Gaming Cafe/Centre - Controlling access & billing to play stations

[xplicet]

Hi Guys,

I want to set up very simple gaming cafes in our local impoverished area's. The idea is to have a gaming/internet cafe. Its not to make money but after lots of homework we have been advised to charge for the service. Very cheap (R1- 15mins). The goal is to provide entertainment and access to technology for the very low income group.

For this to be controlled we need some sort of access control software and billing system that will control access to the game consoles. The internet cafe side is easy as lots of software exists for this but how do i manage PS2 consoles? Looks like a can do it with PS3's but we dont have the money for a lot of PS3's. We might also want to use a Wii or two so i'm sure this complicates things.

I'm assuming we will have to get the network peripherals for the PS2's and then hopefully find a software package the will lock and unlock access to the games.

Any help will be much appreciated and may help uplift small communities.

 

[Bondizzo]

Hi, consoles cant run customised software on them unless they've been modded, at the same time the software would need to be developed by someone. Acces control for gaming is possible with arcade machines, home made consoles dont have that provision. Theres alot of gaming centres in my country (Zambia), access to the console is controlled by actual ppl.

 

[midkemia]

I would think you would need to implement some sort of count down timer next to the tv for the game, and then someone will have to monitor it. maybe have it set that you activate a button on a pc, and then it displays on a timer. the timer can then count down a specified time and sound an alarm at the end.

When i was managing internet cafe's (back in the day!) you have the option of manually starting a timer. You can have all the consoles in the internet cafe software and then just manage it like that. You can always turn off the TV with a remote if people dont get off.

Ideally you want to make it as simple as possible, and not have confusing systems in place, as then people wont follow them.

 

[I am Penguin]

Maybe a timer working with coins that switches of the screen power when the time runs out! That will keep the game running in the interim until another coin is inserted to enable continuation of the game.

 

[David o.o]

xplicet

Hi, have you found this app?