
Redemption Game – High Participation, High Ticket Issuance Rate
These games continue to attract player spending because players can feel the measurability of their progress.
Reward machines drive revenue growth by:
Encouraging repeat attempts ("I almost succeeded!")
Rewarding players with tickets, points, or instant prizes
Creating a competitive atmosphere ("I can surpass your score!")
They are also an ideal cornerstone for long-term loyalty programs.
Video Games – Traffic Generators
While video game machines don't always offer the highest ROI per game, they attract players to the arcade and encourage them to stay longer.
Best Placement:
Entrance
Utilize corners to create depth
Areas where groups gather
What are their roles? To keep the arcade vibrant, naturally drawing players to the more profitable machines.
Sports and Simulation Games – Ideal for Team Games
Basketball machines, air hockey, and racing simulators create a social, competitive atmosphere.
These games drive consumption for the following reasons:
Group stages almost always involve multiple rounds of play.
Losers want rematches.
Viewers become players.
They also expand your audience. Adults and teenagers enjoy them just as much as children.
How to Build a High-Performance Arcade Game Portfolio
Strive to achieve a balanced proportion
Reliable benchmarks applicable to most regions:
30% Prizes/Claw Machines – Quick profits, high impulse spending
40% Redemption Machines – Your main profit driver
20% Video Games – Attractiveness
10% Sports/Simulation Games – Social gaming multiplier
This percentage can be adjusted based on your venue type, such as: family entertainment centers, shopping malls, VR arcades, cinema lobbies, etc.
Place high-yield machines in locations with the highest conversion rates.
Clever layout is just as important as the sound mixing itself.
Claw machines near the entrance → Attract impulse shoppers
Prize-winning games inside the center → Encourage exploration and repeated attempts
Electronic games along the perimeter → Create atmosphere
Concentrated sporting events → Enhance competitiveness
Good placement can increase play counts without increasing costs.
Update your mixture every 6-12 months.
Players are getting bored faster than operators anticipated.
Simple upgrades include:
Spinning prize displays
Swapping game locations
Adding seasonal themes
Launching 1-2 new machines annually
Even with the same customer base, a fresh product mix can maintain high spending levels.
Why Partnering with the Right Manufacturer is Crucial
Stable quality will affect consumption.
A machine malfunction will immediately reduce your daily revenue. A machine that doesn't malfunction, on the other hand, maximizes your lifetime earnings.
This is why operators rely on trusted manufacturers like Xiyu Amusement, because every Xiyu Amusement machine is manufactured to the following standards:
Stability
24/7 Service
Ease of Maintenance
Long-Term Profitability
A suitable combination can bring high returns.
A well-designed arcade game combination isn't based on guesswork, but on strategy.
When you cleverly combine game categories, carefully arrange game positions, and continuously update game content, you naturally encourage players to spend more, stay longer, and visit more frequently.
One-stop Arcade Machine Manufacturer in China
If you need help choosing the right mixing combination for your venue, just tell me your venue type and size, and I can give you an "immediately implementable" configuration.
