Honestly, nobody else runs Sega GameWorks press releases any more, so we might as well, if only to make Zorg happy. The bad news? The release is de-emphasizing the game playing and emphasizing the food choices. Oh well! Here goes:

"Sega Entertainment USA, Inc. is ready to compete in the casual dining arena. The company, which operates five different restaurant concepts nationally inside its GameWorks chain of entertainment locations, is confident that their restaurants can compete with other casual dining establishments."

"“We determined our stake in casual dining was not sharp enough,” said Ben Kitay, President / COO of Sega Entertainment USA Inc., “We needed to elevate the dining experience, let more people know about it, and deliver unmatched quality and guest service.” The company is now positioning the chain with “Hungry For More”. “You have to remember why we are doing this” said Kitay, “while we have never really been just an arcade, we haven’t really fully leveraged our restaurant strength. We have great food product and no one knows about it!” The positioning implies food, but Kitay listened to the obvious consumer trend – “Consumers want more from life, more from their every day, and more from their entertainment and dining experience – we have that!”"

Wait, there's more! "In January, GameWorks tested an internal program called “Sauce It To Me”. Featuring 13 new menu items with signature sauces, guests were able to choose a number of items that fit their taste profile. “We have had a great response”, said Pat Hart, Senior Vice President, Operations. “You see it in a number of casual dining chains, and there is a reason for that. We are all giving guests the power to choose, the power to decide. They like that power. They are more in control of their dining experience, and with our environment and entertainment experience, we provide more.”"

And: "Next up for the Sega Entertainment chain, “Ctrl Alt Eat”, a lunch program to be tested in California beginning July 2nd. The program is targeted at lunch professionals and will feature a menu that is entirely new to the GameWorks brand, designed to “restart” the consumer’s day... the menu will feature Panini’s, grilled sandwiches, noodle bowls and salads. The items were constructed to meet the needs of today’s lunch market - fast, healthy and re-nourishing. After the initial test period, GameWorks will launch the program in the remaining 12 venues across the United States."

“Ctrl-Alt-EAT is a new avenue for us to compete in the lunch business. Traditionally, we have always done the majority of our business on weekends,” Manny stated. “The food on this menu is incredible. Business professionals looking for a fast, healthy and unique menu will find it at our restaurants.”

Finally: "This push in to the casual dining segment at the restaurants within GameWorks is just the start for Sega Entertainment. In July, SEUI will unveil their new concept, World Sports Grille. Opening first in Detroit, Michigan inside GameWorks at the Great Lakes Crossing Mall, and then in August, downtown Seattle GameWorks, the World Sports Grille is poised to be a home run for adults, families and sports fans alike. “We wanted to create the ultimate sports grille”, Kitay said. “We will have games from around the world and games from around the block – with the best food and entertainment you can’t find anywhere else."

So... more emphasis on sports bar, and less on arcade, despite some rebirthing hints based around Mushiking and Love & Berry last year, then. Though to be fair, sister firm Sega Amusements USA is still pushing the arcade product to North America - including Love & Berry, though I've never seen it in an American location. Anyone? That's the way the cookie crumbles!