Omega Sektor RIP

[KONSPIRACY]

Well I cant say that its come as much as a surprise but the amazing Omega Sektor in Birmingham has closed its doors once and for all.

For those of you that may have visited the UKs largest LAN centre, the venue was simply amazing but the costs and overheads involved in running such an empty venue seem to have put a final nail in the Omega Sektor coffin.

The Omega Sektor closure has been confirmed on their website:

http://www.omegasektor.com/omega/cmps_index.php

An interesting article can be found on Hexus:

http://gaming.hexus.net/content/item.php?item=15854


As I said before, this comes as no surprise but it is a huge shame that such an amazing venue for gaming is now closed...its a good job we never went ahead with our booking in October!

RIP Omega Sektor

[Spindryer]

A sad day for such a great venue

[Mellow]

Those who didn't get the chance to go to the Omega Sektor really missed out I feel. I went there to film The Gadget Show for Channel 5 and for CGS 08. Both were good experiences and the venue was great. Most people who have been, however, would also have realised that it was just a matter of time until something like this occurred. A massive shame but I think something like this will make a return soon enough.

[KONSPIRACY]

From my experience and meetings with them, they simply did not have a clue about gaming, the community and fundamental basics such as marketing and promotion in order to attract ppl into their venue. If you cant do the basics as an event or a venue then you know you're in trouble!

As the article I linked above states, there are other venues that work but whether or not a LAN centre is sustainable for long term growth is a highly contentious debate but there are centres out there that prove it can be done...if done correctly and with the right support.

I approached Omega Sektor several times to do events at the venue, but they simply did not listen and insisted upon quoting ridiculous prices time and time again. The centre was empty 90% of the time and they must have been blind, ignorant or in denial to the glaringly obvious problems with a venue that was completely non flexible to the demands of the gaming community.

It would have been in their best interests to work alongside events such as XL or even any smaller community events as they would have secured regular and constant business in the long term. For some reason, they just didnt understand that these type of events would have pulled gamers through the door, provided repeat business, and as a gaming venue they basically turned their back on their core market in favour of trying to attract the casual gamers or ppl off the street who still see the general stereotype of gaming being "geeky".

They failed to recognise this and the consequence is that a venue with seriously huge potential is now closed and unlikely to reopen unless someone is brave enough (read: more money than sense) to take them out of administration.

[Terbinator]

I fort a past admin had died or something when i read the title lol
i was gonna say, wouldnt XL going there maybe saved it, at the very least delayed the inevitable :)

[KONSPIRACY]

Would never have been a suitable for XL due to the venue not being "flexible", however we tried to get small regular events there but they repeatedly couldnt understand the concept as they could only comprehend short term profit/loss. Like I said, if they welcomed a number of smaller events then I'm sure the venue would have been more sustainable. Venues need events to survive whether its a music concert, exhibition or gaming...they just didnt understand the basics of what a venue should provide.

[NeoKubrick]

Hi there, a gaming cafe like your has just recently closed down in Harrow (london).
It was called Omega Sektor, there were 2 branches, 1 in harrow and 1 in Birmingham.
but omega sektor was closed down due to owed money because of Birmingham omega sektor costed alot to build.
the omega sektor in harrow had a lot of customers tho, for internet and for gaming. on friday and saturdays we used to have over 30 people for allnighters which last from 11pm - 8am. we charged customers £12 for the allnighters, business from that was a sucsess.
reason why im writing you this email is because this is a oppertinity for you (gamerbase) to replace omega sektor in harrow.
you will have many gamers all day and night. this is the truth, i know because i work in omega sektor in harrow untill today when it was closed down.
so take this oppertinity seriously and pass this email onto your manager or possibly the owner of gamerbase.
this is great oppertinity you shouldnt turn down!

That's true. The Omega Sektor in Harrow did great business, and the all-nighters were always great. It's a shame I won't be able to attend those anymore.

[Mellow]

I don't know why but I feel like it would have taken some of the excitement away from XL if it was hosted at the Omega Sektor.

[KONSPIRACY]

...because it would never be a suitable for venue for XL may be?

[KONSPIRACY]

As you say the main issue and potential failing with a LAN centre is whether or not there is a demand for it when ppl can play in the comfort of their own home online whether they are PC or console gamers. The only real attraction to attend a LAN centre is the social aspect and tournaments with prize money...this is where OS failed miserably as they didnt understand the simple concept that venues need events to fulfil this demand. If they couldnt provide and promote their own events then simple logic is that they should have made extra special effort to bring in existing events to use it as a venue, and having CGS who seem to have more money than sense to throw at this doesnt make the venue sustainable, and by quoting over inflated and unrealistic prices they alienated the majority of PC and console events that may have utilised the venue, gave them loads of free promotion and make the venue more attractive to more potential customers. Its a massive shame but they simply brought it upon themselves.

I would love to manage a venue like Omega Sektor...

[xI Reverend Ix]

I never got the chance to go to either, which is a shame they seed like a great idea. Like Kon said if they didn't have a clue about the gaming market and fanbase then they were sure to fail.

Hopefuly someone with a thirst for gaming takes this over.

Just a thought for you Kon have you tried to source any of their unwanted good's, I know from experience if they owe the bank you may be able to get your hands on some rock bottom priced goods.