Dave & Busters employs several methods for managing their old arcade games, ranging from salvaging components to reselling or discarding them.
When games reach the end of their operational life or are rotated out for newer attractions, they don't simply vanish. Their fate depends on various factors, including their condition, the utility of their parts, and demand within the company or external markets.
Common Fates for Retired Dave & Busters Games
The process for handling old games is systematic, ensuring that value is extracted where possible and unusable assets are disposed of responsibly.
Here's a breakdown of what typically happens:
-
Parts Salvaging: If a game has components that are still functional and can be used to repair other machines, it will often be stripped for parts. This practice helps maintain other arcade games in operation and reduces costs associated with purchasing new parts. Valuable components like monitors, circuit boards, and control panels are often reused.
-
Relocation to Other Locations: Games that are still in good working order but might not be performing well in one location, or are simply being replaced by newer models, may be sent to other Dave & Busters stores. This allows other venues to refresh their game selection without the immediate investment in brand-new machines.
-
Resale or Donation: A significant number of old games are sold or given away. This can happen through various channels. For instance, many games end up on online marketplaces. There are documented cases of eBay stores selling a large volume of games that originated from Dave & Busters, making them accessible to collectors, arcade enthusiasts, or other businesses.
-
Disposal: For games that are beyond repair, have no salvageable parts, or hold no resale value, they are ultimately trashed. This is typically the last resort after other options have been exhausted, ensuring that resources are utilized efficiently before disposal.
Dave & Busters' approach to managing its arcade game inventory is a practical blend of recycling, reallocation, and responsible disposal, maximizing the lifespan and value of its assets.
