Major arcade chain Schmidt Gruppe in Germany has opened its 170th location, a remarkable €7m. UFO-shaped golden Spiel Station at Oberhausen, between Duisberg and Essen.

The location, which adjoins a major shopping mall and overlooks a major highway, from which its glowing colours are clearly seen, is in fact 12 licenses. Under current German law each arcade cannot have more than 12 machines, so many operators apply for several licenses for each location, grouping them into one building, separated into rooms, often with individual styling to each room. The rooms in the complex are connected to a common reception and (non-alcoholic) bar area.

The location, which features in our German Special Issue which will be published in InterGame January, also has 22 pool tables and four internet stations.