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State of the U.S. Arcade Industry 2004

Gamaroo writes "1up.com has posted an article on arcade game machines, the loss of the profit margin and the future of the industry. In their words: "There was a time when an arcade operator in America could buy a Ms. Pac-Man machine for less than $1,000, let it sit in an arcade, bar or storefront, and see that game make back over 30 times the initial investment. In 2004, that kind of profit margin is little more than a pipe dream.""

28 of 417 comments (clear)

  1. My Dream.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    My Dream of always wanting to own an arcade is still existant, even if I barely make money. I remember spending hours a day because my parents both worked after school was done. I ruled at SF2, which I believe has caused me to be the genius that I am today, along with decent hand-eye coordination.

  2. This is exactly why we need by kurosawdust · · Score: 5, Funny

    Celebrity endorsements! Thats just the ticket to get the arcade industry back! Anyone up for a game of "Danza Danza Revolution"?

    1. Re:This is exactly why we need by RufusFish · · Score: 3, Funny

      I can just imagine getting a really good 'score' during one of these games and a cheezy head pops out accompanied by 'Who's the Boss?! Who IS THE BOSS?!'

    2. Re:This is exactly why we need by nicedream · · Score: 2, Funny

      Then when you lose.....

      "a-o, o-a..try again"

  3. Triumph by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    "So, where are you holding the wedding wedding reception? What arcade?"

  4. Re:The ability to play at home changes everything. by El · · Score: 4, Funny

    Granted, the arcade may be more social If hanging out with rude, pimply faced pre-teens, drug dealers, and pedophile's is your cup of tea...

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

  5. What's needed now. by Moderation+abuser · · Score: 1, Funny

    Realtime UAV control.

    OK, so it's a bit pricey at the moment but on the bright side, you get to shoot real people while flying over trouble spots and it'll hone the military skills of thousands of teens ready for the big world domination push.

    --
    Government of the people, by corporate executives, for corporate profits.
  6. Really? by El · · Score: 5, Funny

    Chuck E. Cheese's is apparently still making money. Sure, they charge you $35 for a bad pizza and drinks, but then they give you 100 free tokens! Well... my 3-year old likes it, anyway!

    --

    "Freedom means freedom for everybody" -- Dick Cheney

    1. Re:Really? by LostCluster · · Score: 4, Funny

      Chuck E. Cheese's is apparently still making money.

      Yeah, it's going to be a good long time before the home console can recreate the ball pit...

    2. Re:Really? by brer_rabbit · · Score: 2, Funny
      Yeah, it's going to be a good long time before the home console can recreate the ball pit...

      And even longer til the home console can recreate the smell of urine that's constantly wafting from the ball pit...

  7. Re:Women... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ms Pacman understood me. She accepted me as I am. And most of all, she did what I told her to do without question.

  8. Re:Bring back old-school arcades/games. by Threni · · Score: 5, Funny

    > I know the Fighting Game Master personally drove me out of the arcade and to the
    > home consoles.

    The secret move you're looking for here is to remove your hands from the joystick, form a fist and punch the nerdy fucker square in the face. Then you can have a fair, balanced game with your friends.

    This special move seems to work on all hand to hand combat games.

  9. Don't worry about it by Progman3K · · Score: 5, Funny

    Organized crime has found other ways to launder its money.

    --
    I don't know the meaning of the word 'don't' - J
  10. They should hire the RIAA by dcocos · · Score: 5, Funny

    The reason that they are no longer making money hand over fist must be because of _piracy_ (ie MAME)

  11. Yeah! Pre-pubescent punks! by revscat · · Score: 4, Funny

    I know the Fighting Game Master personally drove me out of the arcade and to the home consoles.

    Damn straight, brother! Personally, I quit playing when I became a college grad and was consistently beaten by those little punks whose balls haven't dropped yet, and have vastly more amount of time to waste practicing on these damn things.

    Yeah, it's humiliating to be smacked around with one of those super-cool 50 hit combo moves, when the person doing the smacking weights 50, 60 pounds less than you.

    Smart ass punks. Kids today man, I tell ya what. NO respect, man, NO respect.

    1. Re:Yeah! Pre-pubescent punks! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny
      "punks whose balls haven't dropped yet..."

      You notice this type of thing? Scarry...

  12. Re:Bring back old-school arcades/games. by proj_2501 · · Score: 5, Funny

    You do that and the nerdy vietnamese kid's 50 buddies show up and beat the shit out of you.

  13. Re:once again, following the porn trend by Chibi · · Score: 2, Funny
    Oh and BTW if porn theatres want to get customers back, they'd also better provide a VR experience that we can't get at home ;-)


    How about forgetting about VR and going with reality? They are called strip clubs. :)

    --
    If all you have are silver bullets, everything looks like a werewolf.
  14. Legislation is needed. by valintin · · Score: 3, Funny

    Oh my an industry in danger of losing money. We must pass some legislation to protect their monopoly. They have a right to their business. Legislation is needed to curb the use of home gaming systems that threaten this vital American pastime.

    AGAA should get a percentage of all sales of home game systems. They deserve this protection for all the bodies they are losing. Some of these proprietors spent lots of money in anticipation of great rewards, who's going to pay for that now? The consumer of course. If we don't start taxing Home Game Systems the arcade industry could collapse and we won't have any more arcade games at all.

    AGAA says, "Do your duty America, report pirate game time today. If your not dropping quarters your dropping capitalism."

  15. Re:Bring back old-school arcades/games. by RegalBegal · · Score: 4, Funny

    just call INS...

    --
    "It'll destroy you if you try to make it mean anything to anyone but yourself." - Henry Rollins
  16. This is the boss by tepples · · Score: 2, Funny

    And then the boss level comes up, and you completely blow your legs out trying to pass "MAX 300".

  17. Re:Rightly So by pfguy · · Score: 3, Funny

    Winner buys the next drinks? What kind of crazy system is that?

  18. Re:Bring back old-school arcades/games. by carn1fex · · Score: 2, Funny

    Yea i remember that kid. He dominated Joust, and when i was like 8 years old or something i played him. He said "they call me Master Blaster".. ahh still the funniest thing ever.

    --

    ---------

    No matter how thin you slice it, its still baloney.

  19. You call yourself a geek?!!! by Thud457 · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's called a self-correcting negative feedback loop.

    --

    the preceding comment is my own and in no way reflects the opinion of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

  20. Welcome to internet gaming by CBDSteve · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...where you can get beaten by smug pre-pubescent punks in the comfort of your own home!

  21. Re:Regarding Dave and Busters: by the_mad_poster · · Score: 5, Funny

    Is it possible that one of the problems with the arcade industry is mismanagement of the arcades themselves?

    My bosses have assured me on numerous occasions that mismanagement is never a possible problem.

    --
    Alito: A vote for Alito is a punch in the eye to put that bitch back in her place!
  22. Re:Bring back old-school arcades/games. by Pope · · Score: 2, Funny

    But did he also rule Bartertown?

    --
    It doesn't mean much now, it's built for the future.
  23. Oh yeah, I had forgotten about that. by PotatoHead · · Score: 2, Funny

    Or, goofy things like: "If you drive the tank far enough (in Battlezone), you can reach the volcano."

    Dorks.