GameWorks is a gaming-based entertainment center with a single location as of 2022. It was owned by then-owner ExWorks Capital, each venue featured a wide array of video game arcades, in addition to full-service bars and restaurants.It was originally created in 1996 as a joint venture by Sega, DreamWorks SKG, and Universal Studios, with the company growing into an international chain.Two former executives subsequently acquired the Seattle location and reopened it in August 2022.
History
GameWorks began as a joint venture between the video game developer Sega and the film studios Universal Studios and DreamWorks, with filmmaker Steven Spielberg providing creative input.[1][2]
GameWorks filed its first bankruptcy in 2004. On November 3, 2005, Sega Sammy Holdings, formed following the 2004 merger of Sega and Sammy, bought the controlling interests of GameWorks. GameWorks filed its second bankruptcy in 2010; as a result, Sega Entertainment USA, the parent company at that time, closed seven GameWorks venues on March 29, in an attempt to focus on profitability and future growth. Two locations that closed, one in Circle Centre at Indianapolis, Indiana, and another in Irvine Spectrum Center at Irvine, California, originally opened as Sega City.
In 2011, GameWorks was sold to an investment group, HNR Capital.[8] In October 2011, GameWorks acquired the assets of several Jillian's Billiards Clubs in California, Washington, and Virginia.[9]
In May 2017, Oomba acquired GameWorks.[10] In May 2018, Chicago-based ExWorks Capital took ownership of GameWorks.[11]
On December 24, 2021, GameWorks announced that it would be closing all of its remaining locations, citing financial difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.[12][13] Greg Stevens, who served as the company's CEO from 2011 to 2018, subsequently reacquired the assets of the Seattle location with business partner Howard Brand, a managing partner at former owner HNR Capital.[14] After some reorganization, the Seattle location reopened on August 3, 2022, after the closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[8][15]
Locations
Seattle, Washington - Downtown Seattle (Opened March 15, 1997, closed December 24, 2021, reopened August 3, 2022)
Former locations
Standard
Auburn Hills, Michigan - Great Lakes Crossing Outlets (closed March 29, 2010, now Sea Life Michigan Aquarium)
Bloomington, Minnesota, Mall of America (closed December 24, 2021)
Chesapeake, Virginia - Greenbrier Mall (Closed in March 2020) (formerly Jillian's)
City of Industry, California - Puente Hills Mall (Changed to Tilt Arcade until it ultimately also closed. The mall is now anchored by Round 1.)
Columbus, Ohio - Easton Town Center[16] (closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Kitchen Den Bar, now Legoland Discovery Center)
Denver, Colorado - Northfield Stapleton (Opened in March 2016, closed December 24, 2021)
Grapevine, Texas - Grapevine Mills (closed June 27, 2010, now Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium)
Irvine, California - Irvine Spectrum Center (opened as Sega City, later became Fox Sports Grill, now Paul Martin's)
Las Vegas, Nevada - Showcase Mall on the Las Vegas Strip (closed March 11, 2012)[17]
Las Vegas, Nevada - Town Square (Las Vegas) (Opened on July 28, 2014, closed December 24, 2021)
Long Beach, California - Downtown Long Beach - Waterfront - The Pike at Rainbow Harbor (closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Kitchen Den Bar until The Pike was ultimately closed and remodeled.)[18]
Minneapolis, Minnesota - Downtown Minneapolis (closed March 29, 2010)
Newport, Kentucky (near Cincinnati, Ohio) - Newport on the Levee (Opened in October 2001, closed December 24, 2021)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - Center City Philadelphia - Riverview Plaza
San Antonio, Texas - Alamo Quarry Market (closed April 2009)
Tucson, Arizona - Foothills Mall (reopened as World Sports Grill, which later closed.)[22]
International locations
Kuwait City, Kuwait (Opened in 2003, later called Gamewizz, closed in 2013)
Mexico City, Mexico (Opened in 2006, closed in 2020)
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (Opened in 1999. Despite being a very successful location, constantly full, it was closed in 2003 due to disagreements with the local representative. They wanted to remove the restaurant, and only keep the two bars. The Brazilian company created its own arcade brand, called HotZone.)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (at Mega Centro Mall, opened in a former McDonald's fast food, closed in 2015)
Tumon, Guam (Closed in 2006)
Vienna, Austria (Opened in November 2001, filed for bankruptcy in April 2002)
13.Thank you for the many years of memories! The past 20 months we have seen our business turned upside down-the continued slow economic recovery has left us no choice other than to close^
Grapevine, Texas - Grapevine Mills (closed June 27, 2010, now Sea Life Grapevine Aquarium)
Irvine, California - Irvine Spectrum Center (opened as Sega City, later became Fox Sports Grill, now Paul Martin's)
Las Vegas, Nevada - Showcase Mall on the Las Vegas Strip (closed March 11, 2012)[17]
Las Vegas, Nevada - Town Square (Las Vegas) (Opened on July 28, 2014, closed December 24, 2021)
Long Beach, California - Downtown Long Beach - Waterfront - The Pike at Rainbow Harbor (closed March 29, 2010, reopened as Kitchen Den Bar until The Pike was ultimately closed and remodeled.)[18]
Minneapolis, Minnesota - Downtown Minneapolis (closed March 29, 2010)
Newport, Kentucky (near Cincinnati, Ohio) - Newport on the Levee (Opened in October 2001, closed December 24, 2021)
