I like these.
I love naming stuff!
Any of these work for you?
- Final Dimension
- ACME Games and Comics
- 8th Ave Comics
- Last Destination Game Lounge and Comics
- The Dice is Mightier than the Sword
- 20 Sides of Dice
- Red’s Comic Adventure
The black lotus figured in the Conan stories of Robert E. Howard.
[quote=“Jonathan_Chance, post:80, topic:834365”]
[ul]
[li]Approachable Comics & Games[/ul][/li][/QUOTE]
This is my favorite, as it works on multiple levels, my favorite being that a collector will never quite be done, but will always be asymptotically approaching it.
What about my suggestion to drop “Art” in favor of “Collectibles”?
That’s up in the air. The place we’ve put a offer in to rent would require a build-out for the art gallery. If they agree to it we’ll go with art. I think it’ll be a strong product differentiator.
That changes things-now it makes more sense to me.
Because so much business will come through searches, it’s probably pretty important that the name have keywords like comics and games in it. So it would probably be better to be called “Black Lotus Comics and Games” instead of just Black Lotus. That also affects drive-by business. If I see a strip mall and one store is called “Black Lotus”, I’m not going to think it’s a gaming store.
I’ll give my opinion as a non-gamer who was just going off the name:
[ul]
[li]The Black Lotus - I don’t know the Black Lotus reference. I would think this is a yoga studio[/li][li]The Final Quest - Good[/li][li]Dungeon Crawl - Okay. Makes me think it’s an interactive experience like an escape room[/li][li]Future Memories - No. Sounds like the place in the mall that engraves picture frames[/li][li]Go Big! - Not good on its own since it could be anything. Add comics and games and it’d be a fun name[/li][li]Infinite Possibilities - Too generic. Could be any kind of store[/li][li]The Shop of Holding - I don’t understand this reference[/li][li]D20 Games - Hardcore gamers would understand D20. Not sure about casuals or collectors.[/li][li]Bloodbath and Beyond - Cool name, but might get trademark issues.[/li][li]Alchemy Games - Cool name[/li][li]Approachable Comics & Games - Approachable might be too accessible of a name that would deter experienced gamers. Seems like a store for beginners[/li][li]Diversions and Pastimes - Fun name[/li][li]Strange Games - Strange might be to weird of a word. Might imply you only have strange games[/li][li]Blurred Edge - Don’t understand this[/li][/ul]
[quote=“filmore, post:88, topic:834365”]
[li]Blurred Edge - Don’t understand this.[/li][/QUOTE]
Ever try to look at dice after 10 hours of gaming and a half dozen IPAs?
My first thought was: “Not Another Games and Comic Book Shop”
Which is kind of the issue I have with most of the suggestions so far. So I tried to think of something that is more about what a “game and comic book shop” is “about” and not just what is sold there.
“Citadel of Imagination”
“Creativity Resort”
ARThur Games’ Famous Comic Book Store.
Probably something that makes it clear you don’t mean video games (unless you do mean those too…)
For what it’s worth, I’m an “experienced gamer” and wouldn’t be put off by the name at all. It’s not really my pick off the list but I wouldn’t disqualify it on these grounds.
Same–I’ve been gaming for nearly four decades, and can’t imagine being put off by the idea that a gaming store is trying to be attractive to new recruits to the hobby.
If it was the only game store in town, then it’d be fine. The name is not off-putting or anything. But my thought was about how someone who was just basing their decision on the name might think. If people came into town for a Comic Con and did a search for game stores and these were the results:
- D20 Games
- Approachable Games
I would guess that the experienced gamers would tend to go to D20 over Approachable. However, if you were someone like a typical grandparent looking to buy some games for the grandkids coming over for the holidays, you might go to Approachable since you wouldn’t know what D20 means.
Unless you’re targeting just one demographic or the other, it would probably be best to have an all-inclusive name. Something that the dungeon master who paints her own game pieces would go to, as well as some kids looking for Cards Against Humanity and Harry Potter collectibles.
I’m guessing that grandparents buying games for the grandkids isn’t the biggest demographic out there. From this website:
-63 percent of U.S. households surveyed include at least one frequent gamer.
-65 percent of homes own a video game-playing device, while 48 percent own “a dedicated game console.”
-47 percent of gamers are between 18 and 49 years old.
-The average guy who plays games is 35; the average woman is 44.
-59 percent of those who play games on a regular basis are men; 41 percent are women.
-The average “frequent game purchaser” is 38 years old.
-60 percent of those who buy games most often are men, while the remaining 40 percent are women.
-41 percent of regular buyers pick up new games without trying them beforehand.
The types of games that grandparents buy grandkids can usually be found in any store like Fred Meyers, Macys, Walmart etc.
Honestly, I’d start with whichever store is fewer steps away or is closer to my next destination. Unless you’re looking for something esoteric or out-of-print (which doesn’t seem to be the goal with this store), they’re all going to carry Reaper Bones miniatures, Chessex dice sets and copies of the 5th edition D&D Players Handbook.
The fact that it’s “Games & Comics” would clue me in that we’re talking roleplaying games and probably not copies of Settlers of Cattan or Ticket to Ride.
I look at several of the successful small businesses in my area that have loyal followings:
Top Ten Toys
Math & Stuff
Greenlake Games (named after neighborhood)
Simple, easy, once someone goes once they love the selection and the recommendations. I personally would definitely go neutral and factual and short! On yelp and google and the website, you can add in the other things that are sold so keep them out of the name. So I am with several above posters who said “Chance Comics & Games” or Games by Chance or Chance Games & More. The latin and obscure game references are going to intimidate Grandparents going to buy games for dear Maddisen. So even adding a tagline of “for all ages and skill levels!” is helpful.
I did like the Nerdvana (Games)- it is self-deprecating enough to be not offputting to anyone.
In my other unsought opinion. Greenlake Games died due to trying to make it too “club like” with seemingly constant Magic sessions going on at a table in the middle of the small store- and Card Kingdom died due to half the store being Warhammer? dedicated. But one thing they actually both did very well was keep their small $10 games (see Love Letter, Rhino Hero) right on the cashier stand. Every time I purchased a major game, they convinced me to buy one of those stocking stuffer or glove compartment games. And honestly those are often the best quick games with infinite replayability. But make them more prominent than a back corner as they are a great and easy add on discussion for a sales clerk (“happy hour games” or games to play on the deck or games while waiting for your waiter).
“Chance” good.
“Good Chance” better.
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