What Makes a Party Next Level
It is hard to believe that we have been doing parties for 15 years at GameTruck. Over that span of time, we have seen many companies rise, and fall. Many claim to do what we do, but over time, discerning parents seek out gametruck.com for a party. Why? Renting video games is easy. Anyone can do it. However, few can be successful at it because at the end of the day, renting video game equipment is not what people are actually trying to buy. What people want us to deliver is a memory they can cherish. They are looking to buy a celebration that will mark a special occasion they hope to never forget. It is not the video games in and of themselves that is interesting, it is how we manage the event that makes all the difference.
At GameTruck, we work hard to make sure we do three things exceptionally well. First, we over communicate with the host. Second, our amazing game coaches maximize player engagement. Finally, we finish strong, which leaves people with a compelling memory. I’m not just saying this because I’m a fan. I am looking at Net Promoter Score of 86.7 for 2020, one of the toughest years ever for the entire event industry.
Communication
My mother told me this story. When she was the manager of the prestigious Bloomfield Hills Country Club in Michigan, she was elected to the president of the club managers association. You would think that a group of professional managers would be the easiest people to plan an event for. Not so. “They always waited until the last minute,” she told me. “Every time. You would think professional managers would know better; They should know how late registrations can throw the kitchen into chaos and communicate better. But they didn’t.” Even professionals struggle with effective communication.
Going to a well-planned event is a blast. Managing a well-planned event? Not so much. That’s why GameTruck invested in developing an advanced notification system to make sure we over communicate with the party host. We also invested in a party invite platform we call “Party Link”. Party Link helps the host stay in touch with their guests but more importantly it integrates all the event information we have for an event. Fewer steps, means fewer errors.
What’s more, Game Coaches go out of their way to communicate with the hosts. From the first person you talk to, through the coach, to the franchise owner, everyone understands throwing a party can be a stressful event. Our goal is to do everything we can to reduce that stress. In my experience clear, consistent communication is one of the best ways to achieve that.
Having systems in place to manage the consistency, allows our staff to focus on the personal touch. When you rely on a single human to do all the work? Book events, send emails, make all the calls, drive the trailer, manage the event, clean the trailer, and run the business. Things can slip. And they often do. It takes a team to execute an effective communication strategy. We don’t always get it perfect, but we always try to get it right. We believe a great event starts with effective communication. As I like to say, “fear fills gaps (in communication).” When the host doesn’t know what to expect, chances are someone is going to end up disappointed. When they know what to expect, they can relax and focus on having a good time.
Max Engagement
Once the party starts however, that is when our Game Coaches shine. The coaches know how to maximize the design of the environment to improve the player experience. GameTruck video game theaters are designed to thoroughly engage the players. Our Coaches goal is always to get everyone playing as much as possible. With the rise of games like Fortnite however, we have seen a growing number of kids who engage by cheering on their friends as they compete. I have heard of parties where, “they rocked the trailer” with cheers and shouts when their team won the game.
What is really interesting about this, and something we’ve seen since the very beginning of GameTruck is that being in the same space, surrounded by gaming rocks. And I think after spending a few months on Zoom, we can all agree that there is something special about being there in person. This can be explained by the 7/38/55 rule. When people communicate 7% comes the words we use. 38% is transmitted by the tone, and 55% of meaning is transmitted by body language.
Experts call this the lyrics, music, and dance of human communication. When more people are present the density of communication energy goes through the roof. Keeping the rhythms of communication in harmony is the job of the Game Coach.
The Game Coach helps players negotiate what games to play so no one is left out. What’s more, they remove the learning curve. They help players get into games and focus on play. Coaches remove the sand from the gears, making it easier for players to engage. We call this Zero Friction Gaming. The faster players get into games, the more time they spend during the party playing games together, the higher the level of engagement. We have learned that players remember games they played with friends better than games they played alone.
Finish Strong
There is a quirk of human memory that we do not remember everything that happens to us. For the sake of efficiency, the human brain “collapses” or “folds” our experiences around two points. We remember the moment of maximum intensity (maximum engagement), and we remember how the experience ended. This is a crucial point. This means that half of how someone will remember their celebration depends upon how it ends. Now hold that thought.
When you have asked your kid to stop playing how does that usually go for you? Most parents (and the kids) report it’s miserable. Welcome to the single biggest piece of magic performed by our game coaches. They end the party not only with no crying, but many have personalized ways of making the party end memorable. Whether it is singing happy birthday, trying to “flip the truck” or getting the kids hyped up for the amazing pizza waiting for them inside, they not only end game time strong, but the coach also leaves the kids energized. Many gamers remember their game coach for years afterwards. I received an email from a mom just last week from one of the first GameTruck Parties held in Georgia. Her son still remembers that party and the Game Coach who ran his event.
Conclusion
One of the craziest parts of the video game industry is the relentless rate of change. As I write this the PlayStation 5 and XBox Series X has hit the streets. GameTruck started with PlayStation 2, GameCube, and the Xbox 360. How did we survive so long? By delivering great celebrations that kids won’t forget. That did not happen by accident. Dedicated partners, and outstanding communication systems made throwing a GameTruck party easier. The latest games, and tremendous staff helped not only boost player engagement, but our Game Coaches help end the parties on a high note — which means the memories of the event are as strong as possible. At the end of the day, parents want their kids to feel respected, valued, and to celebrated. That is what makes a GameTruck party next level. It’s not just a party, it is a celebration.