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Artwork from Ancient Atari History
Matey-O writes: "Safestuff.com contains some early information on Atari's arcade games. Internal memos, brainstorming sessions, and artist renderings that accurately predicted what arcades would look like. (Except there seems to be a LOT more women in the arcades than I seem to recall.) The artwork has been there a while, so it's archived on the wayback machine."
"The artwork has been there a while, so it's archived on the wayback machine."
Well it's still there, so what does this has to do with anything?
Well, I thought I was in for a treat here. Hi-resolution, colour, exciting images of a bygone era: remembrance of things past. Instead I'm presented with a bunch of links (no thumbnails) of badly photographed pictures of 'art' of extreme dubious quality, unceremoniously dumped on a page with scant regard to format or presentation. One of the photos even has the flash reflecting off the frame's glass!!! Most are off-centre. I hope to God my enthusiasm of retro geek does not cloud my judgement as much as this guy's does.
Somehow that scene in war games where they're playing tic-tac-toe springs to mind. Maybe we could get a jpeg of *that*, taken with a digi-cam off my vhs recording of it when it was on TV last christmas. Yeah, cool.
My kids are 2nd generation computer users. I was the first in the family to get a computer and learn how to play games. My parents NEVER asked me what games I was playing, never monitored my online access (until my first 600 dollar long distance bill.) My parents didn't buy a home computer for themselves until 10 years after I had my first computer a c64.
My kids started using a computer when they could move a mouse. They would play the preschool toddler series, and graduated to basic movement games and puzzles, now its fighting games, racing sims and some RPG games. My girls can already play street fighter well enough to at least put up a fight. I wouldn't be surprised when they get older they want to play arcade games. They have been playing games for years.
It was 1 computer in the house when I was a kid, and it was in my room. Now its almost 1 in each room, and 6 in my den. Each kid has their own computer, all networked, internet access, Instant messaging, online games with other kids. They email and send pictures to the grandparents.
So am I surprised more girls are in arcades? No, Im more surprised that arcades can compete with a xbox, ps2 or pc.
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Life is like a dogsled team. If you ain't the lead dog, the scenery never changes. - Lewis Grizzard
Atari's vision of the future was pretty intelligent: games like "Thrill Drive" can only be appreciated in the arcade, sitting in a fully blown machine.
In the '70s they said "Home Taping is Killing Music". Today it can be said that "Home Gaming is killing Video Games". The custom hardware and elaborate bespoke controls that are deployed in Arcade games are ruled out for small, generic controls when you move from the arcade to the home console.
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There are some incredible games on home consoles, thats not in dispute. What I mourn is the ability to play a game like "Marble Madness" with its control (a huge trackball) made specially for the game, or "Paperboy" (bicycle handlebars), "Crystal Castles" (trackball), "Propcycle" (full size bicycle with fan in front to simulate rushing wind), and of course, "Missile Command", one of the early trackball games...there are so many examples. Ideally, the controls should be designed for the game. Game designers should be free to design both the controls and the gameplay.
I mourn the fact that these types of innovative game are being sidelined for development of Hollywood tie-in Lamestation fodder, and that so many Arcades have bitten the dust. In London, all the great Arcades have gone; the ones that remain are full of slot machines, meaning that no one under 18 can get in. The last big Arcade, at the Trocadero is full of poorly maintained machines, poor security, bumper cars and other distractions.
Namco Wonderworld is one of the last great, true arcades in London.
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My favorite was Warlords with Capture Ball and Fast Release enabled. Am I going to......nail you....nail you.....OR NAIL YOU EAT THIS! Yep, it looked like crap but sure was fun. The competition factor was completely different from fragging people in huge arena. There was no running around trying to find someone. Everybody was right there and fighting for control of the ball so they could get their licks in. Since it was a paddle game, the Capture Ball variants allowed fast unpredictable attacks. The psychology of this game is fantastic.
Surely it's the historical context that's interesting?
No one's claiming that the 'art' is anything special (though its not exactly bad - love the 70s girls...), rather it's an interesting insight into the creative process behind some of the ideas that went on to become part of a hugely succesful industry.
Last saw this in Narita (Tokyo Int'l)
Two reasons it's popular:
1)Kid Fantasy: "I wanna be a pilot when I grow up!"
2)Adult Fantasy/Therapy: "How hard could it be to fly one of these?" "If I can fly it then I shouldn't be so afraid of flying"
Unlike combat and other sims the player has direct involvement in what is being simulated. (they are about to get on board an airliner which is why you see these at airports.)
If you don't want to repeat the past, stop living in it.