MOBILE VIDEO GAME THEATER CONVERTS TO GAMETRUCK
(Indianapolis, Ind.)—Joao Belo had the right idea but chose the wrong company when he bought a mobile video gaming theater last year. Belo—a long-time finance and marketing professional and an entrepreneur at heart—has always had a passion for innovative products and ideas, so when he discovered mobile video gaming, he jumped at the chance to own his own trailer. Soon after he purchased a trailer from a less-than-reputable company last year, he discovered GameTruck, a patented mobile video game theater concept that is the longest- running of its type in the country. Belo decided to convert his trailer to become a GameTruck franchisee and will begin servicing the greater Indianapolis area in late April.
GameTruck is in the midst of an aggressive Midwest expansion campaign and plans to add at least 10 licensees in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio over the next two years. The company is confident Belo will help grow the brand in central Indiana and beyond.
Since moving to the U.S. from his native Latin America to pursue his MBA degree at Northwestern University several years ago, Belo has held a series of high-level leadership positions in both finance and sales and marketing in the medical and pharmaceutical fields. Despite his coveted success in the corporate world, Belo—who also has a bachelor’s degree in international business—has always yearned to follow his entrepreneurial side.
“I’ve always had a passion and interest in breakthrough categories, so when I discovered the mobile video gaming concept I was hooked,” Belo said. “I jumped at the chanceto buy my own mobile video game theater, but looking back I should have done more homework before choosing a company.”
Belo, whose total enthusiasm for mobile video gaming resonates even over the phone, was shocked when he discovered several safety issues with the trailer he purchased. The wrong gas tank was installed, creating a potential fire hazard, and the vehicle failed to meet regulations set by the Environmental Protection Agency. And to Belo’s frustration, the corporate office of the company offered no support to its mobile video game trailer owners, leaving him and others on their own to deal with the problem.
So Belo decided to meet with representatives from GameTruck, the only mobile video game theater franchise that holds a patent for its innovative technology of bringing ultimate video game parties anywhere. As a passionate believer in quality mobile gaming, GameTruck found Belo to be a perfect fit for the franchise, and invited him to join the team by converting his existing trailer to a GameTruck mobile video game theater.
As GameTruck and Belo prepare for the launch of GameTruck in Indianapolis, GameTruck is working on renovating the trailer to ensure that the strictest safety standards are in place. Belo’s conversion also means it is being outfitted with all the video gaming systems that create a premier party experience for both kids and adults in an interactive, multiplayer environment that accommodates up to 16 players.
“I reached out to them and said, ‘I’m operating something in which you guys have a patent for, and I want to be part of your team,’” Belo said. “I’m used to doing business with premium brands, and in this industry GameTruck is the only premium brand. I’m also used to doing things the right way and conducting myself with integrity, and I expect that from my business partners as well.”
For Belo, the patent made all the difference. “The patent lends so much legitimacy to this business model,” Belo said. “Combined with the honesty and support that comes from the corporate office, GameTruck was a perfect fit for me to grow my mobile video game theater business.”
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Hudson — Folks looking for a few extra seats for a game night party or schools searching for video options for student lessons need look no further than the GameTruck.
The GameTruck, operated locally by Hudsonite Scott Beskid, opened for business in April.
The truck is a 33-foot long portable trailer which contains six 3-D TVs and a variety of game systems. It can be rented for private birthday parties and larger events, Beskid said.
The truck can accommodate 24 game players inside and another four outside. For larger groups, 70 to 80 people can be moved through the truck per hour.
“The GameTruck is a patented mobile video game center,” Beskid said. “It travels to locations to provide people with the ultimate video game experience.”
The trailer also contains two concession windows, one of which can accommodate an extra video screen, weather permitting, Beskid said. The other window can be used by parents to look in on the game-playing action.
“The cool thing about the truck is that it is self-contained and climate controlled,” Beskid said. “It is a video gamers paradise.”
But the truck is not just for fun and games, Beskid said, it has an educational aspect, too.
“Video games can be a platform to educate kids,” he said.
The truck has a variety of video games based on education, including games based on physics experiments and becoming an astronaut, Beskid said. Video games also teach teamwork and socialization skills, he added.
Beskid, formerly a social worker, has lived in Hudson for about two years, he said. For the last eight years he has been a “stay-at-home dad.”
This is Beskid’s first foray into business. He said he wanted to do something that still allowed him to be home with the kids after school.
The truck is available for parties “anytime and any day,” Beskid said.
For more information or to make reservations, call 888-602-4263 or visit www.gametruckparty.com.
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