Comments on: Atari, Chuck E Cheese . . . uWink? http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 03:10:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Tamara http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126097 Sun, 11 Nov 2007 22:27:13 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126097 I live in the area and have had the opportunity to visit uwink on opening day to present. Over the several visits I have seen some improvements in the gaming and service. I do agree that the system should have far more social networks to meet other patrons. The food is very good and consistent. I feel they should go eliminate the computer orders for traditional waiter service and utilize the system for gaming, internet and socializing. The service as it is now is not as warm and personable which leaves you to wonder why and to whom you’re tipping. I have seen the crowd increase substantially since it opened. Being a parent I enjoy the adult vibe with a child friendly atmosphere. Overall, I believe this is a concept with a longterm future.

]]> By: Vanessa D http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126096 Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:27:22 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126096 Dismal. The Woodland Hills restaurant has a poor ambience. A high school cafeteria is more cheerful. Hell, a prison cafeteria is more cheerful. The walls are grey and grimy, the furniture black and damaged. The food is poor – about $20 for a halibut that was dry and not in the least fresh. This fish reeked. They say the games are free but you actually have to pay to play some of them – not right. Considering how “high tech” games are nowadays, you’d expect something more cutting edge. The games at uWink harken back to the Founder’s days at Atari – nothing more complicated than PONG. Service is below par – the servers don’t even know what’s on the menu or how a group of 4 can play interactively. You actually miss having interaction with a waiter. All these guys do is deliver your food. Nothing more. And then when you check out to close your tab, the bill defaults to a 15% tip. 15% for what? The servers hardly even speak to you – and they are all about 17 years old so they speak “valspeak.” Do you tip the guy at the McDonald’s counter? I will not waste my hard earned money here again.

]]> By: Rick http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126095 Sat, 06 Jan 2007 20:29:27 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126095 Just ate there last night. The previous comment is right, consider this beta. They are still working out a lot of kinks. There was a team of 3 programmers there I’m guessing to debug the software and add new features. When I was there there was a link to the TV feed that was inactive, that should be coming soon. There is a lot more that could be done for social interaction among people in the restaurant, it seems like there should be a chat feature, although typing on a touch screen isn’t ideal. I expect the restaurant to be 100% better one year from now. I’d say the food was equivalent to Chili’s with better presentation.

]]> By: Michael Parker http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126094 Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:28:38 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126094 We ate at Uwink on its third day of being open. I thought the food was GREAT. In fact the restaurant could stand on its food alone. The games were quant and it was fun to play some of the old stuff again. They are adding new games every day, and in the end I think they have a winner.

I know that getting the first iteriation out there is very important in order to get user feedback, and get the kinks worked out. Think of this first restaurant as the alpha of a great concept that will go far – just give it time.

BTW – there was not a bad crowd for having 0 advertising except for reviews here and there.

]]> By: Steve http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126093 Mon, 23 Oct 2006 21:02:59 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126093 I went to uWink for lunch and was underwhelemed. The short story is generic casual dining with computer menus instead of waitresses.

As a restaurant it was average mall food, bland and overpriced. Getting a seat took a couple minutes for the hostess to deal with her computer to configure my user card. The card was used when ordering to validate who was ordering the food. I stil had to visit the counter to pay my bill. The terminal would not take my credit card. Aside from technical trouble the service was friendly.

As a technology showcase it was a giant missed opportunity. The terminals on the tables took my order and summed up my tab. Besides a few lame games like memory or trivia that was it.

If they went to the trouble of installing the computers there was so much more they could have done. For example, create a survey and rank dishes by popoularity or take customer comments for each menu item. There was no internet access. I wanted to scan the news while I waited for my burger. It also lacked any kind of social networking application to meet and connect with others in the restaurant. Like signing on with a personal message of some sort, and then allow patrons to view who is ‘logged in’ at the restaurant.

Another troubling thing was the empty patio. The neighbor restaurants all had full patios with people enjoying the Southern California climate. uWink had no outdoor tables.

I’d say they need some more work on their concept before it’s ready to expand. Maybe some software updates and patio friendly computers. Good food wouldn’t hurt, but doesn’t seem to be required at the mall.

]]> By: Donald Dixon http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126092 Thu, 19 Oct 2006 04:49:21 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126092 I worked for Nolan at Atari and Axlon (AG Bear..Petster) He understood my love for robotics and he has been one of my heros ever since.

Nolan… Go for it man!

]]> By: Mike http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126091 Wed, 18 Oct 2006 15:24:31 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126091 The concept makes sense. Bushnell has a proven track record. The early feedback from the new venture is very positive. Long term UWNK should be a good investment.

]]> By: Jesse Kopelman http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126090 Tue, 17 Oct 2006 22:59:47 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126090 I think the “game-themed schools” is the more intriguing concept. How about an article on that?

]]> By: Elias http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126089 Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:48:26 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126089 So basically it’s going to be another Dave & Busters or GameWorks?

]]> By: Mike http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126088 Tue, 17 Oct 2006 11:33:19 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126088 “Bushnell no longer owns any part of the publicly-traded Chuck E Cheese — he left when it was in bankruptcy and now is a profitable restaurant chain traded on the New York Stock Exchange.”

Wow, Bushnell is being traded on NYSE?

]]> By: Daniel Milner http://gigaom.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126087 Mon, 16 Oct 2006 18:42:39 +0000 http://gigaom.wordpress.com/2006/10/16/uwink/#comment-126087 Hmmm…I live nearby. My wife and I will have to try that place out.

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