Should I Buy an Arcade in GTA Online? A Comprehensive Guide
Yes, you should absolutely consider buying an Arcade in GTA Online, especially if you are looking for a versatile property that provides access to the Diamond Casino Heist, a decent passive income stream, and valuable business management tools. While it may not be the single best money maker in the game, its all-around utility makes it a worthwhile investment for most players. The Arcade serves as a multi-faceted hub, going far beyond just playing virtual games. This guide will explore why an Arcade is beneficial, address common concerns, and answer your most burning questions about acquiring one.
Why Buy an Arcade?
The Arcade isn’t just a fun place to hang out; it’s a critical stepping stone for several aspects of GTA Online. Here’s a breakdown of why it is a good investment:
The Diamond Casino Heist
The most compelling reason to buy an Arcade is to unlock and host the Diamond Casino Heist. This heist is one of the most profitable and enjoyable heists in the game. It allows players to engage in a series of diverse missions, requiring strategy and teamwork. Whether you play solo or with a crew, the Arcade is your entry point into this lucrative activity. This heist alone can pay for the cost of the arcade many times over.
Passive Income Generation
The Arcade provides a passive income stream. While not as high as some other businesses, the Arcade can generate up to $5,000 per in-game day when fully populated with arcade machines. This money accumulates in a safe located inside the arcade. Though the daily income cap is relatively low compared to other passive businesses, such as the Nightclub, it’s still a consistent source of extra cash. Moreover, it’s important to note that the number of arcade machines, not the specific games, dictates your daily earning.
Master Control Terminal
A significant benefit of the Arcade is the ability to purchase the Master Control Terminal. This terminal acts as a central hub for managing all your other businesses, such as Bunker, MC Businesses and special cargo warehouses. It allows you to resupply, sell product, and manage inventory for all your businesses from a single location. This saves players a lot of time driving between businesses on the map and helps in making the grinding process much easier and more efficient. This is one of the most time-saving upgrades you can buy in the game.
Garage and Personal Customization
The Arcade comes with a 10-car garage. This offers another valuable place to store your favorite vehicles. Moreover, each arcade can be customized to the player’s preference, giving players a chance to make their property unique.
Drone Station
Another hidden gem inside the Arcade is the option to buy a Drone Station. While it isn’t a core reason for buying the arcade, the drone station offers a quick way to manage your businesses and is better than the one included in the Terrorbyte vehicle.
Which Arcade Should You Choose?
The good news is that all Arcades, regardless of their price or location, provide the same functionality and upgrades. Choosing the cheapest Arcade available is generally recommended, as it will allow you to focus on purchasing upgrades rather than spending money on a prime location, which does not provide any benefits in this case. Here are the locations and their prices:
- Pixel Pete’s (Paleto Bay): GTA$1,235,000 (Cheapest)
- Wonderama (Grapeseed): GTA$1,565,000
- Eight-Bit (Vinewood): GTA$2,530,000
- Insert Coin (Rockford Hills): GTA$2,345,000
- Videogeddon (La Mesa): GTA$1,875,000
- Warehouse (Davis): GTA$2,135,000
Choosing Pixel Pete’s will allow you to save up to 1.3 Million GTA$ on the purchase of your first arcade and invest in more useful upgrades instead.
Is the Arcade Right For You?
Ultimately, whether or not the Arcade is right for you comes down to your playstyle and priorities in GTA Online. If you are regularly participating in the Diamond Casino Heist or looking for a convenient way to manage your businesses, then the arcade is highly recommended. If you’re primarily seeking the highest passive income source, other options such as the Nightclub or the Agency might be more suitable. However, the Arcade offers a balance of active and passive gameplay elements, making it a versatile and valuable addition to your properties.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Arcade worth it for passive income alone?
While the Arcade provides a maximum passive income of $5,000 per in-game day, it is not the most lucrative passive business in GTA Online. The Nightclub and the Agency both offer more significant passive income potential. However, combining the passive income of the arcade with other businesses makes the earning potential worth it.
2. Does the location of the Arcade matter?
No, the location of your Arcade does not affect its functionality, missions, or earning potential. All locations offer the same upgrades and benefits, making it best to choose the cheapest location.
3. Do I need to buy all the arcade machines for maximum passive income?
Yes, you need to fill every available slot with arcade machines to reach the maximum passive income of $5,000 per in-game day. You do not need to buy different games; you can use the cheapest game to fill every slot.
4. Is the Master Control Terminal essential?
The Master Control Terminal is highly recommended if you own multiple businesses. It will save you time and increase the efficiency of managing your various businesses and increase your overall earnings per hour.
5. Can I play the Diamond Casino Heist solo?
Yes, while the Diamond Casino Heist is more fun and easier with a crew, it can be completed solo if you are skilled and patient enough. However, it is recommended to find a crew to make things easier and faster.
6. How much money can I make from the Diamond Casino Heist?
The Diamond Casino Heist is one of the most lucrative heists, with potential earnings ranging from $1,000,000 to $2,000,000+ (depending on the approach, difficulty settings, and loot collected).
7. Is it worth upgrading the Arcade?
Upgrading the Arcade is beneficial if you want to optimize your gaming experience. The most important upgrade is the Master Control Terminal. The arcade games themselves do not have a significant impact on your earnings or progression.
8. Is the Arcade better than the Auto Shop?
The Auto Shop provides more vehicle-focused content and mini-heists. The Arcade is better for heist players, while the Auto Shop is a better option for car enthusiasts.
9. Is it worth buying a Nightclub or Arcade first?
If you want to maximize your passive income as fast as possible, invest in a Nightclub first. However, the Arcade offers heist content and the Master Control Terminal which will be beneficial in the long run.
10. How does the Drone Station in the Arcade work?
The Drone Station allows you to manage your businesses remotely, with better range and capabilities than the Terrorbyte’s drone.
11. How often do I need to collect the passive income from the Arcade?
The Arcade’s safe can hold a maximum of $100,000 at a time. You need to collect the passive income as often as you can to avoid losing out on earning potential.
12. What is the best business to pair with the Arcade?
The Nightclub is generally regarded as the best business to pair with the Arcade because of its lucrative passive income and business management features.
13. Is the Arcade a good option for new players?
The Arcade can be a good option for new players because of the heist access. It provides the potential for great earnings through the Diamond Casino Heist and a consistent source of income, but the set-up cost may take time to save up for.
14. How long does it take for the Arcade to pay for itself?
It can take a long time for the Arcade to pay for itself based on its passive income alone. However, the Diamond Casino Heist can easily recoup the initial cost of the Arcade. The average time will vary depending on how often you do the heist.
15. Can I sell the Arcade later if I don’t want it?
You cannot sell the Arcade in GTA Online. Therefore, consider carefully if it is worth the investment.