There are numerous ways to enjoy traditional sports; active fans choose to go to the stadium, and some just like to kick back and relax in their homes and watch. There are also some that simply prefer to gather some friends and go to a nearby sports bar.

Esports has also been expanding its viewing experience recently, with esports-exclusive stadiums under construction and esports broadcasts methods widening and developing in different ways. However, the 'esports bar' concept is not as widespread. While there are some gaming pubs/bars across the nation, it is still difficult to find places where they actually focus on esports events.

However, at GameWorks, a gaming/esports lounge in the US, you can actually play and watch everything related to esports. With 7 different locations across the country, GameWorks is now trying to expand by naming a new CEO, Philip N. Kaplan. Using his 30+ years experience in the field, he is expected to effectively direct GameWorks' growth and expansion.

We had the chance to catch up with GameWorks' new CEO, Philip N. Kaplan. During our interview - starting from a brief intro to the company itself - he shared some of his goals as an esports lounge owner.

The following is our interview with GameWorks CEO, Philip N. Kaplan.

Hello, congratulations on becoming the new CEO of GameWorks! Can you introduce yourself to our readers?

Thank you.  I have three decades of operational experience and have also run three publicly traded companies. My specialty is helping companies scale to achieve growth, and that is what we intend to do here at GameWorks. I attached my bio as well which will give you additional background. I was brought in to grow our offering and concept and expand the GameWorks footprint.


Can you introduce GameWorks to the people who don’t know about the company yet?

GameWorks is an entertainment and dining destination, attracting millennials, teens and families. GameWorks, Inc. offers a full entertainment and dining experience from seven locations nationwide, including those in Chesapeake, Va., Denver, Las Vegas, Nev., Minneapolis, Newport, Ky., Schaumburg, Ill. and Seattle. Each action-packed location ranges, on average, from between 20-30,000 square feet and features more than 120 of the latest, most popular arcade and video games. Other interactive activities, ranging from laser tag and state-of-the-art bowling alleys to billiards and attractions, are offered at various locations.

GameWorks is also recognized nationally for its electronic sports gaming and our esports Lounges. We attract 80,000+ guests annually who participate in or watch tournaments.

GameWorks also operates Table Top Tap House, a top-rated, popular restaurant, sports bar and social game hall serving modern American tavern-style food and drinks in San Francisco.

As an esports fan myself, it was very interesting to see and experience those small esports bars and arenas where people share drinks or pizza and also held minor tournaments. What are the unique and distinct advantages GameWorks has with all its branches across the United States

GameWorks will be expanding its esports offering. We are already a go-to destination for esports. Currently, across all our locations where we are hosting approximately 100 tournaments monthly. 

GameWorks’ esports Lounges offer guests a distinctive experience and opportunity to meet and interact with top players and learn.

They engage and play games in an intimate atmosphere where they can:

- Pay-for-play by the hour
- Socialize
- Choose from a vast selection of games
- Receive waiter/waitress restaurant and bar service while playing or watching
- Participate in and/or be a member of the audience for tournaments and competitions held weekly; typically attracts about 40 players 

Each GameWorks’ esports Lounge boasts 100+ game options, 40 PCs, 20 (Xbox and/or PS4) gaming consoles, five-eight Lounge “set-ups”, which include comfy couches. 

Esports Lounges foster gaming and camaraderie with other gamers as well as attract an audience as spectators. Our esports Lounges provide a very social atmosphere.  Guests can play competitively in person, watch and also learn from other players.  It’s an exciting industry that’s growing and GameWorks is part of it on a grass roots level. GameWorks is leading the way amongst Family Entertainment Center (FEC) concept for esports.


Can you explain the process of the GameWorks’ corporate ownership change? Also, why did the company decide to make this change?

New ownership acquired all of the previous owner’s (Oomba) interest in GameWorks. They see significant potential for growth and brought me on to drive growth and direction and help fuel expansion of our concept and brand.


With the company now under new ownership, how do you think GameWorks will change in general?

Under new leadership and management, GameWorks will be focused on increasing same store sales and expanding the Company’s national footprint. 

GameWorks will be enhancing its esports offering. As mentioned, it is already a go-to destination for esports. Currently, across all its locations, GameWorks hosts approximately 100 tournaments monthly. 

The Company will also be refreshing its games, adding the latest and greatest ones across all locations. Since the concept is based on entertainment and food, you can expect some exciting changes on the restaurant side of the business soon.

Now let’s talk about esports. What are your personal thoughts on the current esports market?

The market opportunity for esports is enormous. It is just scratching the surface right now, and we are well positioned to capitalize on this phenomenon. We are already known as a go-to esports destination and attract not only players but spectators, too. Our locations have esports Lounges that are welcoming and engaging. People like to come to GameWorks and engage in esports, so we already have that foundation in place. We plan to grow it from here and are placing significant emphasis on esports as we look to drive sales and grow our concept.


What would be some improvements that should be made in the current esports market?

There are lots of entrants for competitive titles, team styles, and leagues.  It would be useful to see conversations start about standards around rules, and games having standardized APIs to work with external developers who want to aggregate scores and other play data across multiple publishers.  


Now that countries in Southeast Asia and other countries such as China and Korea are investing in esports, does GameWorks have plans on entering the overseas market?

At this time, we are focused on driving current same store sales and growing our U.S. footprint.


Can you share your personal vision as well as the vision of GameWorks?

Since its founding more than 20 years ago, GameWorks has become recognized as a top destination for fun, food, excitement and a wide variety of games and esports, where we have become widely recognized for our distinctive esports Lounges.

GameWorks will look to leverage the strength of our management and on-site location teams as well as our industry expertise to drive the future direction of our brand. GameWorks has built a strong foundation and established a solid reputation in an industry that is continually expanding and well positioned for growth. There is a considerable opportunity to capitalize on this explosive market acceptance of entertainment concepts by growing the GameWorks brand and footprint.

I am excited to bring a dynamic new vision to GameWorks across the entertainment, gaming and food spectrum at our locations. Since its founding more than 20 years ago, GameWorks has become recognized as a top destination in the entertainment space, and we will certainly leverage the strength of our management, brand and industry expertise/presence to drive the future direction of our concept.

To finish up, can you give a closing statement for our readers?

GameWorks is well positioned and poised for significant expansion and growth, especially with the increasing acceptance of entertainment concepts throughout the U.S.

The Global Family/Indoor Entertainment Centers (FECs) market is expected to increase from about $17 billion in 2017 to $61 billion by 2027 end, representing a CAGR of 13.3% between 2017-2027. This increase in revenue can be attributed to the continuous launch of new FECs that support sustained growth of this market. Indoor entertainment centers are becoming increasingly preferred entertainment and leisure options by families vs. outdoor entertainment centers in North America, ensuring that environmental factors and weather do not affect the customer’s fun experience. Along with this, companies are offering food and other services at indoor entertainment centers under one roof, which is another factor prompting customers to visit FECs; this is expected to drive the growth of the FEC market in North America over the aforementioned forecast period (2017-2027).

In 2017, more than 500,000 guests visited GameWorks entertainment centers nationwide, and we expect this to increase as we bolster our esports offering, refresh our games regularly, elevate our dining experience, expand our footprint and focus on the customer.

(Source for stats: Future Market Insights)