The bar/arcade scene is still quite vibrant, yet there aren’t a ton of new games out there for such locations to choose from. Retro sustains their gaming sides for the most part, but the potential & opportunity that is there shouldn’t be overlooked. Enter in “indie” arcade developers (or perhaps we could call them “minor” devs compared to the majors) who are targeting the bar market. One of those titles is the new Perfect Pour from DSM Arcade.
Perfect Pour Preview
As a quick refresher, Perfect Pour is an original development from DSM Arcade, in the vein of Midway’s popular classic Tapper. Unfortunately, finding a working Tapper is impossible for every interested bar out there, and Warner Bros. holds the rights to that game (which they probably don’t even realize). Dan at DSM Arcade had an idea for a Tapper-like concept that is not a remake of that game, but a new concept within the same vein.
Instead of filling drinks and sliding them across the bar to patrons, you have four taps at your disposal. Customers will arrive at the window of a particular tap, to which a glass appears. Your goal – fill the glass perfectly with the brew, reaching the rim without spilling (or failing to reach said rim). When done, the customer walks away and the more perfect your pour, the more points you land.
Here’s a new game trailer showing this concept in action:
But wait, there’s more!
Perfect Pour Dev Update
Dan was kind enough to provide more information on the game, which also covers some changes made to it after testing. It’s not quite ready to begin production yet, however, that is coming soon – either Q4 2024 or Q1 2025. Cabinets are being built by Fun Company up in Wisconsin.
The development of DSM Arcade’s first arcade-exclusive title, Perfect Pour, has come a long way since its first publicly-tested beta over a year ago! Interviews with arcade operators, brewery taproom managers, and countless players have helped guide game development and cabinet design.
Our playtesting at breweries and trade shows revealed a couple of interesting things. The naturally intuitive controls made the game accessible to all ages and skill levels. We saw children and non-gamers look at the cabinet for a few moments, then walk up and play correctly. Nearly everyone knows how a tap works, so nearly everyone knows how to play Perfect Pour.
Additionally, while Perfect Pour is intended as a single player game, we observed that friends would crowd around the cabinet and play with up to four players(taking turns). Players would sometimes start with multiple people, or call in friends as they needed help.
Major Updates:
- Faster paced gameplay. Patrons line up behind 1 of 4 beer taps, and your job as bartender is to serve that beer before the customer’s timer is up.
- New distractions trip you up during gameplay: blown kegs, half pours, pitchers, and perfectionist customers (who require a 100% full beer).
- The game level structure shifts between standard levels, boss fights, and mini games.
- A difficulty curve designed with earnings in mind.
- Customizable in-game logo allows operator branding to appear in-game (ex: a pixelated version of your logo hangs above the bar in game)
- Customizable attract mode slides, allowing operators to insert custom images into the attract mode rotation (weekly specials, upcoming events, additional branding).
- As with our previous titles, the game will be built by industry-leader Fun Company.
- Durable metal drink trays on each side of the control panel.
- Real wooden beer tap handles for joystick toppers.
- “Soda Pop Mode” that changes the drinks from beers to soda. [AH note: This will be great for non-bar venues to know about)
- A revenue report accessed via the operator menu.
- The game does not depict drunkenness, fighting, or angry customers. Customers get thirstier the longer they wait, not angrier.
Exclusive for Arcade Heroes – here’s the Marquee Art Reveal! We worked with Des Moines based local artist Maddy Fusco. One of her most popular pieces can be seen on the wall of Confluence Brewing Company.
We (Arcade Heroes) will have more info when it is available!
