A new gaming bar is in development for Melbourne, Australia to follow in the footsteps of Mana Bar.
Beta Bar is the brainchild of former Mana Bar Melbourne employees, Skaidris Gunsmith and Bonnie Bradley.
The group want to continue growing geek culture in Melbourne and provide a unique gaming/drinking experience after the closure of Mana Bar Melbourne in September 2013.
“We are dedicated to being not only a location for the community to gather but for the bar to be a strong community member itself. We want to provide opportunities to Indie Game Developers and Community Members that they would otherwise not easily have access to”
Currently Beta Bar has a detailed business plan, and is exploring ways to raise further capital.
“We’re looking at multiple avenues for capital, one is to look for major investors who might want to buy into the company, another is launching the Pozible Campaign that we’ve been working on since before Mana Bar Melbourne closed.”
Skaidris Gunsmith responded on securing funds for the Beta Bar project,
“But before we start asking for money from the public we’re looking into as many options as possible that will keep the cost down but still service everything we need. Luckily there are a number of groups out there who want to see this happen so we’re in meetings with people who are offering help with spaces and advice.”
Some criticisms leveled at Mana Bar during its time in Melbourne’s Brunswick St area were around the size of the venue, the cost of drinks and license. The Beta Bar has taken a stance that it will not compromise on its vision and ‘will not set up anything half arsed’.
Beta Bar MUST have
- A decent license
- Ample space
- Be easily accessible (Melbourne CBD)
- Be comfortable & friendly
- Be well priced
Beta Bar is promising to help the local indie game development scene through a number of initiatives:
Free Indie Game Launch Space.
Indie Devs looking to launch their own game will have the space to use for launch events free of charge. Games made by Local Dev’s will get their own dedicated area.
Indie Game Fund
Beta Bar will provide an Indie Game Fund that will be distributed quarterly as voted by the community.
Hosting Networking events for Devs and Creatives to meet up and make lasting relationships.
You can head over to Beta Bar to ‘Like’ the Facebook page, read their “About” page in more detail, and keep up to date on future developments.
What would you want to see in a gaming bar? Arcade cabinets, consoles or maybe live streaming of eSports. Let us know in the comments below or through our social pages.
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